The ongoing TV anime series Back Arrow, which has been airing since January, has released a new key visual and promotional video and confirmed that Eir Aoi and FLOW are performing the new opening and ending themes respectively.

Back Arrow 4th Key Visual

The series is licensed by Funimation outside Japan. Check out the new promotional video below.

Eir Aoi is perform the second opening theme Kodou

Eir Aoi | Comment

“The lyrics of this song are about how the sadness you cannot bare alone can be half-bared if you’re with another. How the choices you have made, the things you are lost on, and your continued worry aren’t meaningless, and how we should be positive about our struggles as we live our lives. Let’s overcome the time we have been unable to see one another and start a new chapter going into the future.”

*Comment translated from Japanese by MMN

FLOW are performing the second ending theme United Sparrows

FLOW | Comment

“We have tag-tamed with the directed, Taniguchi, since Code Geass, so we were naturally confident going into recording. Arrow and the gang are at the half point of the story so it’s only going to get more exciting. For the ending song, we were given the themes of ’embraced kindness’ and ‘a song flowing with emotions,’ so we took that and shared ideas amongst our band to transform it into sound. The result was a soundscape that FLOW hasn’t explored before, and I believe it resonates with the show in a big way. We hope people enjoy our song together with the run up to the climax of the story.”

*Comment translated from Japanese by MMN

The anime series is holding a vote for fans to choose their favourite scene from the first 12 episodes. The vote is open to everyone and can be cast here. Please note that the website is in Japanese, but all you need to do is click on the scene and choose ‘vote’ at the bottom.

The final season of the Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld anime series is set to begin airing on July 11, 2020. The Alicization arc began airing back in October 2018. The anime is an adaptation of the popular light novel series Sword Art Online by Reki Kawahara. A film, Sword Art Online The Movie: Ordinal Scale, was released in 2017 and earned ¥4.3 billion in the Japanese box office.

A new trailer for the final season was released on Aniplex US’s YouTube channel which features the ending theme I will… by Eir Aoi. Check it out below.
©2017 Reki Kawahara / KADOMAWA ASCII Media Works / SAO-A Project

Japanese singer Eir Aoi’s song I will… will be used as the second ending theme for the ongoing TV anime series Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld starting from April 25, 2020.

Eir Aoi’s last collaboration with the Sword Art Online anime series was almost a year and a half ago when she released her song Iris which was the first ending theme for Sword Art Online: Alicization.

A new promotional video was also released for the continuation of Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld which is currently following the “Alicization Awakening” arc. The video features the debut hearing of ReoNa’s new song ANIMA which will serve as the opening theme. Check it out below.

“Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld” – Final Chapter

Eir Aoi | Comment

“I was given the opportunity to sing the first ending theme ‘Iris,’ so I am so grateful to be on board again. The theme of this new song ‘I will…’ centres on being emotionally close to someone you hold dear and walking together with them. It’s a ballad that unfolds into something majestic. I hope it’s a song that holds close emotionally to SAO and those who watch it too.”

Despite having been just one year since her debut as a solo artist, Japanese singer ReoNa is already in the spotlight. She made her name known during the broadcast of Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online in April 2018 in which she performed the singing voice of the anime’s singer-songwriter character Elza Kanzaki. She also performed the Sword Art Online: Alicization ending theme song forget-me-not and the insert song Over the Rainbow in January 2019.

This past weekend, ReoNa performed live at LisAni! LIVE 2020 at Makuhari Messe on February 9, a song bringing together artists who perform songs for an ime series. During her performance, she announced that she will perform the second opening theme song ANIMA for the upcoming War of Underworld arc of Sword Art Online: Alicization, which will begin airing this April. This marks one year since ReoNa’s song forget-me-not was used for Alicization, as well as her first performance of an opening theme.

But that’s not all. She also revealed that she will perform the opening theme Scar/let for the forthcoming video game Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris, which is set to hit PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows on May 21, 2020. Be sure to check out the game’s latest trailer.

Fans can also listen to the full version of Till the End, a song by ReoNa written to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Sword Art Online light novel series, now streaming on Spotify. Released on Sunday, ReoNa also performed the song at LisAi! LIVE 2020.

Since her solo debut, ReoNa has already sung five songs for the Sword Art Online franchise.

In Sword Art Online’s 10 years, this is the first time an artist has performed both opening theme songs for both a new anime season and video game.

We look forward to hearing ReoNa in Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld in April, and Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris on May 21.

ReoNa said: “Sword Art Online is an important piece of work for me; it was a turning point in my life. So to be able to sing yet another song for it fills me with happiness from the bottom of my heart. I hope that this opening theme ANIMA reaches your heart, together with the characters’ heart and spirit to keep moving forward even if you stumble, or get hurt.”

She continues: “I’ve also been given the opportunity to perform my first video game theme. ‘Scar/let’ for Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris. Take this flower as an offering as part of your bright-red burning destiny.”

©Reki Kawahara/KADOKAWA ASCII Media Works/SAO-A Project

©BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.

Eir Aoi’s LIVE TOUR 2019 Fragment oF took her on a journey across the country, performing at eight different locations to approximately 10,000 wild fans. She saw her final tour performance at Kanagawa Kenmin Hall on July 15.  

The overpowering digital rock song UNLIMITED sent an instant surge of energy through the crowd. Her heart-throbbing setlist included a range of big hits that were used as theme songs for the anime Sword Art Online including Iris, INNOCENCE, Cynthia no Hikari, Ryusei and IGNITE . Her strong vocals and the passion etched onto her face enthralled the crowd. 

For the encore, she performed Tsuki wo Ou Mayonaka, which is the new opening theme song for the anime Granbelm. The urgent beat of the song energised the audience, who were dancing and singing as one. For the last song, she performed AURORA, which she especially prepared for this day only. 

“There are times that I just cannot sing this song, but seeing the encouraging and excited faces of my fans gave me the support I needed to sing,” she said.

Eir Aoi: Tsuki wo Ou Mayonaka Music Video

https://youtu.be/haJjUmsJnlw

After the encore was over, there was a surprise for the fans. The music video for Tsuki wo Ou Mayonaka, the new theme song for the anime Granbelm, was played before the crowd. Fans could not contain their wild joy at being the first people to watch the video. The music video was just released on July 16 at 8pm, so please check it out. 

Eir Aoi’s new song Tsuki o Ou Mayonaka was released digitally today ahead of the CD’s release which is set for August 28. A new visual along with the CD cover have also been revealed.

The song is used as the main theme for the TV anime series Granbelm which premiered yesterday.

Speaking about the song and series, Eir Aoi commented: “My new song Tsuki o Ou Mayonaka is speedy and uptempo. The lyrics talk about the many memories you share with the important people in your life that can’t be severed by anyone. The song title is a metaphor and means that even if painful or sad things (midnight) approach us, the moon (the memories we share with those important to us) won’t darken and will continue shining on. I was surprised and pained by the human nature of the characters in Granbelm, but each of them are unique and have their own appeals. I can’t discuss too much because of spoilers, but I think this series will really touch the heart of those who see it.”

It has been revealed that Eir Aoi’s 16th single Tsuki o Ou Mayonaka (“Midnight Chases the Moon”) will be released in Japan on August 28, 2019.

TV Anime “Granbelm” Promotional Trailer 1

The song will be used for the upcoming TV anime series Granbelm produced by Nexus which will begin airing on July 5. The ending theme Negai will be performed will be by Uru.

Eir Aoi is embarked on her nationwide “Fragment oF” tour on May 31. Fans who purchase her new single from any of the venues on the tour will receive a signed A2 poster of Eir Aoi.

Speaking about her new single, Aoi commented the following: “Tsuki o Ou Mayonaka is a fast-paced, up-tempo song. The lyrics talk about the many precious memories we shared with those important to us that cannot be broken by anybody. The song title is metaphorical and means that even if painful or sad things (midnight) approach us, the moon (the memories we share with those important to us) won’t darken and will continue shining on. I was surprised, pained and more by the human nature of the characters in Granbelm, but all of them are very unique and have their own appeals. I can’t discuss too much because of spoilers, but I think this series will really pierce the heart of those who watch it.”

SACRA MUSIC―a music label under Sony Music Labels―held a music event entitled SACRA MUSIC FES.2019 -NEW GENERATION- at Makuhari Messe in Chiba on Saturday May 18 and Sunday May 19. This non-stop live show housed a 360° stage in the centre of the venue on which artists signed to the label dazzled a total of 12,000 fans across the weekend.

This was the first live event of its kind by SACRA MUSIC. The show’s subtitle “New Generation” refers to artists both signed to the label and the new generation of artists leading the music scene into the future. The line-up feature a diverse array of talent and genres spanning voice actors to rock bands, idols, virtual YouTubers and more.

The line-up for both days included ASCA, Ayano Mashiro, =LOVE, Luna Kaguya, GARNiDELiA, ClariS, Soma Saito, SawanoHiroyuki[nZk], Sangatsu no Phantasia, Spira Spica, TrySail, halca, PENGUIN RESEARCH, and ReoNa. A live band of skilled musicians dubbed the “SACRA BAND” also took to the stage to aid in performing various hits songs and anime songs. Virtual YouTuber Luna Kaguya performed as an opener, and EGOIST also made a surprise performance on screen, fusing the 2D world with the 3D world.

Several special collaborations also took place throughout the festival where artists banded together to perform covers as well as perform each others’ songs. This included ClariS x TrySail, Mikiha (Spira Spica) x halca, Soma Saito x Yoji Ikuta & Shota Horie (PENGUIN RESEARCH), GARNiDELiA x Ayano Mashiro, and ASCA x ReoNa.

At the end of the first night, Eir Aoi appeared as a secret guest to perform three songs including her first single Ryuusei. At the end of the second night, LiSA was the secret guest, who performed several songs including her latest number Gurenge. The two also came together to sing each of their respective hits IGNITE and Rising Hope.

A teaser video was also shown for two new SACRA MUSIC projects titled BATON=RELAY and Tenka Soul. The concerts are only set to continue growing bigger and better.

Eir Aoi’s new song “Tsuki o Ou Mayonaka” (Following the Moon in the Middle of the Night) will be the opening theme song for the anime Granbelm.

Granbelm is big in the news as an upcoming anime which willl have its debut release on 5th July 2019 on the TV programming block Animeism on MBS, TBS and BS-TBS. Ahead of the anime release, a 10-minute opening video was released on YouTube which obtained more than 100,000 views, raising excitement for the anime even more.

The release of the latest anime trailer features the opening theme song; Aoi’s new song Tsuki o Ou Mayonaka. This is the the first ever opportunity anyone has ever got to listen to this song! The girls face conflict as they awaken the magical dolls known as Armanox to enter battle! Watch this trailer and let the unmissable action unfold!

Further information about the release of the song will be announced in the future on Aoi’s official website. Don’t forget to check out her Japan hall tour that starts from 31st May either!

Aoi’s statement

My new song Tsuki o Ou Mayonaka is an upbeat song which reminds us of the times we have been frantically persuing something. The theme of the song is tying ourselves close to the people whom are precious to us and the belief that our precious memories will not be destroyed by anyone or anything. The title of the song is a metaphor to show that no matter how far deep we fall into a dark place, the people precious to us will always act as a shining beacon of light to guide us out. You will be so shocked at the level of inhumanity of some of these characters! Watching the series made my heart ache but each character is so unique you won’t be able to help but watch. I am afraid of giving away spoilers so I won’t talk too much but I am sure that if you watch it then your heart will be pierced too!

Eir Aoi just dropped her 4th studio album FRAGMENT on April 17 which is themed around “fragments of everyday life.” It’s a personal and real record that gives insight into Aoi as a person.

The tracklist includes her hit single Ryuusei as well as Ima written and composed by Yoshiki Mizuno of Ikimono-gakari, Puzzle Telepathy written and composed by up-and-coming singer-songwriter KanoeRana, and more. The title track Fragment was written and composed by Eir Aoi herself. The lyrics paints a picture of everyday life as the song begins with the person having overslept.

Grow Up features lyrics also written by Aoi and centres around going through a rebellious phase. The song is a mix of lyrical content we have never seen before from Aoi and a rock sound.

Be sure to check out the music video for yourself in which we are shown the characteristic elements of a rebellious phase: the initial conflict and the regretful aftermath.

SACRA MUSIC is a music label under Sony Music Group that is known for managing a multitude of hit artists who have had tie-ins with many different anime series.

Eir Aoi

LiSA, Eir Aoi and TrySail are three artists under SACRA MUSIC. The label has announced that from April 17 it will make available live footage of the three artists digitally across a period of 4 weeks.

LiSA

Footage includes solo shows at huge venues such as Nippon Budokan and Pacifico Yokohama. All three of the artists have been praised highly for their live performances.

TrySail

New footage will be released at midnight (JST) every week on the following dates: April 17, April 24, May 1 and May 8.

Look forward to hearing over 80 live songs over the next 4 weeks!

After announcing her comeback last year in February, singer Eir Aoi is now releasing a new hit album. Her most recent release before FRAGMENT was her original album “D’AZUR”, which was released approximately 3 years ago. Her fourth new original album “FRAGMENT” will be released on 17th April. This album is inspired by the different “fragments” of feelings we experience on a day to day basis. 

The album includes a large variety of songs. Her feelings of gratitude following her long-awaited return can be felt through the words of the ballad  “Yakusoku”. ”Ryusei”, which is a rock song that ranked 16th place on streaming services, and Iris, which is a ballad filled with feelings of sorrow and grief are just some of the tracks on the album. Having a natural taste for digital rock, Aoi also included the track UNLIMITED on her new album.

From 31st May, she will be embarking on a Japan tour to celebrate the release of FRAGMENT. From here on out, she will be engaging a lot in her music career, so please keep on the lookout for more information!