Japanese anime is popular worldwide, and one part of the watching-experience that makes a series so memorable is its opening and ending themes.

This is part two of our list of bands and artists providing music for ongoing series and soon-to-air series. Click here for part one.

Q-MHz & SKY-HI x Run with the Wind

Japanese music group Q-MHz which is composed of Aki Hata, Tomokazu Tashiro, Katsuhiko Kurosu and Tomoya Tabuchi (UNISON SQUARE GARDEN) are teaming up with AAA member Mitsuhiro Hidaka―who is also active as a solo rapper under the bane SKY-HI―to release a new digital single called Kaze Tsuyoku, Kimi Atsuku on January 23. The song will be used as the second opening song for the ongoing anime series Run with the Wind. It features a running-like melody coupled with SKY-HI’s vocals and rapping.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/155436

Taichi Mukai x Run with the Wind

Japanese singer-songwriter Taichi Mukai released his second album PURE last month. The song Reset on his new album is used as the current ending theme for the ongoing anime series Run with the Wind and it has been announced that he is set to perform the second ending theme with his new song Michi. The series, currently on its 11th episode, is set to begin airing again on January 8, 2019.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/155274

Miku Itō x Ueno-san wa Bukiyou

Singer and voice actress Miku Itō’s 5th single Hirameki Heartbeat will be used as the opening theme for the TV anime series Ueno-san wa Bukiyou which is set to begin airing in January 2019. The music video was shot in Kyoto where we get to see the city’s beautiful streets. The theme of the video is “manufacturing” which we see as Itō challenges herself to a range of different activities.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/154889

Maneki Kecak x Okoshiyasu, Chitose-chan

Japanese idol group Maneki Kecak will release their long-awaited new single Itsuka Dokoka de / One Chance on March 20, 2019. The track Itsuka Dokoka de will be used as the new ending theme for the anime series Okoshiyasu, Chitose-chan which follows the adventures of the cute penguin Chitose-chan in Kyoto. It is described as a cute song that talks about the sights Chitose-chan sees while in Kyoto.

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/153841

Kyoto Tower is holding a stamp rally from December 25 to January 31 themed on the ongoing anime series Okoshiyasu, Chitose-chan. The series follows the adventures of the cute emperor penguin Chitose-chan who strolls curiously around famous places in Kyoto. The stamp rally will have participants collection stamps from three places that appear in the anime series: the Kyoto Municipal Subway, Kyoto Aquarium and Kyoto Tower.

Each stamp rally location has been given its own name: “Ride Kyoto Municipal Subway,” “Enter Kyoto Aquarium” and “Climb Kyoto Tower.”

Each spot earns you a unique stamp based on that location. What’s more is that if you get involved, the first 1,000 people at each spot will receive an original Chitose-chan folder (pictured below).

Kyoto Tower will also be decorated with panels and boards displaying scenes from the anime.

Kyoto Aquarium appeared in episode 10 of the anime on December 7. Kyoto Tower will appear in episode 11 which airs on December 14. If you’re in Japan this month then follow Chitose-chan’s trip around Kyoto!

 Okoshiyasu, Chitose-chan is an anime short set to begin on October 5.

The singer-songwriter’s name translates to “Nyanzonu’s Pupil” which comes from the respect she has for her cat, Nyanzou. She sees herself as his disciple.

Okoshiyasu, Chitose-chan follows the adventures of the cute emperor penguin Chitose-chan who strolls curiously around famous places in Kyoto such as Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Fushimi Inari-taisha. Nyanzonu Deshi wrote the song to express the same gentle world as in the series.

Nyanzonu Deshi’s Comments
“This is the first theme song I have done for an anime. I’m so happy to have been able to meet Chitose-chan who is so sweet. The moment I read the manga, it felt like me and Chitose-chan were old friends. She’s my best friend in my hear right now. I felt earnestly gentle and warm when I thought about the world that Chitose-chan sees and experiences, so I wrote this song.