Japanese rock band SPYAIR remains a powerhouse in delivering catchy tracks for anime theme songs. This four-member group, currently consisting of UZ, MOMIKEN, KENTA, and YOSUKE, is known globally for their original rock music and several anime series, including Blue Miburo, Haikyu!!, and the upcoming The Exiled Heavy Knight Knows How to Game the System. Their hit song “Orange” from Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle is one of their most recent and well-known songs among audiences.
SPYAIR just released their “Awake” single and will also be performing at this year’s J-pop Sound Capsule alongside other artists such as Roselia, ALI, Yoko Kanno, and Yoko Takahashi at the Crypto.com Arena on Thursday, July 2nd. Ahead of the concert, Anime Trending had the chance to interview SPYAIR via email about their journey as a group and how they got to where they are now.
You released your full-length album RE-BIRTH in March, compiling songs from the past three years. What does the idea of “rebirth” mean to you as a band, and how does it reflect this chapter of SPYAIR?
UZ (Guitar & Programming): This is our first album since the band’s new lineup was formed, and it includes every single we’ve released over the past three years since restarting the band. The first single we released after YOSUKE (vocalist) joined us in 2023 was “RE-BIRTH.” As we discussed the album as a band, we all agreed that “RE-BIRTH” perfectly symbolizes everything this album represents, which is why we chose it as the album title.
MOMIKEN (Bass): Since many of the tracks on this album were originally released as singles, listening to them again brings back the memories, emotions, and moments we experienced when each song was created. By bringing them all together into one album, it has become something like a photo album—a collection that lets us look back on the past three years.
SPYAIR – “RE-BIRTH” Official Music Video
You’re set to perform at Anime Expo’s J-pop Sound Capsule alongside other notable artists. How does/did it feel to share the stage with other artists and connect with your international fans in person?
YOSUKE (Vocals): At overseas events, we’re often inspired by artists we don’t usually have the chance to perform alongside. More than anything, though, what I look forward to most is meeting our fans from around the world in person. Live shows are a place where people can enjoy music together regardless of language or nationality, and that’s something that makes me truly happy.
KENTA (Drums): Being able to connect with our fans overseas in person is something that truly makes me happy. It’s also a moment when I really realize that our music is reaching people all over the world through Japanese anime, and that never fails to move me. Sharing the stage with other artists is another great source of inspiration.
Your international fanbase has grown a lot over the years. Was there a specific moment that you knew your music was spreading globally, and did you ever imagine when you were starting out that fans around the world would connect with your music this deeply?
MOMIKEN (Bass): Thanks to the worldwide popularity of Japanese anime, we’ve had many more opportunities to perform overseas, bringing along the anime theme songs we’ve created over the years. We’ve met so many fans who tell us, “I started listening to Japanese music because of anime.” I believe that’s largely because streaming services have become so widespread in recent years, allowing Japanese anime to reach audiences across borders more easily than ever before.
When we first started the band, we could never have imagined something like this.
KENTA (Drums): Honestly, when we first started the band, I never imagined that people all over the world would one day be listening to our music. Back then, our biggest goal was simply to establish ourselves in Japan.
That said, I always believed that Japanese anime was something truly special that Japan could be proud of. As anime gained fans around the world, it helped bring SPYAIR’s music to people everywhere as well.
Rather than us expanding into the world on our own, I feel that anime is what took us there. I’m nothing but grateful for the connections it has made possible.
SPYAIR – “Orange” Official Music Video
“Orange” for Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle has become one of your biggest songs since its release in 2024. Looking back at that song compared to where your sound is now, how do you feel your music has evolved?
UZ (Guitar & Programming): Without a doubt, the reason SPYAIR is still here as a band today is because of Haikyu!! Just after YOSUKE joined and we began our new chapter, we were at a crossroads, unsure of what the future held for the band. It was at that time that we were offered the opportunity to create a song for Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle.
The song that came out of that opportunity, “Orange,” has been streamed more around the world than any previous SPYAIR song. In a way, it allowed us to surpass our own past achievements and gave us renewed confidence as a band.
As for our sound, my vision of SPYAIR has always been about embracing a straightforward, authentic rock style rather than trying to be overly unconventional. We stay true to that core while creating music that honestly reflects who we are at each stage of our journey.
KENTA (Drums): Whenever we perform at festivals or other events and play “Orange,” the audience’s energy is incredible, no matter where we are. We’re really grateful that the song has helped so many people discover SPYAIR in this new lineup with YOSUKE.
What we’ve always aimed to create is straightforward, accessible rock music that even people who aren’t deeply familiar with rock can enjoy. That’s something we’ve consistently kept in mind. I believe it’s one of this band’s greatest strengths, and it’s something we want to preserve as we move forward.
YOSUKE (Vocals): When I first joined the band, I knew SPYAIR’s history was something to respect, but I also wondered whether I’d always be carrying the weight of that past as the band’s vocalist. After “Orange” became such a success, it was the first time I truly felt, “I’ve become the vocalist of SPYAIR.”
Since then, both on stage and in the studio, my mindset has changed. Rather than worrying about the past, I’ve come to believe that the most important thing is simply to express who I am.
Official The Exiled Heavy Knight Knows How to Game the System Opening
What was your creative process like for creating “Awake,” The Exiled Heavy Knight Knows How to Game the System’s opening theme song?
UZ (Composer): I started by absorbing the atmosphere of the work and letting my imagination build from there before translating those ideas into the music. While I wanted the song to fit naturally with the scenes in which it appears, I also made sure it reflected the sound that SPYAIR wants to express today.
MOMIKEN (Lyricist): While drawing inspiration from the original story, I wrote the lyrics in a way that also fits SPYAIR’s own worldview and musical identity.
Do you have any pre-show rituals that get you in the zone before a performance?
YOSUKE (Vocals): Stretch.
UZ (Guitar & Programming): Stretch.
MOMIKEN (Bass): I work out by following exercise videos. Right before a live show, I do some stretching.
KENTA (Drums): I usually don’t eat before a live performance. As soon as the show is over, though, I make up for it with a big meal.
SPYAIR has been together for over a decade — what has kept the energy and passion for making music alive for you all through the years?
MOMIKEN (Bass): It’s being able to perform live. When we’re genuinely enjoying the moment on stage, that naturally comes through in our performance, and it makes the experience more enjoyable for both the audience and us. I believe that playing live is what truly fuels us as a band.
KENTA (Drums): I believe a band is built little by little through everything it accumulates, so continuing to play live shows is incredibly important. Knowing that there’s always room to grow is what keeps us pushing forward and becoming stronger as a band.
UZ (Guitar & Programming): It’s been nearly 20 years since we formed the band, and we’ve been through all kinds of ups and downs along the way. Through it all, I’ve come to believe that the most important thing is simply to enjoy what we do. These days, just being able to perform the songs SPYAIR has created over the years is a lot of fun, and I think being able to share our music with people through enjoyable live performances is one of the most important things for us as a band.
Are there any dream projects or collaborations on your radar for the future?
YOSUKE (Vocals): Every year, we hold our own outdoor concert, JUST LIKE THIS, and this year we’re finally bringing it to South Korea for the first time. JUST LIKE THIS is a very special event for us, and it’s our dream to one day hold it in countries all around the world.
RE-BIRTH is currently streaming on multiple platforms. You can also follow SPYAIR on their official website, YouTube, X/Twitter, and Instagram.
