"Starmarker" (Japanese: スターマーカー)[a] is a song by Japanese rock band Kana-Boon. It was released as the band's fifteenth major-label single, released on March 4, 2020, through Ki/oon Music. "Starmarker" was used as the second opening theme song for the fourth season of the anime series My Hero Academia.[3]
| "Starmarker" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 The regular edition cover | ||||
| Single by Kana-Boon | ||||
| Language | Japanese | |||
| A-side | "Starmarker" | |||
| B-side | "Shutter Gate" "You Estas" | |||
| Released | March 4, 2020 | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Label | Ki/oon Music | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Maguro Taniguchi | |||
| Kana-Boon singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Alternative cover | ||||
_by_Kana-Boon.jpeg) The limited anime edition cover | ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Starmarker" on YouTube | ||||
Release and reception edit
On January 4, 2020, the combined 6th and 7th issue of the 2020 release of Weekly Shōnen Jump announced that Kana-Boon would be performing the second opening theme for the fourth season My Hero Academia.[3][4] The single was released on March 4, 2020, with a standard edition and an anime limited edition release. The anime limited edition release contains additional tracks, and a bonus DVD with the creditless version of the respective opening theme of My Hero Academia.[5] The single was released on the same day as Kana-Boon's "best of" album Kana-Boon The Best.[6]
The song is the first song performed by Kana-Boon after the departure of bassist Yuuma Meshida in 2019.[7] As a result, lead vocalist and guitarist Maguro Taniguchi also performs the bass. The song "Starmarker" features Fujifabric keyboardist Daisuke Kanazawa as a guest musician.[4]
The single reached number 29 on the Oricon charts,[8] 46 on the Japan Hot 100,[9] and 7 on the Japan Hot Animation charts.[10]
Music video edit
The music video for "Starmarker" was released on March 2, 2020, and directed by Hidenobu Tanabe.[11] It features Kana-Boon, alongside an actor wearing a reflective zentai outfit. The video is split vertically into thirds, in front of a living room, a kitchen, and a bedroom entrance. Throughout the video, either one member, the entire band, the zentai actor, or various objects are shown within each third. The band members can also be seen holding the various objects with varying facial expressions, within each third. The zentai actor then dances and mimes in front of, and behind, each band member.
Track listing edit
All tracks are written by Maguro Taniguchi
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Starmarker" (スターマーカー) | 3:35 |
| 2. | "Shutter Gate" (シャッターゲート) | 4:25 |
| 3. | "You Estas" (ユーエスタス) | 3:57 |
| Total length: | 11:57 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 4. | "Starmarker (Anime Size)" (スターマーカー (Anime Size)) | 1:33 |
| 5. | "Starmarker (Instrumental)" (スターマーカー (Instrumental)) | 3:35 |
| 6. | "Starmarker (Anime Size Instrumental)" (スターマーカ (Anime Size Instrumental)) | 1:29 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "TV Anime My Hero Academia Non-credit Opening Movie" (TVアニメ「僕のヒーローアカデミア」ノンクレジットオープニングムービー) | 1:40 |
Charts edit
| Chart (2020) | Peak positions |
|---|---|
| Japan Weekly Singles (Oricon)[8] | 29 |
| Japan Hot 100 (Billboard)[9] | 46 |
| Japan Hot Animation (Billboard)[10] | 7 |
Release history edit
| Region | Date | Label | Format | Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | March 4, 2020 | Ki/oon Music | CD | KSCL-3240 |
| CD+DVD | KSCL-3241 |
Notes edit
- ^ The music video and Funimation's home video release of My Hero Academia uses the title "Starmaker".[1][2]
References edit
- ^ Kana-Boon (March 1, 2020). KANA-BOON『スターマーカー』Music Video【アニメ『僕のヒーローアカデミア』第4期「文化祭編」】OPテーマ [KANA-BOON 『Starmarker』Music Video【My Hero Academia Season 4 OP Theme】] (Music video) (in Japanese). Ki/oon Music. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
- ^ "Smoldering Flames". My Hero Academia. Season 4. Episode 15. February 16, 2021. Event occurs at 2:28.
- ^ a b Sherman, Jennifer (January 4, 2020). "KANA-BOON, Ryokuōshoku Shakai Perform My Hero Academia Anime's New Themes (Updated)". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ a b アニメ「僕のヒーローアカデミア」新テーマ曲はKANA-BOON、緑黄色社会が担当 (in Japanese). Natalie. January 4, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ 3月4日にニューシングル『スターマーカー』リリース！TVアニメ「僕のヒーローアカデミア」OPテーマに決定！！. Kana-Boon Official Website. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ KANA-BOON初のベストアルバム発売、ホールツアーも決定 (in Japanese). Natalie. December 10, 2019. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ 飯田祐馬（Ba）脱退のお知らせ. Kana-Boon Official Website. November 12, 2019. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ a b スターマーカー [Starmarker]. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ a b "Japan Hot 100". Billboard. March 14, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ a b "Billboard Japan Hot Animation | Charts" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. February 17, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ "SPACE SHOWER Music Video Search" (in Japanese). SPACE SHOWER Networks Inc. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
External links edit
- "Starmarker" at MusicBrainz (list of releases)