The concerns stem from Season 2 Episode 18’s insert song “Hunting Soul”.
A few weeks after Dandadan Season 2 debuted the insert song “Hunting Soul” in Episode 18, and the subsequent copyright concerns after popular music group X Japan founding member Yoshiki came forward, it seems like the situation has finally been resolved.
The issue came to a head when Yoshiki made now-deleted posts on X (formerly Twitter) where he expressed confusion and concern about the insert song, which he claimed seemed to have taken direct inspiration from X Japan’s style.
He also pointed out that he was unaware of how the anime was able to parody the music group, and even noted how the drummer of the in-anime band, HAYASii, sported a similar neck brace as him, which he wears for medical purposes.
Dandadan production team releases apology statement
After being made aware of Yoshiki’s confusion, the production team behind Science SARU’s Dandadan anime adaptation released an apology statement on the anime’s official X account. The full statement, through a machine translation, reads as:
We deeply apologize for causing concern to everyone regarding the song "Hunting Soul" from the TV anime “Dandadan.”
This song was created with the aim of expressing the same passion as YOSHIKI and X JAPAN, whom the entire production team greatly respects, in the anime, and with the aim of musical direction that matches the story and scenes in the "Dandadan" anime, while also further raising the quality of the work.
However, we sincerely apologize to Yoshiki and X Japan for causing them concern by failing to provide prior explanation. We are also proceeding with constructive discussions with all parties involved regarding the rights.
We have already spoken with YOSHIKI about this matter, and we are using this opportunity to consider creative initiatives together for the future.
We would like to once again offer our deepest apologies to YOSHIKI, XJAPAN, all fans, Dandadan fans, and all those involved for the concern caused, and we hope that you will continue to support this work with kindness.
The song has been removed from various streaming platforms including Spotify (the site’s API no longer returns Japan as an available country), Apple Music, AWA, Sony Music Solution’s Mora platform, Recochoku, and KKBOX. The song is, however, still available on YouTube internationally (including Japan).
