Baton Road Explained

Baton Road
Cover:Baton Road (standard edition) by Kana-Boon.jpeg
Alt:A hand on fire gives a pink baton to another hand.
Type:single
Artist:Kana-Boon
Album:Namida
Language:Japanese
A-Side:"Baton Road"
B-Side:"Anātman"
"Wonder Song"
Genre:Rock
Label:Ki/oon Music
Prev Title:Fighter
Prev Year:2017
Next Title:Haguruma
Next Year:2019

, is a song by Japanese rock band Kana-Boon. It was released as the band's twelfth major-label single, released on July 12, 2017, through Ki/oon Music. "Baton Road" was used as the first opening theme song for the anime series .

Background

On March 13, 2017, the 15th issue of the 2017 release of Weekly Shōnen Jump revealed that Kana-Boon would be performing the first opening theme for . Kana-Boon previously performed three theme songs for the Naruto franchise: "Silhouette" for Naruto Shippuden, "Diver" for , and "Spiral" for .[1] [2] [3]

On writing the song, Kana-Boon's singer and guitarist Maguro Taniguchi stated that the title was decided due to Boruto: Naruto Next Generations being the next generation for the Naruto franchise, with a baton being handed over from Naruto to Boruto.[3]

Release and reception

The single was released on July 12, 2017, with two releases, a standard edition, and a limited edition release. The limited edition contains a bonus DVD with a documentary about drummer Takahiro Koizumi and his experience with his first directorial work, "Shin Silhouette", a new music video for Silhouette, and the "Shin Silhouette" music video.[4]

The song was later included in the compilation album Boruto The Best, released on December 18, 2019, by Aniplex.[5]

The single reached number 18 on the Oricon charts.

Music video

The music video for "Baton Road" was released on July 1, 2017. The video shows Kana-Boon performing on a road within a wheat field. The video also shows a young schoolboy being given a red baton, who then runs to his friends, and then passes on the baton to an older student. The older student receives the baton, and runs towards his love interest. The student then passes the baton onto an office lady. The office lady, after putting away her CV, receives the baton and starts running towards her job interview. The office lady then passes the baton onto a salaryman. The salaryman then runs towards a construction worker and performs a dogeza. At the end of the song, Maguro Taniguchi then receives the baton.

Release history

RegionDateLabelFormatCatalog
JapanJuly 12, 2017Ki/oon MusicCDKSCL-2916
CD+DVDKSCL-2914/5

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kana-Boon, The Peggies Perform Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Anime's Theme Songs. Hodgkins. Crystalyn. March 9, 2017. Anime News Network. July 11, 2021.
  2. Web site: Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Anime's Promo Video Previews KANA-BOON's Song. Pineda. Rafael Antonio. March 13, 2017. Anime News Network. July 11, 2021.
  3. Web site: https://natalie.mu/music/news/224302. ja:ナルト新世代「BORUTO」テーマソングはKANA-BOONとthe peggies. March 13, 2017. Ongaku Natalie. July 11, 2021.
  4. Web site: https://natalie.mu/music/news/233408. ja:KANA-BOON「ボルト」OP曲をシングル化、初回盤にはあの曲の小泉監督MV. May 20, 2017. Ongaku Natalie. July 11, 2021.
  5. Web site: https://natalie.mu/music/news/352397. ja:アニメ「BORUTO」2年分のテーマ曲が1枚に、KANA-BOONやリトグリら参加. October 21, 2019. Ongaku Natalie. July 11, 2021.
  6. Web site: https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/587112/products/1223611/1/. ja:バトンロード(初回生産限定盤). Oricon. July 11, 2021. Japanese.