Massara (song) explained

Massara
Cover:	Massara (standard edition) by Kana-Boon.jpeg
Caption:	The standard edition cover
Type:	single
Artist:	Kana-Boon
Language:	Japanese
A-Side:	"Massara"
B-Side:	"FLYERS"
Genre:	Rock
Label:	Ki/oon Music
Prev Title:	Haguruma
Prev Year:	2019
Next Title:	Starmarker
Next Year:	2020

, officially translated into English as "Brand-new",^[1] is a song by Japanese rock band Kana-Boon. It was released as the band's fourteenth major-label single on June 12, 2019, through Ki/oon Music. "Massara" was used as the opening theme song for the anime series Sarazanmai,^[2] while its B-side track "FLYERS" was used as an image song for the smartphone game Kick-Flight.

Background

On March 7, 2019, the official website of Sarazanmai announced that Kana-Boon would be performing the opening theme song for the anime series. The song was written by Kana-Boon's singer and guitarist Maguro Taniguchi specifically for the show.^[2]

On writing the song, Taniguchi commented the song's main theme was "connections", specifically forging new connections and rekindling broken connections. The song was also written as part of the band's fifth anniversary of debuting under a major label.^{[3] [4]}

On April 25, 2019, video game developer Grenge announced that the B-side track "FLYERS" would be used as an image song for a promotional video for its smartphone game Kick-Flight.^[5] The promotional video, animated by MAPPA, was released on June 5, 2019, with Taniguchi commenting that he was excited as the video looked like an anime opening, and he was looking forward to playing the game.^[6]

Release and reception

The single was released in two editions, a standard edition and a first pressing limited edition. The first pressing limited edition includes a DVD containing footage from Kana-Boon's fifth-anniversary tour .^[7]

The single reached number 25 on the Oricon charts, 68 on the Japan Hot 100, and 8 on the Japan Hot Animation charts.

Music video

The music video for "Massara" was released on June 12, 2019, and is directed by Satoshi Watanabe.^{[8] [9]}

Charts

Chart (2020)	Peak positions
Japan Weekly Singles (Oricon)^[10]	25
Japan Hot 100 (Billboard)^[11]	68
Japan Hot Animation (Billboard)^[12]	8

Release history

Region	Date	Label	Format	Catalog
Japan	June 12, 2019	Ki/oon Music	CD	KSCL-3162
			CD+DVD	KSCL-3160~1

Notes and References

1. Web site: Brand-new - Single. Apple Music. 2021-12-29.
2. Web site: KANA-BOON Perform Opening Theme for Sarazanmai Anime. Hodgkins. Crystalyn. 2019-03-07. Anime News Network. 2021-12-29.
3. Web site: https://natalie.mu/comic/news/322947. ja:「さらざんまい」OPテーマはKANA-BOON「まっさら」、今夜ノイタミナ枠で解禁. 2019-03-07. Natalie. 2021-12-29. ja.
4. Web site: https://news.noitamina.tv/sarazanmai/article/20190307_kana-boon.html. ja:オープニング・テーマが、「KANA-BOON」の「まっさら」に決定！. 2019-03-07. Fuji TV. Noitamina. 2021-12-29. ja.
5. Web site: https://kickflight.grenge.jp/news/information/570/. ja:「キックフライト」アニメーションPVの制作をMAPPAが担当し、KANA-BOONが新曲「FLYERS」をイメージソングとして提供することが決定！. 2019-04-25. Grenge. Kick-Flight. 2021-12-29. ja.
6. Web site: https://natalie.mu/music/news/334271. ja:KANA-BOON新曲「FLYERS」PV公開「TVアニメのOPかと思うくらいの仕上がり」. 2019-06-05. Natalie. 2021-12-29. ja.
7. Web site: https://natalie.mu/music/news/328541. ja:KANA-BOON「さらざんまい」オープニングテーマ発売、ジャケットに岸井ゆきの. 2019-04-19. Natalie. 2021-12-29. ja.
8. Web site: SPACE SHOWER Music Video Search. SPACE SHOWER Networks Inc. 2021-12-29. Japanese.
9. Web site: http://www.satoshiwatanabe.org/kanaboon-massara. ja:KANA-BOON “まっさら”. Satoshi Watanabe Official Website. 2021-12-29. Japanese.
10. Web site: https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/587112/products/1319065/1/. ja:まっさら(初回生産限定盤). Oricon. 2021-12-29. Japanese.
11. Japan Hot 100. 2019-06-22. 2021-12-29. Billboard.
12. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Animation Charts. 2019-06-19. 2021-12-29. Billboard Japan. ja.