Starmarker Explained

Starmarker
Cover:Starmarker by Kana-Boon.jpeg
Caption:The regular edition cover
Type:single
Artist:Kana-Boon
Language:Japanese
A-Side:"Starmarker"
B-Side:"Shutter Gate"
"You Estas"
Genre:Rock
Label:Ki/oon Music
Prev Title:Massara
Prev Year:2019
Next Title:Torch of Liberty
Next Year:2020

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.[1]

Release and reception

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.[1] [2] 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.[3] The single was released on the same day as Kana-Boon's "best of" album Kana-Boon The Best.[4]

The song is the first song performed by Kana-Boon after the departure of bassist Yuuma Meshida in 2019.[5] 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.[2]

The single reached number 29 on the Oricon charts, 46 on the Japan Hot 100, and 7 on the Japan Hot Animation charts.

Music video

The music video for "Starmarker" was released on March 2, 2020, and directed by Hidenobu Tanabe.[6] 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.

Charts

Chart (2020)Peak
positions
Japan Weekly Singles (Oricon)[7] 29
Japan Hot 100 (Billboard)[8] 46
Japan Hot Animation (Billboard)[9] 7

Release history

RegionDateLabelFormatCatalog
JapanMarch 4, 2020Ki/oon MusicCDKSCL-3240
CD+DVDKSCL-3241

Notes and References

  1. Web site: KANA-BOON, Ryokuōshoku Shakai Perform My Hero Academia Anime's New Themes (Updated). Sherman. Jennifer. January 4, 2020. Anime News Network. September 26, 2020.
  2. Web site: https://natalie.mu/music/news/361974. ja: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. January 4, 2020. Natalie. September 26, 2020. Japanese.
  3. Web site: https://kanaboon.jp/news/detail/1575. ja: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. September 26, 2020.
  4. Web site: https://natalie.mu/music/news/358920. ja:KANA-BOON初のベストアルバム発売、ホールツアーも決定. December 10, 2019. Natalie. September 26, 2020. Japanese.
  5. Web site: https://kanaboon.jp/news/detail/1566. ja:飯田祐馬(Ba)脱退のお知らせ. November 12, 2019. Kana-Boon Official Website. September 26, 2020.
  6. Web site: SPACE SHOWER Music Video Search. SPACE SHOWER Networks Inc. July 12, 2021. Japanese.
  7. Web site: https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/587112/products/1348449/1/. ja:スターマーカー. Starmarker. Oricon. September 26, 2020. Japanese.
  8. Japan Hot 100. March 14, 2020. September 26, 2020. Billboard.
  9. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Animation Charts. February 17, 2020. September 26, 2020. Billboard Japan. ja.