The recent release of the Spy x Family anime has been a huge success. Fans have enjoyed meeting the Forger family: master spy Twilight codenamed Loid Forger, his adopted telepath daughter Anya Forger, and the soon-to-be introduced Yor Forger.
Everything from the great voice cast to stunning visuals helped make this series of Best 2022 Anime material, and the Spy x Family ED continues that theme.
Pop artist Gen Hoshino – known for the current OP of the Doraemon series and voicing Buddha in Saint-Oniisan – lent his voice to Spy x Family’s ED (ending) Comedy music track. A combination of soft vocals, soothing instrumentation and catchy lyrics make it a pleasant listening experience in its own right, but it’s how well the song fits into the series that makes it truly memorable.
Comedy — also known as Kigeki — is #1 on Japan’s digital single charts. Fans wishing to support Gen Hoshino’s music can do so by purchasing his latest single which is: digitally available† hoshino’s website also includes some of his earlier works, including his 2021 single Cube. Check out his official YouTube channel also for music videos, live performances and behind the scenes features.
What does Gen Hoshino say about the Spy x Family ED?
After a recent interview with model press, a Japanese entertainment-based news site, Gen Hoshino shared his thoughts on the Spy x Family series, including his first thoughts on reading the manga. Before landing the songwriter role for ED on the series, he was already a fan of the story and the emotions it can express.
Originally I liked the manga and read it. And when I had just read the last issue, I got an offer. So I was very happy and it felt like fate. It’s a very serious setting, but I see it as a bright and fun comedy. And sometimes I get a glimpse of what the characters are feeling, and I really like the balance.
Gen Hoshino
Gen Hoshino was particularly inspired by the concept of ‘family’ and the unique approach that Spy x Family takes. Loid, Anya and Yor – spy, telepath and hit man respectively – are not the typical family structure. But the bond they form throughout the series is one that is as strong as any other family.
The way I feel relieved about my family was similar to what was depicted in Spy x Family. I think it’s changing little by little, but it’s a little different from the current Japanese socially accepted family picture. It was easy for me to be connected to my heart. If I could combine my feelings and the feelings of the work at the same time, it would be the Spy x Family song. I thought it would be a song for everyone.
Gen Hoshino
While fans can now hear the ED track in Spy x Family, the ending animation has yet to premiere. The series’ staff has reported that the animation will appear in Episode 3, which will air on April 23. A week can be a long wait for some, but given Hoshino’s praise, it’s well worth it.
I got to watch the ending video of episode 3, and it was really good. I really want everyone to see it ASAP. I’m sure you’ll love it too! Coincidentally, the director I admire very much is responsible for directing the video, and when I met him a long time ago, he said, “I wish we could work together one day.”
Gen Hoshino
What techniques did General Hoshino use when creating his single Comedy?
One of the many pleasing elements of Hoshino’s new single Comedy is his smooth vocals that are both light-hearted and powerful. He shared with Modelpress his thought process when it came to his vocal performance and what techniques he used to create the finished piece.
I used to not have a great range, so I just sang in falsetto and chest voice, but I felt like it wouldn’t produce a good soundstage […]† Now this is my own color. I set the key to match as I was writing this song.
Gen Hoshino
The mixed voices in the track’s chorus – both a mix of head and chest vocals – bring a full spectrum of Hoshino’s calming tone to the mix. The same careful selection went into Hoshino’s lyrics that use playful word choice with a poetic meter.
“If you write the text in detail, the number of syllables is not enough. Therefore I have to abbreviate it or express it in extremely short words. […] “It feels better to have consonants here”, “Ha-line feels good”, “It’s easier to do when La-line comes”, and “Ka-line comes here”. After trial and error, I came to this choice of words.”
Gen Hoshino
Despite the song title being Comedy, Hoshino explains that some of his lyrics also focus on tragedy. Chiaroscuro may be more associated with Rembrandt paintings, but the theme of contrast between light and dark – or in this case happiness with sadness – is something that can connect many.
I have the feeling that the word ‘comedy’ has the meaning of ‘tragedy’ in advance. First of all, as a way of making my music, I can’t just make it through “nice and bright”. I think everyone has a hurt feeling and a sad feeling behind the fun. […] Otherwise I feel like the fun would diminish. The characters in Spy x Family in particular have been hurt in the past, but of course the story tries to protect a warm place where you can feel comfortable, so the lyrics came out that way naturally.
Gen Hoshino
Gen Hoshino’s Comedy track combines pleasant melodies with messages that apply to everything and perfectly captures the themes of Spy x Family. As the series progresses, fans have a perfect ED to end each episode on a bittersweet yet hopeful note. Until now, the Forger family still gets together. How will their family shift and change in the future? Viewers will have to wait!
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