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July 8, 2026
Words:
Emma Wilkes
HANABIE. have shared a new single Life Is Short, O Brave Girl, which will be the opening theme for the forthcoming anime Young Ladies Don’t Play Fighting Games
The anime is an adaptation of the popular manga series and tells the story of Mitsuki Aya, a student at the prestigious Girls’ Academy who discovers her revered classmate is secretly a huge fighting game enthusiast. Gaming brings the pair together, although it’s strictly prohibited at the academy, though the two bond through their shared passion, beginning a series of intense battles that ignite both rivalry and friendship
“Since this is an anime theme song, I read the original work and immersed myself completely in its world while writing the song!” says vocalist Yukina
“For the lyrics, I included words that fans of Young Ladies Don’t Play Fighting Games will hopefully recognise and think, ‘Oh!’ when they hear them. I also reflected on my own youth, remembering the things our faculty advisor said to us when we were attending an all-girls school and passionately playing in a band while being obsessed with heavy music, as well as the rebellious spirit I felt during those days
“I hope this song becomes one that overflows with energy for anyone who is passionately devoted to something!”
Guitarist and vocalist Matsuri adds: “We had the honour of writing this song for the TV anime Young Ladies Don’t Play Fighting Games
“HANABIE. and the characters in the anime have many things in common, such as growing up in an all-girls school and dedicating ourselves wholeheartedly to something during our school days
“Because of that, there were many moments during the songwriting process when I could truly relate to the story, and it made creating the song a lot of fun
“Rather than trying to neatly blend HANABIE.’s world with the world of the anime, we focused on finding the best way for the passion and energy of both to collide. I would be very happy if this song reaches many people.”
Meanwhile, bassist Hettsu says: “As the theme song for the TV anime Young Ladies Don’t Play Fighting Games, this song expresses the world of fighting games through a powerful sound!
“One of its greatest charms is the way it combines the tension of battle scenes, the exhilarating feeling of youth, and the graceful elegance of young ladies
“For the bass, I played with groove and a sense of momentum in mind so that it could support the song’s energy
“I would be happy if, along with the rhythm that makes you want to move your body, listeners can also feel the straightforward emotions of our student days, when we were completely devoted to something.”
Drummer Chika continues: “As the opening theme song for the TV anime Young Ladies Don’t Play Fighting Games, this song is a perfect match for the world of the anime!
“While capturing the energy of the characters and the battles, it turned into a song that naturally gets you excited
“One drum highlight to listen for is during the chorus, where I strike the China cymbal four times in sync with the lyrics, ‘MATCH UP!! SMASH UP!!’
“I hope everyone will enjoy listening to it again and again together with the anime.”
Read this next:
- From Fred Durst to Sabrina Carpenter: The icons who inspired HANABIE.’s Yukina
- Hanabie.: “We had many paths we could choose, and we bet everything on this band”
- SiM’s track-by-track guide to latest album PLAYDEAD
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