ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION - Haruka Kanata / THE FIRST TAKE

THE FIRST TAKE is a YouTube Channel dedicated to filming musicians and singers performing in a single take.

In episode 451, ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION return to THE FIRST TAKE, 3 years since their previous appearance and a year after celebrating their 20th major label debut.
They will perform “Haruka Kanata,” their hit track from 2003 that served as the opening theme to the TV anime series “NARUTO” and inspired the entire audience to sing together in excited unison during the band’s headline shows in Mexico and Santiago.
The song was rerecorded as “Haruka Kanata (2024 ver.)” and is included in their June 31st release entitled Single Collection. Enjoy this extraordinary one-shot performance of the band’s signature song, exclusively on THE FIRST TAKE.

■ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION OFFICIAL

■「THE FIRST TAKE」OFFICIAL

■THE FIRST TAKE Rules
A microphone and a white studio.

And 1 rule.
You’ve got 1 TAKE.

■THE FIRST TAKE Concept
CAPTURE THE TAKE.
THIS MOMENT.
THIS SOUND.

THE FIRST TAKE
IT ONLY HAPPENS ONCE.

CREDITS
―
Director/Creative Director: Keisuke Shimizu
Art Director: Yo Kimura
Copywriter: Hiroshi Yamazaki
Director of Photogrphy: Kazuki Nagayama
Technical Coordinator: Masaaki Ogasawara
Chief Camera Assistant: Shota Hatano
Camera Assistant: Yoshinobu Horii, Reina Miyajima, Asuna Satou
Lighting Director: Jun Sakai
Chief Lighting Assistant: Nobuto Kamiya
Lighting Assistant: Takayuki Takimoto, Kaisei Oikawa, Mone Ohnishi, Haruya Tanbo
Stage Carpenter: studio noll
Stylist: Minaco Okabe
Hair&Make up: Chon Yui (Paja*Pati)
Offline Editor/Colorist/Online Editor: Tomoo Noda
Production Assistant: Kai Takaha, Nagisa Taki, Kazuki Hirayama, Natsuko Nakano
Producer: Keisuke Nishikawa (session)

#THEFIRSTTAKE #ASIANKUNGFUGENERATION #HarukaKanata #AKFG

[MATTierial]

Haruka Kanata was one of the Anime OPs that made me go out of my way to find out about the bands that make music for anime. I've been listening to Asian Kungfu Generation ever since!

If you ever brought them back in to do Re:Re: that would honestly be incredible!

[standheaykic]

They are almost in their 50 and playing a 20 years old song.
It just pure relief watching Gotch still able kickin the old song.

[KomamuraSajin]

I think they don't comprehend how big AKFG has turned worldwide, they're literally one of the pinnacles of Japanese music.
It just so pleasant when success comes to people that deserve it.

[drewcabahug]

I was 10 yrs old, 5th grader, hyped about the chunnin exams, eating noodles, looking at my Naruto posters, holding my plywood carved kunai, and scream this song out loud when the show's about to start.

Now at 30 year old, just to come back here to say that my son loves this song too. We are shinobis lost in time.

[wendix]

This one is forever iconic for NARUTO!!

Legendary

[strawhatgunz]

lyrics understood : 0%
emotions conveyed: 100%

[songheeg]

Asian Kung-fu generation opened my eyes to japanese music and i'm grateful to them!

[erwinsoria]

36 years self : hello again young one...
18 years self : what up man, why you look tired?

[musicteacheremmar]

I still remember the first time hearing this. Playing around on my parents room while the TV is on and Naruto came up and it completely caught my attention. The opening animation fits the song perfectly and the shouting made it so emotional for me. That day I watch and followed its episodes and one of the reasons is to listen to it again. When finally we had access with internet I finally found the artist and AKFG became one of my favorite bands. <3

[mambort]

A band played this song during a battle of the bands in college. Everybody went wild. They were med students. Brings back memories.

[kgt]

あのOPを見ながら窓に差し込んだ
夕日の景色鮮明に覚えてます
ほんとうにもう遥か彼方、昔の話なのに

[jayistrying]

Asian Kung Fu Generation was one of the first J-Rock bands that I followed back in the 2000s. It's great that they're doing what they love. Like, they started in 1996 and it's the same original members! Haruka Kanata is definitely a memorable track. I really wanna see them live some day.

[mishi]

This was the first Japanese song that I listened to while watching Naruto when I was 9.

18 years later, I probably wouldn't be such a big fan of Japanese music today without it. I even learned how to play the guitar thanks to Japanese music.

Thank you Haruka Kanata and ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, truly.

[liyho]

37歳です。
飲んで終電で帰ってます。
高校生の頃の情景と重ねてます。

BIGLOVE!!!

[jr.]

この時期にこの曲聴くと夏休みの再放送を思い出すんだよ
楽しかったなあの頃
大人になって日々頑張ってるみんなお疲れ様

[HyuchaKyrie]

probably the song that made me dive into the world of music
Searching every music from every country
now i listen to music from Portugal to japan, passing trough Macedonia, Latvia and Ukraine
i Love music
I love art
And this was the piece of work that allowed that process of my discovery
THANK YOU!!

[Rivershield]

This is so nostalgic. That Naruto opening is what sold me on the show, to the point that I'm sure that Naruto's imediate success wouldn't have happened without this song.