One of Naruto‘s most iconic opening themes, Haruka Kanata, has been revived after 20 years with the release of a new version. Released back in 2003 by the Japanese indie rock Band Asian Kung-Fu Generation, Haruka Kanata is without a doubt one of Naruto‘s most nostalgic and catchiest openings, which has now been re-recorded, allowing fans to revisit the song once again.

Asian Kung-Fu Generation, the artist behind Naruto’s hit second opening, has re-recorded Haruka Kanata as part of their new Single Collection album which will be released on July 31, 2024. The new album celebrates the band’s 20th anniversary of their major label debut will be a compilation of the band’s many iconic singles just like Haruka Kanata.

Haruka Kanata is the highlight of the 33-track album and the single is already available on several music streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, and Deezer.

Naruto’s Second Opening Theme Haruka Kanata Gets New 2024 Version

Asian Kung-Fu Generation’s Vocal Hold Up Even Two Decades Later

Formed back in 1996, Asian Kung-Fu Generation exploded in popularity around the same time Haruka Kanata was released and the new version of the opening theme proves the band as well as its main vocalist, Masafumi Gotoh, has still got it even two decades later. Although the new version is a little mellower in comparison to the original, Gotoh’s voice has arguably aged beautifully, and he still manages to execute the song’s memorable high notes rather flawlessly despite being in his forties.

Being one of the band’s first few singles, Haruka Kanata‘s original 2003 version certainly had a raw, gritty tone that can be put down as youthful vigor. Gotoh’s voice was far from perfect but the cracks and distortion are what arguably gave the song so much emotion and made it so memorable.

Both the band and its vocalist have clearly refined their sound and technique since then, but Haruka Kanata still remains an iconic masterpiece that is worth listening to even decades later, especially for fans of Naruto looking to take a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

Source: Milan Records, Sony Music (press release)