Japan has been a cultural export powerhouse for decades, with anime and music that resonate with audiences around the world. Anime music has been woven into the fabric of global music culture as a soundtrack for generations, inspiring artists across many genres. Iconic anime soundtracks and theme songs have been incorporated into playlists, creating a unique cultural phenomenon that transcends borders. And the number of audiences who love Japanese music is growing beyond the core anime fan base.
This wave of influence can be attributed to Pony Canyon, an entertainment company known for its creative expertise in both animation and music. Pony Canyon is currently looking to expand beyond anime to the rest of the world. Known for its long history as a music label, the company promises to reinvent music and entertainment with an interesting blend of anime and various other genres of pop culture as it enters new markets.
Synergy of music and anime
Pony Canyon’s strength lies in the extraordinary synergy between animation and music. This synergy is deeply embedded in the company’s DNA. Pony Canyon seamlessly integrates anime and music, creating a unique cultural crossover that appeals to audiences around the world, especially young audiences who appreciate diverse and innovative artistic expression.
Pony Canyon’s ability to harmonize music and animation comes from a place of collaboration. “Our approach has always been to fuse these two art forms to create something special,” explains company president Takashi Yoshimura.
Pony Canyon has had several successful animated series. Recently, Attack on Titan captivated audiences around the world with its tense story and stunning visuals. SiM’s “The Rumble”, used as the opening theme for the final season, entered the international music charts. The global success of Attack on Titan is a testament to Pony Canyon executives’ belief that the combination of a great story and music can transcend language barriers.
Another Pony Canyon anime, “Tokyo Revengers,” won international acclaim for its gripping story about time leaps and gang warfare, sparking the imaginations of audiences around the world. The main theme, composed by Hiroaki Tsutsumi, has been highly praised for its emotional depth and powerful orchestration.
The return of popular anime character Kinnikuman in the Kinnikuman Perfect Origin series is a testament to Pony Canyon’s ability to breathe new life into beloved classics. The series, which premiered on July 7, celebrates the 40th anniversary of the original anime and features music composed by Yasuharu Takanashi. Director Takanashi, known for his work on “Naruto Shippuden” and “Fairy Tail,” brings a fresh and nostalgic sound to this series. The opening theme “LOVE & JUSTICE” by Yasuharu Takanashi x FLOW and the ending theme “Chojin” by Mamoru Miyano have resonated with a wide range of generations.
Global expansion
According to Yoshimura, the timing couldn’t have been better for Pony Canyon’s global expansion. Streaming platforms have allowed non-English music and anime to gain widespread popularity. “The key to this expansion is collaboration,” Yoshimura says. “It is important to balance company direction with artist autonomy, and this balance is easy to achieve for Pony Canyon.As an independent company, Pony Canyon has a level of flexibility that many large corporations do not have. I am enjoying it.”
Yoshimura says this independence allows him to develop high-quality partnerships around the world, unencumbered by internal agendas. “Our independence allows us to react quickly to market trends,” he explains. “We can partner with the best artists in the industry, wherever they are, to bring artists and anime to new audiences.”
Pony Canyon has set an ambitious goal of winning major awards such as Grammys and Academy Awards over the next five to 10 years. The company is also keen to explore what kind of creative fusion it can achieve with anime, and to help Japanese music reach new audiences beyond core anime fans. With the goal of creating unique and engaging content for diverse audiences, Pony Canyon aims to potentially create more cultural crossover and usher in a new era in music.