Interview: BAND-MAID Explores Darkness and Justice in Their Powerful New Song “What Is Justice?”

On July 18, Japanese rock powerhouse BAND-MAID unveiled “What Is Justice?”, the closing theme for the anime TOUGEN ANKI. As their third single of 2025 and their latest anime collaboration, the track fuses nu-metal intensity with soaring vocals and thought-provoking lyrics to explore morality within the show’s shadowy world. We recently spoke with the band about crafting this fierce anthem.

Conceiving “What Is Justice?” for TOUGEN ANKI

Interviewer: You just released “What Is Justice?” on July 18. How did you tackle writing a theme for such a gritty series?

KANAMI (guitar): The manga’s battle scenes really gripped me, so I wanted the song to mirror that ferocity. I loaded the track with riffs—especially in the second verse, where the guitar never stops from intro through bridge. It’s probably the longest run of riffs I’ve ever recorded. For the vocal melody, I pictured SAIKI unleashing every bit of energy at an OKYUJI live show, so the chorus had to push her limits with a demanding range.

SAIKI (vocals): Honestly, when I first saw the chorus, I thought, “Why so high?!” (laughs) But after KANAMI explained her vision, I embraced it and gave it my all. It feels like the culmination of everything I’ve developed as a singer.

Rhythm Section: Locking In the Groove

Interviewer: The drums and bass hit hard right from the start. What was your approach?

MISA (bass): Outside the chorus, I aimed for a solid, foundational groove. In the chorus itself, I followed SAIKI’s vocal lines to accentuate her delivery.

KANAMI: During recording, MISA would coach us on exactly how she wanted the parts played—“One more time, like this!”

MISA: It’s a deceptively simple phrase—a single repeated note—but its precision makes it tough to nail.

KANAMI: That simplicity is what makes it so challenging. MISA really leveled up as a bassist on this one.

AKANE (drums): I built the arrangement around a steady four-on-the-floor pulse, then layered hooks to keep it from feeling too straightforward. I held back the snare in the verses, using tom-based rhythms to build tension, then unleashed the full drum kit in the chorus. It’s a gradual escalation that I hope listeners feel intuitively.

Songwriting and Lyrics from the Oni’s Perspective

Interviewer: This is your third anime tie-in this year. Were you juggling all these projects simultaneously?

Kobato (guitar/vocals): We began “What Is Justice?” back in early 2024, alongside our album Epic Narratives. In fact, this song was finished before the album sessions wrapped.

Interviewer: How did you approach the lyrics for a story that reimagines Momotaro and the Oni?

Kobato: The anime positions the Oni as protagonists, forced to defend themselves against Momotaro’s forces. The producers asked for a Momotaro-side viewpoint, so I delved into the moral gray areas—how “justice” can be both a rallying cry and a source of self-deception. Repeating “justice” only to follow it with “I have no idea” captures that conflicted spirit. I wanted the lyrics to feel urgent, like a battle cry mid-fight.

SAIKI: Kobato wrote instinctively, without overthinking. That head-on approach gave the lyrics a raw edge.

Visuals and the Music Video Concept

Interviewer: The video’s setting feels otherworldly. Where did you shoot it?

SAIKI: We filmed in an old quarry turned cave. When we heard we’d be shooting a video, we insisted on a cavernous backdrop to echo the anime’s transformation scenes. We then used CG to recreate those “blossoming” moments where characters morph into weapons.

Interviewer: You look completely unhinged in that wide-eyed sequence. What was that like?

SAIKI: (laughs) I just went full throttle. Kobato’s aggressive lyrics demanded that level of expression.

Anime Expo Debut and Summer Sonic Bangkok

Interviewer: Kobato, you represented BAND-MAID at Anime Expo 2025 in Los Angeles for TOUGEN ANKI’s first U.S. screening and panel. How was that?

Kobato: It was incredible to meet international fans. TOUGEN ANKI already has a global following, and the energy was electric.

Interviewer: You’re also heading to Summer Sonic Bangkok on August 23–24 for your first OKYUJI in Thailand. How excited are you?

Kobato: We’ve received so many messages from our Masters and Princesses in Thailand asking for an OKYUJI—now it’s finally happening!

KANAMI: I can’t wait!

SAIKI: We’ve filmed in Bangkok before, but this will be our first full-scale live show there. And it’s part of Summer Sonic alongside amazing artists.

AKANE: I’m really looking forward to it!

MISA: It’s our first overseas OKYUJI in two years—I’m buzzing. Plus, I love Thai food! (laughs)

Interview by Takayuki Okamoto; originally published on Billboard Japan.

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