DAN DA DAN Anime's Hit Song 'Hunting Soul' Pulled from Streaming Amid X JAPAN Copyright Dispute

A significant copyright dispute has emerged around the popular anime series, DAN DA DAN. Its much-loved insert song, "Hunting Soul," performed by the fictional in-series band HAYASii, has been abruptly removed from numerous Japanese streaming platforms.

The track, a standout feature in Season 2 Episode 6 (the 18th episode overall), had quickly garnered over 10 million views, becoming a fan favorite before its sudden, unexplained disappearance. This unforeseen removal sparked widespread speculation, which was later confirmed by none other than Yoshiki, the legendary drummer and pianist from the iconic Japanese metal band X JAPAN. Yoshiki publicly voiced significant concerns after his legal team was contacted regarding potential copyright infringement.

The core of the controversy lies in "Hunting Soul" being crafted as a clear homage to X JAPAN. It deliberately incorporates stylistic elements and thematic references that echo the legendary band's signature sound. However, Yoshiki underscored a critical point: while such tributes are common in creative works, they typically require prior permission from the original artists' record label. In this instance, it appears this crucial authorization was overlooked, leading to the current legal quagmire.

Adding layers of complexity, the copyright holder for X JAPAN's extensive music catalog, including their seminal track "Kurenai," is Sony Music Publishing. Curiously, a subsidiary of Sony Music, Aniplex, serves as a co-producer for DAN DA DAN. This creates an intricate web of inter-company relationships that further complicates the dispute. Yoshiki himself noted that previous anime productions that paid homage to X JAPAN had meticulously secured the necessary clearances, making this apparent lapse particularly jarring.

Since the issue came to light, the removal of "Hunting Soul" has sparked widespread debate among the anime community and industry observers. It starkly highlights the delicate and often contentious balance between artistic homage and the strict boundaries of intellectual property law in anime production. Yoshiki has expressed a keen interest in delving deeper into the situation, even suggesting the possibility of discussing the homage and its implications on his popular YouTube channel.

As fans and industry professionals closely watch, the DAN DA DAN production committee remains notably silent, having yet to release an official statement addressing the mounting copyright concerns or the song's abrupt withdrawal. This incident serves as a potent reminder of the intricate legal challenges creators face when weaving intertextual references into their works in the modern entertainment landscape.