While the Kamen Rider franchise remains difficult to get hold of in western markets, fans of the series are able to legally purchase the theme song of the currently airing Kamen Rider Gotchard thanks to a new release from JPU Records.
The London based music label have been running for over a decade and specialise in getting Japanese music overseas to western markets. Having worked with the Gotchard opening theme creators Back-On since 2021, the label has seen the release of a number of titles from the artist that featured within popular Japanese media such as Fairy Tale, Gundam and even Kamen Rider itself.
Back-On (Image from JPU Records)
While Back-On have had a song appear in Kamen Rider prior (Their single Chair appeared in Kamen Rider Geats), this is the first time they have had a headlining spot on a title theme for the series. The song, titled CHEMYxSTORY, is supposed to be pronounced similarly to the word Chemistry and pays reference to the alchemical story featured within the show where lead character Ichinose collects Chemy cards.
Speaking to JPU Records on the success of getting to do a Kamen Rider theme song, guitarist and writer Kenji03 excitedly exclaimed “We finally got to do a theme song for Kamen Rider!” while rapper Teeda expressed:
“I’m honoured to
sing the theme song of Kamen Rider, which I have
loved since I was a child. We hope you like it and we’re looking
forward to play “CHEMYxSTORY” in front of you guys soon!”
Back-On's single "Chair" appeared in Kamen Rider Geats
The track release in
the UK came with magazine advertisements that surprised one fan who
had not expected to see anything Gotchard related at their local
supermarket. Kamen Rider has remained highly inaccessible to the
western market, with many fans currently keeping up with the show via
fansubs online.
Wasn't expecting to see Gotchard in Tesco today pic.twitter.com/RZW54XvZEv
— Kita B Man (@Kita_B_Man) September 18, 2023
Kamen Rider Gotchard has been airing in Japan for nearly four weeks now, with the latest episode focusing on Ichinose challenging himself to befriend the most difficult Chemy card the Alchemist Academy have caught. The adventure lead Ichinose to gaining a new Kamen Rider form after gaining the respect of Apparebushido and ended on a cliffhanger as Valvarad prepared to battle the Submarine Malgam.
Ichinose and Kudo will be trapped in an ant labyrinth next episode
Next weeks episode
is set to reveal a new Kamen Rider form called Venommariner, a fusion
of Venomdrake and Deepmariner. Ichinose and Kudo will be trapped in
an ant labyrinth that supposedly leads to new revelations for Kudo as
she learns information about her father.
