Veteran rock duo B’z further cemented their long-standing relationship with the Detective Conan anime series by contributing “SLEEPLESS” as a new opening theme, which debuted in January 2022. The track served as the 55th opening for the popular mystery anime, appearing from episode 1033 to 1048. This marked yet another collaboration between the iconic band and the beloved franchise, extending a partnership that spans decades and numerous memorable theme songs.
“SLEEPLESS”: The Latest Chapter in a Musical Partnership
B’z’s song “SLEEPLESS” premiered as the new opening for Detective Conan on January 8, 2022. The song was later released as a digital single on June 24, 2022, and included in their album “Highway X” on August 10, 2022. Its debut was met with enthusiasm from fans, adding to the rich musical tapestry of the series. The opening sequence featuring “SLEEPLESS” was used for episodes 1033 through 1048 of the anime.
A History of Iconic Collaborations
B’z, composed of guitarist-composer Tak Matsumoto and vocalist-lyricist Koshi Inaba, has an extensive history of providing theme songs for Detective Conan, both for the television series and its movies. Their contributions have become integral to the anime’s identity, often topping music charts and becoming fan favorites.
Some of their notable past contributions include:
- “Girigiri chop”: Served as the 6th opening theme for episodes 143 to 167.
- “Shoudou”: Featured as the 17th opening theme for episodes 425 to 437, released in 2006.
- “Don’t Wanna Lie”: An opening theme (31st, episodes 613-626) and the theme song for the 15th Detective Conan movie, Quarter of Silence, debuting in 2011. It also set a record as B’z’s 45th straight single to top the Oricon chart.
- “Q&A”: Became the 36th opening theme, used from May 4, 2013, for episodes 696 to 717.
- “Sekai wa Anata no Iro ni Naru”: Was the 43rd opening theme (episodes 817-844) and the theme song for the 20th movie, The Darkest Nightmare, in 2016.
- Koshi Inaba’s “Hane”: While a solo effort by the vocalist, it also served as the 42nd opening (episodes 804-816) starting in January 2016.
B’z has also provided theme songs for several Detective Conan films, including “ONE” for the third movie, The Last Wizard of the Century, and “Everlasting” for the sixth movie, The Phantom of Baker Street.
The Enduring Appeal of B’z
Since their debut in 1988, B’z has remained one of Japan’s most successful music acts, known for their innovative sound and consistent chart performance. The duo holds numerous records, including the most number-one singles and the longest string of consecutive number-one singles in Japan. Their ability to blend various genres into their signature rock sound has allowed them to maintain relevance and appeal across generations. This consistent quality and popularity make them a natural fit for a long-running and beloved series like Detective Conan.
The ongoing collaboration between B’z and Detective Conan underscores the powerful synergy between popular music and anime, enriching the viewing experience and reinforcing the cultural impact of both the band and the animated series.
