The hit animeDandadanhas been riding high in its second season, but one of its biggest breakout moments has now turned into a legal nightmare. The series’ insert song “Hunting Soul,” performed by the fictional band HAYASii, exploded in popularity after debuting in episode 18. The track quickly racked up over 10 million YouTube views and became a fan-favorite anthem.
That success, however, has been cut short. In mid-August, the song suddenly vanished from major Japanese streaming services, including Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon Music. Though no official statement has been made, the removal follows rising concerns about similarities between “Hunting Soul” and the legendary rock band X JAPAN, specifically their iconic track “Kurenai”, according to@YoshikiOfficialon X. The issue has now drawn in lawyers, leaving fans uncertain whether the song will ever return.
A Smash Hit from Dandadan Pulled Overnight
“Hunting Soul” was more than just an anime insert, it was an event. With Marty Friedman contributing guitar work and the in-universe band modeled after X JAPAN’s members, the performance felt like both a tribute and a spectacle.Fans praised the episode as one ofDandadan’shigh points, with the music scene elevating the anime’s supernatural intensity.
Yet that homage may have gone too far. Shortly after the episode aired, X JAPAN’s Yoshiki took to social media, expressing surprise at the track’s resemblance to his band’s music. Initially amused, he later revealed lawyers had contacted him to assess possible copyright infringement. That revelation sent shockwaves through the anime community, raising questions about whether proper permissions were ever secured.
The song’s abrupt removal has only fueled speculation. Platforms like Apple Music and Spotify now display error pages or generic placeholders, and even Sony-affiliated services such as Mora have pulled the track. The only place fans can still hear “Hunting Soul” officially is YouTube, where its millions of views remain untouched, for now.
Did Dandadan’s “Hunting Soul” Song Have a Homage or Infringement?
At the heart of the controversy is the thin line between inspiration and unauthorized borrowing. Homages to real-world musicians are not unusual in anime, and Yoshiki himself acknowledged past tributes to X JAPAN in other series. The difference, he noted, is that earlier productions cleared the references with management and labels beforehand.WhetherDandadan’sproducers did so remains unclear.
The situation is especially awkward given Sony Music’s involvement on both sides. Sony Music Publishing holds rights to X JAPAN’s “Kurenai,” while Sony’s subsidiary Milan Records distributed “Hunting Soul.” If permissions were missed, the conflict may be less about malice and more about miscommunication within the same corporate ecosystem.
Despite the mess, Yoshiki hasn’t closed the door on reconciliation. He’s hinted at watchingDandadanhimself and even suggested discussing the homage on his YouTube channel. For now, though, the future of “Hunting Soul” hangs in limbo, caught between being one of 2025’s most popular anime songs and a cautionary tale about the risks of stepping too close to rock royalty.
