Summary
When the track “You Say Run” fromMy Hero Academiabecame a meme, it demonstrated - on a colossal scale - how music can propel a story as far as the pictures on the screen, if not farther. This trackcemented its place in history as an all-time greatand overplayed earworm alike, but perhaps not enough is said about the sheer versatility of its composer, Yuki Hayashi.
Not to be confused with the animator of the same name who is no less impressive and has also contributed toMy Hero’slegacy, Hayashi has been active in the anime scene since the early 2010s. Born in Kyoto, Hayashi didn’t pursue music for much of his youth, but his time as a gymnast sparked a fascination within him, which he later turned into a career composing for film and television.
How Hayashi’s Background Lends Itself to Great Music
To one who has listened to his discography, the revelation of Hayashi’s past as a rhythm gymnast can come off as the final piece of a puzzle. What better way to instillan appreciation of music and its boon to performancethan to have grown up a performer oneself? Action, by itself, can speak volumes, but music can enrich action with context and a narrative, albeit one more emotional than causal.
With this in mind, two of Hayashi’s most iconic soundtracks,HaikyuuandMy Hero Academia, effortlessly instill excitement, whether chronicling a game or an all-out war. The word that comes to mind is “inspirational,” a mood befitting sports and superheroes alike, as both are heavily rooted in human history through competition, conflict, and legend.
Haikyuu, The Proto-My Hero
Haikyuuis practically the prototype forMy Hero Academia, where an epic and inspiring orchestra meets hard rock guitar to create a sound as dramatic as it is kick-ass. But those are only the broader categories defining his music, as the individual components span a broad range of styles. Piano melodies punctuate the pregnant pauses during dramatic moments and his use of choir creates emotional swells that sell the gravity of what this simple game means to these players.
It’s no secret that sports shōnen and battle shōnen are very closely aligned in tone. Both tend to be led by young protagonists whose bonds serve as the glue tying stories about companionship together. It’s a youthful kind of genre not limited to any one setting or focus, and thus, naturally, the sounds that evoke powerful emotions would be alike even in two very different shows.Haikyuumay as well have been Hayashi’s job interview forMy Hero.
‘You Say Run’ ReallyDoesGo With Everything
There are so many different avenues through which he achieves similarly energetic effects. Like many of the most prolific anime composers, Hayashi plays around with various genres. One such that he employs exceptionally is techno, a genre he became well-versed in under the guidance of Hideo Kobayashi.My Herounderstands the soundsthat evoke the idea of a hero, but the score isn’t afraid to lean into contemporary styles to challenge how best to preserve that image.
For all the varied components, though, six seasons deep intoMy Hero Academia, one might express fatigue at the familiar blend. After all, it’s hard to improve on such strong early successes, though, in his defense, it is one thing to listen to the songs by themselves and another entirely to experience the music within the show. For another matter, Hayashi is plenty capable of mixing things up and does so frequently.
How Yuki Hayashi Excels Beyond the Meme
As iconic as his more energetic, inspirational jams may be, Hayashi might excel more when things take a turn for the slower, stranger, and notably, the darker. If tracks like “You Say Run” and “Symbol of Peace” embody heroism through a contemporary blend, then “All for my sake” and “Symbol of Fear” display a chilling comprehension of what defines villainy. The orchestration, rock, and choir are just as powerful, but rather than hopeful, they create a haunting atmosphere.
AsMy Hero Academiahas progressed, some of the most incredible songs have resultedfrom the story’s most profound tragedies, be it the loss of great heroes or the further descent of villains. While Hayashiactively creates new tracks each seasonto keep the soundscape fresh, his reuse/recontextualization of familiar motifs might make one forget that fact.
What’s interesting about it is that as each season goes on, the characters are also progressing and growing up. It’s kind of like when you see a toddler wearing clothing, it’s not going to fit them in the next season because they are already bigger. It’s not creating new content necessarily, but rather building on the same themes.
Familiar Sounds, Made Fresh
“Resting Hero of Peace” starts as a simple piano melody, but as soon as All Might’s signature tune from the track “I Am Here” hits, it’s hard to stop the flood of nostalgia.
On the darker side of the spectrum,Season 6’s “Dabi Dance” is an exampleof a once-heroic motif - Endeavor’s to be exact - being molested into something freakish and disturbing. The angst and pain are conveyed in such inventive and immersive ways. It might be one of the best tracks in the entire series.
And yet, few songs sum up Hayashi’s prowess more than “Might+U” fromMy Hero Academia’s second feature film. No other sound plays during the final fight; just this song, with vocals from Makayla Philips, and the sight of Deku and Bakugo straining to snatch victory. “You Say Run” might have caught lightning in a bottle, but this song grabs that same lightning by force to catch it again, creating an unforgettable climax that alone was worth the price of admission.
The Final Word on Hayashi (For Now)
Like otherbig names in anime composing such as Hiroyuki Sawano, Yuki Hayashi has created a sound that is instantly recognizable. In isolation, his appeals to the audience’s heart can sound similar, but when experienced in their full context, they reveal a versatility that lends a distinct identity to their respective projects. Furthermore, when he goes off the beaten path, his experimentation seldom fails to create captivating compositions.
Unlike past artist spotlights, which endeavorto cover the breadth of an artist’s career, not limited to a single project, it’s hard to avoid focusing onMy Hero Academia. It serves as a testament to everything that makes him a great artist. It’s hard to imagine any other composer tackling such an earnest examination of the themes of heroism than one who breathes life into that world with similarly earnest melodies.
