KANA-BOON Discusses the Return of ‘NARUTO’ Theme Song ‘Silhouette’ and Their Exciting New Lineup in Billboard Japan Interview
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Billboard Japan recently featured an interview with the popular four-member pop-rock band KANA-BOON, highlighting their current resurgence. Notably, their 2014 hit “Silhouette” is experiencing a remarkable revival.
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“Silhouette” serves as the title track for the band’s fifth major-label single and was the 16th opener for the anime series NARUTO Shippuden. Since its resurgence on TikTok and other social media platforms in October 2025, the song has captured the attention of both longstanding fans and new listeners. It remarkably logged nine consecutive weeks in the top 10 of the Japan Hot Animation chart and made its way into the top 10 of the Global Japan Songs Excl. Japan chart, which tracks data from over 250 countries and regions.
With a new lineup that includes two additional members, KANA-BOON has also released a one-take performance of “Silhouette” on YouTube’s THE FIRST TAKE, featuring new lyrics. The band discussed the formation of their current lineup and the significance of “Silhouette” in their journey.
How did the band arrive at this new lineup?
Maguro Taniguchi (Vo./Gt.): “When we announced a member’s departure in December 2023, two people DM’d me almost immediately. We’d never met and didn’t know each other at all, yet they said, ‘We want to help.’ From there we actually met, talked, got into the studio, and they supported us for two years. That’s how we got to where we are now.”
Masami Endo (Ba.): “We were clear from the start that we were going to keep KANA-BOON alive, no matter what. Once those two stepped forward right away, we naturally started picturing the future with them included.”
Taniguchi: “Thankfully, there wasn’t really a period where it was just the two of us wondering what to do next. The agency and label said they’d stick with us too. It wasn’t so much, ‘We want to be a four-member band’ — after meeting those two, it became, ‘We want to keep going as these four.'”
Why did Yokoi-san and Seki-san decide to reach out via DM?
Takayuki Yokoi (Gt.): “I saw the news about the departure and couldn’t sit still. I acted on impulse that night. I could vividly imagine playing together, and I sent the message while that feeling was still burning. About six months earlier, I’d happened to catch a KANA-BOON show at a ‘live house’ in Aichi. It was my first time seeing them, and the performance wasn’t what I’d imagined at all. It was incredibly intense and so cool.”
Yuriko Seki (Dr.): “At the time, I was working freelance and thought about what my path as a drummer should be. Playing rock drums suited me, and I was confident in that. I recorded a video of myself playing ‘Silhouette’ and sent it via DM. They already had another support drummer then, so it wasn’t so much, ‘Please let me do this’ as ‘What do you think of my drumming?'”
Taniguchi: “I just wanted to have a normal conversation. I met each of them casually, without even bringing an instrument. Once we talked, the chemistry was great, we were close in age, and it felt like, ‘This might really work.’
What has the reaction been like since announcing the new lineup?
Taniguchi: “So far, no hate at all.”
Yokoi: “Yeah, it’s been nothing but positive.”
Endo: “We’re actually kind of bewildered.”
Taniguchi: “That’s probably the result of what we’ve done over the past two years. Especially the effort Yokoi and Seki put in was huge. Some people were encountering KANA-BOON for the first time, while others had followed us for years, and the challenge was how to make an impact while blending into the band.”
On the recent performance of “Silhouette,” how does it feel to see a decade-old song resonating with audiences worldwide?
Taniguchi: “Honestly, all the pieces fit together a little too perfectly. It’s kind of scary. [Laughs]
Taniguchi: “In music, sometimes it feels like there’s something watching over it. Music has always saved me. I can’t help but believe it. It feels like I’m right in the middle of something mysterious.”
Do you consider the recent success a testament to the song’s enduring power?
Taniguchi: “We’ve been through plenty of tough times, so maybe it’s okay to get a little reward like this. Still, ‘mysterious’ feels like the right word.”
Endo: “Each part has its own difficulty. There are days when I think, ‘That was terrible,’ and others when I feel, ‘That ‘Silhouette’ was amazing.'”
Seki: “The revival is a testament to Maguro Taniguchi and the team that kept the band going.”
Yokoi: “Pouring everything into music isn’t easy at all, so when he calls it a reward, I can’t help but agree.”
What feelings did you infuse into the new lyrics for THE FIRST TAKE performance?
Taniguchi: “KANA-BOON already has ‘Silhouette,’ and there’s a strong sense of ‘I’m glad we kept going.’ I hope it becomes meaningful for listeners too. I’d be glad if that kind of relationship comes through.”
How do you feel about the song’s association with NARUTO Shippuden?
Taniguchi: “I’m truly grateful. I know he’s been watching over us all this time.”
This interview by Takuto Ueda first appeared on Billboard Japan.
