From Anime Hits to Alternative Gems: Fans Embrace Hitsujibungaku's Unique Sound at their first LA show
HITSUJIBUNGAKU at the Echoplex by Asha Moné
It's packed like sardines inside the Echoplex one Sunday night in early April 2025. Everyone is clamoring to the front or waiting by the bars, with hardly any space between them for a chance to hear Hitsujibungaku at their first Los Angeles show on their first American tour.
Fresh off the success of popular anime tracks, such as 2023's "More Than Words," featured in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, and 2024's "Burning" from Oshi no Ko Season 2, the three-member group, comprised of Moeka Shiotsuka (Lead Vocal and guitar), Yurika Kasai (vocal and bass), and Yuna Chai, filling in for Hiroa Fukuda on drums, sells out the hazy, dimly lit music venue without any trouble.
"I'm so happy to see your face in LA," exclaims one of the band members in a soft voice before exchanging pleasantries in Japanese and diving right back into the setlist.
"LET'S FUCKING GO!" screams a man in the crowd.
The predominantly male audience is eager to hear their favorite anime closing theme songs. Still, I find myself more interested in tracks like the recent release, "Koe," or "GO!!!," and "Addiction" from their 2023 project "12 Hugs (Like Butterflies)." These songs capture the group's fuzzy, melancholy essence, depicting their alternative rock approach and giving the best theme music for a rainy summer dive.
Moeka Shiotsuka of HITSUJIBUNGAKU at the Echoplex by Asha Moné
Crowd for HITSUJIBUNGAKU at the Echoplex by Asha Moné
Yurika Kasai of HITSUJIBUNGAKU at the Echoplex by Asha Moné
For about 20 minutes, I navigate through the bustling crowd, trying to capture a few stunning photos. After realizing that achieving anything extraordinary is unlikely, I decided to retreat to the back, where the air is fresher and the sound flows more harmoniously. Here, I take a moment to soak in the exhilarating atmosphere of this international group as they embark on their first steps into the U.S. market.
HITSUJIBUNGAKU at the Echoplex by Asha Moné
Hitsujibungaku, despite their global rise to fame and their first project debuting in 2017, feels like a blossoming butterfly. The audience is utterly captivated by their unique sound. Shiotsuka’s voice stands out, harmonizing beautifully with Chai and Kasai’s instrumentation. Their coy and shy demeanor is offset by thought-provoking, free-spirited lyrics that convey melancholy moments. I can’t help but feel fortunate to witness this. If this were "1999", fans would undoubtedly be spinning their tracks on MTV, sandwiched between iconic shoegaze bands like My Bloody Valentine, The Verve, and Lush, alongside The Pixies and The All-American Rejects.
After this show, I’m excited to follow Hitsujibungaku’s journey and continue deep diving into their world. If the enthusiastic response from the crowd at the Echoplex is any indication, the sky is truly the limit for them. I can't wait to see them back in the States.
WHERE TO SEE THEM NEXT?
No Current International Dates
May 4 - Saitama, Japan - Saitama Super Arena
May 9 - Koto City Japan - Toyosu PIT
May 11 - Koto City Japan - Tokyo Torts Uminomori Park
aDD tO pLAYLIST
THE SHOW
