Although Cowboy Bebop aired more than 25 years ago, one of the most enduring elements of that anime is Yoko Kanno’s soundtrack. Its focus on jazz, along with an eclectic mix of other genres including blues, bossa nova, rock, and J-pop, blended well with the anime’s content to make the overall package memorable.
Even on a punchy soundtrack, some pieces sound louder than others. An obvious example would be the opening track “Tank.” But the same can also be said for “Blue,” which shined through Mai Yamane’s moving delivery and elevated the final scene with Spike and his finger gun gesture to one of the most iconic anime moments of all time.
And now, the song is getting a second wind, albeit as a song for a Honda commercial that takes advantage of the feeling of liberation through movement as its main motif. The song does the same thing: instead of Mai Yamane doing the vocals, we have Maya, a singer who got her start on TikTok (don’t confuse her with Maaya Sakamoto!). Maya’s performance is less melancholic but still moving as she retains the longing for freedom.
If you want to hear the full performance, here it is on Yoko Kanno’s official YouTube channel:
Yoko Kanno had this to say about the project in general:
“Even after 25 years, the longing for freedom never leaves us. With Maya’s voice like a new pair of wings, the song continues to soar even higher, even deeper, into the blue. The images Mr. Daichi Yasuda [the Honda commercial director] “explora is an invitation to a journey through eternity.”
And Maya enjoyed her opportunity to work with Yoko Kanno and said:
“I am beyond honored and happy to announce the release of a song that features my voice. In a world where it can sometimes be very difficult to feel “free”, I sang my heart out in hopes of bringing freedom to as many people as possible. The recording session with Ms. Yoko Kanno was a learning experience for me and very inspiring. As a young artist just starting out, I appreciate and treasure every moment I spend with Ms. Kanno, whom I greatly admire.”