5 Shocking Secrets Behind DAN DA DAN's "Exorcism Song": The DragonForce Connection And Legendary Rock Collaborators

The "Exorcism Song" from *DAN DA DAN* is far more than just a memorable battle theme; it's a monumental collaboration that has stunned the anime and metal communities alike. This explosive track, officially titled "Hunting Soul," is the centerpiece of one of the anime's most iconic moments, and its creation involves a surprising roster of legendary musicians from the world of heavy metal. As of December 2024, with the release of the official soundtrack, the full story behind this unique piece of music has finally been revealed, solidifying its place as one of the most unique musical moments in modern anime. This article dives deep into the fresh, unique details of "Hunting Soul," revealing the shocking secrets behind the music that powers Jiji's (Hayashi's) most intense spiritual battles. From the unexpected vocalist to the legendary collaborators, here are the five biggest revelations about the song that exorcises spirits with the power of heavy metal.

The Official Name is "Hunting Soul" (Performed by HAYASii)

The track that fans affectionately dubbed the "exorcism song" has a powerful official title: "Hunting Soul." This name perfectly captures the aggressive, relentless energy of the scene it accompanies, particularly the transformation of Ken Takakura, a.k.a. Okarun's rival, Jiji, into his spiritual form, Hayashi. The song is credited to the fictional band HAYASii, which is the name of Jiji’s powerful spirit medium persona. "Hunting Soul" is featured prominently in the anime’s second season, making its debut in Episode 6, during one of the series’ most intense supernatural confrontations. This track is a standout on the recently released *DAN DA DAN Original Series Soundtrack*, which dropped digitally on December 6, 2024, with the physical release following on December 18, 2024.

DragonForce's Marc Hudson is the English Vocalist

The most jaw-dropping revelation about the "Hunting Soul" track is the identity of the vocalist for the English version: Marc Hudson, the lead singer of the internationally renowned power metal band, DragonForce. Hudson’s involvement was a massive surprise to both anime and metal fans, bringing a genuine, high-octane power metal sound to the series. He was brought in to perform the song as part of the character Hayashi, essentially lending his incredible vocal range and signature metal scream to the exorcism ritual itself. Hudson expressed his excitement, calling *DAN DA DAN* one of his "all-time favourite anime series," making the collaboration a dream project. This casting choice perfectly underscores the manga's unique blend of occult horror and over-the-top action, using the sheer power of heavy metal to literally drive out evil spirits.

The Legendary Marty Friedman Performed the Guitar

The star power behind "Hunting Soul" doesn't stop at the vocals; the guitar performance and arrangement were handled by a true rock and metal legend: Marty Friedman. Friedman is best known as the former lead guitarist for the thrash metal titans Megadeth and the neoclassical metal duo Cacophony. His involvement adds an extraordinary layer of credibility and technical brilliance to the track's heavy metal sound. Friedman's signature shredding and intricate guitar work are integral to the song's energy, ensuring that the "exorcism song" is not just a novelty but a genuinely complex and powerful metal track. This collaboration highlights the anime's commitment to delivering a truly authentic and high-quality musical experience for its most pivotal moments.

The Track Was Inspired by X Japan's "Kurenai"

The musical roots of "Hunting Soul" are firmly planted in the history of Japanese rock. The creators explicitly cited the legendary visual kei and heavy metal band X Japan and their iconic song "Kurenai" as a heavy inspiration for the track. This inspiration is evident in the song's dramatic structure, soaring vocals, and blend of aggressive metal riffs with a sense of emotional epicness. X Japan is a foundational band in the J-Rock scene, and drawing inspiration from them ensures that the "Hunting Soul" track resonates with a deep sense of musical heritage while still feeling fresh and modern. This detail provides crucial insight into the creative intent behind the music, bridging the gap between traditional Japanese spiritual themes and modern, global heavy metal.

The Creative Team is a Who's Who of Music Production

While the star performers grab the headlines, the core creative team is equally impressive, ensuring the song's quality and integration into the anime's overall score. The track was written, composed, and arranged by Seiichi Nagai, a talented composer and arranger. The English lyrics were penned by Leo Imai, ensuring the words matched the intensity of Marc Hudson's performance. The entire production was overseen and produced by the series' main music composer, kensuke ushio. Ushio is celebrated for his unique and atmospheric scores for anime like *Chainsaw Man* and *A Silent Voice*. His production ensures that "Hunting Soul" maintains the series' unique sonic identity, even with its heavy metal flair. This combined effort, bringing together the visionary production of kensuke ushio with the rock mastery of Seiichi Nagai, Marty Friedman, and Marc Hudson, is what makes "Hunting Soul" a truly unforgettable piece of anime music.

The Legacy of the Heavy Metal Exorcism

The "Hunting Soul" track, a highlight of the *DAN DA DAN Original Series Soundtrack*, is more than just background music; it is a character-defining moment for Jiji/Hayashi and a masterclass in musical collaboration. It perfectly embodies the chaotic, genre-bending spirit of Yukinobu Tatsu's original manga, which effortlessly blends shonen action with sci-fi, horror, and comedy elements. The decision by the production studio, Science SARU, and the music team to commit to an authentic heavy metal sound—complete with a world-class vocalist and legendary guitarist—was a massive creative risk that paid off. The song has become a viral sensation, a testament to the power of unexpected collaborations in the world of anime. The track’s success has cemented the idea that in the universe of *DAN DA DAN*, the most effective way to fight a curse, a yokai, or an alien, is not with a quiet prayer, but with a blistering, full-throttle heavy metal anthem.

List of Key Entities and LSI Keywords:

• Hunting Soul (Exorcism Song)
• Marc Hudson (DragonForce Vocalist)
• Marty Friedman (Megadeth Guitarist)
• kensuke ushio (Series Composer)
• Seiichi Nagai (Composer/Arranger)
• Leo Imai (English Lyricist)
• Yukinobu Tatsu (Manga Creator)
• DAN DA DAN Original Series Soundtrack
• Jiji's Exorcism Theme
• Ken Takakura (Jiji)
• Hayashi (Jiji's Spiritual Form)
• Okarun (Ken Takakura)
• Momo Ayase
• Science SARU (Animation Studio)
• X Japan (Musical Inspiration)
• Kurenai (X Japan Song)
• Power Metal Anime
• Dan Da Dan Season 2 Episode 6
• Yokai and Aliens