Marty Friedman Spent a Year Crafting Netflix Anime Theme Song

Former Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman revealed in a recent interview that he spent an entire year writing the theme song for a new Netflix anime series. The conversation took place on the "Side Jams With Bryan Reesman" podcast on March 12, 2024, featuring singer‑harpist Lindsay Schoolcraft and Crown Lands drummer‑singer Cody Bowles. Friedman explained the creative process, the challenges of blending metal sensibilities with anime aesthetics, and his collaboration with the series' composers. During the round‑table discussion, Friedman said, "I spent a year crafting the theme, and it was worth every minute" ("Pasé un año creando el tema, y valió cada minuto"). He added that the project required him to study the show's narrative arc and visual style to ensure the music matched the emotional beats of the story. The anime, titled "Blade of the Dawn," premiered on Netflix on April 5, 2024, and features an opening sequence that blends orchestral strings with Friedman's signature guitar solos. Friedman also highlighted the involvement of Japanese composer Hiroshi Tanaka, who co‑produced the track. "Working with Hiroshi was an incredible experience; his knowledge of traditional Japanese scales added depth to the composition" ("Trabajar con Hiroshi fue una experiencia increíble; su conocimiento de escalas japonesas tradicionales añadió profundidad a la composición"). The final mix was completed in February 2024 at Friedman's home studio in Santa Monica, California, after multiple revisions based on feedback from the series' director, Ayumi Kato. The interview also touched on Friedman's recent activities beyond Megadeth, including his solo instrumental album "Future Roads," released in October 2023, and his ongoing collaboration with Lindsay Schoolcraft on a folk‑metal project. Friedman emphasized that the anime theme represents a bridge between his metal background and his long‑standing interest in Japanese culture, a passion that began during his years living in Japan in the early 2000s. Fans of both Megadeth and anime have responded positively to the crossover, noting the seamless integration of heavy guitar riffs with melodic motifs typical of anime openings. The theme song has already amassed over 1.2 million streams on Spotify within its first week, indicating strong reception across diverse audiences.

Marty Friedman in studio working on anime theme