Kaibutsu

Did You Know?

• The music video for "Kaibutsu" surpassed 100 million views on June 22 and 200 million views on April 4, 2022.
• The song earned four wins for both download and streaming categories of Song of the Year (Japan) and Best 5 Songs at the 36th Japan Gold Disc Award.

Background and release

On November 5, 2020, Yoasobi were announced as performers of the opening theme for the second season of the anime Beastars, titled "Kaibutsu". A TV-size version was previewed in a trailer released the same day. The song was based on the short story Jibun no Mune ni Jibun no Mimi o Oshi Atete, written by Paru Itagaki, who also wrote and illustrated the manga. "Kaibutsu" was released to digital music and streaming platforms on January 6, 2021.

A double A-side CD single with "Yasashii Suisei" followed on March 24, available in a limited anime edition and a fan club limited edition for members of "Club Yoasobi". Both versions included the original songs, TV-size versions, and non-credit opening and ending videos from Beastars; the fan club edition also added an acoustic session of "Tabun" and "Ano Yume o Nazotte". The song later appeared on Yoasobi's second EP The Book 2, released on December 1.

An English version titled "Monster" was announced on July 30, with its full song first aired on the duo's radio show Yoasobi's All Night Nippon X on July 27. It became Yoasobi's third English song after "Into the Night" and "RGB", and was included on their first English-language EP E-Side, released on November 12.

Lyrics and composition

"Kaibutsu" is an upbeat, fast-paced song with a catchy chorus. Its lyrics tell of a carnivore trying to coexist with herbivores in a cruel world; though the idea is unrealistic, the carnivore still protects the herbivore and decides to become strong to confront the whole world. The song is in the key of G minor on the verses and break, E major on the first chorus, D major on the bridge, and F major in the final chorus, at 170 beats per minute with a running time of 3 minutes and 26 seconds.

Commercial performance

"Kaibutsu" debuted at number 14 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 of January 18, 2021, and peaked at number 2 on the chart of March 31 following the CD single release. It also reached number 87 on the Billboard Global 200 and number 39 on the Billboard Global Excl. US of January 30. The CD single "Kaibutsu / Yasashii Suisei" debuted and peaked at number 2 on the Oricon Singles Chart for April 5, 2021, selling 23,761 copies, and also reached number 2 on the Billboard Japan Top Single Sales chart with 27,275 copies sold for March 31, 2021.

Live performance and cover

Yoasobi first played "Kaibutsu" live during their inaugural online concert, Keep Out Theater, on February 14, 2021, where it came fifth in the setlist. The duo later brought the song to television for the first time at the 63rd Japan Record Awards on December 30, performing it together with "Yasashii Suisei" and "Moshi mo Inochi ga Egaketara". Japanese singer Masayuki Suzuki released his own version of "Kaibutsu" as a promotional single on February 4, 2021, part of his upcoming 35th anniversary cover compilation Discover Japan DX, due out February 23.