The just-premiered Daemons of the Shadow Realm had its second episode this weekend. And with it, audiences were treated two great songs: “Tobu Toki” for the opener, and “Tobou Yo” as the closer.
Sung respectively by Japanese artists Vaundy and Yama, the full versions of both released on Saturday night. But in a neat bit of extra, the two artists also covered each other’s songs: on music platforms, Vaundy has a single pairing “Tobu Toki” with Yama’s “Tobou Yo,” and Yama has a “Tobu Taki” grouped with Vaundy’s “Tobou Yo.” It’s meant to reflect the show’s twin leads, Asa and Yoru, as does each single’s cover art.
As observant fans have commented online, there’s a throwback vibe to the two songs, particularly “Tobu Taki.” Since it’s the opener, many have focused on it feeling like it belongs in Fullmetal Alchemist, and one section before the conclusion sounds musically similar to the start of Brotherhood’s first opening, “Again” by Yui. Visually, others have called out the Daemons opening for having the cast fight in the sky, putting the twins in contrasting locations, and quick flashes of the supernatural. These elements were present in the openings or outros of either Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood or its 2003 predecessor, and it’s fitting since Daemons of the Shadow Realm is Studio Bones’ second go at adapting one of Hiromu Arakawa’s works.
New episodes of Daemons of the Shadow Realm premiere Saturdays on Crunchyroll.
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