Toho Co., Ltd. has officially unleashed a high-octane 10th-anniversary celebration of one of anime’s most iconic musical cues, fusing the orchestral brilliance of composer Yuki Hayashi with the explosive, genre-bending energy of German electronicore outfit Electric Callboy. The globally anticipated track, titled “You Say Run -10th Anniversary Ver.-,” bridges the worlds of symphonic anime composition and modern party-metal, arriving as a centerpiece of the ongoing multi-year celebration for the internationally acclaimed franchise My Hero Academia.
The reworked anthem made its thunderous live debut on September 20 during the exclusive “My Hero Academia in Concert” event in London, catching attendees by surprise before its wide digital rollout across major streaming platforms on September 22. This cross-continental collaboration stands as a defining milestone for Toho’s sprawling 10th-anniversary initiatives, demonstrating the enduring cultural footprint of a franchise that has spent the last decade redefining the global shonen anime landscape.
A High-Voltage Cross-Cultural Collaboration
The genesis of this unexpected partnership lies in Toho’s ambitious vision for the anniversary project. Music supervisors and producers at Toho sought an international musical act capable of matching the relentless intensity, emotional gravity, and high-octane action sequences that define My Hero Academia. They required vocalists who could effortlessly transition between ferocious, heavy shouts and soaring, melodic pop hooks.
Enter Electric Callboy, a German electronicore band formed in 2010 that has steadily built a massive international following through viral hits like “Hypa Hypa,” “We Got the Moves,” and their high-profile 2024 collaboration with Babymetal, “Ratatata.” Frontmen Kevin Ratajczak and Nico Sallach quickly became involved in the project after Yuki Hayashi personally penned fresh English-language lyrics specifically tailored for this milestone anniversary version.
The fusion process required careful balancing. Hayashi’s original composition relied on a grand, triumphant orchestral arrangement that has underscored countless heroic moments—most notably Izuku "Deku" Midoriya’s most desperate and triumphant victories. By weaving these original symphonic elements into Electric Callboy’s signature cocktail of blistering EDM drops, synth-heavy hooks, and driving metalcore breakdowns, the creative team birthed an entirely new beast.
Reflecting on the collaboration, Yuki Hayashi expressed deep admiration for the transformation of his work. “’You Say Run,’ one of the signature tracks representing My Hero Academia, has been reborn with an unprecedented surge of energy by fusing with the incredible vocals of Electric Callboy,” Hayashi stated. “I am deeply honored and thrilled to share this special sound born from the intersection of our shared energy.”
The band members were equally enthusiastic about stepping into the My Hero Academia universe. “We are beyond excited to have this opportunity to add our vocals to ‘You Say Run,’” shared Kevin Ratajczak. “The melody of ‘You Say Run’ is so powerful and uplifting—we just absolutely love this song.” Nico Sallach echoed this sentiment, noting that the recording process was pure fun and a monumental honor. “We can’t wait for everyone to hear it! We really hope you’re as excited for it as we are.”
Unveiling the Art: A Nod to the Legacy
To accompany the global release of the single, animation studio Bones Film revealed a stunning piece of commemorative artwork. The new illustration features the series protagonist, Izuku Midoriya—affectionately known as Deku—unleashing a trademark “Smash” attack. The dynamic visual serves as a direct, nostalgic homage to the iconic cover art of the anime’s original Season 1 official soundtrack, bridging the narrative distance between the series’ humble beginnings and its massive, mature conclusion.
Yuki Hayashi praised both the musical output and the visual accompaniment, urging fans to embrace the cross-media celebration. “I truly hope the song crosses borders and genres, reaches as many hearts as possible, and resonates passionately with everyone,” Hayashi remarked. “And while the track is absolute perfection, the cover art is top-tier too. Plus Ultra.”
A Decade of Plus Ultra: The My Hero Academia Chronology
The rollout of the 10th-anniversary version of “You Say Run” punctuates a monumental era for My Hero Academia, which has evolved from a serialized manga in Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump into a cultural juggernaut.
Authored by Kohei Horikoshi, the manga debuted in July 2014, immediately capturing readers with its vibrant world where roughly 80% of the global population possesses supernatural abilities known as "Quirks." The story follows Izuku Midoriya—born powerless in a superpowered society—as he inherits the ultimate Quirk, One For All, from his idol All Might, enrolling in the prestigious U.A. High School to train as a professional hero.
The literary and television chronology of the franchise highlights its unprecedented scale:
- July 2014: Kohei Horikoshi launches the My Hero Academia manga series in Weekly Shōnen Jump.
- April 2016: The television anime adaptation, produced by Bones, premieres its first season, introducing global audiences to Hayashi’s unforgettable musical scores.
- 2016–2025: The anime expands rapidly, spanning eight comprehensive seasons, more than 170 episodes, and four major theatrical feature films (Two Heroes, Heroes Rising, World Heroes’ Mission, and You’re Next).
- August 2024: The original manga concludes its decade-long run, having surpassed a staggering 100 million copies in global circulation.
- Fall 2025: The anime broadcasts its eighth and final season, bringing the canonical television narrative to a definitive close.
- 2025–2026: Toho rolls out its extensive “My Hero Academia The Animation 10th Anniversary” project, featuring live musical events, merchandise, special media drops, and curated web content.
Broader Implications and Industry Impact
The release of the “You Say Run” 10th-anniversary remix underscores a broader, highly successful trend in the modern entertainment industry: the intentional convergence of traditional Japanese anime scoring with Western alternative, rock, and electronic music artists. As anime continues to shed its historic niche status to become a dominant pillar of global mainstream pop culture, media conglomerates like Toho are increasingly looking outward, fostering creative dialogues that transcend geographical and linguistic barriers.
By partnering with a band like Electric Callboy—whose commercial momentum is currently peaking around their upcoming studio album Tanzneid—Toho ensures that the musical touchstones of My Hero Academia infiltrate new demographic segments. Fans of European electronicore and alternative metal are exposed to the emotional weight of anime composition, while traditional anime devotees are introduced to high-energy Western heavy music production.
Furthermore, the release strategy—premiering the track live in London before unleashing it simultaneously to a worldwide digital audience—reflects the borderless nature of modern fandom. It acknowledges that the emotional resonance of a heroic theme song like “You Say Run” does not require a shared language; the combination of sweeping orchestration, aggressive metal instrumentation, and universally triumphant melodies speaks for itself.
As the “My Hero Academia The Animation 10th Anniversary” project continues its scheduled run through 2026, releases of this caliber set a high benchmark for how legacy intellectual properties can honor their past while continually reinventing their future. For millions of fans across the globe, the message remains clear: through every new remix, illustration, and narrative chapter, the spirit of My Hero Academia continues to push ever onward, living up to its ultimate inspirational creed of Plus Ultra.
