Akeboshi appeared on ”THE FIRST TAKE,” performing his signature song ”Wind.”
Originally released in 2002, ”Wind” served as the first ending theme for the TV anime series ”NARUTO -Naruto-,” based on Masashi Kishimoto’s globally popular manga. The track was included on Akeboshi’s debut mini-album ”STONED TOWN” and stood out at the time for its unconventional five-beat rhythm, all-English lyrics, and Irish folk influences featuring instruments such as fiddle and tin whistle. More than two decades later, the song continued to resonate worldwide, with over 83 million total streams—approximately 90 percent of them from outside Japan. Akeboshi also contributed ”Yellow moon” as an ending theme for the series in 2006.
For his ”THE FIRST TAKE” appearance, Akeboshi handled vocals and piano, joined by Emi Sakai on fiddle, Kozo Toyota on tin whistle, and Akira Kawasaki of mouse on the keys on drums. The supporting musicians were longtime collaborators who had previously performed with him live.
The voice and the music exist only as they were in that moment.
Akeboshi
I sang with the hope that it might reach those who are pushing through, those still in the middle of their fight.
No matter how much time passes, the road ahead often looks twisted and uncertain, like a winding path,
yet I believe it leads straight to where I’m meant to go—and I will continue to sing as I follow it.
But I will continue to sing, believing that the road leads straight to the destination.
”Wind” had already proven its lasting appeal, with a 2012 studio session video surpassing 5 million views on YouTube. In October 2025, the original music video was also released on Sony Music’s YouTube channel ”MUSIC Library,” sparking renewed attention to the track 23 years after its original release.
