Kensuke Ushio

Kensuke Ushio’s name pops up a lot if you’re into anime that actually punches you in the gut—in a good way. The guy’s got a pretty wild track record. He had a huge hand in the emotional rollercoaster that is “Eiga Koe No Katachi” (A Silent Voice) back in 2016. If you’ve ever ugly cried at an animated film, odds are, his music was the reason. Then there’s “Boogiepop wa Warawanai” (2019)—a series that basically takes your brain, twists it into a pretzel, and then drops a killer soundtrack on top. Ushio’s sound is weird, intricate, sometimes straight-up haunting, and somehow fits every mood an anime could throw at you. And let’s not forget “DanDaDan,” which dropped in 2024. That show’s a fever dream of aliens, ghosts, and awkward teen moments, and Ushio’s music just rides that chaos so perfectly. He doesn’t just fill the background; he’s the reason your heart’s pounding during the wild scenes or why you suddenly feel all nostalgic for, I don’t know, a childhood you never even had. He blends synths, real instruments, random sounds—makes it all work. Honestly, if you’re binging one of these shows and the music’s making your skin tingle, chances are, Kensuke Ushio’s behind it. His style’s instantly recognizable, but somehow never gets old. There’s this energy, this emotional punch, that just hits different every time. Dude’s basically a wizard with a keyboard.