Dark Machine: The Animation OST jacket art (Credits: Honey’s Anime)
One of Japan’s biggest guitar legends is making his anime composing debut count. The original soundtrack for Dark Machine: The Animation, with music by Sugizo, releases on December 9 — and a commemorative “Talk & Sign” event is planned for release day.
Dark Machine is an e-sports gaming and anime project, and the original TV anime is set in near-future Japan. It follows Kairi, who strives to become the top player of “Dark Machine,” an e-sport with overwhelming popularity around the globe. For the series’ sound, Sugizo — the Luna Sea and X JAPAN guitarist and leader of Shag — has built a dark, rich soundscape for his first anime score.
Sugizo’s All-Star Lineup for the Dark Machine The Animation OST
The backing lineup is stacked. MaZDA from Sugizo’s live band Cosmic Dance Quintet is a core member, joined by one-of-a-kind track maker Ubar-Tumar, Vocaloid producer ATLOS, Jiluka guitarist Sena, Shinobu from Morrie’s Creature Creature, and jazz-rock players from Shag including keyboardist Kasuhiro Bessho, percussionist Kenji Yoshiura, drummer Yukino Matsuura, trumpeter Shinpei Ruike, and C.D.Q. drummer komaki. Sugizo’s creative partners from every genre have come together to build this album’s soundscape.
The album includes TV-sized versions of the opening theme “Sonzai Riyu Kai” by BUCK-TICK, the ending theme “Galaxy Mode” by Sandaime J Soul Brothers, and the insert song “Pitch Black” performed by idol group Stellatus — voiced by Nao Toyama, Rei Nakashima and Nonoka Obuchi over a danceable, fast-paced track by Taku Inoue. “Pitch Black” hits digital download on November 11, ahead of the album.
CD, Vinyl, and Release Details
The soundtrack lands in two editions: a 2-CD set with 40 tracks (original score plus theme and insert songs) for 4,400 yen, and a 2-LP analog set curated personally by Sugizo for 6,600 yen. The album art features an original illustration by mecha designer Hidetaka Tenjin, known for his work on Macross and Gundam. Streaming arrives December 9 on Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music and more.
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Source: Honey’s Anime — read the full story there.