Creepy Nuts’ ‘Mirage’ blends Japanese vibes with Afro beats and fans are obsessed

Creepy Nuts are a Japanese duo who have recently gained popularity and are on one of the most electrifying runs in J-pop. And it seems like they are not ready to let go of their popularity streak. With each new anime opening or theme song, the group proves that they’re not just hitmakers but musical shapeshifters capable of defining an entire anime season.

Since last year, they've been releasing Mashle: Magic and Muscles' explosive Bling-Bang-Bang-Born to the haunting Dandadan opener Otonoke, they’ve been on a creative tear that has captivated fans around the world. And just when fans finally calmed down, Creepy Nuts pulled out their magic again. Interestingly, with just 20 seconds of their music.

The song Mirage, released as part of the Call of the Night Season 2 teaser, barely played for a moment in the trailer. Yet it was more than enough. Those few seconds sent fans into a frenzy, with countless posts flooding anime and music forums declaring Mirage to already be better than any full anime opening this year.

It is hard to talk about the impact this trailer of the song has created in the world. In an anime season filled with massive titles and high-budget openings, Creepy Nuts managed to generate more hype with a 20-second snippet than most artists do with full-length releases.

One of the best aspects of this song is how the band has switched gears from their usual style. While Creepy Nuts is known for working within a mix of Japanese hip-hop, Jersey beats, and lo-fi vibes, this time they experimented with Afrobeat, a genre rooted in African rhythms, polyrhythms, and a deeply melodic, groove-forward style.

The result of this decision is Creepy Nuts releasing a track that feels international and intimate at the same time, blending cultural influence with anime’s emotional resonance. This decision of leaning towards afrobeats seems like a strategic choice.

The tempo in this genre comes with rolling percussion and syncopated rhythms. It is like Afrobeat has unique powers to make listeners groove with the music. And now, it’s made its way into anime through a Japanese lens, with Creepy Nuts acting as the perfect vessel for this fusion.

Anime openings set the tone, and Creepy Nuts perfectly capture that art

A good anime OP (opening theme) can become a viral moment that drives viewers to check out a show they’ve never heard of. Just look at how Bling-Bang-Bang-Born skyrocketed Mashle’s popularity or how Ghibli is known for its music. These tracks become entry points for fans who are not into anime to get an idea about what to expect, and they get reeled in.

Anime OPs also function as branding. When you think of Death Note, you hear The World. When you remember Naruto, you hum Blue Bird. Music cements a show in our memory and, more importantly, in our emotions. It tells us what to feel, who to root for, and what kind of journey we’re about to embark on.

Finally, this is where Creepy Nuts have perfected the art of producing anime openings that resonate with fans. They don’t just make songs for anime; they make songs that become part of the anime’s identity. Whether it’s the flashy excitement of Mashle, the eerie tension of Dandadan, or the nocturnal melancholy of Call of the Night, they capture the soul of a series and amplify it through music.

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Final Thoughts

The majority of fans have agreed that Creepy Nuts have done it again by releasing part of their song as part of an anime opening teaser. Whether you’re vibing to the beat, analyzing its composition, or just waiting impatiently for the full track to drop, one thing is clear: this band has ensured that with their new track, Mirage, they are going to turn a moment into a movement.

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