You’ve heard it. That infectious, groovy bassline and the high-pitched, smooth vocals of imase. It’s everywhere. Whether you were scrolling through TikTok in early 2023 or catching a random J-pop playlist on Spotify, Night Dancer imase anime is a search term that just won't quit. People are convinced it belongs to an opening sequence. They can see the animated characters running toward the horizon in their heads.
But here is the weird part: it isn't an anime song.
Seriously. Despite the massive overlap between J-pop fans and anime watchers, "NIGHT DANCER" was never commissioned for a series. It didn't debut in Chainsaw Man or Jujutsu Kaisen. It’s a standalone single that managed to do what very few Japanese tracks have done—break the "anime barrier" and become a global pop phenomenon strictly on its own merits.
Why Everyone Thinks Night Dancer is an Anime Song
It’s an honest mistake. Most people outside of Japan discover Japanese music through Crunchyroll or Netflix. If a Japanese song goes viral, the logical assumption is that there’s a high-budget studio behind it.
The aesthetic helps the confusion. The music video features stylized visuals, and imase himself has that "main character" energy. Plus, the song's structure—the build-up, the catchy hook, the "vibey" atmosphere—fits the modern City Pop revival that anime fans love. Think about the Insomniacs After School soundtrack or the chill lo-fi vibes of Call of the Night. "NIGHT DANCER" sounds like it should be playing while a protagonist wanders through a neon-lit Tokyo at 2:00 AM.
The internet fueled this. Fans started making "AMVs" (Anime Music Videos) using the track. You’ll find thousands of edits on YouTube featuring Blue Lock characters or Sk8 the Infinity set to imase’s rhythm. When you see a video with 5 million views titled "NIGHT DANCER (Anime Edit)," your brain registers it as official. It’s a classic case of the Mandela Effect in the digital age.
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The Meteoric Rise of imase
To understand why this song is a big deal, you have to look at imase. He isn't some industry veteran. He’s a kid who started making music around 2020. He literally learned how to write songs via the internet.
He’s a "Bed Music" pioneer.
His rise happened on TikTok. "NIGHT DANCER" became a massive hit in South Korea first, which is almost unheard of for a J-pop artist. Usually, it’s the other way around. Members of Stray Kids, NCT, and even BTS were seen vibing to it or doing the dance challenge. Once K-pop idols touch something, it’s over. It goes global. That’s how the Night Dancer imase anime search craze really ignited—international fans assumed a song this big must be tied to a major franchise.
It’s a vibe-heavy track. The lyrics are about the fleeting nature of the night and the feeling of being "done" with the day. It’s relatable. It’s simple. It doesn’t need a 24-episode season to give it context.
Breaking Down the "Anime Sound"
What makes a song "sound" like anime? Usually, it’s a mix of high-tempo rock or sophisticated, jazz-influenced pop.
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- The Chord Progression: "NIGHT DANCER" uses a lot of "Ivory" chords and seventh chords common in Japanese "City Pop." This is the same DNA found in many modern anime endings.
- The Vocal Style: imase uses a falsetto that feels light and airy. It’s very similar to artists like Eve (who did the Jujutsu Kaisen OP) or Yoh Kamiyama.
- The Production: It’s clean. It’s crisp. It feels expensive, even if it started in a bedroom.
Honestly, imase is just incredibly good at capturing a specific mood. The song feels nostalgic even the first time you hear it. That nostalgia is a powerful drug for anime fans who grew up on the melancholy soundtracks of the 2000s.
The Real Anime Connection (Wait, There is One?)
While "NIGHT DANCER" itself isn't an anime theme, imase hasn't stayed away from the industry.
If you’re looking for his actual anime work, check out "Utopia." That song was used as the theme for the movie Sand Land, based on the manga by the late, legendary Akira Toriyama. He also contributed to the Pokemon project "Project VOLTAGE."
So, he is an anime artist now. But he didn't start that way. He built his empire on 15-second clips and a catchy dance. It’s a new era of music discovery where the algorithm is more powerful than a TV Tokyo time slot.
How to Tell the Difference Moving Forward
If you’re trying to figure out if a J-pop song is actually from an anime, there are a few tells.
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Look at the cover art. If it’s a drawing of a character that isn't the artist, it’s probably an OST or a theme. If the artist is on the cover—or if the art is abstract—it’s likely a standalone release. Check the release length too. Anime versions (TV edits) are almost always exactly 89-90 seconds long. "NIGHT DANCER" is a full 3:30 minute pop journey.
Also, check the credits. Anime themes are usually labeled as "Opening" (OP) or "Ending" (ED) on streaming platforms like Crunchyroll or Apple Music.
Actionable Insights for J-Pop Explorers
Stop assuming the best J-pop is tied to shows. You are missing out on a massive world of independent "utaite" (singers who cover songs) and bedroom producers.
- Explore the "Night City" Playlists: If you like imase, look up artists like Vaundy, Tatsuya Kitani, or Fujii Kaze. They share that same genre-bending DNA.
- Follow the Producers: Many anime songs are actually written by independent producers who license their work later.
- Use Shazam Wisely: When you hear a track in a reel, Shazam it and look at the "Appears On" section. It will tell you if it’s part of a soundtrack.
- Support the Artist Directly: Buy the digital single or follow imase on social media. He’s active and often shares the "behind the scenes" of how he makes those catchy beats.
The reality is that imase represents a shift. We are moving away from the era where an artist "needs" an anime to break out internationally. "NIGHT DANCER" proved that a great melody and a viral dance are enough to conquer the world. It’s a win for creators everywhere.
Next time you hear it, don't look for the anime. Just lean into the groove. The night is young, and the bassline is perfect exactly as it is.
Next Steps for Your Playlist: Go to YouTube and search for the "NIGHT DANCER" live performance at the Melon Music Awards. It shows the sheer scale of how this "non-anime" song took over Asia. After that, look up imase's track "Nagisa"—it carries that same summer energy and will help you distinguish his personal style from the typical anime formula.