During last summer’s run of DAN DA DAN Season 2, we spoke with WurtS, the artist behind the ending theme “Doukashiteru.” Known for crafting every aspect of his work, from songwriting and arrangement to visuals and direction, WurtS brings a uniquely self-contained creative vision to the series.
In this interview, he discusses the origin of his artist name, the emotional core of DAN DA DAN that shaped “Doukashiteru,” the thinking behind the song’s distinctive production moments, and how working within another creator’s universe influences his own artistic growth. Read on for the full interview:
Q: You’ve built a distinctive sound and visual style under the name WurtS. Could you share how you chose that name, or what it represents for you?
A: WurtS is the artist name I chose when I started this project, and it’s simply what came out when I closed my eyes and randomly typed on a computer keyboard. So, the name itself doesn’t have any particular meaning, but precisely because of that, I feel it allows me to create music free from genre constraints, preconceptions, or fixed ideas.
Q: What specific elements of DAN DA DAN inspired you when writing “Doukashiteru”? Was there a particular emotion or atmosphere you aimed to capture in the ending theme?
A: Since I’ve been a fan of the original manga for a long time, I wanted to convey just how exciting DAN DA DAN is through music. The series blends various genres like sci-fi and the occult, but what especially caught my attention was Okarun and Momo’s love story. I feel that the thrill and confusion of their romance is one of the central threads of the series, and that’s why, when writing “Doukashiteru,” I wanted to depict what’s going on in their hearts.
Q: Around 1:50 in “Doukashiteru,” there’s a glitch-like break that briefly disrupts the flow before the final chorus. It stands out both musically and contextually, especially given the song’s meaning, “something’s wrong.” What was your thinking behind that moment, and how did it come together during the production process?
A: Each chorus is preceded by a break, and I made sure each one is unique. Before the first chorus, I used a riser to push the song forward. In the second chorus, the break is packed with repeating “do/do/do” sounds, creating tension and a sense of inner turmoil. Just before the final chorus, the line “Doukashiteru yo” is chopped into a mechanical sound. This creates a moment like a hero’s transformation in a story, leading into the key change. I wanted this final break to reflect Okarun’s transformation and the emotional shifts in both characters.
Q: You produce everything yourself, including lyrics, composition, arrangement, visuals, and direction. What does it mean to you to build an entire artistic world on your own, especially when working within someone else’s universe like DAN DA DAN?
A: DAN DA DAN already has compelling characters and an engaging story, so I approached making the song as a way to further explore that world. While doing so, I often found myself thinking, “I might be like this character” or “I could get along with that character,” leading to many new discoveries. For me, connecting with an existing work expands my own world and creative perspective. That’s why, whenever I write a song around a particular theme, I see it as an opportunity to broaden my horizons and encounter something new.
Q: Who are some of the artists or producers that have influenced you most, either in terms of sound or how you think about building music as a solo creator?
A: Since I started out making dance music, I was heavily influenced by artists like Avicii and Zedd. In “Doukashiteru,” I focused on creating a looping feel, with the intro synth melody and the repeated “Doukashiteru” in the chorus evoking the refrain-like quality of dance music. By repeating the same words and melody, I wanted it to sound slightly different each time you listen, mirroring the way DAN DA DAN’s story unfolds.
Q: You debuted in 2021, and you’ve already contributed to major franchises like Rurouni Kenshin and DAN DA DAN. How do you view this rapid growth in your career, and has it influenced your approach to songwriting or production?
A: For an artist, writing a song for an existing series feels like an important first step toward growth. Songwriting can be a dialogue with myself or a way to expand my own world, but when it’s tied to a series, it becomes about connecting with something beyond me. That’s why being involved with major titles is not only an honor, but also a valuable chance to write with a clear sense of who I’m creating for.
Q: What would you say is the most important thing to have today as an aspiring artist trying to break through?
A: I want people to remember that music transcends language barriers. Thanks to “Doukashiteru,” I’ve been able to connect with many listeners overseas. Even though the lyrics are in Japanese, some first connect with the sound, then look up the meaning and say things like, “I love this part!” It reminded me once again that music is not just about words but about the sound itself.
We are grateful to WurtS for taking the time to answer our questions. As for DAN DA DAN, there is plenty more to come, with Season 3 already officially in production.
You can follow WurtS through the below official links:
- Website：https://wurts.jp/
- X : https://x.com/wurts2021
- Instagram：https://www.instagram.com/wurts2021/
- TikTok：https://www.tiktok.com/@nia_n_
- YouTube：https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC–vjcNzor5JzYAuqPviltA
- Spotify：https://open.spotify.com/intl-ja/artist/6oued35Hkg7GIEXqVfBrQK
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