What You Need to Know:
- Dark Machine is a project centered on e-sports gaming and anime. Now that the original TV anime Dark Machine: The Animation has begun airing, the original soundtrack is scheduled to be released December 9.
- Dark Machine: The Animation is an original TV anime set in near-future Japan. The protagonist, Kairi, strives to become the top player of “Dark Machine,” an e-sport with overwhelming popularity around the globe. This music is composed by one of Japan’s leading guitarists and music producers, Sugizo, a member of Luna Sea, X JAPAN, and active member of his own band Shag. This series allows viewers to immerse themselves in the dark and rich soundscape created by Sugizo in his debut as an anime composer.
- The lineup of musicians backing Sugizo on this album is impressive. MaZDA is a core member of Sugizo’s live band Cosmic Dance Quintet.
- The lineup also includes Ubar-Tumar, a one-of-a-kind track maker; ATLOS, a genius Vocaloid producer; Sena, the guitarist for the visual-kei band Jiluka who has exploded onto a global stage; Shinobu, a member of Creature Creature led by Morrie—the support guitarist for La’cryma Christi; and from Sugizo’s jazz-rock back Shag, Kasuhiro Bessho (keyboard), Kenji Yoshiura (percussion), Yukino Matsuura (drums), Shinpei Ruike (trumpet); as well as komaki (drums & percussion) from C.D.Q. Sugizo’s creative partners from every genre have come together to create the soundscape of Dark Machine.
- The album includes TV-sized versions of the opening theme song “Sonzai Riyu Kai” by BUCK∞TICK and the ending theme song “Galaxy Mode” by Sandaime J Soul Brothers, and the insert song “Pitch Black” performed by idol group Stellatus, who also serve as brand ambassadors for “Dark Machine” within the series. This cool track features the vocals of Aluk (voiced by Nao Toyama), Spica (voiced by Rei Nakashima), and Denebola (voiced by Nonoka Obuchi) layered over a danceable, fast-paced track composed by Taku Inoue. “Pitch Black” will be available for digital download starting Wednesday, November 11, ahead of the soundtrack’s release.
- The soundtrack will be released on CD and LP. The 2-CD set includes 40 tracks featuring the original score, theme songs and insert songs. The LP set is a personally curated selection of tracks by Sugizo on a 2-LP set, creating a soundtrack that distills the world of Dark Machine.
- The album art has also been revealed. It features an original illustration by the series’ mecha designer Hidetaka Tenjin, who is known for his work on the Macross and Gundam series.
Product Information
Dark Machine: The Animation Original Soundtrack
Music: Sugizo
Date: December 9, 2026
Standard edition
2 CD set
VTCL-60711~60712
Price: 4,400 yen (tax in.)
Analog edition
2 LP set
VTJL-63~64
Price: 6,600 yen (tax in.)
Tracklist
Disc 1
Dark Machine
Sonzai Riyu Kai (TV edit) by BUCK∞TICK
Shinsekai
Get Lost!!
Battlefield
The Aqua City
Confrontation
Aldabil
Carbuncle Losing
Carbuncle Dominating
Carbuncle Victory
Golden Valley
Strain
Gamers Life
Senritsu
Great Cluster
Defeat
Kizuna
Reminisce
Neba-Giba
Disc 2
Senkihai no Theme
Musculars
Saisei
Pitch Black by Stellatus
What Is Your Purpose?
Stellatus
Joy
Despair
Melancholia
Why Are You Here?
Triumph
Bon Voyage
Sentimental
Rudra
Last Fight
Gündëal
Kaisou
Glory
Betsuri ~The Finale
Galaxy Mode (TV size) by Sandaime J Soul Brothers
LP
Disc 1 - Side A
Dark Machine
Shinsekai
Battlefield
The Aqua City
Confrontation
Aldabil
Disc 1 - Side B
Carbuncle Losing
Carbuncle Victory
Strain
Gamers Life
Great Cluster
Disc 2 - Side C
Senkihai no Theme
Musculars
Reminisce
Stellatus
Joy
Triumph
Disc 2 - Side D
Last Fight
Rudra
Gündëal
Glory
Betsuri ~The Finale
Streaming information
Available on streaming services and major download platforms such as iTunes Store, Rekochoku, and mora starting December 9, 2026!
Streaming services:
Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, LINE Music, Amazon Music Unlimited, AWA, Rakuten Music, KKBOX, Tower Records Music
* The insert song “Pitch Black” will be available on streaming services Wednesday, November 11 at midnight (JST)!
Sugizo Profile
Composer, guitarist, violinist, and music producer.
He has performed globally as a member of two of Japan’s leading rock bands, Luna Sea and X JAPAN.
At the same time, he also pursues his own unique style of electronic music as a solo artist and has composed numerous soundtracks for film and stage productions.
In 2020, he revived the psychedelic jam band Shag for the first time in 12 years.
In 2022, he launched his own apparel brand “THE ONENESS,” which advocates for “rock-inspired ethical fashion” that balances environmental consciousness with a refined sense of aesthetics.
Alongside his music career, he is a known activist—actively engaging in peace initiatives, human rights and refugee support, renewable energy and environmental activism, and volunteer work in disaster-stricken areas.
Sugizo Official Website: sugizo.com
Sugizo Official X: x.com/SUGIZOofficial
Sugizo Official Facebook: facebook.com/SUGIZOofficial
Sugizo Official Instagram: instagram.com/sugizo_official
Sugizo Official LINE: line.me/R/ti/p/%40sugizo
Sugizo Official YouTube: youtube.com/SUGIZOofficial
Source: Official Press Release