J-pop icon Takanori Nishikawa has released the official music video for his latest single, “HEROES,” now serving as the opening theme for the Spring 2025 anime From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman. The video is available on Nishikawa’s official YouTube channel.
Written by Nishikawa himself, “HEROES” is a high-energy rock track centered around the message: “Surely you are someone’s hero.” The video, directed by longtime collaborator A.T., spotlights ordinary acts of kindness, portraying everyday people as unsung heroes who make a difference—often without even realizing it.
The single was released in Japan on May 21 and quickly climbed to #7 on Oricon’s daily single charts on its debut day.
The anime adaptation of Shigeru Sagazaki’s fantasy light novel From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman premiered on April 5, 2025, and is streaming globally on Amazon Prime Video. The story follows Beryl Gardinant, a self-effacing sword instructor from a quiet rural village. Once a young man with dreams of glory, Beryl’s quiet life is disrupted when a famous former student appoints him as a special instructor for the prestigious Liberion Order of knights.
Despite believing his prime is behind him, Beryl soon finds himself in the capital surrounded by former pupils—now elite knights, top-ranked adventurers, and powerful mages—all eager to train under him again. Unsure of his worth and seeking a quiet life, Beryl is thrust into a new role that may force him to rediscover the master swordsman he once dreamed of becoming.
The English version of the novel series is published by J-Novel Club.
With a strong message and an anime connection, “HEROES” marks another milestone in Nishikawa’s career, resonating with fans of both music and anime alike.
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