Japanese band Kroi has discussed the creative process behind “SPIN,” its new single written as the opening theme for the anime Steel Ball Run: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. In a recent interview with Billboard Japan, the group explained how the series’ unpredictable storytelling, Western-inspired setting and mixture of cultural influences shaped the song’s sound and direction.

“SPIN” was released digitally on September 24, 2026, with a physical CD release scheduled for October 28. The track accompanies the anime adaptation of Steel Ball Run, the seventh part of Hirohiko Araki’s long-running JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure manga franchise. The story follows a transcontinental horse race across North America, providing the musical inspiration for the song’s expansive, Western-influenced atmosphere.

In the Billboard Japan interview, vocalist Reo Uchida described the song as a reflection of moving through an unfamiliar landscape while continuing toward a goal, even when the destination or direction is uncertain. He connected that feeling to both the journey depicted in Steel Ball Run and the creative process itself, in which musicians often continue working without knowing precisely where an idea will lead.

The song combines dramatic melodies and rhythms reminiscent of classic Western film scores with Kroi’s characteristic funk sound. The band cited composer Ennio Morricone and instrumental group the Ventures as important influences, alongside funk, soul and hip-hop. The result brings together sounds associated with different musical traditions rather than attempting to reproduce a conventional Western soundtrack.

Uchida also discussed his personal connection to the Ventures’ music. He recalled that one of his earliest experiences playing in a band involved performing Ventures covers as a child. The group’s instrumental style, including its distinctive guitar sound, became part of his musical foundation. He said he had long associated some of the band’s music with Western films, making those influences relevant to the atmosphere Kroi wanted to create for “SPIN.”

The band’s members approached the project by considering how to translate the scale and unusual world of Steel Ball Run into music. The story’s race across North America, its changing environments and its mixture of characters and ideas offered a broad framework for the composition. Kroi drew on its previous experiments with sounds inspired by sandy landscapes while incorporating additional elements to reflect the anime’s distinctive setting.

Uchida said the appeal of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure lies partly in its chaos. The series brings together different personalities, cultures and ideas, allowing the narrative to shift in unexpected directions. He compared that quality to life itself, where different experiences and people intersect to create situations that cannot always be predicted. He said he hoped the song would capture some of that complexity.

The interview also explored how Kroi’s individual musical influences came together during the recording process. Rather than treating the Western elements as a direct recreation of an older film score, the band used them as a starting point for a contemporary composition. The mechanical quality of certain sounds, alongside the funk-driven arrangements, helped create a setting that evokes the past while maintaining a modern musical identity.

“SPIN” follows Kroi’s earlier releases as the group continues to expand its presence in Japan’s alternative music scene. The band has developed a sound that draws from funk, soul, rock, hip-hop and other styles, with its songwriting often built around contrasting rhythms and arrangements. The anime opening gives that approach a new context, connecting the group’s musical identity to a widely recognised manga and anime franchise.

The single’s release schedule includes a physical edition due October 28 through Pony Canyon. The CD is set to include the instrumental version of “SPIN,” while the accompanying Blu-ray and DVD editions feature live-session recordings, including performances of “Amber,” “Invasion,” “Method,” “Kinetic,” “All in” and “SPIN.” The release also includes an advance lottery application for tickets to Kroi’s 2027 live tour.

The new track has already attracted international attention. Billboard Japan reported that “SPIN” reached No. 1 on its Global Japan Songs Excl. Japan chart published on October 8, following a sharp increase in streaming activity, particularly in the United States. The performance highlighted the growing reach of Japanese music connected to anime releases.

Kroi’s discussion of “SPIN” provides insight into how the band approached a high-profile anime theme without abandoning its own creative identity. By combining Western film-score influences, instrumental rock, funk and the narrative unpredictability of Steel Ball Run, the group created a track designed to connect its musical background with the world of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.