Pony Canyon has announced that Sorairo Utility, a new anime series for Japan’s Winter 2025 anime season, will officially begin streaming in Japan on 4 January 2025 at 2:00 AM (JST). Alongside this news, the third trailer for the series has been released, and the opening theme song has been revealed.
The anime follows Minami Aoba, a high school student who feels destined to graduate as an unremarkable “Townsperson A.” Her search for a personal passion leads her to a golf practice range, where she encounters Akane Haruka, a part-time employee, and discovers golf. Together with Haruka and Ayaka Hoshimi, an aspiring influencer, Minami explores the joy of the sport as she strives to become the protagonist of her own life.
The opening theme, titled Be the Hero! feat. Airi Suzuki, is performed by Masayoshi Oishi. Fans can preview the song through official streaming platforms and enjoy a video featuring comments from both Masayoshi Oishi and Airi Suzuki, available below.
Masayoshi Oishi shared his excitement about working with Airi Suzuki, noting their connection to golf through family and their collaborative chemistry:
I’m honored to sing the opening theme song for “Sorairo Utility” as a duet with Airi Suzuki! The title of the song is “Be the hero!”
Since this is a golf-themed anime, we invited Airi-chan, who comes from a family of professional golfers, to join the project. Thanks to her incredible talent—or perhaps because of it—the result is an absolutely amazing song that exceeded all expectations! If Airi Suzuki tells you, “Be the hero!”—well, you just have to become the hero, right?
(laughs)
With the great chemistry we’ve developed while working together as co-hosts for the regular program, I’m confident this song will deliver a perfect score! Thank you for your support, and I hope you’ll enjoy it!
Airi Suzuki also reflected on how the project resonates with her family’s golfing background:
I’m really happy to be able to sing the opening theme song for “Sorairo Utility” and to perform it with my dear partner and someone I deeply admire—Oishi-san!
Being born into a family of golfers, with professional golfer parents and a younger brother who’s now a teaching pro, I grew up in a true golfing household. I feel like I’ve finally found my own way to connect with golf, and it gives me a sense of doing something meaningful for my family.
“Be the hero!”—Oishi-san made an absolutely incredible song again… (laughs). Its unforgettable melody, empowering lyrics, and refreshing vibe that brings to mind a sunny fairway are simply remarkable. Singing it has given me such a boost in self-confidence!
I’m sure listening to this song will improve not only your golf scores but also your daily happiness score. You are the only you there is! Let’s all be the protagonists/hero of our own stories!
Sorairo Utility is directed by Kengo Saito, who also designed the characters, with series composition by Yu Sato and animation produced by Yostar Pictures. The show’s Japanese voice cast includes:
Minami Aoba: Miyu Takagi
Haruka Akane: Yurina Amami
Ayaka Hoshimi: Ayasa Goto
Izumi Akina: Yumiri Hanamori
Masao Tadokoro: Kazuhiko Inoue
Chosuke Tanabe: Kenyu Horiuchi
Tetsuhiro Tanaka: Toshiyuki Morikawa
Depending on where you reside, Sorairo Utility may be available on different platforms – including HIDIVE, ADN, Aniverse and more.
