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We recently conducted an official interview with Sho Makura, the original creator, and Mikoto from Shintenchi Kaibyaku Shudan Zigzag, who is in charge of the opening theme!It turns out the two had a prior connection. We asked them about the origin story behind the manga Nube Sensei and the emotions and intentions Mikoto-sama poured into the opening theme (POWER)
Interviewer: I heard that Makura-sensei and Mikoto-san knew each other beforehand. How did that connection come about?
Mikoto-sama: In a past life, I worked at a bar, and Makura-sensei was a regular there. So it’s not like we were close friends or anything. He was just famously known as “the author of Nube-sensei who often comes here,” so I guess you could say I knew of him more one-sidedly. I think, for him, I was probably just someone vaguely tucked away in the corner of his memory. But now, meeting again like this, I felt something almost fated about it.
Makura: I was genuinely surprised. When we met during the voice recording session, I was about to greet Mikoto with “Nice to meet you,” and he said, “No, we’ve met many times before.” Rather than fate, I felt like there was some kind of conspiracy at play (laughs). At the same time, I was deeply moved by how he climbed from part-time work to becoming a well-known musician. “A past life”… well, it was about 15 years ago (laughs), but seeing how steady effort over time can lead to such success in 15 years really struck me. To be able to meet again like this, it must be incredibly rare. It feels almost like a miracle.
Interviewer: “Nube” was a hot topic even at that bar. Now that a new anime adaptation has been confirmed after 26 years, how do you feel about it?
Makura: The project itself had actually started quite a while ago. Back then, I just thought, “It’d be nice if it eventually took shape,” so I never imagined it would really happen! I was genuinely shocked when I heard the news and I thought, “Even at this age, I’m still being given opportunities?” (laughs). I remember feeling so grateful and saying, “Thank you, God!”
Interviewer: When did the project originally begin?
Makura: I believe it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the discussions kept shifting back and forth, and then the pandemic hit… There were so many twists and turns that I honestly thought it would never come to fruition. So when it was suddenly confirmed, I was truly shocked. The original Heisei-era version was made during the cel animation days, so I always hoped to someday see a digital anime version. Now that it’s finally happening, my joy is beyond words.
Interviewer: Not only has the animation become digital, but the setting has also changed. The fact that the story now takes place in the Reiwa era has become a major topic. Was that your suggestion?
Makura: Yes, it was. I felt that simply recreating the original setting wouldn’t make much sense. I wanted the anime to be something today’s children could watch without feeling out of place, so I suggested, “Please create a Reiwa-era version of Nube.”
Interviewer: You’ve been chosen to perform the theme song for the new anime adaptation of the beloved classic Nube. How did you feel about that?
Mikoto-sama: I was happy in so many ways. Not only did it reconnect me with Mr. Makura, but it’s also the first anime tie-in for Zigzag as a band. I know it’s weird to say this myself, but I really feel like it fits our band’s image and perfectly matches the world of the series. I’ve said it many times already, but it truly feels like “fate.”
Interviewer: The opening theme song from the Heisei-era version, “Baribari Saikyou No.1” by FEEL SO BAD, left such a strong impression. Did you feel any pressure taking on the theme song for the new anime?
Makura: I heard from the staff that Mikoto-kun said, “I have nothing but confidence!” about the song, and that really stuck with me. When I heard that, I thought, “Wow, that’s amazing!” and “That’s so cool!” I even thought, next time someone asks me about the project, I’ll answer like that too (laughs).
Mikoto-sama: I'm embarrassed (laughs). Honestly, it wasn’t so much confidence as it was a kind of self-motivation, I said it to push myself, like “I have to do this!”. After all, Baribari Saikyō No.1 is such an iconic song that represents Nube, so I felt that if we were going to do it, we should carry on that vibe. If I had to describe it, it’s a genre of music with a metal sound infused with pop elements, something kids probably haven’t heard much of before, and combining Zigzag's essence and Nube’s spirit, we created “P0WER – Akuryou Taisan.”
Interviewer: We'd love to hear more about how you infused “Nube-ness” into the song. First off, did you watch the Heisei-era anime or read the original manga?
Mikoto-sama: Of course. Though it feels like it was in a past life, so my memory’s a bit fuzzy (laughs). The core was horror, but it also had serious, comedic, and even sexy elements, it hit all my personal “favorites” perfectly. Plus, it featured a hero-like figure like Nube, which was irresistible for a boy like me. There really wasn’t anything else like it at the time, so I was totally hooked. But when it came to writing the song, I struggled a lot with how to capture all those Nube elements in one piece. I also personally loved Baribari Saikyou No.1, so I felt I had to create a song I could truly love myself. It didn’t come together easily, and it took quite a long time to finish.
Makura: That’s true. The first demo you gave me and the next one, you changed the melodies and lyrics, didn’t you?
Mikoto-sama: Exactly. If it’s too catchy, it ends up sounding too much like a kids’ song… I really struggled with finding the right balance of something children could hum along to, but that didn’t feel like it was made just for kids. That was something I kept in mind right up until the very end.
Interviewer: As the anime Nube heads toward the climax of its first cour, could you share a message for the viewers who are enjoying it?
Makura: Yoshiki Okusa, who’s in charge of series composition, has really put in a tremendous effort. Each episode has a clear narrative arc with introduction, development, twist, and conclusion; and he’s also portrayed Nube’s character development, showing how he came to be accepted by his students. I hope you’ll enjoy it all the way to the end!
Mikoto-sama: I actually don’t know which stories from the original manga will appear in the anime. I’m looking forward to discovering what happens in the final episode together with all of you.
Translator's note :D
• 第1クールのクライマックス: “Climax of the first cour.” A cour is a Japanese TV term for a 3-month block of episodes (usually 12–13).
•ドンピシャで突き刺さった: means “hit the mark perfectly” or “pierced me right in the heart.” “Donpisha” is slang for “spot-on,” and “tsukisasatta” adds emotional intensity.
•「バリバリ最強No.1」: The original Nube Sensei theme song, known for its high-energy rock style. “Baribari” as is slang for “intense” or “full throttle,” and “Saikyou” means “strongest.”
