Composer Yuki Hayashi on "You Say Run"
Composer Yūki Hayashi recently shared insights into his most famous work, "You Say Run" from My Hero Academia. This iconic song, known for its powerful impact in the anime, has also become a global internet meme, sparking curiosity about its universal appeal. Hayashi discussed the song's origins, its popularity, and even his personal favorite composition.
The Meme's Magnetic Appeal
Hayashi is fully aware of the "You Say Run Goes with Everything" meme. He encountered it on YouTube and found the videos incredibly fun and flattering. He expressed genuine impressiveness at how seamlessly his music integrates with various clips. He laughed watching "The Tigger Movie" version, admitting he never thought it would work with Winnie the Pooh. Witnessing the "Speed Racer Final Race" edit further cemented his fascination, stating, "I like how people are playing around with it."
Unlocking the "Goes With Everything" Secret
When asked about the song's incredible versatility, Hayashi offered a structural explanation. He noted that the piece doesn't start intensely. Instead, it features a rather quiet introduction before the drums dramatically kick in, leading directly into the memorable main riff. He described this drum entry as "flipping a switch." Hayashi believes that these three distinct elements – the quiet build, the sudden drum part, and the powerful riff – collectively make it easy for the music to fit almost any video or scene, providing a natural dramatic arc.
Crafting a Hero's Anthem
"You Say Run" was born from a request by sound director Masafumi Mima, who sought music to precede and elevate action scenes, specifically battle music that would lead to victory. Hayashi structured the song with the protagonist Deku in mind. He aimed to encapsulate Deku's journey as a quirkless boy driven by the desire to help his friends and become a hero, always running to the rescue. A prime example is when Deku rushes to save Katsuki in episode 2. The quiet intro signifies Deku's inner conflict and determination, while the drums represent his decisive charge forward.
Hayashi connects this creative intent back to the meme's success. He observes that many "You Say Run" Goes with Everything videos feature moments where characters "shift gears" or "flip a switch." This natural alignment with action scenes where a sudden turn or surge of effort occurs is why the music works so well, from his perspective.
"Might+U": A Composer's Deepest Pride
Despite its fame, "You Say Run" isn't Hayashi's favorite composition. That title goes to "Might+U" from the second My Hero Academia movie, used during the climactic battle. For this scene, Mima faced challenges in orchestrating the sound for an intense fight against an unbeatable enemy, where Deku and Katsuki combine their powers. Hayashi had previously composed a vocal ballad for the fight against Chisaki in Season 4 of the TV series. Mima ingeniously applied this ballad to the movie's battle scene, where it proved remarkably effective. Hayashi then expanded and remixed it into a "deluxe version" for the film.
A Purely Musical Climax
What makes "Might+U" particularly special for Hayashi is its unique usage in the movie's finale. During the final dubbing, the director made a bold decision: all sound effects and voice lines were removed, leaving only the music to encompass the entire climactic battle scene. Hayashi, with a chuckle, acknowledged the voice actors' hard work being removed, but emphasized this moment as deeply memorable and a point of immense pride in his career. The scene is purely a testament to his musical composition's power.
The Global Resonance of a Hero's Theme
Circling back to "You Say Run," Hayashi attributes its widespread fame primarily to the global popularity of My Hero Academia. He views the song as having become the series' main theme, making its recognition inevitable. He believes the song's global reach is a direct result of the anime's immense love and appreciation by fans worldwide, a testament to the series' impact.
