Hanabie. are back with a new banger, set to be the opening theme for new anime ‘Young Ladies Don’t Play Fighting Games’.

Titled ‘Life Is Short, O Brave Girl’, it’s a breathless piece of glitter-speckled metalcore genius. Crossing boundaries with a fearlessness and ferocity, it jumps between kawaii exploration and rollicking heaviness with the flick of a wrist. It’s a story in its own right, which is what makes it perfect to be the soundtrack to something as vibrant as an anime.

It also manages to hit the heart of what said anime is about. According to a press release description, “Based on the popular manga series, Young Ladies Don’t Play Fighting Games follows Mitsuki Aya, a student at the prestigious Girls’ Academy who discovers her refined and idolised classmate is actually a hardcore, trash-talking fighting game enthusiast. Despite the academy’s strict ban on gaming, the two bond through their shared passion and begin a series of intense battles that spark both rivalry and friendship.”

Yukina from the band had this to say about putting it together:

“Since this is an anime theme song, I read the original work and immersed myself completely in its world while writing the song!

“For the lyrics, I included words that fans of Young Ladies Don’t Play Fighting Games will hopefully recognise and think, ‘Oh!’ when they hear them. I also reflected on my own youth, remembering the things our faculty advisor said to us when we were attending an all-girls school and passionately playing in a band while being obsessed with heavy music, as well as the rebellious spirit I felt during those days.

“I hope this song becomes one that overflows with energy for anyone who is passionately devoted to something!”

Sounds sick, right? Well have a listen and get excited.

The band kicked off 2026 with the release of a new EP titled ‘ICONIC’.

Here is the title track: