MaiR just dropped a cover of King Gnu‘s AIZO, the Season 3 opening theme for Jujutsu Kaisen, and it comes wrapped in genuine fan enthusiasm — she’s said she spent recording sessions just listening to the track instead of actually singing it, because the sound itself was that addictive.

The Original: King Gnu’s AIZO and Jujutsu Kaisen

AIZO is King Gnu’s opening theme for Jujutsu Kaisen‘s “Shimetsu Kaiyuu” arc, written and composed by 常田大希 (Daiki Tsuneta). The title itself is a play on the word for “love and hate,” and the song leans hard into that duality — a track built for a band whose whole appeal is throwing genres against each other and making it work. Covering King Gnu isn’t a low-stakes choice; it’s a band known for vocal range and unpredictable arrangements, which raises the bar for anyone stepping into it.

MaiR’s Version: All the Screams, All Herself

What makes this cover worth flagging is what’s happening underneath the lead vocal. MaiR did every layer of the chorus work herself — every voice, every scream — rather than relying on layered outside vocalists, which for a track this vocally demanding is a real commitment. She’s been vocal about how much she loves King Gnu’s sound specifically, and that enthusiasm comes through in how much effort she clearly put into matching the original’s intensity rather than softening it.

A New Chapter for MaiR

This cover also lands at a notable point for MaiR — she rebranded with a new visual identity in mid-2025 and now performs under the rock unit ザスター (XASTAR) alongside guitarist FKBC. Picking a King Gnu cover to mark this “I’m a Rock Singer” era feels deliberate: it’s a genre statement as much as a song choice, aligning her new unit’s identity with a band that’s practically synonymous with genre-bending rock ambition in Japan right now.

Production Behind the Cover

The visuals come from illustrator and movement artist 春原つくし (Tsukushi Sunohara), with motion capture handled by ALIVE MUSIX — the same team producing XASTAR’s output — and mix work from 夜迷子 (Yomaigo). The instrumental is credited to Mick. It’s a full band-style production behind a solo vocal cover, which matches the scale MaiR is clearly aiming for with this new chapter.

Why This One Matters

A King Gnu cover this vocally committed, released right as MaiR leans fully into her rock identity with XASTAR, is the kind of release that tells you where an artist wants to be positioned. This isn’t a comfortable, safe song pick — it’s a statement about the direction she’s taking her sound.

Track Credits

• Title: AIZO
• Original Artist: King Gnu
• Vocals: MaiR (メア)
• Mix: 夜迷子 (Yomaigo)
• Illustration / Movie: 春原つくし (Tsukushi Sunohara)
• Motion Capture: ALIVE MUSIX
• Instrumental: Mick

▶ Watch: MaiR — AIZO (King Gnu Cover) on YouTube