Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra have revealed AiNA THE END as the guest artist for the fifth instalment of their ongoing VS. Series. The band will release the new track, ‘Gakeppuchi Ruby (VS. AiNA THE END)’, digitally on January 9th.
The VS. Series, unlike a standard feature, has guest artists involved from the songwriting stage, allowing the unique elements of each collaborator to come through on the track. Previous releases in the series include collaborations with ALI, Chevon, TK (Ling tosite sigure), and Koshi Inaba. AiNA THE END now joins the project following years of shared live stages and television appearances with Skapara.
‘Gakeppuchi Ruby’, roughly translating as ‘Ruby on the Edge’, was written as the theme song for Fuji TV’s Thursday drama Professional: Insurance Investigator Ren Amane. The song is co-written by Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, AiNA THE END, and Kenta Matsukuma, known for his work as BiSH’s former sound producer.
A preview of the ‘Gakeppuchi Ruby (VS. AiNA THE END)’ music video went live earlier today, with the full video premiering on January 9th at 20:00 JST.
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Alongside the announcement, Atsushi Yanaka, AiNA THE END and Kenta Matsukuma have shared comments on the collaboration. Yanaka says he wrote ‘Gakeppuchi Ruby’ with AiNA in mind and shaped it around the theme of “truth,” while AiNA reflects on the project as her first opportunity to express her own emotions through an original song with Skapara. Matsukuma also discusses the hands-on production process and the development of AiNA’s vocals. Full comments can be read below.
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra will include ‘Gakeppuchi Ruby (VS. AiNA THE END)’ on their forthcoming album ‘[SKA] SHOWDOWN’, due for release on March 18th. AiNA THE END will also appear at the [SKA] SHOWDOWN VS. Series live show at Tokyo Garden Theater on March 31st.
Atsushi Yanaka (B.Sax) comment:
“I was finally able to create an original song with AiNA THE END, whom I have had the pleasure of collaborating with many times on live stages and television programs since her BiSH days. From my very first impression, I felt she was someone overflowing with talent and humanity, but I am amazed that despite already being incredible, she continues to shine even more now. She possesses not only intuition and quick reflexes, but also the perseverance to keep putting in sustained effort. I truly respect her.
This time, with “truth” as the theme, I carefully crafted the lyrics while thinking only about AiNA. One step ahead lies the abyss. When standing on that cliff, it is a moment of utter desperation, yet there are moments when, as if looking down at the world from the edge, you can clearly see human fragility and cunning. I poured into this song the feeling of whether one might be able to challenge the world with wisdom through that vision.
Please also allow me to add that thanks to the outrageously talented and humorous Kenta Matsukuma, the song turned into something truly wonderful. The one who cast the shining, enchanting magic on this song was none other than Matsukuma himself. Thank you very much!”
AiNA THE END comment:
“Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra wants to VS with you.”
I was told that about a year ago.
VS…?? Fight…? Huh? No wayyy, I thought.
But once we got started, it turned out to be a fun and educational production period, and we didn’t fight at all.
Up until now, whenever I’ve had the opportunity to take the stage with Skapara, I’ve often sung other people’s songs. I listened closely to the voices of artists I love, like Ringo Sheena and Yusuke Chiba, practiced a lot, and performed their songs. Those were incredibly stimulating and wonderful times! But now, having a song that I can sing purely from AiNA THE END’s own feelings for the first time makes me genuinely happy. It’s precious to me.
‘Gakeppuchi Ruby’
Go!!!!!”
Kenta Matsukuma comment:
“I worked closely with everyone from Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, from songwriting all the way through vocal recording. I was told, “We want you to include BiSH and Matsukuma-style elements without holding back”, so I had a blast piling my own edge and pop sensibility on top of Skapara’s groove.
It had been since before BiSH disbanded that I last recorded with AiNA, but both the precision of her expression and the persuasive power of her voice have leveled up even further—I got goosebumps over and over again. The way brass and strings intertwine with those vocals truly embodies the essence of the “VS. Series”. As a co-writing project with Oki, we exchanged detailed data with all the members, and in the studio, we refined the track through repeated discussions with Kato, Yanaka, Ohmori, and others. It became an exhilarating project alongside senior artists who continue to run at the forefront of the scene.”
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
Gakeppuchi Ruby (VS. AiNA THE END)
Release Date: 09/01/2026
Label: avex
Stream: Links
AloJapan.com