Natsuki Hanae – Seishun wa Zankoku Janai
Muhammad Fikri Gunawan · · 3 min read
Natsuki Hanae’s 2016 debut single and the opening of the anime Saiki Kusuo no Ψ-nan: release info, title meaning, anime background and where to listen officially.
“Seishun wa Zankoku Janai” (青春は残酷じゃない) is Natsuki Hanae’s debut single as a singer, released on September 7, 2016. It was used as the opening theme of the first season of the TV anime Saiki Kusuo no Ψ-nan (The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.).
This article covers the song’s basic info, the meaning of the title, the anime behind it and where to listen through official sources. The full lyrics are not published here because they are protected by copyright.
Song at a Glance
- Title: Seishun wa Zankoku Janai (青春は残酷じゃない)
- Artist: Natsuki Hanae (花江夏樹)
- Release type: first single (his debut as a singer)
- Release date: September 7, 2016
- Label: ZERO-A / Nippon Columbia
- Used in: opening theme of Saiki Kusuo no Ψ-nan season 1 (TV Tokyo)
- B-side: “Hero Impossible” (ヒーローインポッシボー) by Masayoshi Oishi
- Editions: limited edition (CD + DVD with the music video and making-of) and regular edition (CD only)
What “Seishun wa Zankoku Janai” Means
The title 青春は残酷じゃない can be translated as “Youth Isn’t Cruel”. Seishun (青春) means youth, zankoku (残酷) means cruel, and janai (じゃない) is a negation meaning “is not”. From the title alone, the song seems to look at youth in a light and positive way.
About the Anime Saiki Kusuo no Ψ-nan
Saiki Kusuo no Ψ-nan (The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.) is a comedy anime about Saiki Kusuo, a high school student with extraordinary psychic powers who just wants an ordinary life. Saiki is voiced by Hiroshi Kamiya, while the opening theme of the first season is performed by Natsuki Hanae.
About Natsuki Hanae
Natsuki Hanae (花江夏樹, born June 26, 1991 in Kanagawa Prefecture) is a voice actor (seiyuu) active since 2011. He is known for roles such as Tanjiro Kamado in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and Kosei Arima in Your Lie in April. This single marked his debut as a singer in September 2016.
How to Listen Officially
Listen through official channels, such as the music video on YouTube, music streaming services or the physical single. Edition details and the track list are on the official Nippon Columbia product page.
We don’t publish the full lyrics because they are protected by copyright. To read the lyrics and official translations, please use a licensed service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who sings “Seishun wa Zankoku Janai”?
The song is sung by Natsuki Hanae, a voice actor who made his singing debut with this single.
Which anime is “Seishun wa Zankoku Janai” from?
It is the opening theme of the first season of the anime Saiki Kusuo no Ψ-nan (The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.).
What does “Seishun wa Zankoku Janai” mean?
It means “Youth Isn’t Cruel”.
When was the song released?
The single came out on September 7, 2016 from ZERO-A / Nippon Columbia as Natsuki Hanae’s first single.
Where can I listen to it officially?
Through the music video on YouTube, music streaming services or the physical single. See also the official Nippon Columbia page.
Image: cover of the single “Seishun wa Zankoku Janai”. Copyright belongs to the respective rights holders.
