The new anime Cyborg 009 Nemesis, set to begin streaming on July 19, 2026, introduces a fresh team of nine cyborgs known as Nemesis who rise to bring peace to the world. But alongside this new story, a beloved classic returns: the theme song “Dare ga Tame ni” from the 1979 Cyborg 009 series, now covered by the husky, powerful voice of singer Kyoko.
The original lyrics were penned by none other than manga legend Shotaro Ishinomori, who wrote nearly 100 songs over his career. In this article, we explore the unique word choices and narrative depth that make Ishinomori’s lyrics stand out—especially in “Dare ga Tame ni.”
A Manga Artist’s Masterful Word Selection
In the Showa era, anime theme songs often included the show’s title in the lyrics. But Ishinomori’s approach was different. His lyrics not only fit the story but also carried a narrative of their own, packing in who the hero is, what they fight for, and how they act—all in a few lines. It’s as if reading the lyrics gives you the essence of the first episode.
Take Kamen Rider V3 (1973). The hero Kazami Shiro loses his family to evil, then becomes the third Rider. Ishinomori’s line “The windmill of power and wind turns” instantly evokes V3’s transformation belt, while “Father, mother, sister” signals a revenge story.
For Kamen Rider Amazon (1974), the wild child raised in the jungle is introduced with the roar “A, ma, zon!” and lines like “Listen to the sky, my name is Amazon Rider, here I am.” Words like “fangs gleam” and “claws howl” capture his feral fighting style—biting and clawing, unlike previous Riders.
The original Kamen Rider (1971) theme “Let’s Go!! Rider Kick” starts with “Approaching Shocker, the army of hell,” unusually focusing on the evil organization first. This reflects the story’s core: the hero was created by Shocker and rebels against them. Only the creator himself could write that.
Ishinomori’s playful side appears in Secret Sentai Goranger (1975) and Kamen Rider Super-1 (1980). Both feature five colors: Goranger’s five members are represented by “crimson sun,” “blue sky,” “yellow dust,” “pink cheeks,” and “green wind of tomorrow.” Super-1’s “Five Hand” gloves are echoed in “blue cosmos,” “green Earth,” “red justice,” “silver mechanical arms,” and “golden heart.”
The ‘Adult Anime Song’ World of ‘Dare ga Tame ni’
Now, what about “Dare ga Tame ni” from the 1979 Cyborg 009? In an era when anime was considered for children—alongside shows like Mobile Suit Gundam, The Ultraman, and Zendaman—this song broke the mold. It never mentions the show’s title directly, instead using metaphors like “nine war demons,” “messengers of hell,” and “a river of blood running with tears.” These phrases may be hard for elementary school kids, but they paint a vivid picture of the cyborg warriors’ sorrow and fierce battles. The lyrics strike a balance between child appeal and adult depth.
Why such a sophisticated approach? The 1979 Cyborg 009 was a remake of the 1968 TV series, itself based on the 1964 manga. By 1979, fans had been following the story for 15 years. The target audience included adults, so the song was crafted with a tone that longtime fans would want to sing. Director Ryousuke Takahashi—later known for Armored Trooper Votoms, Blue Comet SPT Layzner, and others—further set the mature tone.
Now, in 2026, the iconic “Dare ga Tame ni” gets a modern arrangement for Cyborg 009 Nemesis, performed by Kyoko. The PV already hints at an adrenaline-pumping version, and fans eagerly await the full series.
Featured Works and Theme Songs
- Cyborg 009 (1979) – “Dare ga Tame ni”
- Cyborg 009 Nemesis (streaming July 2026) – “Dare ga Tame ni” (cover by Kyoko)
- Kamen Rider V3 (1973) – “Theme of Kamen Rider V3”
- Kamen Rider Amazon (1974) – “Amazon Rider Here I Am”
- Kamen Rider (1971) – “Let’s Go!! Rider Kick”
- Secret Sentai Goranger (1975) – “Susume! Goranger”
- Kamen Rider Super-1 (1980) – “Kamen Rider Super-1”
Broadcast Information
Cyborg 009 Nemesis
Streaming starts July 19, 2026 (Sunday) from 0:00 JST
Cast:
009 / Joe Shimamura: Yuuki Kaji
001 / Ivan Whiskey: Junko Minagawa
002 / Jet Link: Mamoru Miyano
003 / Francoise Arnoul: Saori Hayami
004 / Albert Heinrich: Tomokazu Sugita
005 / Geronimo Jr.: Hiroki Yasumoto
006 / Chang Changhu: Koumei Kanuka
007 / Great Britain: Kentarou Tone
008 / Pyunma: Isamu Hayashi
Dr. Gilmore: Kazuhiro Yamaji
N009 / Graviton: Yuuichi Nakamura
N001 / Mew: Rina Hidaka
N002 / Blizzard: Masayoshi Katou
N003 / Crack: Hiroshi Kamiya
N004 / Opro: Kikuko Inoue
N005 / Aspida: Tetsu Inada
N006 / Blitz: Shion Wakayama
N007 / Morphin: Maaya Uchida
N008 / Depth: Ayane Sakura
Dr. Golbert: Toru Nara
Ispano: Hiro Shimono
Staff:
Original creator: Shotaro Ishinomori (the “ノ” character is officially rendered at approximately 60% size)
Director: Hideki Anbo
Script: Junpei Fukuda, Charatex
Character design: sanorin
Opening theme: “Dare ga Tame ni” by Kyoko (Office Augusta)
Ending theme: “Climaru” by Sukima Switch (Office Augusta)
Animation production: Alect
Production: Ishimori Pro
(C) Ishimori Pro
