MAN WITH A MISSION has written a brand-new theme song called "The Animals" for the upcoming Japanese suspense film Beasts Clutching at Straws (藁にもすがる獣たち, Wara ni mo Sugaru Kemono-tachi), which stars Oji Suzuka and is scheduled to open nationwide in Japan on September 25, 2026. In a clever promotional twist, two interview videos have been released on YouTube in which Suzuka — who plays a struggling YouTuber in the film — interviews the band directly. If you've heard the news but want the full picture of what "The Animals" is, what the film is about, and where you can watch the interview, we've gathered everything you need to know.
The Quick Version
- "The Animals" is a new song MAN WITH A MISSION wrote specifically for the film Beasts Clutching at Straws, distributed by Sony Music Labels.
- The film — a suspense thriller based on Keisuke Sone's Edogawa Rampo Prize–winning novel — is scheduled to open in Japanese theaters on September 25, 2026.
- Oji Suzuka plays the lead, a university student YouTuber who finds 100 million yen, triggering a chaotic cascade as other desperate characters close in.
- Two interview videos featuring Suzuka interviewing MAN WITH A MISSION about the song and the film have been released on YouTube.
- The film is directed by Hideo Jōjō, with a screenplay by Yasuko Kobayashi (known for Thus Spoke Rohan Kishibe), marking their first collaboration.
What "The Animals" Is and How It Connects to the Film
"The Animals" is a newly written theme song MAN WITH A MISSION created exclusively for Beasts Clutching at Straws. According to an official statement, the band was honored to receive the offer and approached the project by drawing inspiration directly from the film itself. Jean-Ken Johnny, the band's guitarist, vocalist, and rapper, explained that after watching the movie, he extracted all his ideas from what he saw on screen. He described the creative process as becoming "a kind of storyteller," letting the film's narrative guide the music.
The result is a high-energy rock track that mirrors the film's tense, competitive atmosphere. Oji Suzuka, who plays the protagonist, has praised "The Animals" as energetic, heart-lifting music that lets viewers stay in the film's emotional afterglow while feeling exhilarated. He called it "a truly wonderful song," a comment that suggests the track doesn't just accompany the credits but extends and elevates the viewing experience.
MAN WITH A MISSION has a proven track record of writing powerful theme songs for Japanese films — perhaps most famously "Emotions" for the 2013 movie Hentai Kamen. "The Animals" continues that tradition, pairing the band's signature anthemic rock with a story about ordinary people descending into moral chaos over money.
What Beasts Clutching at Straws Is About
Beasts Clutching at Straws is a suspense drama adapted from the novel of the same name by Keisuke Sone, an author who won the prestigious Edogawa Rampo Prize and whose work is published by Kodansha. The film follows what happens when someone stumbles upon 100 million yen in cash — a discovery that pulls in a cast of desperate, flawed characters who gradually transform into the "beasts" the title refers to.
Oji Suzuka stars as Kanji Sato, a struggling university student who runs a YouTube channel with only two-digit subscribers. When Kanji finds the massive sum of money, his life — and the lives of everyone around him — spirals into a tense, morally fraught competition. The ensemble cast includes Hiroki Narimiya as Ryōsuke Ebato, a corrupt police officer; Nana Mori as Shiina, a "night-work bad girl"; and MEGUMI as Mina Shōda, an unlucky housewife crushed by massive forex trading debt. Each character is drawn into the chaos by their own desperation, and the film explores how greed can strip away the veneer of ordinary decency.
The film is directed by Hideo Jōjō, known for works such as Alps Stand no Hashi no Hou and Nameless (名無し). The screenplay is written by Yasuko Kobayashi, celebrated for her work on the Thus Spoke Rohan Kishibe series. This project marks the first collaboration between Jōjō and Kobayashi, and the pairing of a suspense-focused director with a writer known for sharp character work has generated considerable interest among Japanese cinema fans.
The Oji Suzuka × MAN WITH A MISSION Interview Videos
In a promotional concept that cleverly mirrors the film, Oji Suzuka conducted a direct interview with MAN WITH A MISSION — stepping into the role of a YouTuber, just as his character does in the movie. Two interview videos, labeled "Interview Video ①" and "Interview Video ②," have been released on YouTube.
The videos feature Suzuka asking the band about "The Animals," the creative process behind the song, and how it connects to the film's themes. While the exact contents and full transcripts of the conversations haven't been detailed in current coverage, the format itself is a smart extension of the film's narrative. By casting Suzuka as the interviewer, the promotional campaign blurs the line between his on-screen persona and his real-world role as the film's lead, creating an engaging layer of meta-commentary.
We know these videos are available now on YouTube, though the specific channel or playlist hosting them hasn't been confirmed in public announcements. Fans looking for the interviews should search for the film's title or the band's name alongside "interview" to locate the clips.
The Film's Main Trailer and Visual Materials
Alongside the announcement of "The Animals" as the theme song, the film's production committee released the main trailer and key visual for Beasts Clutching at Straws. The trailer opens with Kanji discovering the 100 million yen, followed by ominous text hinting at the characters being "summoned" by the money. We then see quick cuts of the ensemble cast — corrupt cops, desperate housewives, and shadowy figures — all converging on the windfall like predators drawn to prey.
The visual style emphasizes dark, moody cinematography that underscores the film's noir-influenced suspense. The trailer suggests a tightly wound narrative in which every character believes they have a legitimate claim — or at least a desperate need — for the cash, and none are willing to back down.
When and Where You Can See the Film
Beasts Clutching at Straws is scheduled to be released in theaters across Japan on Friday, September 25, 2026. The film is distributed by Toei and produced by the 2026 "Wara ni mo Sugaru Kemono-tachi" Production Committee. As of now, there has been no announcement regarding international releases, streaming availability, or subtitled versions for audiences outside Japan. If you're based overseas and hoping to see the film, your best bet will be to keep an eye on Japanese film festival lineups or streaming platforms that specialize in Japanese cinema in the months following the theatrical release.
For fans of MAN WITH A MISSION, it's not yet clear whether "The Animals" will be released as a standalone single, included on a future album, or made available on streaming platforms like Spotify or Apple Music. The song is credited to Sony Music Labels, so we can expect some form of official release, but details on timing and format haven't been confirmed.
Why This Pairing Works
MAN WITH A MISSION's music has always carried a visceral, anthemic energy — the kind that suits stories about struggle, conflict, and transformation. "The Animals" appears to be no exception. By writing a song that functions as a kind of musical storytelling, the band has created a theme that doesn't just play over the credits but deepens the film's emotional arc.
The pairing makes even more sense when you consider the film's premise. Beasts Clutching at Straws is about people pushed to the edge, about the animal instincts that emerge when desperation takes hold. A rock band known for wearing wolf masks and performing with theatrical intensity is a natural fit for that kind of raw, primal narrative. Jean-Ken Johnny's comment about becoming "a storyteller" suggests the band approached this project not as a commercial tie-in, but as a genuine creative challenge — a chance to translate a film's themes into sound.
What People Are Saying
"MAN WITH A MISSION doing the theme for Beasts Clutching at Straws feels like such a perfect match. The whole 'beast' metaphor is basically their brand."
— Fan comment on social media
"I didn't even know this film was coming, but now I'm definitely watching it just for 'The Animals.' That interview video with Suzuka was such a cool idea."
— YouTube viewer reaction
"Yasuko Kobayashi writing the script is huge. If she can bring the same character depth she did with Rohan Kishibe, this is going to be incredible."
— Japanese cinema fan forum
"The way they're promoting this — having the actor interview the band as his character — is really clever. It makes the whole thing feel more connected."
— Twitter user reflecting on the promotional campaign
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Beasts Clutching at Straws being released?
The film is scheduled for a nationwide theatrical release in Japan on Friday, September 25, 2026.
Where can I watch the Oji Suzuka × MAN WITH A MISSION interview?
Two interview videos have been released on YouTube. Search for the film's title or "MAN WITH A MISSION Oji Suzuka interview" to find them.
Will "The Animals" be released as a single or on streaming?
There's no confirmed release information yet for "The Animals" as a standalone single or on streaming platforms, though it is credited to Sony Music Labels, so an official release is likely forthcoming.
Is the film based on a book?
Yes, Beasts Clutching at Straws is adapted from the novel of the same name by Keisuke Sone, an Edogawa Rampo Prize–winning author, published by Kodansha.
Will the film be available outside Japan?
As of now, there's no word on international theatrical or streaming releases. Check Japanese film festival lineups or specialty streaming services in the months after the Japanese premiere.
Looking Ahead to September
Beasts Clutching at Straws arrives in Japanese theaters on September 25, 2026, bringing together a compelling cast, a screenwriter known for deep character work, and a director skilled in suspense storytelling. MAN WITH A MISSION's "The Animals" promises to be more than just a credits song — it's a thematic extension of the film itself, crafted with the kind of narrative care we don't always see in soundtrack tie-ins. The interview videos with Oji Suzuka offer a playful, meta glimpse into how the band approached the project, and they're worth watching for anyone curious about the creative process behind the collaboration. Whether you're a fan of Japanese cinema, a longtime follower of MAN WITH A MISSION, or just intrigued by stories about ordinary people pushed to moral extremes, this is one to keep on your radar as autumn approaches.
