Japanese producer Aiobahn +81 has teamed up with hololive English VTuber duo FUWAMOCO for their vibrant new single “side by side,” serving as the official ending theme for the latest installment of the popular Nekopara visual novel series, Nekopara After La Vraie Famille. Released on June 13, this melodic house track blends nostalgic anime game music influences with contemporary electronic energy, creating the perfect summer anthem for otaku culture enthusiasts.
The collaboration brings together Aiobahn +81’s signature electronic production – now focused on anime and game-inspired sounds under his new alias – with the sweet, airy vocals of FUWAMOCO, the twin VTuber personalities who won VTuber of the Year at the 2024 VTuber Awards. The track playfully incorporates cat-like “Nya Nya Nya” chants as a nod to Nekopara’s beloved feline characters, while maintaining an emotional core that complements the game’s themes of family and connection.
Adding to the collaboration’s authenticity, the single’s cover artwork features an original illustration by Sayori, creator of the Nekopara series, marking the first visual crossover between Aiobahn +81 and FUWAMOCO. The accompanying lyric video enhances the nostalgic appeal with a soft-focus aesthetic reminiscent of classic anime endings, complete with appearances from Nekopara’s fan-favorite catgirls Chocola and Vanilla.
This release follows Aiobahn +81’s successful debut single “Tententengokujigokugoku” featuring Nanahira and Pmaru-sama, which amassed 9.5 million YouTube views in just four months and charted on Billboard’s Heatseekers Chart. For FUWAMOCO, whose YouTube channel boasts over 1.1 million subscribers, the collaboration represents another milestone in their growing music career.
“side by side” is now available on all major streaming platforms, offering listeners a perfect blend of otaku nostalgia, virtual star power, and cutting-edge electronic production.
Adreena is a writer from Nagano, Japan, but is now residing in Singapore. She mostly writes music news and reviews, but in her spare time, she likes writing fiction and poems.