If you are a recent newcomer to the superb Chinese donghua Rakshasa Street, you have probably also quickly become addicted to that bangin’ opening theme song.
What is that song, who performs it, when was it released and where you can listen to it. On repeat, of course, if you are anything like me.
Here then is everything you need to know about the Rakshasa Street, Season 1 opening theme song.
Or, at least, everything we know considering it can often be difficult to get much information about Chinese musicians.
I Don’t Want to Go Back by NZBZ
Unlike the ending theme for the donghua’s first season, which ended up with two songs alternated throughout the season, the Rakshasa Street, Season 1 opening theme song was played on every episode throughout the 24-episode series.
That song is called ‘I Don’t Want to Go Back‘, and is performed by a group called NZBZ (aka 南征北战 Nanzheng Beizhan).
That three-member Chinese hip-hop, rap band has written and performed several other theme songs for hit donghua, including the opening theme for the first season of The King’s Avatar, as well as songs for Chinese dramas.
The group comprises members Ting Yang, Zhao Chenlong, and Ni Cheng, and they usually release songs that tend to be epic in nature.
Something that fits perfectly with Rakshasa Street as it tells the story of people with ‘Guardian Spirits’ whose job in life is to be a Requiem General, and to protect the streets they oversee from evil spirits taking over.
Yep, that cool beat, guitar-heavy melody, and gravely lyrics really get you in the mood every time a new episode of Rakshasa Street, don’t they?
And, yes, the Rakshasa Street ending theme song ‘Bu Yuan Hui Tou‘ (不愿回头), which plays at the end of every other episode of the donghua is also performed by NZBZ
Where can you listen to the Rakshasa Street, Season 1 opening theme song?
Because it is an older donghua theme song, most of which were not released on streaming services like Spotify, it is a little more difficult to be able to listen to it than OPs or EDs from newer donghua releases.
That being said, ‘I Don’t Want to Go Back‘ has shown up on YouTube as various YouTubers have uploaded it. (Listen below)
I have embedded two of those videos below, just in case one gets copyrighted, along with a Soundcloud embed as, yes, it is available over there as well.
You can also stream much more of NZBZ’s music on Spotify. Just, unfortunately, not this one.
Meanwhile, the fourth season of Rakshasa Street is heading our way on November 22nd. Are you as excited as I am?
Entertainment journalist covering Japanese and Chinese anime industry for a decade.
Favorite donghua — World of Immortals, A Will Eternal, The Demon Hunter, Perfect World, Battle Through the Heavens, Fabulous Beasts, Spy x Sect, Soul Land, Tales of Herding Gods, Heaven Officials’ Blessing