"Nakama" is a song recorded by Russian-German record producer Zedd featuring Japanese-American singer Ai, scheduled for release on 19 February 2025, through Interscope Records. Serving as the ending theme for the Japanese anime series Dragon Ball Daima, the song was written by Zedd and Ai with additional production by British producer Ellis.
Following a partial cast reveal and trailer for Dragon Ball Daima in September 2024, Toei Animation announced Zedd produced the opening song "Jaka Jaan" with vocals recorded by Japanese pop duo C&K.[1] Within a week, Toei Animation revealed more cast members alongside the ending theme for the series, "Nakama" by Zedd featuring Ai.[2][3]
Ai wrote the lyrics to "Nakama" while Zedd composed the song's melody.[4][5] Ai and Zedd met in Japan to discuss what kind of song they would write.[6] Ai described to Billboard that it was "really easy" to write Japanese lyrics to the piano demo Zedd sent to her.[6] She revealed translating the Japanese lyrics she wrote into English to match the melody was "a lot harder."[6] Alongside producing the song, Zedd mixed and mastered "Nakama".
On 10 December 2024, an anime version of "Nakama" was released digitally as a promotional single with an accompanying lyric video.[7]Universal Music Japan later announced the full release of "Nakama" alongside "Jaka Jaan" as a limited double A-side single, slated for release on 19 February 2025.[8] Ai's label EMI Records later announced "Nakama" would be included as a bonus track for her greatest hits album, 25th The Best – Alive.[9][10]
Ai performed "Nakama" for the first time during the Japanese premiere screening of Dragon Ball Daima in October 2024.[11] At the 2024 FNS Music Festival, Zedd and Ai performed "Nakama".[12]
