2008–2009: Surf Bungaku Kamakura

The band appeared as a supporting act for a show held at Yokohama Bay Hall by American alternative rock band Third Eye Blind on July 18.[29] Incidentally, Third Eye Blind later appeared for the fourth and fnal lineup of AKFG’s seventh annual Nano-Mugen Festival held at the Yokohama Arena through July 20-21st.[30] The group was but one of a total of sixteen musical acts, originating from Japan, America, and the UK, who performed at the festival alongside Asian Kung–Fu Generation, who later released their third Nano-Mugen disc, Nano-Mugen Compilation 2008.[31] Peaking at number eighteen on the Oricon charts and retaining one song from each of the sixteen groups, the compilation expressed the largest track number within the Nano-Mugen series yet. Additionally, the song “Natsusemi” (崩崩 Summer Cicada), composed by AKFG just for the compilation, managed to peak at number thirty-six on the Japan Hot 100 despite not being released as a single.[32]

In September, Asian Kung–Fu Generation had the opportunity to play side-byside with Weezer, a California-based alternative rock band that had played a major infuence on their music. The WEEZER FESTIVAL was Weezer’s frst tour to Japan in three years and in promotion of their The Red Album, they performed on September 13 at Intex Osaka and on the 15 at The National Yoyogi First Gymnasium in Tokyo. Asian Kung–Fu Generation, along with fellow Japanese rock band Going Under Ground, performed on both the Osaka and Tokyo stage.[33]

They later released their twelfth single Fujisawa Loser in October followed by their ffth studio album Surf Bungaku Kamakura.

On April 11, 2012, AKFG released the single, titled “Kakato de Ai o Uchinarase” (Ring Out Love Your Heel). It was composed by the band’s lead guitarist, Kita.

In June 2012, a promotional video was released for a song titled “Yoru o Koete” (Beyond the Night), in promotion of the Nano-Mugen Festival 2012. It is featured on the Nano-Mugen Compilation 2012, released on June 27, 2012.[43]

A few days before the 2012 Nano-Mugen Festival, it was announced that a new single, titled “Sore dewa, Mata Ashita” (Well See You Again Tomorrow), will be released on July 25, 2012. It is also the theme song for Naruto the Movie: Road to Ninja, which was released on July 28.

After the 2012 Nano-Mugen Festival, it was also announced on the band’s website that a new album would be released on September 12, 2012, titled Landmark, and that a tour would follow in the following month of October in support of the album.

In 2013, Asian KungFu Generation undertook their frst European tour, with 3 dates in 3 countries consisting of London (31 May), Paris and Cologne (3 June).

A new single, titled “Ima o Ikite” (崩崩崩崩 崩 Live Now), was released on February 20, 2013, and it was featured in a movie, titled Yokomichi Yonosuke (崩崩崩崩崩). [46]