nano.RIPE -- Gekka (月花) | The Devil Is a Part‑Timer! ED
Maybe because yesterday was a holiday and today is the first workday, I'm not sure, but on a morning like this when I can't get into the mood, my heart feels heavy and I don't want to do anything -- a gloomy morning when I feel like running away somewhere far off. I woke up late, so there's almost no time to worry, yet the time until I have to leave for work is ticking away; with less than ten minutes left to head to the office, I need to pull my mood even a little bit toward something brighter. The method I choose to recover my spirits is to listen to music.
Of course, when my head is a mess and unpleasant thoughts or worries keep spinning around so much that I can't think of anything else, no matter how beautiful the music is it won't lift my mood -- even music I normally love can sound like noisy racket and only increase my burden. At times like that I don't listen to music; I try to calm myself in near silence.
Today's morning wasn't that catastrophically gloomy, but it was the worst morning I've had in about a month. I know from experience that for this level of gloom, music can probably help; music can be a comfort.
When I want music to soothe my heart, I don't want something too intense or forceful because that tires me out; I want a gentle sound that flows at a relaxed tempo.
There were a few candidates in mind, but the music I listened to today was "Gekka" by nano.RIPE. The reading of 月花 is not "tsukihana" but "gekka." "Gekka" is the ending theme for the anime The Devil Is a Part‑Timer!, which I recently rewatched on U‑NEXT.
The song begins with a quiet, calming drum solo. After the female vocal softly counts "ichi, nii, san, shi," a beautiful guitar melody starts and layers over the continuing drum sound; a lovely chorus comes in and fades, and then the vocal begins with the phrase "どこから朝になる？静かな空" -- a line that feels like the perfect opening for a morning like today. The vocal has energy and strength, but even when I'm feeling down it doesn't make me feel worse. I especially love the prelude from the start until the vocal begins; I sometimes listen to that intro on repeat. For me, the prelude of "Gekka" is a comfort: it lifts my heavy heart, and the energetic vocal that follows raises my mood further.
Listening to "Gekka" doesn't instantly fix anything -- none of the fundamental problems that weigh on my heart are solved -- but I felt a little calmer. For now, that alone is enough and I'm grateful for it.
It looks like I can manage to go to work with some energy today.
"Gekka," which soothes my heart, can be heard in several ways.
Viewing options (as of June 1, 2026)
As of June 1, 2026, the 2023 official music video is available to watch for free on YouTube.
YouTube title: TVアニメ『はたらく魔王さま！』EDテーマ / nano.RIPE「月花」2023Ver. Official Music Video / Gekka
Channel: nano.RIPE Official Channel
Amazon (streaming / purchase)
As of June 1, 2026, Amazon Prime members can listen to "Gekka" by nano.RIPE without ads. Alternatively, the track can be purchased as an MP3 for ¥250 per song.
Search for "Gekka nano.RIPE" on Amazon Japan
CD (my listening setup)
I personally listen to "Gekka" from nano.RIPE's CD album Shiawase no Kutsu (first press edition with Blu‑ray), released September 23, 2015, played on my SONY component system (CMT‑SX7). YouTube, streaming, and MP3 are convenient, but when my heart is low I find that the old‑fashioned ritual of playing a CD on a component system -- touching something familiar and well‑made -- helps calm me.