Born in Niigata and living in London, international singer-songwriter Rina Sawayama released her second album Hold The Girl on September 16, 2022. Her Japan-based Hold The Girl Tour saw successful shows in Nagoya, Osaka, and Tokyo, with Sawayama generating plenty of buzz. During the final show on the tour, the singer surprised the audience with a cover of Hikaru Utada’s hit songFirst Love. The video of this incredible performance is now available to watch on YouTube!

First Love – Rina Sawayama (Hikaru Utada Cover, Tokyo Garden Theatre)

Prior to the Tokyo show, Sawayama took to Instagram, posting a comment for fans. “Since this is the biggest show I’ve ever done, I think I should cover a special Japanese track to commemorate the event,” she said. The singer had previously asked fans to share the songs they’d most like to see performed.

“Without this artist and without this song, I probably wouldn’t have become a musician or an artist. I heard this track when I was around six years old, and I remember dancing for my parents who were sitting on the sofa. This artist also celebrated her 40th birthday yesterday. This is my first cover, but I think it’s the perfect way to commemorate this special event. Please enjoy,” Sawayama concluded.

The audience responded to this surprise with a chorus of excitement, and this was surely an unforgettable night for many fans.

Rina is currently on the Hold The Girl Tour in Europe. At the end of March, she will make her Hollywood debut in the fourth John Wickmovie.

The Kingdom Hearts series is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2022 with a special collaboration collection! Inspired by the theme of “hearts being connected,” orders are now open on the Super Groupies website until August 15 at noon. A pop-up store will also be held at the Seibu Ikebukuro main store from July 29 until August 2, 2022.  

The collection features a gorgeous lineup of 45 unique watches, bags, wallets, outerwear, and umbrellas, featuring nine popular characters: Sora, Riku, Kairi, Roxas, Axel, Xion, Ventus, Aqua, and Terra.

Series creator Tetsuya Nomura also created a special illustration for the collaboration, and one postcard featuring the image will be included with each ordered item purchased through the Super Groupies site.

Those who preorder items at the Seibu and Sogo department store will receive a set of two cards, plus a live-action postcard with styling photos. These will be delivered with the products ordered.

Don’t miss out on these unique items! Have you been playing Kingdom Hearts since the early days?

©Disney

Japanese music streaming site RecoChoku has announced the top song and album rankings for January 2022!

In the Single Ranking category, Aimer’s Zankyosanka was ranked #1 for the second consecutive month. The song is the opening for the newest Demon Slayer anime arc which began airing on December 5, 2021.

The ending theme for Demon Slayer, Asa ga Kuru, was released on January 10, and quickly climbed the ranks. Aimer is currently celebrating the 10th anniversary of her debut, and this is a powerful start to the year for this talented singer.

As for the Album Ranking, the top spot was clear for January. Ado’s 14-song debut album ‘Kyogen’ sits in the top spot, and includes many of her smash hits. From Usseewa to Aitakute, the album also contains seven new songs which are steadily gaining popularity. Six days after the album’s release, it was ranked #1 for the month of January.

Ado’s 8th single ‘Kokoro to Iu Nano Fukakai’ also ranked 5th on the Single Ranking. Written and arranged by Mafumafu, the song is the theme for the drama series Doctor White starring Minami Hamabe. Ado will also be holding her first solo concert at Zepp DiverCity on April 4, 2022!

Japanese cosmetic company Shiseido, sold in 88 countries around the world, has released a new conceptual video for its global “POWER IS YOU” campaign.

The short video features a star-studded cast of ambassadors from a variety of fields, including Megan Rapinoe, co-captain of the U.S. women’s national soccer team, known for her advocacy and creative style that defies stereotypes. The athlete has commented on her inclusion in the “POWER IS YOU” campaign, proud to show her authentic self and inspire others to live their truth.

Comment from Megan Rapinoe

“Shiseido makes so many of the products I use in my daily life, so when I was invited to collaborate on this new campaign, I didn’t even have to think about it. Partnering with such a great company means a lot to me. I deeply believe in the individual power of every human being, and I think that anyone has the power to change the world. “POWER IS YOU” represents the power each of us has to alter the world for the better, which is something that resonates with me personally. I want young people especially to know that it is possible to change things. I hope they do, and I hope that this campaign helps to inspire more people to feel the same.” 

Conceptual Videeo

The song used for the campaign is Utada Hikaru’s Find Love. The singer also appears in the video as an ambassador. 

Comment from Utada Hikaru

“The source of all power is believing in yourself.

It takes courage to know yourself, but being honest with yourself is the key to finding that inner beauty. Courage is beautiful.” 

Finally, Ursula Corbero, who gained international fame for her role in the Netflix series Paper House, appears as the final ambassador. The actress is an avid philanthropist and has long supported a number of causes including breast cancer awareness, childhood cancer awareness, and climate change awareness. She is also the founder of Ymas, a company of artists allowing people to attend movie premieres and special behind-the-scenes events. 

Comment from Ursula Corbero

“Inner beauty comes from positivity.
Tap into your individual energy, and if there’s something you want to do, do it!
It’s okay to make mistakes. Life is not perfect, and those imperfections make it beautiful.” 

Japanese company LEGS has announced the opening of two limited-time cafes themed on the video game KINGDOM HEARTS Melody of Memory which will run from December 11, 2020 to January 31, 2021.

KINGDOM HEARTS Melody of Memory is a rhythm action game developed by Square Enix. Released on November 11 in Japan and November 13 everyone else, it is the latest instalment to Square Enix and Disney’s video game series Kingdom Hearts.

The cafe menu features a line-up of dishes, drinks, and desserts inspired by characters and worlds found throughout the internationally-beloved video game series. The items all adhere to Disney’s nutrient guidelines and so are low in salt and sugar, offering fans a healthier option. The cafe will also sell a range of original merchandise.

The Menu

Food (Excerpt)

<Sora> Power of Waking Tomato Pasta | ¥1,599

A red tomato pasta inspired by Sora that comes with a potato salad shaped like King Mickey.

<Riku> Daybreak Chicken Burger | ¥1,599

A black chicken burger based on Riku becoming enveloped by the Power of Darkness. This dish also comes with a potato salad shaped like King Mickey.

<King Mickey> King’s Tuna Sandwich | ¥1,399, with plate +¥2,000

A tuna sandwich branded with a King Mickey symbol that comes with a side of fruit.

<Neverland> Island Seafood Curry | ¥1,699

A squid and shrimp seafood curry inspired by Peter Pan’s Neverland which you can travel to in Kingdom Hearts.

Drinks (Excerpt)

<Sora, Riku & Kairi> Fate’s Pineapple Herb Soda | ¥899, with acrylic coaster +¥1,000

A pineapple herb soda based on the Paopu Fruit from the series.

<Roxas, Xion, Axel> Sea Salt Ice Cream & Milk | ¥1,199, with acrylic coaster +¥1,000

Based on the sea salt ice cream that Roxas, Xion, and Axel all eat together. It’s served with hot milk that can be poured over the ice cream for a tasty treat.

<Hundred Acre Wood> Honey Latte | ¥799, with mug +¥1,650

A latte sweetened with Winnie the Pooh’s favourite thing in the world: honey.

Merchandise (Excerpt)

Folder ¥500 / Acrylic Magnet ¥700

Tote Bags (3 Designs) | ¥3,500 Each (Timeless River/Keyblade A/Keyblade B)

Bonus Items

Customers who book a table in advance (¥650 before tax) and order from the menu will receive one of two folders, and if they order a drink, one of four coasters. Available while supplies last.

© Disney. © Disney/Pixar.

*All prices listed are pre-tax

Ringo Sheena’s greatest hits album Newton no Ringo ~Hajimete no Best Ban~ is currently reigning high on the sales charts. Ringo Sheena will release a brand new Tokyo version of the song Roman to Soroban, which she created with Hikaru Utada, on November 25.

Still image from the Roman to Soroban Official Music Video.

In an interview with Ringo Sheena about the release of her album Sandokushi, she referred to Hikaru Utada as the sun and herself as the shade. Roman to Soroban is the second song the two friends worked on together since Utada’s release of Nijikan Dake no Vacance in which Ringo Sheena was the featuring artist. Roman to Soroban LDN ver., which goes by the English name The sun&moon in london, is the opening song of Newton no Ringo. The song features the instrumentals of the London Philharmonic Orchestra and was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London. 

Following up on the release of the London version of Roman to Soroban, Sheena and Utada have set out to release a Tokyo version which will go by the official name Roman to Soroban TYO ver in Japanese and The sun&moon in tokyo in English.

The recording of the brand new Tokyo version will be brought to life with the cooperation of her long-time tour members Keisuke Torigoe (bass), Midorin (drums), Yukio Nagoshi (guitar), and H Zett M (keys), recreating the song in a whole new genre which rings “Tokyo sound”.

Ringo Sheena is set to release her first-ever all-time greatest hits album Newton no Ringo ~Hajimete no Best Ban~ on November 13, 2019, to wrap up celebrations of 20 years since her debut. New details have dropped on a brand new song that will be featured on the record.

The song in question will be the first song on disc one, and it titled, Roman to Soroban LDN ver. (“London Version”). It will feature a guest appearance from Hikaru Utada.

Sheena and Utada both debuted from Toushiba EMI (now EMI Music Japan) in 1998. This collaboration will mark their first together since Nijikan Dake no Vacance, featured on Hikaru Utada’s 2016 album Fantôme.

The lyrics, composition and basic track for Roman to Soroban LDN ver. were carried out by Sheena while the wind and string instruments arrangement was done by Yoichi Murata. On piano is H ZETT M and on 5-string bass Keisuke Torigoe. The song also features music by the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Utada and Sheena are close friends. The song itself was released today (November 2), along with the music video, ahead of the album.

Speaking about the new track, Ringo Sheena commented: “It was such a fun program. I’d like to express my gratitude to everyone again: to the great Yoichi Murata, everyone on instrumentals, and of course Hikaru Utada. Thank you so much.”

“Whenever I go to make new material, I always try to do something new,” she explains. “I didn’t go for sensational like I always do. Instead I paid close attention to editing the harmony, melody, pretty much everything. I wanted a song that mixed well with Hikaru’s voice, like ingredients such as water and oxygen. I would hope people catch the mellowness of the track, something which I don’t normally do.”

She continues: “I also challenged myself a little with the lyrics to this one. One day, Hikaru said to me, ‘If it’s you, Yumi [Sheena Ringo], let’s write something sweet.’ We had exchanges like that, and talking with people you know about things is the theme of Roman to Soroban. Since hearing that about half a year ago I’ve continued to go all out with it, and the result is this song. And although I sing, I’m kind of shy [about this one].”

She wraps up by explaining: “I’ve been stubborn these past twenty years about having a particular style, so I want to be more free in my writing from now on. I ask for your continued support in my endeavour.”

Hikaru Utada also commented: “This will be my third duet with Ringo. Before this we’ve done a cover of a song by The Carpenters, and another where she featured on my song, so I was very happy to be a part of her world this time around in both the song and music video. I had so much fun and laughed a lot during the music video shoot. The entire thing was a luxury for me. I’m looking forward to the release.”

Hikaru Utada’s 2018 Laughter in the Dark Tour was released on DVD and Blu-ray today. The tour―which was her first nationwide tour in Japan in 12 years―was held to celebrate 20 years since her debut.

The DVD and Blu-ray was released in Limited Pressing Edition packaging and was also released across several streaming platforms including Netflix.

On day one of its release, the video shot up to No. 1 in downloads on the iTunes Live Video section. It has also been warmly received by foreign fans for its posting on Netflix.

Fans in Japan can also now watch it at several Sony Store branches in high resolution as part of the Sony Store Days event. At the event, fans can see the outfits that Utada actually wore on stage during the shows as well as watch Anata and Play A Love Song using Sony’s 360 Reality Audio, the latest in immersive music reproduction that brings listeners closer the artists than ever before. You must book in advance to experience this latest cutting-edge technology however.

As well as this, 13.1 channel multi-speakers will be used so that fans can enjoy the live experience together with the mix by Utada’s recording engineer Masahito Komori.

Fans can also experience Hikari and Chikai on PlayStation®VR and more. The event will begin at the Umeda branch of the Sony Store in Osaka on July 4. Full details below.

Cameraman: Teppei Kishida (岸田哲平)

Hikaru Utada’s Laughter in the Dark Tour took place throughout November and December last year to commemorate the singer’s 20th anniversary. It also marked her first nationwide tour in Japan in 12 years and first performance since Yokohama Arena in 2010 after which she went on indefinite hiatus due to fatigue. The tour wrapped up at Makuhari Messe on December 9, the exact same date as her debut 20 years prior.

Utada performed for 140,000 fans across the tour. The finale date included a set-list of 20 tracks which included Automatic, First Love, Hatsukoi which was released last year and more. The entire set including the encore is now heading to DVD and Blu-ray.

Both the DVD and Blu-ray will be released in several editions.

The Limited Pressing Edition comes on DVD and Blu-ray and includes the entire concert at Makuhari Messe as well as a documentary entitled Talking About Laughter in the Dark which features an interview with the tour members and staff.

It also comes packaged with a 60-page photo book containing unreleased photos taken on stage and during rehearsal, a replica backstage pass, and a DVD containing music videos for Forevermore, Anata and Hatsukoi―all songs released after Utada’s label move to Sony Music―as well as each video’s making-of footage. When purchased at select shops and online stores it also comes with an original neck strap as pictured above. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Limited Pressing Edition is a must-have for fans of Utada, whether they attended the tour and want to relive the moment or weren’t able to make it and want the full authentic experience.

And for the first time in Utada’s career, this DVD and Blu-ray will be released across multiple platforms. It will be available to download on the iTunes Store, the Japanese on-demand service SKY PerfecTV!, and on Netflix Japan’s on demand video subscription service.

「Play A Love Song」（Live Ver.）

「Hikaru Utada Laughter in the Dark Tour 2018」SPOT

Pre-orders for the Limited Pressing Edition opened today. All editions of the DVD and Blu-ray will be released on June 26, 2019.

Hikaru Utada dropped her 22nd single Face My Fears back on January 18 this year which marked her first single release in 11 years. The song is the main theme for the video game Kingdom Hearts III has gone on to break many milestones including surpassing 10 million streams worldwide in February and making it onto the Billboard Hot 100 list.

Two months onward the record continues to enjoy huge popularity around the globe. It was released on vinyl on March 6 and even resurfaced into the top 30 on Oricon’s Weekly Singles ranking on March 18.

The song’s music video, which was posted on Skrillex’s YouTube channel, has finally broken the 10 million view mark.

The milestones do not stop there however as the above-mentioned streaming number has been eclipsed, reaching over 35 million streams across the globe.

Utada’s Hikaru Utada Laughter in the Dark Tour 2018 was released on the music channel MUSIC ON! TV on March 10 which has evoked demand from fans worldwide for a DVD and Blu-ray release.

This marks her third tie-up with the Kingdom Hearts series. She performed the theme songs Simple & Clean (Hikari in Japan) for Kingdom Hearts (2002) and Sanctuary (Passion in Japan) for Kingdom Hearts II (2005).

A vinyl edition of Face My Fears will be released outside Japan on March 29.

Hikaru Utada released her hit new single Face My Fears last month and within two weeks of dropping has garnered over 10 million streams across the globe on music platforms including Spotify and Apple music.

The song has also topped the No. 1 charts for dance music on iTunes in the US, Japan and elsewhere settings a record for the singer.
 

The official music video for the Japanese version of the song which was released on Skrillex’s official YouTube channel also gained over 4 million views in just 4 days.

The song is used as the opening theme for the new video game Kingdom Hearts III which was released worldwide on January 29. The game has sold over 5 million copies both physical and digital worldwide making it the fastest selling game in the series.

The song also recently ranked on the US Billboard Hot 100. It has stayed in the top 5 of the Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales Chart for two weeks.

Hikaru Utada’s new single Face My Fears was released on January 18 as the singer’s first single in 11 years.

The song was made in collaboration with Skrillex is used as the opening theme for the new video game Kingdom Hearts III which was released worldwide on January 29. Having already topped the iTunes and Apple Music charts where it ranked No. 1 in the digital music charts worldwide, the song has now taken to the Billboard Hot 100 where it ranks 98th.

This marks the singer’s first entry to the Billboard Hot 100 and only the ninth Japanese artist to do so, the last being Pikotaro with his viral hit Pen Pineapple Apple Pen. Her album Exodus made it to 160th on Billboard 200 on October 23, 2014 and her album Fantome clocked in at No. 1 on Billboard World Albums in October 22, 2016.

A closer look at the Billboard ranking shows that it ranks No. 2 in Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales, No. 9 in Hot Dance/Electronic Songs and No. 18 on Digital Song Sales. It has also been No. 1 on the US iTunes Dance charts for twelve days since its release.

You can track the success of the song on a special global website that was set up titled #HikaruUtada #(Songs) which displays ongoing worldwide statistics of her new single and more.