On her “rouge de bleu” tour on December 14th and later on Twitter that same evening, Japanese singer and songwriter, Aimer, announced to her fans that she had officially been hired to perform the main theme for the upcoming film, Fate/Stay Night [Heaven’s Feel] III. spring song. Having already performed the main theme for the first two films, the second theme and an insert song for the Unlimted Blade Works TV anime, and various tracks for the Fate visual novels, it has become impossible to imagine anyone else singing for the franchise. Working alongside her will be music producer Yuki Kajiura, who had previously worked with Aimer on “花の歌” and “I beg you,” the themes from the first two films, respectively.
Aimer gave further comment online, stating:
“It is both a pleasure and an honor to sing the theme songs for each film. Thank you so much to Director Tomonori-san and everyone who love what I do. When Kajiura-san showed me everything we’d be doing I trembled, thinking that it’d have to be handled with a lot of care. However, I’ve sang everything I can now because I wanted to express love with all my thoughts. I hope that “Haru wa yuku” will be a song that everyone will love after watching Heaven’s Feel to the very end.”
Producer Yuki Kajiura gave her own commentary stating:
“I am delighted to have made all three theme songs for Fate/Stay Night Heaven’s Feel together with Aimer. I think that Aimer’s voice has colored the songs throughout the series. Because of her, we’ve created a consistent sound, world, and heroine image. Aimer infused that same passion into the song of the final chapter. I hope it touches the audiences when they hear it.”
The single, titled “春はゆく” (Haru wa yuku) will be released on March 25th, 2020, with three additional songs. One will be titled “maire,” while the remaining two have yet to be revealed. “春はゆく” will be Aimer’s 18th single, succeeding “STAND ALONE” and “Torches.”
Aimer is especially known for her unique and distinctive vocal style, often described as husky and rough. Due to over-usage and strain on her vocal cords in her younger years, she had to undergo silence therapy. Her career began with a cover album, performing several pop songs and revamping them to have a slow, jazzy, and classical vibe. Such songs included “Poker Face” and”Crazy in Love.” Since then she’s taken Japan by storm, having done theme work for multiple live-action dramas and anime series beyond Fate/Stay Night, including projects such as After the Rain, Vinland Saga, and Kasane.
Aside from Yuki Kajiura, Aimer has collaborated with Taka (ONE OK ROCK), TK (Ling tosite sigure), chelly (EGOIST), and Yojiro Noda (RADWIMPS). Across one cover album and five original studio albums (one of which was a double-length), Aimer has performed a little bit of every genre from pop to rock, alternative to classical ballad, and everything beyond and between. If her unique voice isn’t what sets her apart, then it’s the abundance of English lyrics in her songs.
Today, Aimer’s tours sell out almost overnight, not just in Japan, but also in Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, and China. From personal experience, they are well worth every minute! Her live shows have incorporated theatrical elements, pyrotechnics, and audience participation. No matter how big the audience, Aimer always tries to engage with fans at any opportunity for all three hours she performs.
Despite her ever-growing popularity and success in Japan and overseas, it wasn’t until the release of “I beg you” for Fate/Stay Night [Heaven’s Feel] II. lost butterfly in early 2019 when she was finally awarded her first number 1 hit single on the Oricon music charts. Surely the pressure is on to make the followup song even more impactful, and we can’t wait until March 25th to hear the fruits of Aimer and Kajiura’s labor.
