The queen. The icon. The legend. The voice behind the Kingdom Hearts franchise. Utada Hikaru has been slaying the Japanese music game for twenty-five years. At age 41, they have done it all. They have conquered the East. Then became the first JPOP experience for an entire Western generation. Their music’s been in TV dramas, video games, anime — one of the most treasured franchises to date Neon Genesis Evangelion, and film. And with all that, today Utada spends much of their time blogging about their life as a mother on Instagram with their beloved Kuma-chan (a teddy bear).
Celebrating 25 Years
To commemorate twenty-five years of success, Utada is embarking on their first live tour since 2018. Utada will play fourteen live shows this summer, exclusively in Japan. But that’s not all. This April, Epic Records will release Utada’s first-ever greatest hits album, SCIENCE FICTION. Despite living in an age dominated by custom-made Spotify playlists, it’s a worthwhile investment. There are several surprises in-store on this release, including new arrangments, mixes, and complete re-recordings of their past hits.
SCIENCE FICTION will feature a total of 26 tracks from Utada’s career.
Anyone who’s heard of Utada Hikaru can remember their biggest hit, “光”, better known in the West as “Simple and Clean”. It was an inescapable pop ballad that every nerd in my generation knew in middle school. Anytime you heard “when you walk away you don’t hear me say” we all belted at the top of our lungs “Please, oh baby! Don’t go!” Now we’re getting a brand new re-recording of it? That alone makes this album truly special. Interestingly enough, this is the only Kingdom Hearts song that made the final selection. “Passion / Sanctuary”, “Chikai / Don’t Think Twice”, and “Face My Fears” are all omitted, disappointingly. Still, those who knew her beyond Kingdom Hearts have plenty more to look forward to.
A new version of “SAKURAドロップス” and “COLORS”. A re-recording of “traveling” and “Addicted To You”. These four tracks alone make it worthwhile for me. “SAKURAドロップス” especially is one I can’t wait to relive. The original was hypnotic yet filled with melancholy and haunting vocals. I’m excited to hear this one the most. On the flip side, “traveling” was a synth/future-pop number that always brought a smile and made me bounce in my seat on the early morning bus.
Utada Hikaru Announces Official Tour
Tickets for the tour will be sold through a lottery system, guaranteed to sell out. Also, there will be no public or general sales through common vendors such as e-plus or Live Nation Japan. They will be sold only through the tour’s official, Japanese language mobile app. Overseas fans planning a trip to Japan this summer will have the chance to purchase tickets. The first lottery entry period has begun and will last until February 29th, Japan time. Afterward, results will be announced on March 12th. Seven cities. Two shows, each. For more information, refer to the official tour website.
I’ve already entered for a shot at the Tokyo and Yokohama shows. To tourists and other residents, good luck! Do you remember where you first heard Utada Hikaru? It was Kingdom Hearts for me, but for some, it might have been in EVANGELION:3.0+1.0 THRICE UPON A TIME. Relive the classic anime, Neon Genesis Evangelion in a stunning theatrical remake, complete with bonus goodies. But that’s not all! We have loads of Evangelion goods in stock.
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