Shukufuku

"Shukufuku"
Single by Yoasobi
from the EP The Book 3
LanguageJapanese
English title"The Blessing"
ReleasedOctober 1, 2022
Genre
Length3:16
LabelSony Japan
Songwriter(s)Ayase
Producer(s)Ayase
Yoasobi singles chronology
"Suki da"
(2022) 		"Shukufuku"
(2022) 		"Umi no Manimani"
(2022)
Alternative cover
Limited CD single cover
Music video
"Shukufuku" on YouTube
"The Blessing" on YouTube

"Shukufuku" (祝福, lit. "Blessing", alternatively titled "The Blessing" in English)[1] is a song by Japanese duo Yoasobi from their third EP, The Book 3 (2023). It was released as a single on October 1, 2022, by Sony Music Entertainment Japan, served as the opening theme of the first season of the Japanese mecha anime series Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury (2022).

The song was based on the Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury writer Ichirō Ōkouchi's short story Yurikago no Hoshi, depicting the perspective of XVX-016 Gundam Aerial to Suletta Mercury. It peaked at number three on the Oricon Combined Singles Chart, and number two on the Billboard Japan Hot 100, and was certified platinum for downloads and double platinum for streaming by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ).

Background and release

[edit]

Starting on September 2, 2022, Yoasobi uploaded three mysterious images of the unknown black shape with a white background featuring the text "941", "730", and "Coming Soon!!!" for three days.[2][A] Two days later, the second promotional video of the Japanese mecha anime series Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury was announced, revealing that Yoasobi would be handling its opening theme "Shukufuku".[4] The song was based on Yurikago no Hoshi (ゆりかごの星, lit. "Cradle Planet"),[5] a short story written by Ichirō Ōkouchi, who is also in charge of writing the anime.[6] The story was published on the anime's official website on October 2.[7]

The anime edit version of "Shukufuku" was unveiled on September 16 on the special radio show All Night Nippon Music Week, which the duo hosted for one night only to commemorate the 55th anniversary of All Night Nippon.[8] The digital cover artwork was unveiled on September 25.[9] The song was available for digital music and streaming platforms on October 1, one day before the anime's first episode premiere.[10] The music video, directed by Nobutaka Yoda with animation direction by Yutaro Kubo, premiered via the duo's YouTube channel the next day. It portrays the same visuals as the anime but is "warmer" than the main theme.[11]

A limited CD single of "Shukufuku" was subsequently issued on December 9, including the English version titled "The Blessing", the anime edit version, and the instrumental version, its based novel, original Gunpla Demi-Trainer, and XVX-016 Gundam Aerial decal in an exclusive collaboration with the duo.[12] Yoasobi shared the snippet of the song recorded the English on November 3 after the music video surpassed 10 million views.[13] The English version was released digitally as a standalone single on the same day as the CD single,[14] and included on the duo's second English-language EP E-Side 2, released on November 18.[15] The anime edit version later featured on the soundtrack album to the anime,[16] while the full version appeared on the duo's third EP The Book 3, released on October 4, 2023.[17]

Composition and reception

[edit]

"Shukufuku" is a electropop and dance-pop song with "catchy" melodies and "throbbing" beats, written and produced by Ayase, a duo member.[18] It depicts the relationship between the main protagonists Suletta Mercury and her XVX-016 Gundam Aerial, narrated from the perspective of the Gundam, fighting alongside their host and watching her lead-up to the events of the anime and reminding "the adherence to and liberation from oppression."[19][20] It was composed in the key of E minor, 170 beats per minute with a running time of three minutes and 16 seconds.[21]

Real Sound's Tsuki no Hito described the composition of "Shukufuku" that "the piano sound is gorgeous, and the arrangement is full of sprinting, but the uneasiness hidden throughout the phrase has a thrilling feel suitable for Gundam works with many battle scenes,"[19] while said that "the sound image [of "Shukufuku"] coexists suppleness, beauty, and strength, highlighting the world view of The Witch from Mercury while vividly demonstrating Yoasobi's innovation."[22] Nahda Nabiilah from Game Rant praised the song as "providing an upbeat tune that can raise the listener's energy and build up their enthusiasm to start the anime episodes."[18] Writing for Rockin'On Japan, Fumiaki Amano compared "Shukufuku" that "may be as close as possible to what lies between Ayase and Ikura", likening "Yoasobi's theme song".[23]

Commercial performance

[edit]

With two days of tracking, "Shukufuku" debuted at number 14 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 in the chart issue dated October 5, 2022, with 23,298 units, charted on the Download Songs at number two.[24] The next week, the song surged up 12 spots to number two after its first full week of tracking, behind SKE48's "Zettai Inspiration".[25] It earned 30,499 downloads, landed at number one on the Download Songs;[26] 6,203,733 streams, debuted at number seven on the Streaming Songs;[27] and 1,397,032 video views.[28] For the specific-genre Hot Animation chart, "Shukufuku" debuted at number seven[29] and ascended to number one the following week.[30] Upon the CD single release, Billboard Japan reported that "Shukufuku" sold 24,926 copies for its first week, debuted at number four on the Top Singles Sales chart.[31]

For Oricon charts, "Shukufuku" entered the Combined Singles Chart for the issue dated October 10 at number 23,[32] and ascended to number three the following week.[33] The song debuted at number two on the Digital Singles Chart, selling 26,736 units.[34] Then, it peaked at number one the chart on the week of October 17 with 34,563 units,[35] becoming the tenth number-one song on the chart.[36] The single also peaked at number six on the Streaming Chart issue dated October 17, collected 6,390,883 streams.[37] Following the release of its CD single, "Shukufuku" landed at number three on the Oricon Singles Chart and number one on the Anime Singles Chart of November 21 with 23,845 CD sales.[38][39] Internationally, the song debuted at number 76, 27, and 12 on the Billboard Global 200,[40] Global Excl. U.S,[41] and Hits of the World's Hong Kong Songs, respectively.[42] "Shukufuku" was certified platinum for download figures and double platinum for streaming by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ).[43][44]

Live performances and covers

[edit]

Yoasobi gave a debut performance of "Shukufuku" at the two-hour special edition of CDTV Live! Live! on November 7, 2022, shot at Gundam Factory Yokohama.[45] The members and the band performed in front of an 18-meter life-size movable Gundam statue.[46] The song was included on the setlist of their concert tours Denkōsekka Arena Tour,[47] and 2023–2024 first Asia Tour.[48] Yoasobi also performed the song at several music festivals since 2022, such as Head in the Clouds Festival,[49][50] Unibaru! Live 2023,[51] and Rock in Japan Festival, etc.[52] Japanese voice actress Lynn covered "Shukufuku", uploaded on her YouTube channel and released to music streaming platform on February 28, 2024.[53]

Accolades

[edit]
Awards and nominations for "Shukufuku"
Ceremony Year Award Result Ref.
Anime Grand Prix 2023 Best Anime Song 2nd place [54]
Anime Trending Awards 2023 Opening Theme Song of the Year Nominated [55]
Newtype Anime Awards 2023 Best Theme Song 3rd place [56]
Reiwa Anisong Awards 2022 Best Work Award Nominated [57]

Track listing

[edit]
  • Digital download / streaming
  1. "Shukufuku" (祝福) – 3:16
  • Digital download / streaming – English version
  1. "The Blessing" (English version) – 3:13
  • CD single
  1. "Shukufuku" – 3:14
  2. "The Blessing" (English version) – 3:14
  3. "Shukufuku" (anime edit) – 1:30
  4. "Shukufuku" (instrumental) – 3:12

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications and sales

[edit]
Certifications and sales for "Shukufuku"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan
Physical 		— 25,622[64]
Japan (RIAJ)[72]
Digital 		Platinum 250,000*
Streaming
Japan (RIAJ)[73] 2× Platinum 200,000,000†

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "Shukufuku"
Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Various October 1, 2022
Original Sony Japan [74]
November 9, 2022 English [75]
Japan CD single Limited [76]
Taiwan November 25, 2022 Sony Taiwan [77]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Later signifying the Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury emblem[3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury Official Site / Music". Gundam.info. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  2. ^ Citations:
    • Yoasobi [@YOASOBI_staff] (September 2, 2022). "941" (Tweet). Retrieved September 4, 2022 – via Twitter.
    • Yoasobi [@YOASOBI_staff] (September 3, 2022). "730" (Tweet). Retrieved September 4, 2022 – via Twitter.
    • Yoasobi [@YOASOBI_staff] (September 4, 2022). "Coming Soon!!!" (Tweet). Retrieved September 4, 2022 – via Twitter.
  3. ^ Yoasobi [@YOASOBI_staff] (September 4, 2022). "ここ数日の暗号ツイートにお付き合いいただきありがとうございました🙇‍♂️" (Tweet). Retrieved September 4, 2022 – via Twitter.
  4. ^ "機動戦士ガンダム 水星の魔女: YOASOBIが「ガンダム」新作OP「祝福」担当 コラボデザインのガンプラも". Mantanweb (in Japanese). September 4, 2022. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  5. ^ "Cradle Planet". Gundam.info. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  6. ^ "YOASOBI、アニメ『機動戦士ガンダム 水星の魔女』OPテーマ担当「大変光栄に思います」". Oricon (in Japanese). September 4, 2022. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  7. ^ "YOASOBIの新曲「祝福」 大河内一楼氏書き下ろしの原作小説『ゆりかごの星』を『機動戦士ガンダム 水星の魔女』公式サイトで公開". Spice (in Japanese). October 2, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  8. ^ "YOASOBI、半年ぶり「ANN」で"1部"初登場「今からワクワクが止まらない」". Modelpress (in Japanese). September 9, 2022. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  9. ^ "YOASOBI、新曲「祝福」の『機動戦士ガンダム 水星の魔女』描き下ろしジャケット公開". The First Times (in Japanese). September 25, 2022. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  10. ^ "YOASOBIが結成3周年記念日にガンダムOP曲「祝福」配信、ガンプラ付きのパッケージ版も発売". Natalie (in Japanese). September 16, 2022. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  11. ^ "YOASOBI、"機動戦士ガンダム 水星の魔女"OPとコラボした「祝福」MVを明日10/2 20時プレミア公開決定。CDパッケージ描き下ろしイラスト＆同曲英語版含む収録曲発表". Skream! (in Japanese). October 1, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  12. ^ "YOASOBI、「祝福」CD詳細発表＋MVプレミア公開決定". Barks (in Japanese). October 1, 2022. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  13. ^ "『ガンダム 水星の魔女』のOP曲『祝福』の英語版がめちゃくちゃカッコイイ。MV1000万再生を記念して少しだけ公開". Dengeki Online (in Japanese). November 4, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  14. ^ "YOASOBI、「祝福」の英語バージョン「The Blessing」配信開始＆MV公開。英語版EP第2弾『E-SIDE 2』11/18配信リリース決定". Skream! (in Japanese). November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  15. ^ "YOASOBI楽曲の英語版8曲入り「E-SIDE 2」配信決定（動画あり）". Natalie (in Japanese). November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  16. ^ "「機動戦士ガンダム 水星の魔女 Original Soundtrack」（音楽：大間々 昂）". Sunrise Music (in Japanese). Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  17. ^ "YOASOBI、新曲「勇者」がTVアニメ"葬送のフリーレン"OPテーマに決定。同曲収録した3rd EP『THE BOOK 3』10/4リリース". Skream! (in Japanese). September 1, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  18. ^ a b Nabiilah, Nahda (November 1, 2022). "7 Best Opening Songs Of The Fall 2022 Anime Season, Ranked". Game Rant. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  19. ^ a b Tsuki no Hito (October 28, 2022). "米津玄師、Official髭男dism、YOASOBI、Ado、藤井風……2022年後半に迎えたリリースラッシュ、重要楽曲をピックアップ". Real Sound (in Japanese). Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  20. ^ Mazumdar, Tarun (October 26, 2022). "Is Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury Based on a Manga or Light Novel, and Is It Finished or Ongoing?". Epic Stream. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  21. ^ "Key, BPM of 祝福 by YOASOBI". Musicstax. October 1, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  22. ^ Mori, Tomoyuki; Watabe, Akiko (November 8, 2022). "King & Prince、YOASOBI、Mrs. GREEN APPLE、緑黄色社会、菅田将暉……11月9日リリースの新譜5作をレビュー". Real Sound (in Japanese). Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  23. ^ Amano, Fumiaki (November 8, 2022). "YOASOBI『祝福』 / 対等であたたかな愛の形". Rockin'On Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  24. ^ "【ビルボード】BUMP OF CHICKEN「SOUVENIR」DLソング初登場1位、YOASOBI「祝福」が2位に続く". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). October 5, 2022. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  25. ^ Billboard Japan (October 12, 2022). "SKE48's 'Zettai Inspiration' Bows at No. 1 on Japan Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  26. ^ "【ビルボード】YOASOBI「祝福」DLソング首位浮上、『SPY×FAMILY』関連楽曲が2位＆3位に続く". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). October 12, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  27. ^ "【ビルボード】Ado「新時代 (ウタ from ONE PIECE FILM RED)」がストリーミング9連覇 YOASOBIのガンダム主題歌「祝福」6位に初登場". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). October 12, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  28. ^ "【ビルボード】SKE48「絶対インスピレーション」、YOASOBI「祝福」とAdo「新時代」を抑えて初登場総合首位獲得". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). October 12, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  29. ^ "【ビルボード】Ado「新時代 (ウタ from ONE PIECE FILM RED)」9週連続アニメ首位 BUMP OF CHICKEN／YOASOBI新曲も登場". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). October 5, 2022. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  30. ^ "【ビルボード】YOASOBI「祝福」がAdo「新時代 (ウタ from ONE PIECE FILM RED)」を破りアニメ首位". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). October 12, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  31. ^ "【ビルボード】King & Prince『ツキヨミ／彩り』初週61.4万枚でシングル・セールス首位". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  32. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Combined Singles: 2022-10-10" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  33. ^ a b "Oricon Top 50 Combined Singles: 2022-10-17" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on August 12, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  34. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Digital Singles: 2022-10-10" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  35. ^ "YOASOBI新曲が「デジタルシングル」1位 アニメ『SPY×FAMILY』関連曲も上位に【オリコンランキング】". Oricon (in Japanese). October 12, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  36. ^ "YOASOBI、"祝福"がオリコン「週間 デジタルシングル（単曲）ランキング」で通算10作目の1位獲得". Tower Records Japan (in Japanese). October 12, 2022. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  37. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Streaming: 2022-10-10" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on October 12, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  38. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Singles: 2022-11-21" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on November 16, 2022. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  39. ^ a b "Oricon Top 20 Anime Singles: 2022-11-21" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  40. ^ "Billboard Global 200: Week of October 15, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  41. ^ "Billboard Global Excl. US: Week of October 15, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  42. ^ "Hong Kong Songs: Week of October 15, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  43. ^ "2023年7月度DL認定、YOASOBI「祝福」がプラチナ、さユり「花の塔」がゴールド". Musicman (in Japanese). August 18, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  44. ^ "2023年11月度ストリーミング認定、YOASOBI「怪物」が「夜に駆ける」「群青」に続く3作目のダイヤモンド". Musicman (in Japanese). December 26, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  45. ^ "YOASOBIが「CDTV」2時間SPで「祝福」をTV初披露、動くガンダムとコラボも". Natalie (in Japanese). October 30, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  46. ^ "キンプリ、なにわ男子、Travis Japanが『CDTVライブ！ライブ！』に登場！YOASOBIは"動くガンダム"とコラボ". TV Life (in Japanese). October 31, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  47. ^ Munakata, Akimasa (June 25, 2023). "YOASOBI初単独アリーナツアー追加公演初日レポートーーただのテクノでもロックでもない特異性" (in Japanese). Yahoo! News Japan. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  48. ^ "【ライブレポート】YOASOBIの韓国ワンマン公演が大盛況！「たくさんの愛を感じて、私たちも楽しくて仕方がないライブでした」". The First Times (in Japanese). December 18, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  49. ^ "YOASOBI、海外初パフォーマンスはインドネシア＆フィリピン". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  50. ^ "YOASOBI、88rising主催＜Head In The Clouds Los Angeles＞でアメリカ初ライブ". Barks (in Japanese). August 8, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  51. ^ "YOASOBI、＜ユニ春！ライブ 2023＞で「アドベンチャー」初披露". Barks (in Japanese). March 12, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
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[edit]
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