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Yūsha (song)

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"Yūsha"
Characters Frieren and Himmel showing their back and sitting on the grass
Single by Yoasobi
from the EP The Book 3
LanguageJapanese
English title"The Brave"
ReleasedSeptember 29, 2023
Genre
Length3:14
LabelSony Japan
Songwriter(s)Ayase
Producer(s)Ayase
Yoasobi singles chronology
"Idol"
(2023) 		"Yūsha"
(2023) 		"Biri-Biri"
(2023)
Alternative cover
A buried treasure-styled package
Limited CD single cover
Music video
"Yūsha" on YouTube
"The Brave" on YouTube

"Yūsha" (Japanese: 勇者, lit. 'Hero'; alternatively titled "The Brave" in English)[1] is a song by Japanese duo Yoasobi from their third EP, The Book 3 (2023). It was released as a single by Sony Music Entertainment Japan on September 29, 2023, serving as the first opening theme for the 2023 Japanese anime series Frieren: Beyond Journey's End.

Written by Ayase and based on the short story Fanfare for Frieren written by Jirō Kiso, the song expresses the protagonist Frieren's emotions and memories towards the hero Himmel. Commercially, "Yūsha" peaked at number two on the Billboard Japan Hot 100, and number three on the Oricon Combined Singles Chart, and was certified double platinum for streaming by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ).

Background and release

[edit]

In September 2022, an anime adaptation of manga series by Kanehito Yamada [ja] and Tsukasa Abe [ja], Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, was first announced.[2] One year later, on September 1, 2023, the anime released the third trailer, teasing its first opening and ending themes, "Yūsha" by Yoasobi and "Anytime Anywhere" by Milet, respectively.[3] On the same day, the duo also announced their third EP The Book 3, set to be released on October 4, which "Yūsha" appears as the first track.[4]

Prior to the release of "Yūsha", Yoasobi, alongside Milet, appeared via a screen at the completed screening event of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End on September 23, talking about the themes.[5] On September 27, the duo announced that the song would be released as a single to digital music and streaming platforms the next two days, the same day as the two-hour first four episodes premiere.[6] The buried treasure-styled limited CD single was released on December 13,[7] including the English version, "The Brave", translated by Konnie Aoki, which was released ahead of on November 24,[8] and appeared on the duo's third English-language EP E-Side 3, released on April 12, 2024.[9]

Lyrics and composition

[edit]

A source for "Yūsha" is the short story Fanfare for Frieren (奏送, Sōsō), written by Jirō Kiso and supervised by the manga writer Yamada. It tells about protagonist Frieren visiting a small town called "Music City" five years after the death of the hero Himmel. She receives a difficult request from an old woman whom she meets in a place filled with music.[10]

Despite funky and upbeat sounds,[11] "Yūsha" incorporates the main character Frieren's emotional changes and memories towards the hero Himmel,[12] expressing the anime's lonely and melancholy atmosphere.[13] Originally, the opening theme would focus on the worldview of Frieren's journey, but Ayase and Shuya Yamamoto, the duo's creative director, were not satisfied due to the song's "little too much emphasis on the atmosphere". So, Ayase decided to rework the song though he submitted the song to the anime team.[14]

Critical reception

[edit]

Rockin'On Japan's Mie Sugiura praised "Yūsha" for the structure expressing the story of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End itself densely and interpreted to have a connection with Yoasobi's 2022 single "Shukufuku", an opening theme for Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury, highlighting the "meaning of life" and "the miracle that we have met".[15] Writing for Real Sound [ja], Eriko Ishii admired the lyrics that look like the words popping out one after another from the anime's story and oriental-styled phrase. She also praised Ikura's vocals, which "keeps running to the next melody without leaving any trace, and conveys a tremendous sense of speed, independent of the actual tempo."[16] The Nerd Stash ranked the song as the sixth-best anime opening song in 2023.[17]

Commercial performance

[edit]

With three days of tracking, "Yūsha" debuted at number nine on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 for the issue dated October 4, 2023,[18] with 22,086 digital sales, 2,426,245 streams, and 5.2 million video views.[19] In its full-tracking second week, the song ascended the peak at number two, behind only Ado's "Show". The song's digital sales slightly decreased to 21,267 units, while the audio streams and video views were increased to 8,139,175 and 9 million, respectively.[20] The song also peaked at number one on the component Download Songs for two consecutive weeks,[21][22] and number four on the Streaming Songs.[23] Additionally, the song landed at number four on the Hot Animation[24] and ascended to number one the next week.[25]

For Oricon charts, "Yūsha" entered the Digital Singles (Single Track) Chart at number one for the issue dated October 9, 2023, with 25,958 downloads, becoming Yoasobi's thirteen chart-topper, the second most behind only Kenshi Yonezu (14);[26] and topped the chart for three-consecutive weeks.[27] The song also peaked at number four on the Streaming,[28] number three on the Combined Singles,[29] and number seven on the physical Singles charts.[30] As of October 2024, "Yūsha" received double platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ), surpassing 200 million on-demand streams in Japan.[31]

Music video

[edit]

An accompanying music video for "Yūsha" premiered on September 29, 2023, at 23:00 JST, shortly after the first four episodes of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End premiere.[32] It was directed by Keiichirō Saitō [ja], and produced by Madhouse studio, who both worked on the anime. The visual depicts an adventure of the heroic group consisting of Frieren, hero Himmel, warrior Eisen, and priest Heiter with the same visuals as the anime.[33] The music video of the English version was uploaded on November 24.[34]

Promotion and live performances

[edit]

To promote "Yūsha" alongside the anime, Yoasobi gave interviews at news programs Zip! [ja],[35] and News Every [ja],[36] as well as the November edition of Oggi [ja],[37] and the 2024 second issue of Weekly Shōnen Sunday magazines.[38] The duo gave the debut performance of "Yūsha" at music festival Nex_Fest on November 3, 2023.[39] The song was added to the setlist for the opening act at British rock band Coldplay's Music of the Spheres World Tour in Tokyo,[40] and the duo's 2023–2024 first Asia Tour,[41] Pop Out Zepp Tour,[42] and Coachella,[43] etc. The duo performed "Yūsha" on television for the first time at the special two-hour debut episode of With Music.[44]

Accolades

[edit]
Awards and nominations for "Yūsha"
Ceremony Year Award Result Ref.
AnimaniA Awards 2024 Best Anime Song Nominated [45]
Anime Grand Prix 2024 Best Theme Song 6th place [46]
Anime Trending Awards 2025 Opening Theme Song of the Year Pending [47]
Asian Pop Music Awards 2023 Best OST Nominated [48]

Track listing

[edit]
  • Digital download and streaming
  1. "Yūsha" (勇者) – 3:14
  • Digital download and streaming – English version
  1. "The Brave" – 3:14
  • CD single
  1. "Yūsha" – 3:14
  2. "The Brave" – 3:14
  3. "Yūsha" (anime edit) – 1:32
  4. "Yūsha" (instrumental) – 3:14

Credits and personnel

[edit]
  • Ayase – writer, producer
  • Ikura – vocals
  • Jirō Kiso – based story writer
  • Konnie Aoki – background chorus lyrics, English lyrics
  • Imani J. Dawson – background chorus
  • Ebony Bowens – background chorus
  • Mimiko Goldstein – background chorus
  • Marrista – background chorus
  • Sofia Ray – background chorus
  • Shore Cienna – background chorus
  • Haley Lewis – background chorus
  • Jonas Gen Whitaker – background chorus
  • Missy Suzuki – background chorus
  • Ivy – background chorus
  • Velvet – background chorus
  • Emily – background chorus
  • Takayuki Saitō – vocal recording
  • Kunio Nishikawara – background chorus recording
  • Yūki Iwata – background chorus recording
  • Masahiko Fukui – mixing
  • Hidekazu Sakai – mastering

Charts

[edit]

Certifications and sales

[edit]
Certifications and sales for "Yūsha"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan
Physical 		— 17,792[64]
Japan (RIAJ)[65]
Digital 		Gold 100,000*
Streaming
Japan (RIAJ)[66] 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 "Yūsha"
Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Various September 29, 2023
Original Sony Japan [67]
November 24, 2023 English [68]
Japan December 13, 2023 CD single Limited [69]
Taiwan December 29, 2023 Sony Taiwan [70]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Harding, Daryl (September 30, 2023). "Frieren: Beyond Journey's End TV Anime Starts the Adventure With Creditless Opening Animation". Crunchyroll. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  2. ^ "「葬送のフリーレン」アニメ化決定! 勇者一行の"その後"の世界を描くファンタジー". Natalie (in Japanese). September 1, 2022. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  3. ^ "日本テレビ：金曜にアニメ枠「フラアニ」新設 第1弾は「葬送のフリーレン」". Mantanweb (in Japanese). September 1, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  4. ^ "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 27, 2023.
  5. ^ "声優・種﨑敦美『葬送のフリーレン』録画予約に注意喚起「初回の後は毎週23時」". Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). September 23, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  6. ^ "YOASOBI、『葬送のフリーレン』OPテーマをリリース". Barks (in Japanese). September 27, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  7. ^ "「葬送のフリーレン」OPテーマ「勇者」のCDにアベツカサ描き下ろしアイテム". Natalie (in Japanese). November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  8. ^ "YOASOBI、TVアニメ『葬送のフリーレン』OPテーマ「勇者」英語版を11月24日に配信リリース決定!". Lisani (in Japanese). November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
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  21. ^ "【ビルボード】YOASOBI「勇者」がDLソング首位、JUNG KOOK「3D (feat. Jack Harlow)」は3位デビュー". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
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  24. ^ "【ビルボード】King Gnu「SPECIALZ」僅差でアニメ首位奪還 YOASOBI最新曲「勇者」初登場4位". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  25. ^ "【ビルボード】YOASOBI「勇者」アニメ首位へ躍進、トップ2をYOASOBIが独占". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). October 11, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  26. ^ "アニメ『葬送のフリーレン』OP曲のYOASOBI「勇者」が、デジタルシングル1位 「アイドル」も50万DL突破【オリコンランキング】". Oricon (in Japanese). October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
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  30. ^ "12/25付週間シングルランキング 1位はSexy Zone「人生遊戯」". Oricon (in Japanese). December 27, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  31. ^ Recording Industry Association of Japan (October 29, 2024). "2024年9月度ストリーミング認定~あいみょん、Ado、King Gnu、back numberがトリプル・プラチナ認定!". PR Times (in Japanese). Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  32. ^ "YOASOBI、アニメ「葬送のフリーレン」OPテーマ「勇者」MVをプレミア公開＆楽曲用原作小説『奏送』を公開". Musicman (in Japanese). September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  33. ^ "『葬送のフリーレン』OP映像解禁 YOASOBI×原作者が監修の小説「奏送」公開". Oricon (in Japanese). September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  34. ^ "YOASOBI、TVアニメ『葬送のフリーレン』オープニングテーマ「勇者」英語版が配信リリース&本日23:30にMV公開決定!". Encore (in Japanese). November 24, 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
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  37. ^ "YOASOBI＆milet、Oggi11月号に登場！『葬送のフリーレン』主題歌を語る〈9月28日発売〉". Oggi (in Japanese). September 25, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  38. ^ "YOASOBI「少年サンデー」表紙登場 秘蔵エピソードたっぷり5000字超ロングインタビューも収録". Modelpress (in Japanese). December 6, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
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  40. ^ "＜ライブレポート＞コールドプレイ、6年ぶり来日公演で見せた慈愛に満ちた壮大なショーと平和への祈り、スペシャルゲストにはYOASOBIが登場". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). November 17, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  41. ^ "【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.
  42. ^ "YOASOBI、4/10(水)発売ライブ映像作品集『THE FILM 2』商品画像&店舗別特典内容解禁! 初のZeppツアー『POP OUT』東京公演も収録されたBlu-ray内容も発表。さらに、初のドーム公演のチケット先行受付シリアル封入も決定!". Encore (in Japanese). March 19, 2024. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  43. ^ Hamada, Rio (April 13, 2024). "YOASOBIのコーチェラ初出演を見逃した人へ。「アイドル」など計45分の熱唱、全て英語のMCにも注目". HuffPost Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  44. ^ "with MUSIC: 有働由美子&松下洸平の音楽番組がきょう始動 Number_i、YOASOBIら出演 (出演者&楽曲紹介)". Mantanweb (in Japanese). March 30, 2024. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
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  64. ^ Cumulative physical sales for "Yūsha":
  65. ^ "Japanese digital single certifications – Yoasobi – 勇者" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved December 20, 2023. Select 2023年11月 on the drop-down menu
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  69. ^ "TVアニメ『葬送のフリーレン』オープニングテーマ「勇者」CDが豪華宝箱仕様の完全生産限定盤で、12月13日(水)にリリース決定＆予約開始! 店舗購入特典絵柄も公開!". Yoasobi Official Website (in Japanese). November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  70. ^ "YOASOBI / Yuusha (Limited Edition)" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Sony Music Taiwan. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
[edit]
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