What you need Things to know:
Maaya Sakamoto’s new single “Dakishimete,” which is already available on digital platforms, will also be released as a CD single on April 3. The main track, “Dakishimete,” serves as the soundtrack ending for the movie. The second season of the original anime WOWOW The Fire Hunter. The lyrics and composition were handled by Senri Oe, a famous singer-songwriter of the 80s and 90s, currently active as a jazz pianist based in New York. This collaboration marks Sakamoto’s first meeting with Oe, and her moderate yet resonant voice creates a gentle ballad that brings solace not only to the anime’s tumultuous story but also for many children who are facing harsh situations in real life. As a bonus track, the new song “Once Upon a Time” features lyrics by Maaya Sakamoto and songwriting by singer-songwriter SIRA, who is known for his great chemistry with Sakamoto in his songs. Previous works like “un_mute” and “Hidden Notes”. The arrangements were handled by Ryuji Yamamoto, providing a fun and exciting style. The other collaboration track is “Dakishimete-Live 2024 Ver.-,” recorded at the rescheduled Maaya Sakamoto LIVE TOUR 2023: Kioku no Toshokan show in Tokyo on January 2. This version is the one live performance with an acoustic arrangement including piano and double bass. The blu-ray disc included with the first Limited Edition will feature 14 songs from the live performance in Tokyo. Additionally, a music video (short version) and cover art for “Dakishimete” were released along with this announcement. The released music video was directed by Yasuyuki Yamaguchi, who also participated in Maaya Sakamoto’s previous music videos such as “Naimononedari”. This short version features live footage of Maaya Sakamoto performing “Dakishimete,” intercut with shots of people starting their day in the Tokyo sunrise. The full version will have a different story. It is expected to be released on April 3.
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Product information
Title: Dakishimete
Artist: Maaya Sakamoto
Release date: April 3, 2024
Product number/Price:
Limited first edition (CD + Blu-ray)/VTZL-238/¥4,400 (tax included)
Regular version (CD): VTCL-35372/¥1,320 (tax included)
Music tracks
1. Dakishimete (ED theme of original anime WOWOW The Fire Hunter)
Lyrics and composition: Senri Oe; Arrangement: Shin Kono
2. Once upon a time
Lyrics: Maaya Sakamoto; Ingredients: SIRA; Arrangement: Ryuji Yamamoto
3. Dakishimete-Live 2024 Ver.-
And two karaoke songs
Distribution information
The main song “Dakishimete” is available on major streaming services and download sites such as iTunes Store, RecoChoku, etc!
The combined songs will be released on April 3!
jvcmusic.lnk.to/dakishimete
Streaming services: Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, LINE MUSIC, Amazon Music, Deezer, AWA, Rakuten Music, KKBOX, TOWER RECORDS MUSIC
Blu-Ray Content:
The blu-ray included with the First Limited Edition will include 14 songs from the Maaya Sakamoto LIVE TOUR 2023 performance at Tokyo Garden Theater on January 2, 2024. (18 songs including intro and MC part)
1. Kioku no Toshokan〜Introduction
2. Naimononedari
3. Konna Hi ga Kuru Nante
4. MC1
5. discord
6. Time traveler
7. Kuuchuu Teien
8. Taion
9. Ichidokiri de Ii
10. Kagami no Naka de
11. Anything you want
12. MC2
13. Crosswalk
14. Injury
15. Private sky
16. Magic number
17. MC3
18. Sumire
Introducing Maaya Sakamoto
Born in Tokyo. Active as a child actress since age 8. She made her CD debut in 1996 with the single “Yakusoku wa Iranai”. In 2011, her album You can’t Catch Me topped the Oricon chart. In 2013, she released Singer-Songwriter, the first album for which she wrote all of the music.
In 2019, she released her 30th single “Uchuu no Kioku” (produced by Ringo Sheena) and her 10th original album Kyou Dake no Ongaku. In 2020, she released the 25th anniversary album Single Collection+ Achikochi and the digital single “Yakudo”, which topped the Oricon charts.
In 2021, she released the concept album Duets, which featured many artists, and that same month, she celebrated the 25th anniversary of the CD with a concert at Yokohama Arena, now available on Blu-ray and DVDs.
In May 2022, she released the double tie-up single “Sumire/Kotoba ni Dekinai,” with music written and arranged by Shigeru Kishida. In July of the same year, the radio show “Vitamin M,” which she had been a personality for 20 years, aired for the 1,000th time and entered its 21st year.
In 2023, she released her 33rd single “Mada Tooku ni Iru/un_mute.”
As a lyricist, in addition to writing her own first album, she also wrote many songs for other artists, including Kinki Kids’ “Hikari no Kehai,” Mamoru Miyano’s “Toumei” and “Kaze wa Yokoku Naku Fuku” by Walküre and published his own Shishu (Kadokawa) lyric book.
She also won the 38th Kazuo Kikuta Theater Award for her role as Jerusha in the musical Daddy-Long-Legs.
She is a voice actress, actress, lyricist, essayist and radio personality. Her vibrant voice has won the support of fans around the world.
Official homepage: jvcmusic.co.jp/maaya
Official YouTube channel: youtube.com/user/maayasakamotoCh
Source: Official press release