Hikaru Utada made a major impact globally in 2022 by performing at Coachella in the US, holding their first online livestream, welcoming the debut of a Netflix series based on the hit song “First Love,” and releasing the album BAD MODE. This latest album received high praise and recognition from media outlets both in Japan and internationally, including Pitchfork Media – and Utada, who uses they/them pronouns – solidified their status as a major topic of conversation.
On today January 19th, to mark their 40th birthday, Hikaru Utada held the highly-anticipated event “40 Dai-Wa-Iroiro♫” – an iconic, once-in-a-decade event. Fans would remember the previous 20th birthday event in 2003: “20 Dai-Wa-Ikeike!” which at the time was one of the largest live broadcasts in Japan, as well as the 30th birthday VR event “30 Dai-Wa-Hodohodo” in 2013. This year's event featured another groundbreaking innovation – the world's first real-time delivery of music using “360 Reality Audio,” offering a fully immersive and three-dimensional sound experience to viewers.
The “40 Dai-Wa-Iroiro♫” event began with a Q&A session with Utada, answering fan questions on how they spent Christmas, their favorite song of 2022, as well as how they feel about the renewed popularity of “First Love.” Then two of their close friends, the actors Takeru Satoh and Yuriko Yoshitaka, made a surprise appearance. Even through some technical difficulties during the call-in, the intimacy of a chat between friends was fun to watch.
After the talk session, the performance portion of the event kicked off with a powerful rendition of Utada's beloved hit “First Love,” which gained renewed popularity in Asia following the success of the Netflix series First Love starring Takeru Satoh released in late 2022. The next song was a special version of the theme song of the television series Saiai starring Yuriko Yoshitaka, “Kimini Muchuu.” This special version, titled “Rule,” mixed Italian, English and Japanese lyrics to great impact. Finally, the performance ended with a lively cover of Bad Bunny’s “Me Porto Bonito.” The three songs were specially arranged for this exclusive event, allowing the “360 Reality Audio” to immerse fans across the world in a three-dimensional sound experience.
Utada closed the event expressing gratitude and signing off with “See you soon,” while fans filled the comment section with the same sentiment. The livestream recorded 80,000 viewers tuning in from around the world.
This event will be made available for viewing on the official website (utadahikaru.jp) as an archived video, giving fans the opportunity to relive the special evening. In addition, fans can also preview a collection of stunning official photographs of Hikaru Utada on the official website, taken by renowned photographer Masahiro Sambe this winter. Keep an eye out for Hikaru Utada's upcoming activities in 2023.