kumas unite

密かにパイセンを追っています

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Utada in Burberry for GQ Magazine Japan, "Creativity Awards" edition, May 2026

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Utada for GQ Magazine Japan, May 2026

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ONE HOUR interview of Hikki on GOLDNRUSH Podcast, a fantastic platform that highlights the stories of multicultural Japanese creatives. There will definitely be Eng subtitles provided by the channel soon. I learned a lot of new things about her through this episode!

[citygamepop-mag]

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Utada said she hadn't really properly played Tetris after giving birth (that's 10 years ago) but she clearly has it in her muscle memory haha. The funny thing is she's probably new to Puyo-Tetris because she didn't use any of the "tricks" that you can use in this version of Tetris (last minute turns for a heavier attack, etc.) she's a CLASSIC Tetris player that goes for the 4-row TETRIS! clear 😂😂😂😂 Respect Also this last little cute video of her rejoicing her win was the reward for winning the battle was a "free for all post on Takeru's SNS" - So like-her to do this cute childish play and not actually anything embarassing for Takeru 😂😂😂 She's adorable

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Utada is going to be on Satoh Takeru's Youtube channel tomorrow night! Looks like we'll be seeing her kick butt in Tetris!!! Love that she's still got it

Header: "Takeru-kun, you sure you don't need handicap on? 😏"

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MV for PAPPAPARADISE is out! So fun and tasteful, directed again by Dir. Tomokazu Yamada (same director on the other uber cool videos for Mine or Yours, Gold, Naniiro demonai Hana. Hikki is "driving" around Yokohama "Bashamichi" colonial-style downtown, and the ending scene dancing on the highway is in Ginza right by the famous Fujiya restaurant.

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Apple Musicの宇多田ヒカルラジオステーション

Apple Musicで聴く。

Right after Tres! Bien! Bohemian live on air special, we also got this exclusive Apple Music interview with Hikki! On Tres!Bien!Bohemian: Someone asked her what snacks she likes, and she said if she could only pick one it'd be gummies! Growing up, she had an "old man's taste" for snacks since she spent a lot of time with her grandmother. Things like "kanpan" (a classic Japanese canned bread cracker, known as emergency food) and grilled fish bones! 😂 On J-Pop Now Radio: Hikki talked more about her collaboration with Kenshi Yonezu on JANE DOE. Since it was her first time truly singing someone else's song, it was hard for her to find the right "character" (Japanese term is "キャラ迷子") to get into. The collaboration and final song seems so natural for us audience, and Yonezu was set on asking her to do the vocals, so it's interesting to hear that it was a challenge for Hikki. Also learned that she watched a lot of Dragon Ball growing up in New York, thanks to lovingly recorded VHS tapes from her grandmother. Now she watches DBZ with her son 🥲

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End segment from Tetsuko no Heya: Tetsuko: [Because of all that happened] I was a bit worried about you. But seeing you today, smiling and chatting, I feel relieved that you're doing alright. Utada: Thank you so much, really.

T: You know, because, it's not always that way. To your mother, whom is no longer with us, what would you want to tell her? U: Hm...Well, actually, I have her photo placed in the living room, where we spend the most time. And my son always greets her like, "See you later, Obaa-chan," "I'm home, Obaa-chan," and "Goodnight, Obaa-chan!" We always have that interaction with her. T: She's part of your daily family life, then. U: Sometimes I chat with her to tell her something weird that happened, or just say thank you. T: How was it today being on the show? U: Oh gosh, we're already wrapping up? I had a lot of fun. I was a bit nervous at first, but now I feel very comfy on this sofa. I'm so happy to be able to chat, and to share memories about my parents.

(Proceeds to cutely sing along to the theme song)

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Utada-paisen was on "Tetsuko no Heya" last Sunday! She talks in depth about her mother, Keiko Fuji, whom also had a friendship with Tetsuko.

"Tetsuko no Heya" is a famous talk show that has been airing since the 70's with esteemed actor and TV personality, Tetsuko Kuroyanagi. It's quite a privilege to be on this show. Can you believe Tetsuko is in her 90s??

I'm working on getting a recording of this episode and providing CC translation so more kumas can get to know Hikki.

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First time I've heard this Demo version of First Love that Utada recorded when she was 15. To this day she still goes by this process of finding the sound and melody first before crafting any lyrics. So cool to hear her search for those notes, and even cooler to witness a fragment of such an iconic song in the making. According to the OP's comment, there is a rumor that the backtrack of First Love was made with this Yamaha QY-20.

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How convenient! A 1-on-1 talk session between Hikaru and Kenshi Yonezu, English subtitles are available on this one (probably shout out to Hikki's team for making sure their content is internationally accessible).

What I previously wrote about the song they produced together was info from Kenshi Yonezu's separate media interviews, so it's nice to see them talk about those things together.

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Kenshi Yonezu x Hikaru Utada's ending theme song for the recent Chainsaw Man full length animation movie.

The song is written by Yonezu with some mastering work by Yaffle.

Yonezu spoke in various interviews that he wrote this song specifically as an offer to Utada, and that he couldn't imagine anyone else for the vocals.

Utada really hits the melancholic but powerful feel of the song. It's rare that we see her lend vocals to someone else's production, so I feel like it's a special chance to see her incredible vocal quality and range in another light.

Yonezu, roughly 10 years Utada's junior, mentioned that as a child the song that left a huge impression on him was "Dareka no Negai ga Kanau koro." For him, that song represented the complicated emotions often at odds with each other during the sensitive teenage years. He was in awe of Utada's talent and introspection since that time, so this collaboration was a dream come true for him.

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Hikki made a surprise guest appearance at Floating Points’ SONICMANIA set. Crazy!!

So nice to see Hikki dancing happily and hanging out on a friend’s set. With their stardom this kinda thing would normally be hard in the average Japanese market, so I’m glad to see them be able to do whatever they want 🩵

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Making of Mine or Yours MV - Eng Sub

Production team discussion PD Miyamori: The vertical supports are all close to 5000 other than here. It’ll be thinner in the end. As for the door, we’re going to add one here. We’ll make sure it opens and closes properly. Add some stairs too. Miyamori discussing with director Yamada

PD Miyamori: We could use that putty that they use often overseas to cover over the frame. [Utada] is very specific about [wanting the room to look more western].

As for the color, it sounded like a white scheme was best.

Director Yamada: Hmm, if we go with white, it’ll be crucial to do some weathering…

Utada seeing the set for the first time

Staff: It turned out great, didn’t it.

Utada: So cute! I want so many things in this room.

Shooting Utada in the chair

Director Yamada: It might be a bit unnatural, but could you hang your head a little more? That’s great.

Utada rehearsing with Choreographer Aoi

Utada: It’s better if I move like this?

Aoi: Yeah, but it’s best if you’re still relaxed in that position. Hm, more like this..?

Utada: I sit down, then do this…

Director: Yeah! That was great.

Aoi: That looked nice and natural.

Director: The ceiling is going to come down and it’ll get pretty narrow. Like, by a lot, so [you’ll want to mirror that feeling in your movement]. Ah yeah, that looks nice. All right, start the ceiling! (action)

At the wrap

Utada: That was my ~washing machine debut~! (Lol)

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Zane Lowe is such a great interviewer! We’re so lucky to get this HOUR long discussion with Hikaru. I think Hikki’s interviews in English feel more genuine and introspective. I really want to translate this into JP so perhaps the Japanese speaking fans can get to know this side of Hikaru more. 🩵🩵🩵

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Mine or Yours official music video is out! We finally have another Hikki in the kitchen doing chores singing and dancing like in the 光 (Simple and clean) video

Love to see this mature version but keeping the playfulness of her younger self.

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Hikaru is also wearing Acne Studios Distressed relaxed fit jeans!! I love Acne too, nice to see them wearing lots of the brands pieces. I think the wide fit grey jeans they wore at the encore performance during SCIENCE FICTION Tokyo show was also Acne Studios.