Boku Nanka Explained

Boku Nanka
Cover:Boku Nanka CD cover.jpg
Caption:Type-A edition cover, featuring Nao Kosaka
Type:single
Artist:Hinatazaka46
Album:Myakuutsu Kanjō
Genre:J-pop
Length:4:29
Label:Sony Music Entertainment Japan
Producer:Yasushi Akimoto
Prev Title:Tteka
Prev Year:2021
Next Title:Tsuki to Hoshi ga Odoru Midnight
Next Year:2022

is the seventh single by Japanese idol group Hinatazaka46. It was released on June 1, 2022, through Sony Music Entertainment Japan. The title track features Nao Kosaka as lead performer. It is the last single featuring Miho Watanabe.

Background

During the encore on the second day of "Hinatazaka46 3rd Anniversary Memorial Live in Tokyo Dome", they announced the release of the title song of their 7th single, and performed the same song as a surprise.[1]

Production and release

The single was released in five versions: Type-A, Type-B, Type-C, Type-D, and a regular edition. All versions except for the regular edition also includes a Blu-ray Disc containing music videos and bonus videos.

Nao Kosaka was appointed as center (lead performer) of the title track for the fifth time after the fourth single "Sonna Koto Nai yo" in 2020.[2] During production, she had just recently returned from health leave and did not participate in the more intense dance scenes in the music video for "Koishita Sakana wa Sora o Tobu".[3]

The single is the last one featuring Miho Watanabe, who would leave the group after promotions have concluded. She served as center for the second generation members' B-side song "Koishita Sakana wa Sora wo Tobu",[4] and the music video for "Hikōkigumo ga Dekiru Riyū" is about the closing of a dormitory named "Hidamari", a reference to her 2019 photobook of the same title.[5] "Mayonaka no Zange Taikai" by the first generation members features the first appearance of member Sarina Ushio as lead performer.[6] "Mō Konna ni Suki ni Narenai" was performed by the three Hinatazaka46 members born in 2002 (Hiyori Hamagishi, Nao Kosaka, and Miku Kanemura) and was first revealed at the group's second anniversary concert in March 2021, a year before this single was released.[7] "Shiranai Uchi ni Aisareteita" was performed by all members.

Reception

"Boku Nanka" sold 478,000 copies in its release week according to Billboard Japan[8] and placed first in both the weekly Oricon Singles[9] and Billboard Japan Hot 100 charts.

Real Sound commented that the rock ballad sound of "Boku Nanka" reflects the growth of the group, especially after experiencing different lead performers in the previous two singles, while the melody represents Kosaka's "ephemeral, fragile radiance" as she returned from her hiatus.[10] "Koishita Sakana wa Sora wo Tobu" was also said to fit Watanabe, who enjoys both rock music and defying conventions, and is reminiscent of the group's origins as the subgroup of Keyakizaka46, who were known for their "cool" songs; on the other hand, "Hikōkigumo ga Dekiru Riyū" with its retro-style music video represents "nostalgia" and the happy memories created by Watanabe and the other members over the years. "Gaufre to Kimi" by the third generation members, with its absence of an obvious lead performer, was said to emphasize the four youngest members' friendship and distinct personalities.[11]

Track listing

All lyrics written by Yasushi Akimoto.

Regular edition

Personnel

"Boku Nanka"

Center: Nao Kosaka[12]

"Hikōkigumo ga Dekiru Riyū"

Center: Nao Kosaka[12]

"Mō Konna ni Suki ni Narenai"

Hiyori Hamagishi, Nao Kosaka, Miku Kanemura[12]

"Gaufre to Kimi"

Marī Morimoto, Haruyo Yamaguchi, Hinano Kamimura, Mikuni Takahashi (3rd Generation Songs)[12]

"Mayonaka no Zange Taikai"

Center: Sarina Ushio[12]

"Koishita Sakana wa Sora wo Tobu"

Center: Miho Watanabe[12]

"Shiranai Uchi ni Aisareteita"

Center: Nao Kosaka[12]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[13] 1
Japan (Oricon)[14] 1

Monthly charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Japan (Oricon)[15] 2

Year-end charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Position
Japan (Oricon)[16] 15
Japan Top Singles Sales (Billboard Japan)[17] 17

Notes and References

  1. News: 日向坂46のニューシングルは復帰の小坂菜緒がセンター、キャプテンをつなぐ新アー写も公開. August 17, 2022. Music Natalie. Natasha. March 31, 2022. ja.
  2. News: August 30, 2021 . 日向坂46:新センターは金村美玖 6枚目シングルフォーメーション発表 小坂菜緒は不参加 . ja . MANTAN WEB . October 3, 2021.
  3. Web site: 日向坂46小坂菜緒、"復帰後初"センターに本音吐露「不安と怖さしかありません」 - モデルプレス . 2022-06-29 . モデルプレス - ライフスタイル・ファッションエンタメニュース . 23 May 2022 . ja.
  4. Web site: 日向坂46 渡邉美穂センター「恋した魚は空を飛ぶ」はグループの原点的な楽曲? 歴代期別曲から振り返る、二期生の歴史 . 2022-06-29 . Real Sound|リアルサウンド . 5 May 2022 . ja.
  5. Web site: 日向坂46「飛行機雲ができる理由」で表現されたもの 渡邉美穂の卒業を笑顔で送り出す"ハッピー"の連鎖 . 2022-06-29 . Real Sound|リアルサウンド . 21 April 2022 . ja.
  6. Web site: 日向坂46 佐々木久美、潮紗理菜センター曲「真夜中の懺悔大会」MV撮影裏話を投稿 佐々木美玲もソロショット公開 . 2022-07-29 . Real Sound|リアルサウンド . 11 May 2022 . ja.
  7. Web site: 日向坂46宮田愛萌が4ヶ月ぶり復帰「ただいま」 新ユニット3組初披露にもファン歓喜 . 2022-08-03 . ORICON NEWS. 18 August 2021 .
  8. Web site: 2022-06-08 . 日向坂46「僕なんか」478,142枚を売り上げ総合首位獲得 YOASOBI新曲「好きだ」総合8位に初登場 . Billboard Japan.
  9. Web site: 6/13付週間シングルランキング1位は日向坂46の「僕なんか」 . 2022-07-29 . ORICON NEWS.
  10. Web site: Sexy Zone、日向坂46、millennium parade、chelmico、BoA……今週リリースの新譜5作をレビュー . 2022-06-30 . Real Sound|リアルサウンド . 31 May 2022 . ja.
  11. Web site: 日向坂46、三期生期別楽曲「ゴーフルと君」の"マブダチ感" バランスの良い4人が表現する青春の形 . 2022-07-29 . Real Sound|リアルサウンド . 19 May 2022 . ja.
  12. News: FORMATION. August 13, 2022. Hinatazaka46 Official Site. ja.
  13. Web site: ja:Billboard Japan Hot 100 2022/06/08 公開. June 8, 2022. Billboard Japan. ja. August 13, 2022.
  14. Web site: ja:日向坂46、「僕なんか」で7作連続1位 森口博子は29年ぶりに「シングル」TOP10入り【オリコンランキング】 . Oricon Me. Oricon. ja. June 7, 2022. August 13, 2022.
  15. Web site: Month Single Ranking June 2022. Oricon News. Oricon Me. November 23, 2022. ja.
  16. Web site: https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/js/y/2022/p/2/. ja:年間 シングルランキング 2022年度. Oricon. ja. Annual Single Ranking 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221222012617/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/js/y/2022/p/2/. December 22, 2022. live. December 22, 2022.
  17. Web site: Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales Year-End 2022 . . December 9, 2022.