Mephisto (song) explained

Mephisto
Cover:QUEEN BEE - Mephisto.png
Caption:Standard edition cover
Type:single
Artist:Queen Bee
B-Side:Faust
Released:April 20, 2023
Genre:
Length:3:50
Label:
Producer:
  • Queen Bee
  • Kōji Tsukada
Prev Title:Mysterious
Prev Year:2022
Next Title:01
Next Year:2023

is a song by Japanese rock band Queen Bee. It was released on April 20, 2023, through their own Ziyoou Records and Sony Music Associated Records. The song served as the ending theme of the Japanese anime series Oshi no Ko.[1]

Background and release

On March 2, 2023, Queen Bee announced that they would perform the ending theme of anime series Oshi no Ko, titled "Mephisto", alongside the band's Japan tour Mephisto Shōkan.[2] The single was released to digital music and streaming platforms on April 20, and on CD single on May 17 with two versions—limited and anime editions.[3] The music video, directed by Sayaka Nakane, was uploaded on May 17, depicting the life of idol Avu-chi. It stars the band's members, and actress Karin Ono.[4]

Titled after German folklore demon Mephistopheles, lead vocalist and songwriter Avu-chan explained to Billboard Japan in August 2023 that they used the motif of the legend's protagonist Faust for the main idea of "Mephisto", alongside authors who "richly depicted the doings and passion of people", e.g. Go Nagai, Yukio Mishima and William Shakespeare.[5]

Accolades

Publication! scope="col"
AccoladeRank
Anime News NetworkThe Best Songs of 2023[6]
Screen Rant2023's Best Anime EDs3[7]
Ceremony! scope="col"
YearAwardResult
8th Crunchyroll Anime Awards2024Best Ending Sequence[8]

Track listing

  1. – 3:50
  1. "Mephisto" – 3:50
  2. – 3:13
  3. "Mephisto" (anime size edit) – 1:31
  4. "Mephisto" (off vocal version) – 3:49
  1. "Mephisto" – 3:50
  2. "Faust" – 3:13
  3. "Mephisto" (off vocal version) – 3:50
  4. "Faust" (off vocal version) – 3:11
    1. "P R I D E"
            1. "Introduction"

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[9] 13
Japan Hot Animation (Billboard Japan)[10] 4
Japan Combined Singles (Oricon)[11] 18
Japan Anime Singles (Oricon)[12] 5

Year-end charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Position
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[13] 64
Japan Hot Animation (Billboard Japan)[14] 17

Release history

RegionDateFormatVersionLabel
VariousApril 20, 2023Digital one-track single[15]
JapanMay 17, 2023CDStandard[16]
First press limited
CD+Blu-ray

Notes and References

  1. News: 女王蜂がアニメ「【推しの子】」エンディング主題歌担当、新曲携え全国ツアーへ . February 5, 2024 . . March 2, 2023 . ja.
  2. News: 女王蜂、新シングル「メフィスト」を5月に発売&TVアニメ『【推しの子】』エンディング主題歌に決定 リリースツアーの開催も発表に【コメントあり】 . February 5, 2024 . Spice . March 2, 2023 . ja.
  3. News: 女王蜂「【推しの子】」エンディング主題歌「メフィスト」先行配信開始! . February 5, 2024 . Lisani . April 20, 2023 . ja.
  4. News: 女王蜂 New Single「メフィスト」MUSIC VIDEOでアイドルの業を描く。俳優 小野花梨も出演。 . February 5, 2024 . Encore . May 18, 2023 . ja.
  5. Mori . Itsuki . QUEEN BEE's Avu-chan on 'Mephisto' & Her Vision for the Band's Global Future : Interview . February 5, 2024 . . August 16, 2023.
  6. News: The Best Anime of 2023 - MrAJCosplay, Caitlin Moore, Steve Jones + The Best Songs of 2023 . February 5, 2024 . . December 30, 2023.
  7. News: Sockol . Ben . Oshi no Ko, Frieren, & Zom 100: 2023's Best Anime EDs Made Staying For the Credits Worth it . February 7, 2024 . . December 13, 2023.
  8. News: Anime Awards 2024 Winners: Anime of the Year and Full List . March 2, 2024 . . March 2, 2024.
  9. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot 100 – Week of June 14, 2023. Billboard Japan. ja. February 5, 2024.
  10. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Animation – Week of July 5, 2023. Billboard Japan. ja. February 5, 2024.
  11. Web site: Oricon Top 50 Combined Singles: 2023-07-03 . . February 5, 2024 . ja . https://web.archive.org/web/20230701032937/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/cos/w/2023-07-03/p/2/ . July 1, 2023.
  12. Web site: Oricon Top 20 Anime Singles: 2023-05-29 . . February 5, 2024 . ja . https://web.archive.org/web/20230531023408/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/as/w/2023-05-29/ . May 31, 2023.
  13. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot 100 – 2023 Year-End. Billboard Japan. ja. February 5, 2024.
  14. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Animation – 2023 Year-End. Billboard Japan. ja. February 5, 2024.
  15. Web site: 「【推しの子】」エンディング主題歌「メフィスト」4/20(木)0時より先行配信&ノンクレジットED映像公開 . Queen Bee Official Website . February 5, 2024 . ja . April 19, 2023.
  16. Web site: 5/17New Single「メフィスト」発売決定&TVアニメ『【推しの子】』エンディング主題歌決定 . Queen Bee Official Website . February 5, 2024 . ja . March 2, 2023.