One Last Kiss (EP) explained

One Last Kiss
Type:	EP
Artist:	Hikaru Utada
Cover:	Utada Hikaru - One Last Kiss.png
Border:	yes
Alt:	A multi-coloured character sketch of Shinji Ikari on a white background
Released:	March 9, 2021
Recorded:	2007; 2020
Genre:	J-pop
Length:	38:56
Label:	Epic Sony Music Japan
Producer:	Hikaru Utada A. G. Cook Nariaki Obukuro
Prev Title:	Hatsukoi
Prev Year:	2018
Next Title:	Bad Mode
Next Year:	2022

One Last Kiss is an extended play by Japanese musician Hikaru Utada, which was released in the US on March 9, 2021.^[1] It was released for promotion of the Japanese animated film around the time of the film's release. It contains all the previously released theme songs that were made for the Rebuild of Evangelion film series.^[2] It also contains the theme song "One Last Kiss", which was co-produced by A. G. Cook and released in conjunction with the film on March 10, 2021.^[3]

Commercially, the EP debuted at number two on the Oricon Albums Chart, and at number one on the combined physical and digital Oricon albums chart as well as the Billboard Japan Hot Albums chart.

Background and history

"Beautiful World" debuted on the radio and was released as a ringtone on July 23, 2007, and after as a physical single on August 29, 2007.^[4] In early September, Utada performed the song at many music entertainment programs in Japan: at Count Down TV on the night of September 1,^[5] Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ on September 3,^[6] Utaban on September 6,^[7] and both Music Station and Music Fighter on September 7.^{[8] [9]} "Beautiful World" was performed during Utada's two date concert series Wild Life in December 2010.^[10]

In 2009, the song was rearranged by Russel McNamara for the second film of the Rebuild of Evangelion series, as "Beautiful World (Planitb Acoustica Mix)". It was released as a digital download on June 28, 2009. The song was commercially successful, reaching number 8 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100.^[11] It first appeared as the final track of her second compilation album Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 2.

Utada wrote "Sakura Nagashi" at the express interest of the staff for the Evangelion movie series. Although on hiatus at the time, Utada wrote and composed the song due to her appreciation of the movie series; she had also composed the themes for the previous two Evangelion films. "Sakura Nagashi" is a J-pop/piano rock song, composed of piano and strings, and in the latter part of the song drums, guitar and synths. It was written by Utada and British songwriter Paul Carter. The song plays at the very end of the film .

Title track and release

"One Last Kiss" was written and composed by Utada, and produced by Utada and English PC Music producer A. G. Cook.^[12] The music video of the song was directed by Neon Genesis Evangelion director Hideaki Anno, giving a glimpse of Utada's personal life in the United Kingdom.^[13] Critics noted the bittersweet tone of the song resembles much of her earlier work such as Ultra Blue and Heart Station.^[14]

On March 9, 2021, it was revealed "One Last Kiss" would receive a physical release internationally. This was organised due to large demand from overseas. The cover features the character Asuka from the film series. It was released in 4 versions: 3 North American versions released in August 20 and a European version released in October 22.^{[15] [16]}

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the EP's liner notes.^[17]

• Hikaru Utada – writer, producer, vocals recording (track 1, 2), vocals (track 1, 2, 3, 5, 6), keyboard (track 1, 2, 3), programming (track 1, 2, 3, 5), arranger (track 3), music (track 5), string arrangement (track 5)
• A.G. Cook – co-producer (track 1)
• Steve Fitzmaurice – recording (tracks 1–2), mixing (tracks 1–2)
• Yuya Saito – vocals editing (tracks 1–2)
• Jodi Milliner – synth bass (track 1), bass (track 2)
• Nariaki Obukuro – producer (track 2), vocals recording (track 2), keyboard (track 2), programming (track 2)
• Masahito Komori – strings recording (track 2)
• Ben Parker – acoustic guitar (track 2)
• Reuben James – piano (track 2)
• Nobuaki Tanaka – additional programming (track 2)
• Yuta Bandoh – string arrangement (track 2), conductor (track 2)
• Ensemble FOVE – strings (track 2)
• Akira Miyake – producer (track 3, 6)
• Teruzane Skingg Utada – producer (track 3, 6)
• Atsushi Matsui – recording (track 3, 5)
• Goetz B. – mixing (track 3, 5–6)
• Yuzuru Tomita – additional programming (track 3)
• Alexis Smith – additional programming (track 3)
• Russell McNamara – producer (track 4), programming (track 4), guitar (track 4)
• Dan Reynolds – drums (track 4)
• Paul Carter – music (track 5), piano (track 5), programming (track 5), string arrangement (track 5)
• Kei Kawano – band leader (track 5), conductor (track 5–6), string arrangement (track 5–6), arranger (track 6), keyboard (track 6), programming (track 6),
• Takumi Ogasawara – drums (track 5)
• Takeshi Taneda – electric bass (track 5)
• Tsuyoshi Kon – electric guitar (track 5)
• Mamiko Amemiya – strings leader (track 5)
• Bart Howard – words (track 6), music (track 6)
• Masaaki Ugajin – recording (track 6)
• Goh Hotoda – strings recording (track 6)
• Takahiro Iida – synthesizer programming (track 6)
• Hironori Akiyama – guitar (track 6)
• Yuichiro Goto – strings (track 6)
• Randy Merrill – mastering (all tracks)
• Atsushi Nishigori – key frame for Evangelion 3.0+1.0
• Masashi Ichifuru – art director, design

Charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"

Peak position
Japan Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)^[18]	1
Japanese Combined Albums (Oricon)^[19]	1
US Album Sales (Billboard)^[20]	37
US Current Album Sales (Billboard)^[21]	25
US Vinyl Sales (Billboard)^[22]	13
US World Albums (Billboard)^[23]	12
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)^[24]	21

Chart (2021)! scope="col"

Peak position
Global 200 (Billboard)^[25]	14
Japan Hot 100 (Billboard Japan)^[26]	1
Japanese Combined Singles (Oricon)^[27]	1
US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard)^[28]	11

Release history

Region! scope="col"

Date	Format(s)
Various	March 9, 2021
United States	August 20, 2021	Vinyl	^[29]
Europe	October 22, 2021

External links

• One Last Kiss on Hikaru Utada's official web site

Notes and References

1. Web site: One Last Kiss by Hikaru Utada . AppleMusic . March 18, 2021.
2. Web site: Hikaru Utada Performs Final Evangelion Film's Theme Song!. Anime News Network . December 8, 2020.
3. Web site: Hikaru Utada Official Website NEWS. 2021-02-26. Hikaru Utada Official Website.
4. Web site: 宇多田ヒカル、話題の新曲がついに解禁！ . Barks . ja . July 23, 2007 . December 30, 2014.
5. Count Down TV. Count Down TV . . September 1, 2007 . ja . September 1, 2007.
6. Web site: 宇多田ヒカル Beautiful World . https://web.archive.org/web/20080513053532/http://www.fujitv.co.jp/HEY/guestprofile/utada8.html . Fuji Television . May 13, 2008 . ja . December 30, 2014.
7. Utaban. Utaban . . September 6, 2007 . September 6, 2007 . ja.
8. Web site: http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/music/contents/m_lineup/0901/index2.html . ja:主演者ライナップ 2007/09/07 . TV Asahi . ja . December 30, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141230143041/http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/music/contents/m_lineup/0901/index2.html . December 30, 2014 . dead .
9. Music Fighter . September 6, 2007 . . September 6, 2007 . ja.
10. Web site: 宇多田ヒカル一時休止前ラスト公演で感涙＆Ust新記録樹立 . Natalie . ja . December 13, 2010 . December 17, 2010.
11. Web site: Japan Billboard Hot 100 . Billboard Japan . July 13, 2009 . September 19, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120323014354/http://www.billboard-japan.com/system/jp_charts/hot100/page:62 . 2012-03-23 . dead .
12. Web site: A. G. Cook on Twitter: "Co-prod the @utadahikaru single One Last Kiss, also the theme song for the new @evangelion_co film " / Twitter. 2021-03-13. Twitter. en.
13. Web site: Utada Hikaru Releases 'Evangelion: 3.0+1.0' Theme, "One Last Kiss" . Hypebeast . March 9, 2021 . March 12, 2021 .
14. Web site: Hikaru Utada Gives 'Evangelion' One Last Kiss . Muumuse . March 9, 2021 . March 12, 2021 .
15. Web site: The release of "One Last Kiss" International edition vinyl is announced! Album cover photo is also revealed! . Hikaru Utada Official Website . March 9, 2021 . March 19, 2021.
16. Web site: "One Last Kiss" Vinyl US & EU Imports Available for Pre-order!" . Hikaru Utada Official Website . April 30, 2021 . September 16, 2021.
17. One Last Kiss . Hikaru . Utada . 2021 . booklet . Sony Music Labels . ESCL-5488 . Japan.
18. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Albums: 2021/03/22 付け. Billboard Japan. ja. March 17, 2021.
19. Web site: オリコン週間 合算アルバムランキング 2021年03月08日～2021年03月14日. Oricon. ja. March 17, 2021.
20. One Last Kiss Chart History. Billboard. September 1, 2021.
21. One Last Kiss Chart History. Billboard. September 14, 2021.
22. One Last Kiss Chart History. Billboard. September 14, 2021.
23. One Last Kiss Chart History. Billboard. September 1, 2021.
24. One Last Kiss Chart History. Billboard. September 16, 2021.
25. One Last Kiss Chart History. Billboard. September 1, 2021.
26. 【ビルボード】宇多田ヒカル「One Last Kiss」約10年4か月ぶりに総合首位に. Billboard. March 24, 2021.
27. Web site: KAT-TUN, Utada Hikaru, Bad Ass Temple VS Matenro, and Ado Top the Oricon Charts for the Week of 3/8 – 3/14. AramaJapan. 23 March 2021 . March 23, 2021.
28. One Last Kiss Chart History. Billboard. March 23, 2021.
29. Web site: 'One Last Kiss' Vinyl US & EU Imports Available for Pre-order! . Hikaru Utada Official Website . April 30, 2021 . September 16, 2021.