One Last Kiss
A multi-coloured character sketch of Shinji Ikari on a white background
EP by
Hikaru Utada
ReleasedMarch 9, 2021
Recorded2007; 2020
Studio
  • RAK Studios (UK)
  • Victor Studio (Japan)
  • Bunkamura Studio (Japan)
  • Studio Terra (Japan)
GenreJ-pop
Length38:56
Language
  • Japanese
  • English
Label
Producer
Hikaru Utada chronology
Hatsukoi
(2018)		 One Last Kiss
(2021)		 Bad Mode
(2022)
Singles from One Last Kiss
  1. "One Last Kiss"
    Released: March 10, 2021

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 Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time 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 Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time, as the camera pans out of Ube Station and towards the town of Ube, Yamaguchi.

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]

Track listing

One Last Kiss Japanese track listing
No.TitleLength
1."One Last Kiss"4:12
2."Beautiful World" (Da Capo version)5:58
3."Beautiful World" (2021 remastered)5:17
4."Beautiful World" (Planitb Acoustica Mix; 2021 remastered)5:12
5."Sakura Nagashi" (桜流し, "Flowing Cherry Blossoms"; 2021 remastered)4:42
6."Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words)" (2007 mix; 2021 remastered)3:26
7."One Last Kiss" (instrumental)4:12
8."Beautiful World" (Da Capo version instrumental)5:57
Total length:38:56

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 Bando – 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

Sales and certifications

Sales and certifications for One Last Kiss
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[32]
CD 		Gold 178,284[33]
Japan
Digital 		— 41,958[33]

Release history

Release history and formats for One Last Kiss
Region Date Format(s) Ref.
Various March 9, 2021
United States August 20, 2021 Vinyl [34]
Europe October 22, 2021

References

  1. ↑ "One Last Kiss by Hikaru Utada". AppleMusic. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Hikaru Utada Performs Final Evangelion Film's Theme Song!". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  3. ↑ "Hikaru Utada Official Website | NEWS". Hikaru Utada Official Website. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
  4. ↑ "宇多田ヒカル、話題の新曲がついに解禁！" (in Japanese). Barks. July 23, 2007. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  5. ↑ "September 1, 2007". Count Down TV (in Japanese). September 1, 2007. Tokyo Broadcasting System.
  6. ↑ "宇多田ヒカル Beautiful World" (in Japanese). Fuji Television. Archived from the original on May 13, 2008. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  7. ↑ "September 6, 2007". Utaban (in Japanese). September 6, 2007. Tokyo Broadcasting System.
  8. ↑ 主演者ライナップ 2007/09/07 (in Japanese). TV Asahi. Archived from the original on December 30, 2014. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  9. ↑ "September 6, 2007". Music Fighter (in Japanese). September 6, 2007. Nippon Television.
  10. ↑ "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" (in Japanese). Natalie. December 13, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
  11. ↑ "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard Japan. July 13, 2009. Archived from the original on 2012-03-23. Retrieved September 19, 2010.
  12. ↑ "A. G. Cook on Twitter: "Co-prod the @utadahikaru single One Last Kiss, also the theme song for the new @evangelion_co film 🤯" / Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
  13. ↑ "Utada Hikaru Releases 'Evangelion: 3.0+1.0' Theme, "One Last Kiss"". Hypebeast. March 9, 2021. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Hikaru Utada Gives 'Evangelion' One Last Kiss". Muumuse. March 9, 2021. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  15. ↑ "The release of "One Last Kiss" International edition vinyl is announced! Album cover photo is also revealed!". Hikaru Utada Official Website. March 9, 2021. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  16. ↑ ""One Last Kiss" Vinyl US & EU Imports Available for Pre-order!"". Hikaru Utada Official Website. April 30, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  17. ↑ Utada, Hikaru (2021). One Last Kiss (booklet). Japan: Sony Music Labels. ESCL-5488.
  18. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Hikaru Utada – One Last Kiss". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  19. ↑ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums: 2021/03/22 付け". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2021-03-22" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  21. ↑ "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" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  22. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  23. ↑ "One Last Kiss Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  24. ↑ "One Last Kiss Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  25. ↑ "One Last Kiss Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  26. ↑ "One Last Kiss Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  27. ↑ "One Last Kiss Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  28. ↑ "One Last Kiss Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  29. ↑ "【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. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  30. ↑ "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. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  31. ↑ "One Last Kiss Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  32. ↑ "Japanese album certifications – 宇多田 ヒカル – One Last Kiss" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved October 30, 2021. Select 2021年3月 on the drop-down menu
  33. 1 2 "Oricon Releases Its 2021 Mid-Year Charts". aramajapan.com. 2 July 2021. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  34. ↑ "'One Last Kiss' Vinyl US & EU Imports Available for Pre-order!"". Hikaru Utada Official Website. April 30, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
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