hikaru utada biography

Hikaru Utada Biography

Birthday: January 19 , 1983 ( Capricorn )

Born In: Manhattan, New York, United States

Hikaru Utada is a phenomenal Japanese American singer who with her soulful voice and creative pursuits created a storm in the world music industry. Born in a music family, singing came naturally to young Utada. She partnered with her parents to be a part of the band, U3. Later on, she moved to japan where she became one of the top-selling artists of her time. Ever since her first album, First Love, she became a huge hit becoming the top selling album in japan. In United States and Europe, she was known by her stage name, Utada. She has three of her albums in the top 10 best-selling albums ever in Japan and six of her albums charting within the 275 Best-Selling Japanese albums list. Twelve of her singles peaked at number one position on the Oricon Singles Chart. Furthermore, four of her records have been enlisted in the Top 100 All Time Best Selling Singles. Till date, she has sold more than 52 million records worldwide.

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Age: 41 Years , 41 Year Old Females

Spouse/Ex-: Kazuaki Kiriya

father: Teruzane Utada

mother: keiko fuji

Born Country: United States

Japanese Women Columbia University

Height: 5'2" (157 cm ), 5'2" Females

U.S. State: New Yorkers

education: Columbia University

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Music Interviews

Breaking the boundaries of language and genre, hikaru utada finds freedom.

Michelle Hyun Kim

"It's my job to be honest, that's all that's required of me as an artist," Japanese American artist Hikaru Utada tells NPR. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

"It's my job to be honest, that's all that's required of me as an artist," Japanese American artist Hikaru Utada tells NPR.

Now nearly a quarter-century into their far-reaching career, Hikaru Utada is still finding new ways to express all the facets of the self. The Japanese American pop star, whose 1999 album First Love still holds the honor of being Japan's best selling album of all time, carved out an irreplicable space in the music industry long before it understood how to market artists who eschew the barriers of language, borders and genre.

Since issuing their debut project at age 15 under the moniker Cubic U in 1996, Utada has released eleven adventurous and deeply heartfelt albums that alternate between Japanese and English, and survey everything from R&B and dance pop to experimental electronica and folk. Meanwhile, their fan-favorite pop theme songs for the video game Kingdom Hearts and the Neon Genesis Evangelion anime franchises continue to soundtrack the childhoods of listeners worldwide. Utada's timeless oeuvre is buoyed by their transcendent voice, which always sounds as if it's pulling from a deep well of emotion, always capable of evoking nostalgia at first listen.

Now 39, Utada enters a new era with Bad Mode , their eleventh album released earlier this year. It marks the first time the singer is fully integrating Japanese and English within a single project. "Switching languages definitely allows me to share myself more without the filtering I have to do," Utada explains in a recent call from London, where they now live and work. "I can show a different side of me in English that might sound a bit alarming in Japanese and vice-versa. Then if people want to look into the other language they're not familiar with, they can, but it definitely gives me more freedom."

This sense of liberation comes through in the album's exuberant electronic pop production, featuring contributions from Skrillex , A.G. Cook , and Floating Points , as well as Utada's lyrics that reference the thrill and uncertainty of budding romance. "Here's a Diazepam / We can each take half of / Or we can roll one up / However the night flows," Utada sings to a lover on the project's title track. It's also Utada's first album since they came out as nonbinary last summer, making them one of few Japanese public figures to openly express their gender identity with that language.

Utada has forged their boundary-breaking legacy merely being true to themself. Born in New York City to Teruzane Utada, a record producer father, and Junko Utada, their mother who found success in the '60s and '70s as the enka (a style of Japanese ballad) singer under the name Keiko Fuji, Utada grew up between the U.S. metropolis and Tokyo, picking up musical influences from both worlds.

Later pursuing separate record deals in their respective countries, Utada has collaborated with an eclectic line-up of artists and producers including Timbaland , the Neptunes, Japanese megastar Ringo Sheena, and more. While creating a blueprint for cross-national pop collaborations now rampant on today's charts, Utada was singing lines like, "I don't want to crossover / Between this genre, that genre," on their 2004 album Exodus . The highly avant-garde electronic album has since gained a cult following among queer listeners in particular, likely for its disregard for stylistic conventions and queer-coded songs like, "You Make Me Want to Be a Man."

It's hard not to see connections between that project and the genreless, contemporary pop of rising stars like Rina Sawayama and hyperpop experimenters like Katie Dey, who have both listed Utada as influences. Though Utada admits they're slightly unaware of their impact on a rising generation of artists taking inspiration from their catalog — "I'm just getting familiar with the term," they say of "hyperpop" — they spoke with NPR about navigating the early 2000s music industry, how language affects identity and finding liberation in electronic production.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Michelle Hyun Kim, NPR Music: Bad Mode is your first bilingual release. Why now? Because obviously, you've been bilingual your entire life.

Hikaru Utada: When I first began writing music, it was all in English, [and] then I was asked if I could write in Japanese. The whole record deal with the Japanese record company came up and I dispersed some English into [my songs], which was natural for me because I spoke that way with my friends. Because I had this very unique contract situation from there on, I got into a deal with a different record label to do English language stuff, which was a very bizarre set-up — it was interesting. I think that made me feel like I needed to separate English stuff and Japanese stuff.

Now those contractual situations are out of the way, and I think we're at a time culturally where mixing languages seems like not a big deal at all anymore. Working mainly in the Japanese language and then doing shows overseas or seeing the reaction from fans who don't speak Japanese — knowing all the words, mouthing along to the lyrics — seeing that changed the way I see the language barrier. There is no barrier.

It also feels significant that Bad Mode 's title comes from an English word that Japanese youth have taken and created a new meaning for in Japanese.

Yes, Japanese imports. I guess most languages import words from other languages, then it takes on a new meaning which I think is really interesting. It's going to happen more and more, especially [with] the written word, I'd say, because of the internet. We're exposed to more, sonically too, [and] it's a bit alarming sometimes to see how much in the Japanese language. Even the government will try to use a lot of English words like "manifesto" for these important political terms.

There's been an increasing tendency [in Japanese] to use imported English words somehow as a tool, I think to give it a modern feeling or something a bit ambiguous. And then it's easier to convince people what it means, in a way that's advantageous to them. But I find it fascinating how language evolves and influences each other, and Japanese is very creative. Well, any language is creative, but I enjoy the particularities of Japanese. It's a very playful language and [Japanese youth], they've taken the word "bad" and used it like a noun. Bad-o, [which means] negative, bad vibes.

You touched on how the music industry never knew how to market you because you were a bilingual, multinational person with various global references. But in this age, it's very normal to see pop stars make bilingual songs that mashup tons of genres. Do you feel like your career created a blueprint for others?

I know some artists who know what's going on in the industry and what's up with other artists. I am not that type, so I don't really know.

Oh really? Because with the artists that I've seen you collaborate with, I feel like you seem like someone who's up to date on who's up-and-coming.

Not at all. I was just speaking with someone, an Asian American artist in the industry, who told me that as he was growing up, all his friends knew my songs like "First Love" and those songs from my first album in Japanese. I had no idea.

Exodus , your second English-language album and your first under Island Records, eventually gained a cult following. Now when I listen to it, I feel like the experimentation still holds up. How do you look back on that album?

It holds this endearing sort of spot. There's a bit of "awww," [at] the younger me that I see differently now. At the same time, a part of me is like, "Oh wow, look how young I was." All these things I wasn't aware of then, like, "Look at how my insecurities are showing up in some ways," and, "Oh, that's a bit embarrassing." Or my whole identity that I didn't even realize I struggled with, being an Asian woman in America.

I grew up in a very international environment where [my identity] didn't really matter. Then I was confronted with the idea of, "Oh, all these people are going to look at me and see an Asian woman." What does that mean? I think that was really daunting and scary for me. It made me feel really insecure, where I had to heighten [my identity] somehow to tackle it. I had to play into it somehow. But I've learned from that and I'm in a better place. I'm also like, "Wow, this is good stuff." I was really adventurous and just enjoyed what I did. I still like how it sounds.

When you talked to NPR around the time of your 2009 English-language album This Is the One , you said that you felt more boyish in Japanese and feminine in English. That seems significant now that you're releasing your first bilingual album after publicly coming out as nonbinary last year. Do you still find that's the case?

I've definitely found you take on a different identity when you switch between languages when you're multilingual. I think that's very interesting, and I think I'm not sure why I felt more feminine in [English]. Maybe because I'm just more comfortable with [myself now] and I'm more aware of who I am.

I think with Japanese, it makes you more conscious of gender with your diction. Not in the way that Latin languages have feminine nouns and the masculine nouns, but the way you say things will be different if you're a woman or a man. I think growing up with a lot of Japanese anime, manga, that was my main entry into what kept me reading Japanese when I was growing up in New York. [Reading mangas like Ranma ½ and Princess Knight ], I was relating to the characters who were speaking like a boy and [I was] able to get into the way boys are supposed to talk. [It] added that dimension. The fact that the language makes you conscious of gender, I think allowed me to explore the different sides of myself without having to pick one.

You've always been dropping hints that you're queer throughout your career, but how has the response been to coming out? Did you feel some pressure to be a role model?

Well, you're right about [that], good detective work. But, I'm not the change. I've always been this way. It's just that I didn't have the vocabulary to do anything except drop hints. I didn't know there was a word that I could identify with. So when I came across the word nonbinary, it was a bit of a "Eureka" moment. It was a huge weight lifted off my shoulders, like, "Oh!" I've been an outsider in so many different ways — culturally, or being a different age from the kids in my class. I just thought my gender identity was also one of those things that I just don't fit in with.

Around that time, a lot of people with a big platform, mostly in Western culture [like] athletes and artists, were coming out and saying they [were] doing it because visibility is really important. And it was the case for me — coming across the word did wonders for me. No one should feel like they have to share anything that private or personal, but just as a person with a platform, I felt that I have less to lose than people who would be scared to be honest about who they are. It's my job to be honest, that's all that's required of me as an artist. The only thing I owe to anyone, and mostly to myself, is just honesty. For other people there's the fear of social acceptance — and of course that exists for me — but I wouldn't lose my job or lose friends over this.

The response is always mixed. It was difficult to see some of the... should I say, the ignorance — that was expected though. But I was really touched by people saying [things] like, they were watching the news with their parents and it gave them a chance to talk about it. It really took some courage, even though I did it in a very nonchalant way. It was one of the most rewarding things that I've done.

In a recent interview, you said that you felt like Bad Mode felt connected to Exodus , because you felt that "there was a liberation within myself" and you wanted to return to the feeling of making sounds from scratch? How do you think liberation is connected to electronic production?

I think a bit of it is liberation from context and connotations that come attached with certain live instruments or sounds that occur in nature. If you hear strings, people have associations with that. There's a sense of genre that comes attached to certain instruments. Like, "Oh, acoustic piano, then is it a pop ballad?" Just starting from this completely imaginary world without even an instrument to start with, I want it to go back there, to point zero.

Your mother was an enka artist, and in an interview you mentioned that she had a darkness in her voice that people think carried over to you. Is that the only way you were influenced by the genre?

No, I don't think it was the [genre]. I think she had a particularly [distinct voice]. Even within enka, that was what people noticed about her the most, [they said] when she sings happy lyrics, generally it can have a little sadness to it. She had this doll-like appearance. The contrast was very striking. I think I've definitely carried on some of whatever was in her voice. I didn't notice it until I began putting stuff out there. I don't think I've been influenced by enka, but I have been influenced in the sense of just watching a professional singer doing her job. There was a lot to learn from there.

In some pockets of the world, you're best known for your Kingdom Hearts video game songs. When I look at comments under the songs on YouTube, they're very intense and emotional because people connect your music to their childhood. What is it like having that legacy tied to your work?

I think it's so cool that there's something you can share with people as you share time with them. Time progresses differently for each individual, but generally just knowing that I've shared this time with people, I find it very amazing. It's the one thing that you can't just make happen — it literally takes time. I really appreciate the connection and I feel very fortunate.

I didn't think they were going to be long-term things. With both [ Kingdom Hearts and Evangelion ] I just accepted the first offer, the one song. I had no idea that they were going to span more than a decade and become a 15-year project. It just happened for me too. The growth and the time that the creators of those games and Evangelion have gone through, we're all sharing that together.

Are there any moments that you feel like have really defined your career?

The things that come to mind are things that have had an extremely significant effect on myself, just in my life. I guess I don't really think of my career that much. I'm not sure what my career means to me. It's tricky. I think what an artist does is try to live, mainly, and then be honest. [You] question yourself, question things, and be curious. Then [you] try to present the most honest version of yourself that you can. So it's basically just me. It's a way of living.

Correction Feb. 11, 2022

A previous version of this piece incorrectly stated that the artist's album Exodus was not on streaming services.

Previously posted Feb 10: A previous version of this piece misspelled Keiko Fuji's name as Keijo Fuki.

• Hikaru Utada

Hikaru Utada Official Website

Held successful livestreaming event “40 Dai-Wa-Iroiro♫” to celebrate their 40th birthday. The event was the world’s first real-time delivery of music featuring 360 Reality Audio, offering a fully immersive, three-dimensional sound experience to viewers

Pre-released the album BAD MODE and held their first pay-per-view studio livestream “Hikaru Utada Live Sessions from Air Studios”

First-ever music festival performance as a guest on “88rising’s Head in the Clouds Forever” stage at the Coachella 2022 in California, USA

Released vinyl versions of their latest album BAD MODE together with all eight original albums

Netflix provided worldwide distribution of their studio performance “Hikaru Utada Live Sessions from Air Studios” Released audio of “Hikaru Utada Live Sessions from Air Studios” on all major streaming platforms, creating their first album featuring live recordings

Joined the video “CARTIER TRINITY FOR CHITOSE ABE OF sacai”, with their song “Somewhere Near Marseilles” as the accompanying campaign song

For Spotify Japan’s 5th anniversary, released their first live performance video with “Somewhere Near Marseilles“

Drawing inspiration from Utada’s songs “First Love” and “Hatsukoi”, the Netflix series First Love starring Hikari Mitsushima and Takeru Sato was distributed globally

Released their inaugural 7-inch vinyl “First Love/Hatsukoi” in tandem with the launch of the Netflix series First Love, as well as Dolby Atmos renditions of “First Love (2022 Mix)” and “Hatsukoi” on streaming platforms

Achieved top rankings on several renowned international media charts, including “Somewhere Near Marseilles” in the 10th spot on Pitchfork’s 100 Best Songs of 2022, the 5th spot on Brooklyn Vegan’s Gorilla vs Bear’s Top 50 Songs of 2022, and included in Slant Magazine’s 50 Best Songs of 2022, as well as their album BAD MODE included in Pitchfork’s 50 Best Albums of 2022

BAD MODE awarded a prize from the CD Shop Awards 2023

An EP including the A.G. Cook co-produced single "One Last Kiss" and her first self-cover "Beautiful World (Da Capo Version)" is available March 10, 2021. The two tracks are both theme songs appearing in the feature film EVANGELION:3.0+1.0 THRICE UPON A TIME (SHIN EVANGELION).

Photo of Hikaru Utada included in the collection of works by Daido Moriyama in the 280-meter-long Shinjuku Art Wall Project

Released music video and artist photo teaser for “PINK BLOOD”

Released new single “PINK BLOOD” - theme song for anime To Your Eternity

Released the vinyl LP for One Last Kiss EP, US version

Released the vinyl LP for One Last Kiss EP, European version Released new single “Kimini Muchuu” - theme song for TV show Dearest

Premiered music video for “Kimini Muchuu” on YouTube

The theme song for video game KINGDOM HEARTS Ⅲ "Face My Fears" was released as a single in 2019. The track was co-created with Skrillex and marked Utada's first Billboard Top 100 in the US.

The year 2018 saw the release of her 7th album "Hatsukoi" on June 27, 2018, marked her twenty-year anniversary from debut, and going on her first Japan-wide tour since recommencing her music career. Footage from the tour is available as a video release under the title "Hikaru Utada Laughter in the Dark Tour 2018."

Released digital single "Hikari –Ray Of Hope Mix- (REMIXED BY PUNPEE)" (theme song of game software Kingdom Hearts HD2.8 Final Chapter Prologue) (peaked at #2 on the US iTunes chart; #1 in 9 countries, ranked within the top 100 in 26 countries/regions)

Released music video of "Bokyaku" (became digitally available from Feb. 22)

Announced new record deal with Epic Records Japan, a division of Sony Music Labels Inc.

Co-produced THE BACK HORN’s single "Anata ga Matteru"

"Oozora de Dakishimete" (featured in the commercials for ‘Suntory Tennensui’) available for download

"Forevermore" [Main theme for TBS network Nichiyou Gekijou drama series ‘Gomen, Aishiteru’ (I'm Sorry, I Love You) available for download

"Anata" (Main theme for movie ‘DESTINY Kamakura Monogatari’/ SONY ‘Noican,wireless’ CM song)

Lyrics book ‘Utada Hikaru No Kotoba’ release

[Award (so far)]

The 9th annual CD SHOP AWARDS 2017: with Fantôme "Boukyaku featuring KOHH" - MTV Video Music Award: Best Collaboration "Oozora de Dakishimete" Lyrics Site - CSS Design Awards' Special kudos

Released digital singles "Hanataba wo Kimi ni" (theme song of NHK drama Toto Neechan) and "Manatsu no Tooriame" (theme song of NTV NEWS ZERO)

Released "Michi" (used in the commercial campaign of Suntory "Tennensui") digitally, prior to the album

Released album Fantôme (artist won #1 on the Oricon chart for three consecutive weeks for the first time; #1 on the US iTunes chart, sold over 1 million copies, physical and digital combined)

Special "share radio" show entitled Hikaru Utada no Fantôme Hour aired on 101 radio stations nationwide

Held Japan’s first 3DVR/2D live broadcast event 30-dai wa Hodohodo with KOHH and PUNPEE as guests

Appeared on TBS music program Christmas no Yakusoku

Performed on NHK’s The 67th Annual Red & White Song Festival as a telecast from London

■ Space Shower Music Awards: BEST FEMALE ARTIST, BEST NEW VISION ■ GYAO Entertainment Service Awards 2016: Music category ■ The 58th annual Japan Record Awards: Best Album with Fantôme, Excellent Work Award with "Hanataba wo Kimi ni" ■ MTV VMAJ2016: BEST VIDEO OF THE YEAR and BEST FEMALE ARTIST VIDEO –Japan- ■ Billboard JAPAN Music Awards 2016: #1 on Billboard JAPAN Hot Albums annual chart, won Top Artist of Hot Albums ■ USEN 2016 annual USEN HIT J-POP Ranking: #1 with "Hanataba wo Kimi ni" ■ Amazon Ranking Awards 2016: #1 on Music (Consolidated) ■ Tower Records’ annual chart "2016 Bestsellers": #1 on Top 20 Domestic Albums with Fantôme

[Digital sales annual chart positions]

■ With Fantôme     #1 on Rekochoku’s annual album ranking     #1 on Mora’s annual album ranking     #1 on Music.jp’s annual album ranking     #1 on Amazon Music’s annual album ranking     #1 on Mora’s annual hi-res album ranking     #1 on VICTOR STUDIO HD-MUSIC’s annual album ranking

■ With "Hanataba wo Kimi ni"     #1 on Amazon Music’s annual single ranking     #1 on Mora’s annual hi-res single ranking     #1 on VICTOR STUDIO HD-MUSIC’s annual single ranking

Announced birth of the first child on the official website

2015 Annual Download Ranking: #1 Domestic album (bulk purchase) with Utada Hikaru SINGLE COLLECTION VOL.1

Released First Love -15th Anniversary Edition- and First Love -15th Anniversary Deluxe Edition-

Announced marriage to an Italian commoner

Tribute album Hikaru Utada no Uta: 13 Interpretations by 13 musicians released as the second segment of the 15th anniversary project

Started host of INTER FM regular show KUMA POWER HOUR with Hikaru Utada(third Tuesday of the month, from 22:00) (thru March 18, 2014)

Released live video of Utada/ Hikaru Utada "In The Flesh 2010" on iTunes

Released digital-only single "Sakura Nagashi" (theme song of movie Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo)

Released DVD single "Sakura Nagashi"

01.15～02.12

Went to the 2010 US headlining tour entitled Utada In The Flesh Tour under the name "Utada"

Announced indefinite hiatus as artist after completing activities up to end of 2010

Opened Hikaru Utada’s limited-time Twitter account @utadahikaru

Released digital single "Hymne à l'amour (Ai no Anthem)" on PC

Announced basic agreement of a worldwide release deal with EMI Music

Opened Hikaru Utada YouTube Official Channel

Released digital single "Goodbye Happiness" on PC

Released greatest hits collection Utada Hikaru SINGLE COLLECTION VOL.2

12.08～12.09

Performed a two-day concert at Yokohama Arena entitled WILD LIFE; first day was broadcasted live

This Is The One, advance release in Japan, 2nd album as "Utada" (Universal Music Japan)

First books are published: Ten (Point) and Sen (Line)

This Is The One album released in the U.S. (Island Records)

Streaming begins via Chaku-Uta ®/Chaku-Uta Full ®/PC for streaming-only single Beautiful World -PLANiTb Acoustica Mix- (Evangelion Shin- Gekijoban: Ha theme)

The 23rd Japan Gold Disc Grand Prix • Prisoner Of Love: Best 5 Chaku-Uta ® Songs, Best 5 Chaku-Uta Full ® Songs, and Best 5 PC Streaming Songs • HEART STATION: Best 10 Albums award

1st CD Shop Grand Prix 2009 • Honorable Mention for HEART STATION

20th Single "HEART STATION / Stay Gold" (CD) released ("tay Gold" features in the new KAO Asience TV commercial)

5th album "HEART STATION" (CD) released (her 5th original album to enter the Oricon charts at No.1)

21st Single "Prisoner Of Love" (main theme for the Fuji TV Network drama, "Last Friends") (CD + DVD) released

The 22nd Japan Gold Disc Grand Prix "Flavor Of Life" won "Single of the Year," "The Best 10 Single," "The Best ' Chaku-Uta Full® ' Song," "PC Streaming Song of the Year" and "The Best 5 PC Streaming Song" awards. "Flavor Of Life -Ballad Version-" won "The Best 5 ' Chaku-Uta® ' Song" and "The Best 5 ' Chaku- Uta Full® ' Song" awards. "Beautiful World" won "The Best 5 PC Streaming Song" award. JASRAC Awards 2008 "Flavor Of Life" won the Gold Award. MTV VMAJ 2008 "Beautiful World" won the "Best Video from a Film" Award.

18th single, "Flavor Of Life" released (CD) "Flavor Of Life -Ballad Version-" is an image song for "Hanayori Dango 2," Friday drama series on TBS Network.

Pre-sale streaming begins of single "Kiss & Cry" (new theme song for the Nissin Cup Noodle TV commercial, FREEDOM series)

Streaming DLs of "Flavor Of Life" tops 7 million; EMI MUSIC announces it as new world record. iTunesR Plus, launched on May 30 2007, offers the track as the first pre-sale Japanese new song.

19th single "Beautiful World/Kiss & Cry" (CD) ("Beautiful World" is the theme song for "Evangelion Shin Gekijoban: Jo," and "Kiss & Cry" for the Nissin Cup Noodle TV commercial, FREEDOM series)

The 21st Japan Gold Disc Grand Prix "Album of the Year" for "ULTRA BLUE" "Flavor Of Life -Ballad Version-" wins "Best Song" awards in 4 categories: " Chaku-Uta® ," "TV CM," "RBT" and "Ringtone Melody" on the Recochoku (Label Mobile Inc.) annual chart.

16th single "Keep Tryin" (TVCM tie-up song with LISMO!au LISTEN MOBILE SERVICE) released

First digital-release only single "This is Love" (Nissin Cup Noodle's FREEDOM campaign theme song) streaming begins via Chaku-Uta Full®

4th album "ULTRA BLUE" (5th album to achieve top rank on Ori-Con album chart. Winning top album rank five consecutive times on Ori-Con chart made Hikki tie the record for female artists; initial sales topping 500,000 copies for all five albums was a record achievement)

Launched her second Japan tour, "UTADA UNITED 2006," first in six years (11 cities, 22 venues, through 9.10)

"ONE NIGHT MAGIC." a one night-only live performance held at ZeppOsaka

DVD "Hikaru Utada SINGLE CLIP COLLECTION VOL.4" released

Release of 17th single "Boku wa Kuma" (Oct. ～ Nov. song on NHK's "Minna no Uta" TV program)

DVD "UTADA UNITED 2006" released

The 20th Japan Gold Disc Grand Prix - "Song of the Year" for "Be My Last"

iTunes BEST of 2006 Best Seller Song "Keep Tryin'"

14th single, "Be My Last," main theme for the motion picture "Snowy Love Fallin' in Spring" ("Haru no Yuki"), released (CD and CD+DVD)

Internet Talk & Live "Be My Last" streamed

15th single, "Passion," theme song for the game "KINGDOM HEARTS II," released (CD and CD+DVD)

12.22~06.01.10

Internet Talk & Live "05-ijou 06-miman" Hikaru Utada HOLIDAY LIVE SPECIAL" streamed

Guest appearance at Yosui Inoue's live performance

The 19th Japan Gold Disc Grand Prix - "Song of the Year" for "Darekano Negaiga Kanau Koro" - "Rock & Pop Album of the Year" for "Utada Hikaru SINGLE COLLECTION VOL.1" - "Music Video of the Year" for "Hikaru Utada in Budokan 2004 'Hikaru no 5'"

02.03, 04, 07, 08, 10

"Hikaru Utada in Budokan 2004 'Hikaru no 5' (Hikaru's 5)" held

Album "Utada Hikaru SINGLE COLLECTION VOL.1" released; wins top rank in Ori-Con's annual album chart, making Hikki a record four-time winner of this award

Attended the premiere of the motion picture "CASSHERN"

13th single, "Darekano Negaiga Kanau Koro" (theme song for the motion picture "CASSHERN") released (top rank in Ori-Con's single and album charts simultaneously for 2 consecutive weeks a first for her)

DVD "Hikaru Utada in Budokan 2004 'Hikaru no 5'" and DVD single "Darekano Negaiga Kanau Koro" released

Debut across America as Utada with the album "EXODUS" from Island Records

AMD Award ("Best Music Composer") for "UH LIVE STREAMING - Nijudai wa Ike Ike!"

JFLS Network Special Program "Tres Bien Bohemian Special from Tokyo" aired

First Net event, "UH Live Streaming "Nijudaiwa Ike Ike!," held (one million unique visitors)

12th single "COLORS" (Toyota WiSH Commercial song) released

DVD single "COLORS" released

Participates as chorus on the track "Kaze ga Fuiteru" of Kuzu's 1st album, "Kuzu Album"

"Emily the Strange," a picturebook translated by Hikaru Utada, published by Media Factory, Inc.

DVD "Nijudaiwa Ike Ike!" released

05.07 (05.08 Japan time)

Attends the World Premier in L.A. of "The Matrix Reloaded"

Announces her overseas debut name -- "UTADA" -- at the Universal Convention

"Hikaru Utada in Budokan 2004 'Hikaru no 5' (Hikaru's 5)" announced (total entries for tickets: 1,037,435)

"Best Female Artist" from J-WAVE's "Tokio Hot 100 Awards" "SAKURA Drops" wins "Best Female Video" award at the SSTV "Music Video Awards 03" "Best Female Video" award from MTV Japan's "Video Music Awards 2003" The 17th Japan Gold Disc Grand Prix "Artist of the Year," "Song of the Year" for "Hikari," "SAKURA Drops" & "COLORS" "Rock & Pop Video of the Year" for "traveling" 2003 "JASRAC AWARDS" Silver Prize for "traveling" & Foreign Work Prize for "Hikari"

Releases DVD single "traveling"

Performs "Fly Me To The Moon" at opening ceremony of World Economic Forum held at Waldorf Astoria, New York

Attends reception held for President Bush at Prime Minister's official residence

Announces contract with Island Def Jam as "Hikaru Utada," her artist name in the U.S.

Releases 10th Single "HIKARI"

Releases 11th Single "SAKURA Drops / Letters"

Duet appearance in Sheena Ringo's first cover album "UTAITE MYORI-Vol.1-" on the track "i won't last a day without you."

3rd album "DEEP RIVER" released (9th-best album sales in the history of Ori-Con charts)

Announced her marriage with Mr. Kazuaki Kiriya on the official Web site 

Releases "Hikaru Utada SINGLE CLIP COLLECTION + VOL.3" (DVD/VHS) Analog disc album "DEEP RIVER"

SSTV's MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS02: "traveling" -- Best Art Direction Video, Best Female Video & Best Video of the Year MTV JAPAN's Video Music Awards: Best R&B "traveling" wins the "Best Art Direction Video," "Best Female Video" and "Best Video of the Year" awards at the SSTV "Music Video Awards 02" "Best R&B" award from MTV Japan's "Video Music Awards" The 16th Japan Gold Disc Grand Prix "Song of the Year" for "Can You Keep A Secret?" & "traveling" "Pop Album of the Year" for "Distance" 2002 "JASRAC AWARDS" Silver Prize for "Can You Keep A Secret?"

7th Single "Can You Keep A Secret ?" released.

Airplay of a special program, "Tres Bien! Bohemian Special from NY" on JFLS Station

2nd Album "Distance" released.

MTV's "Hikaru Utada Unplugged" recorded at TV Tokyo Tennoz Studio

Airplay of "Tres Bien! Bohemian Summer Special from Tokyo," Hikaru Utada's special program on JFLS Station

8th Single"FINAL DISTANCE"released. 2nd Album(Analog Album)"Distance"released.

The first airplay of "Hikaru Utada Unplugged" on MTV

"SINGLE CLIP COLLECTION VOL.2" (VHS)" released. "SINGLE CLIP COLLECTION VOL.2" (DVD)" released.

Free paper "Utada Mag Vol.1" distributed at record stores in Japan (published monthly through Vol.6)

9th Single "traveling" released.

"Hikaru Utada UNPLUGGED" (VHS) released. "Hikaru Utada UNPLUGGED" (DVD) released.

Hikaru Utada participates as guest vocalist in "Promise 'I Do'" on Ohguro Maki's New Album "O"

The 15th Japan Gold Disc Grand Prix "Song of the Year" for "Wait & See ~ Risk ~" & "For You/Time Limit"

5th single "Wait & See ~ Risk ~" released

Tickets for "Bohemian Summer" July concerts sold out in 90 minutes

Tickets for "Bohemian Summer" August concerts sold out in 75 minutes

Analog disc "Remix: Fly Me to the Moon" released in limited production

Secret live at Shibuya On Air East

06.26~07.07

Lottery entry period (via postcards, telephones and Net) for tickets to additional concerts of "Bohemian Summer." (Total entries:950,000)

6th single "For You/Time Limit" and DVD single "Wait & See ~ Risk ~" released

07.01~08.17

First nationwide tour "Bohemian Summer~Hikaru Utada Circuit Live 2000" (7/1 & 2 at Yoyogi Stadium No.1 Gym; 7/7 & 8 at Hiroshima Green Arena 7/15 & 16 at Sendai Grandy 21; 7/20 & 21 at Makomanai Ice Arena 7/26 & 27 at Ishikawa Prefecture Sangyo Tenjikan No.4 Hall 8/2 & 3 at Asty Tokushima; 8/5 & 6 at Osaka Castle Hall 8/11 & 12 at Marine Messe Fukuoka ;8/16 & 17 at Nagoya Rainbow Hall)

"Bohemian Summer" additional concerts (Chiba Marine Stadium)

"Bohemian Summer" in Tokushima to replace 8/1 concert

First Live Video"BOHEMIAN SUMMER 2000" (VHS/DVD) released

The 14th Japan Gold Disc Grand Prix "Artist of the Year" &"Song of the Year" for "Automatic," "Movin' on without you" & "Addicted to You" "Pop of the Year" for "First Love" "Music Video of the Year" for "Single Clip Collection Vol.1" World Music Awards 2000 "Best-Selling Japanese Artist" 2000 "JASRAC Awards" Gold Prize for "Automatic" and Silver Prize for "time will tell"

2nd single "Movin' on without you" (Nissan Terrano CM song) released. First single to enter Ori-Con chart at No.1. 12-inch single "Automatic/time will tell" released.

"Hikaru's Ikiatari Battari" -- mcSister's monthly column launched (now ended)

Debut album "Fist Love" released.

"Luv Live" at Umeda Heatbeat, Osaka

"Luv Live" at Zepp tokyo,Tokyo

3rd single "First Love" (main theme for TBS Network's weekly drama "Majo no Joken") released.

Album "First Love" ranked all-time No.1 on Ori-Con's album chart

12-inch album "First Love" released

Video concert "Luv Live Remix" held at 7 locations in Japan (Saporo/Sendai/Tokyo/Nagoya/Osaka/Hiroshima/Fukuoka)

Sokenbicha Natural Breeze Concert (Nippon Budokan)

Weekly program "Tres Bien Bohemian" launched (FM North Wave/J-Wave/Zip-FM/FM802/Cross FM)

Joint performance with Ringo Sheena at Toshiba EMI's "Music Talks '99" convention

"Sony Media & Battery RED HOT Campaign '99" TV commercial

4th single "Addicted To You" ("Sony Media & Battery RED HOT Campaign '99" TV commercial song)

First video "Single Clip Collection Vol.1" (VHS) released

"Single Clip Collection Vol.1" (DVD) released

The 32nd Nihon Usen Grand Prix "Special Award" The 32nd Nihon Usen Broadcast Grand Prix "New Singer Award" The 41st Nippon Record Grand Prix: "Grand Prize in Album Category" for "First Love" and "Honorable Mention Award" for "Automatic"

INTER FM regular program "Hikki's Sweet&Sour" started!!(Ended in '99 March) FM NORTHWAVE/CROSS FM regular program "WARNING HIKKI ATTACK!!" started!(Ended in '99 March)

Debuted with the single "Automatic/time will tell"

First Osaka campaign

Utada Hikaru: Biography

Pop Star Utada Hikaru

VITALS Born Hikaru Utada on January 19, 1983, in New York, New York. Nickname: Hikki

Utada Hikaru was born in the United States to a famous enka singer and a songwriter, who not only made sure that Hikaru inherited their talents, but also that she learned English before returning to Japan. As a child, Hikaru spent time in recording studios soaking in the music and, at age 10, she began writing her own song lyrics in English. During that time, she was rocking out to bands like Queen and Bon Jovi, but later on got into R&B. By age 12, she had released three singles in the U.S. under the pseudonym, Cubic U.

When she released her first album, "First Love," in Japan, it immediately went to No. 1 on the charts and became the most popular debut album ever released in Japan, selling eight million copies.

Utada is currently living in New York City, and is an undergraduate student at Columbia University.

DISCOGRAPHY

Welcome to the wiki. Please create an account if you want to get started editing and please visit the Guidelines page for further details on the rules of the wiki and how our editing format works.

• People from New York
• People from United States
• People born Outside of Japan
• Blood Type A
• 1998 Debuts
• Non-binary Soloists
• Epic Records Japan
• 67th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen Participants
• LGBTQ+ People

Utada Hikaru

In 1990, they formed the unit U3 alongside their mother and father. The unit debuted in Japan with a studio album released in September 1993.

In 1995, they began releasing music independently in Europe and America under the name cubic U . The same year, they were noticed by producer Miyake Akira while in a studio in Tokyo, who invited them to try making a Japanese debut. They released their debut Japanese single, Automatic / time will tell , in 1998 at the age of 15.

In 2002, they married photographer Kiriya Kazuaki. The couple divorced in 2007.

In 2014, they married an anonymous Italian man. Their first child, a son, was born in 2015. The couple divorced in 2018.

On June 26, 2021, they came out as non-binary in an instagram live video. Their prefix is "Mys" [1] and their pronouns are she/they. [2]

• 1 Discography
• 4 References
• 5 External Links

Discography [ ]

• International Releases
• [1999.03.10] First Love
• [2001.03.28] Distance
• [2002.06.19] DEEP RIVER
• [2006.06.14] ULTRA BLUE
• [2008.03.19] HEART STATION
• [2016.09.28] Fantôme
• [2018.06.27] Hatsukoi (初恋; First Love )
• [2022.02.23] BAD Mode (BADモード)

Best Albums [ ]

• [2010.11.24] Utada The Best
• [2024.XX.XX] SCIENCE FICTION

Compilation Albums [ ]

• [2004.03.31] Utada Hikaru SINGLE COLLECTION VOL.1
• [2010.11.24] Utada Hikaru SINGLE COLLECTION VOL.2
• [2014.12.09] Utada Hikaru no Uta -13 Kumi no Ongakuka ni Yoru 13 no Kaishaku ni Tsuite- (宇多田ヒカルのうた -13組の音楽家による13の解釈について-)
• [2014.12.09] Utada Hikaru SINGLE COLLECTION VOL.1+2 HD

Singles [ ]

• [1998.12.09] Automatic / time will tell
• [1999.02.17] Movin' on without you
• [1999.04.28] First Love
• [1999.11.10] Addicted To You
• [2000.04.19] Wait&See ~Risk~ (Wait&See ~リスク~)
• [2000.06.30] For You / Time Limit (For You／タイム・リミット)
• [2001.02.16] Can You Keep A Secret?
• [2001.07.25] FINAL DISTANCE
• [2001.11.28] traveling
• [2002.03.20] Hikari (光)
• [2002.05.09] SAKURA Drops / Letters (SAKURAドロップス／Letters)
• [2003.01.29] COLORS
• [2004.04.21] Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro (誰かの願いが叶うころ)
• [2005.09.28] Be My Last
• [2005.12.14] Passion
• [2006.02.22] Keep Tryin'
• [2006.11.22] Boku wa Kuma (ぼくはくま)
• [2007.02.28] Flavor Of Life
• [2007.08.29] Beautiful World / Kiss & Cry
• [2008.02.20] HEART STATION / Stay Gold
• [2008.05.21] Prisoner Of Love
• [2019.01.18] Face My Fears

DVD Singles [ ]

• [2000.06.30] Wait&See ~Risk~ (Wait&See ~リスク~)
• [2002.01.30] traveling
• [2003.03.12] COLORS
• [2004.07.28] Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro (誰かの願いが叶うころ)
• [2004.10.06] Easy Breezy (as Utada)
• [2012.12.26] Sakura Nagashi (桜流し)

Digital Singles [ ]

• [2008.10.31] Eternally -Drama Mix-
• [2009.06.27] Beautiful World -PLANiTb Acoustica Mix-
• [2012.11.17] Sakura Nagashi (桜流し)
• [2016.04.15] Hanataba wo Kimi ni (花束を君に)
• [2016.04.15] Manatsu no Toori Ame (真夏の通り雨)
• [2017.01.11] Hikaru -Ray Of Hope MIX- (光 -Ray Of Hope MIX-)
• [2017.07.10] Oozora de Dakishimete (大空で抱きしめて)
• [2017.07.28] Forevermore
• [2017.12.08] Anata (あなた)
• [2018.04.25] Play A Love Song
• [2018.05.30] Hatsukoi (初恋; First Love )

Long Plays [ ]

International albums [ ].

• [2004.09.08] Exodus (as Utada)
• [2009.03.14] This Is The One (as Utada)

International Singles [ ]

• [2004.09.14] Devil Inside
• [2005.06.21] Exodus '04
• [2005.10.17] You Make Me Want to Be a Man

International Digital Singles [ ]

• [2009.02.10] Come Back To Me (as Utada)

Gallery [ ]

• They are fluent in both English and Japanese, having grown up living both in New York City and Tokyo.
• Their father is music producer Utada Teruzane , who produced some of Hikaru's early releases.
• Their mother was enka singer Fuji Keiko .

References [ ]

• ↑ Mys Prefix post
• ↑ Utada's Instagram bio

External Links [ ]

• Official Website
• Official Twitter
• Official YouTube
• Official Instagram
• Official Myspace

SCIENCE FICTION

Hikaru Utada's first best album "SCIENCE FICTION" to be released on April 10, 2024

• Addicted To You (Re-Recording)
• First Love (2022 Mix)
• Hanataba Wo Kimini
• One Last Kiss
• SAKURA Drops (2024 Mix)
• Can You Keep A Secret? (2024 Mix)
• Prisoner Of Love (2024 Mix)
• Light (Re-Recording)
• Flavor Of Life -Ballad Version- (2024 Mix)
• Goodbye Happiness (2024 Mix)
• traveling (Re-Recording)
• Beautiful World (2024 Mix)
• Automatic (2024 Mix)
• Kimini Muchuu
• Naniirodemonai Hana (A Flower of No Color)
• Letters (2024 Mix)
• COLORS (2024 Mix)
• Nijikan Dake No Vacance featuring Ringo Sheena
• Gold ~Until we meet again~
• Electricity
• Somewhere Near Marseilles - Around Marseilles - (Sci-Fi Edit)

Hikaru Utada

American-born J-pop singer/songwriter and one of the top-selling artists in Japanese history.

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Also Known As

Related artists, discography, moods and themes.

Hikaru Utada

Hikaru Utada ( 宇多田 ヒカル , Utada Hikaru , born January 19, 1983) , also known by the mononym Utada , [2] is an American and Japanese singer, songwriter and producer. Utada is one of the most influential, bestselling musical artists in Japan.

Life and career

Early life and beginnings.

• 1998–2003: Japanese debut, First Love, Distance, and Deep River

2004–2005: Foray into international market, and Exodus

• 2005–2008: Return to Japan, Ultra Blue, and Heart Station

2009–2010: Return to the US, and This Is the One

• 2010–2015: Second return to Japan, Single Collection Vol. 2, Wild Life, and hiatus

2015–2016: Parenthood and Fantôme

2017–2019: label transfer to sony music, hatsukoi and tour, 2020–2022: bad mode, 2023–present: science fiction, musical style, personal life, discography, concert tours, one-off concerts, external links.

Utada was born in the United States to Japanese parents, record producer Teruzane Utada and enka singer Keiko Fuji . She [lower-alpha 1] began to write music and lyrics at an early age and often traveled to Tokyo as a result of her father's job. After signing to Toshiba-EMI , she released her debut English-language debut album Precious as Cubic U in 1998, which was a commercial failure. In the following year, heavily influenced by R&B and dance-pop, Utada released her Japanese-language debut, First Love , which was an immediate success. Backed by the success of singles " Automatic ", " Time Will Tell ", and " Movin' On Without You ", the album sold two   million copies in its first week in Japan, topped the Oricon charts for six non-consecutive weeks and went on to sell six   million more throughout the rest of 1999. First Love eventually became Japan's best-selling album of all time.

Utada's album Distance was released in early 2001 and spawned her biggest singles—" Addicted to You ", " Wait & See (Risk) " and " Can You Keep a Secret? "—which became million-sellers. The album broke several sales records after three   million copies were sold in its first week, instantly becoming Japan's fastest-selling album . In 2002, backed by chart-topping singles such as Traveling , Hikari and Sakura Drops , Deep River , which incorporates elements of pop folk, was released and became become one of Japan's top-selling records of all time. The albums Exodus , Ultra Blue and Heart Station also sold millions of copies. After a prolonged hiatus, Utada released the acoustic-driven albums Fantôme (2016) and Hatsukoi (2018), which reached number one on the Oricon albums chart. She topped the charts again with 2022's Bad Mode , her first Japanese/English album.

By the end of the 2000s, Utada was deemed "the most influential artist of the decade" in the Japanese music landscape by The Japan Times . She is one of Japan's top-selling recording artists of all time with over 40 million records sold. [4] Twelve of her singles have reached number one on the Oricon Singles Chart , while ten albums have become chart-toppers. Six of her full-length releases are among Japan's highest-selling albums, including First Love , Distance and Deep River , which are among the top ten best-selling records of Japan's music history. She is best known by international audiences for writing and producing four theme-song contributions to Square Enix and Disney 's collaborative video game series Kingdom Hearts : " Simple and Clean ", " Sanctuary ", " Don't Think Twice ", and " Face My Fears ". In 2021, Utada became one of the first Japanese figures to identify as non-binary . [5]

Hikaru Utada was born in New York City as the only child of Teruzane Utada , a Japanese record producer, and his wife Junko, an enka singer performing under the stage name Keiko Fuji . [6] [7] At the age of 10, Utada began to write music and lyrics. [8] [ issue   needed ] She made recordings with Keiko, releasing songs under a band named "U3" until 1996, when she started a solo project as Cubic U.

The first Cubic U single, "I'll Be Stronger", was released as a limited pressing in Japan in 1996. The next year, Utada started another project, releasing "Close to You", a cover of the Carpenters' song . She included it on her debut album Precious the following year. Both the album and single failed to chart on Oricon in Japan.

1998–2003: Japanese debut, First Love , Distance , and Deep River

Utada moved to Tokyo in the summer of 1998 and attended Seisen International School , and later the American School in Japan , while continuing to record on a contract with Toshiba-EMI . Early success came from Japanese FM radio . [9] She was at the forefront of a new wave of singer-songwriters in Japan, branching out from the previously dominant idol singers . [10] Leading up to the release of her Japanese debut album First Love , at the age of 15, she released two successful million-selling singles: " Automatic/Time Will Tell " and " Movin' On Without You ". "Automatic/Time Will Tell" sold over two   million copies. [11] [12] Backed by these singles, First Love went on to sell over 7   million units in Japan alone (with an additional 3   million overseas, bringing it to a sum of at least 10   million units [13] ), becoming the highest selling album in Japan's recent history. [14] The album yielded the single " First Love ", which peaked at the number 2 spot. By the end of the year, Utada was ranked 5th on Japanese radio station Tokio Hot 100 Airplay's Top 100 Artists of the 20th Century by the station and its listeners. [15]

After a two-year break, Utada released the follow-up album Distance , garnering first-week sales of 3   million units. [16] On the strength of its singles — " Addicted to You ", " Wait & See (Risk) ", " For You ", " Time Limit ", and " Can You Keep a Secret? " — Distance became the best-selling album of the year, with 4.47   million copies sold in Japan alone. Additionally, "Addicted to You" became her best-selling single, moving a million copies in its first week, the highest first week sales for a female solo artist, and staying on top of the chart for two consecutive weeks. "Wait & See: Risk" and "Can You Keep a Secret?" also were later ranked at number 6 and number 10 respectively on Oricon 's list of 10 Best-Selling Singles from January 1, 1999, to April 24, 2006. [17] [ better   source   needed ] Utada also went on to release a single, titled " Final Distance ", which was dedicated to the female victim of a murder case in Ikeda, Osaka .

In 2001, Utada recorded the song " Blow My Whistle " for the action-comedy film Rush Hour 2 . It was a collaboration with American rapper Foxy Brown , and was written by Utada alongside Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo . [18] [19] The song is included on Def Jam 's Rush Hour 2 soundtrack , which peaked the 11th spot on both the Billboard 200 and number 1 on the Top Soundtracks . [20] [21] While most of her work has been self-produced, Blow My Whistle was produced by the Neptunes . Utada attended Columbia University in New York City starting in 2001. [22] She attended for less than a year. [6]

Leading up to the third album, Deep River , Utada released " Traveling ", " Hikari ", and " Sakura Drops/Letters "; all the songs reached the top of the charts. Before the release of the album, she underwent surgery after being diagnosed with a benign ovarian tumor . [23] After recovering, she released Deep River and immediately went on promotional tours. Deep River sold 2.35   million copies in its first week. Oricon reported that sales eventually surpassed 3.6   million, making Utada the only singer or group in Japanese music history to have three consecutive albums surpass the three-million mark, by RIAJ standards. It was her third consecutive album to reach number 1 on Oricon's Yearly Albums chart [24] and became the eighth best selling album of all time in Japan. [13] In 2003, Utada's promotional and personal life schedules became more active due to her marriage and an agreement with Island Records in the United States to release a "proper" full-English debut album. " Colors " was her only single release for 2003.

Utada's first singles compilation album Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 1 was released on March 31, 2004. It became the best-selling album of 2004 in Japan, making her the only solo or group artist to reach number 1 four times on the yearly charts. It was the first compilation album to reach number 1 in six years on the yearly charts, and the first compilation album to reach number 1 in twenty-six years by a female artist. [25] Despite its success, the album received little promotion and no new material; moreover, it charted longer on the Oricon Albums chart than any other Utada release to date (over two years). The album sold 2.58   million units in Japan, making it the 34th best-selling album ever in the country. [13] A month later, on April 21, she released a lone Japanese single for 2004, " Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro ", which topped the singles chart for two consecutive weeks and sold 365,000 units by the year's end. It was also the main theme song for Casshern , directed by her husband at the time, Kazuaki Kiriya .

In mid-2004, Utada moved back to New York, and began work on a recording contract with Island Def Jam Music Group . On October 5, 2004, she released a North American English-language debut album, Exodus , under the newly announced stage name "Utada". [2] It was released on September 9 in Japan, with a special booklet and housed in a cardboard slipcase. In an MTV interview, she expressed skepticism about this American success: "I don't think it's the music that I'm concerned about. It's obviously that I look really different and there really aren't any completely Asian people [who are popular singers in the U.S.] right now." [26] She also remarked on the album not being one that pandered to fans, but wanting to make it anyway. [27] Exodus became her fourth consecutive release to debut at number 1 and boasted 500,000 copies in its first-week sales in Japan. American sales were not quite as successful: it reached number 160 in the US Billboard 200 chart ; [28] and peaked at number 5 in the Heatseekers chart. [29] " Easy Breezy " was released as the lead single in early August 2004, followed up by " Devil Inside " six weeks later. Utada appeared on the cover of Interview magazine's June 2005 issue. [30]

" Exodus '04 " was released at the end of June 2005 and featured remixes from the Scumfrog , Richard Vission , JJ Flores and Peter Bailey. In the UK, Mercury added another two remixes for "You Make Me Want to Be a Man" in the original album, titled "You Make Me Want to Be a Man (Bloodshy & Avant Mix)" and "You Make Me Want to Be a Man (Junior Jack Mix)". By the end of the year, Utada was voted "Number 1 Favorite Artist of 2004" by Oricon 's annual readers poll. [31] The fourth single from Exodus , " You Make Me Want to Be a Man ", was released in October 2005 in the UK. "Devil Inside" became a club hit in the U.S. and topped the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Airplay charts. [32] Both the Exodus album and the "You Make Me Want to Be a Man" single were released in the UK, with different artwork from the US and Japanese versions.

2005–2008: Return to Japan, Ultra Blue , and Heart Station

A year after the release of Exodus , Utada moved back to Tokyo and returned to the Japanese music scene. [33] Leading up the release of a fourth album, Ultra Blue , she released a string of successful hit singles: " Colors " (number 1), " Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro " (number 1), " Be My Last " (number 1), " Passion " (number 4), and " Keep Tryin' " (number 2). The digital single " This Is Love " was released to promote the album, netting 1,000,000 downloads. [34] Ultra Blue sold 500,317 copies in the first week, lower than that of the previous album, although it still topped the Oricon Daily, Weekly, and Monthly charts. Ultra Blue was Utada's fifth consecutive chart-topping Japanese album (excluding the English-language Exodus ) to sell in excess of 500,000 copies in the first week. [35] On July 13, Toshiba EMI published a report stating that Ultra Blue had sold over one   million copies worldwide and four   million digital ringtones already making it one of EMI's 10 best-selling albums of the past year. [36] [37] The album, which did not contain much pop music, was met with mixed reception, [38] although the album was certified Million by RIAJ . [39] [ better   source   needed ] Additionally, it was the highest-selling original studio album by a Japanese female artist in 2006. Ultra Blue later became available on the iTunes Japan online music store, charting at number 4 on the 2006 yearly download rankings. [34] Two weeks after the release of Ultra Blue, she went on a nationwide tour titled Utada United 2006, from June 30 through September 12. This was her second concert tour after the Bohemian Summer 2000 tour.

The singles that were released prior to Utada's fifth studio album, Heart Station , were able to reach the Top Five position on the chart, including the number 1 hit " Flavor of Life ", which would become the best selling digital single in Japan with over 7,500,000 copies downloaded. [40] Around the same time, she visited New York to talk with producers and executives at Island/Def Jam about recording a second English album. [41] Later in the year a digital track by American R&B artist Ne-Yo , titled " Do You " from his 2007 album Because of You , featured Utada and was released in Japan on November 21 (the song was later featured on Ne-Yo's "best of" album, Ne-Yo: The Collection , released on September 2, 2009, in Japan and November 2009 in the US). [42]

On June 30, 2007, the British EMI Group , which had held a 55% stake in Toshiba EMI since before Utada's debut in Japan, purchased the remaining 45% stake from the Japanese Toshiba Corporation , therefore making Toshiba EMI a wholly owned subsidiary of the London -based record label. Toshiba EMI then changed its name to EMI Music Japan to reflect Toshiba's divestiture from the business. [43] Utada's first single under the label, " Beautiful World "/" Kiss & Cry " was released as a double A-side single on August 29, 2007, and also reached number 1 on the Oricon Daily Chart. Beautiful World was used as the theme song for Evangelion 1.0: You Are (Not) Alone , the 2007 film reboot of the anime, Neon Genesis Evangelion , while Kiss & Cry was used in a series of commercials for Nissin Foods ' Freedom Project advertising campaign starting April 20, 2007, and was previously released as a digital download on May 31, 2007. [44] [45] The year 2007 ended with the single " Flavor of Life " becoming the best seller of 2007 and with Utada again voted "Number 1 Favorite Artist of 2007" by Oricon 's annual readers poll, after a two-year absence from the top spot. [31] She sold 12   million digital ringtones and songs in 2007, with "Flavor of Life" accounting for 7.5   million, the second-highest of any song worldwide that year. [40] The single was featured as the main song in the second season of TV drama Hana yori Dango Returns .

Utada's fifth studio album, Heart Station , was released on March 19, 2008, becoming her fifth consecutive number-one Japanese studio album. [46] Although it had collected the lowest first week sales for her career, with 480,081 copies sold, the sales of this album reached a million on the Oricon charts in January 2009, making it her first Japanese album to do so since the 2004 compilation album . [47] It was given a certification of one   million for shipments by the RIAJ . Heart Station became the best-selling digital-format album on the iTunes 2008 yearly album charts in Japan, [48] and was also the highest-selling original studio album by a solo female artist on the Oricon Yearly Chart. [49] The song " Prisoner of Love " was used as the theme-song for the television drama Last Friends . Although "Prisoner of Love" was not initially released as a single alone, it reached number 1 in iTunes and the Chako-Uta charts after it was released as a single for the drama. It reached number 2 at the Oricon Weekly charts. It marked the fourth successful drama tie-in for Utada, following 1999's Majo no Jōken and First Love , 2001's Hero and Can You Keep a Secret and 2007's Hana Yori Dango and Flavor of Life . On October 20, 2008, the song " Eternally " from Utada's 2001 album Distance was used as the theme for the drama Innocent Love . [50] The song was later released as a digital single. [51] By the end of the year, Utada was also voted the "Number 1 Favorite Artist of 2008" by Oricon 's annual readers poll for the second consecutive year, and third time overall. [52]

On December 16, 2008, information leaked onto the internet that Utada's next English-language single, titled " Come Back to Me ", would be scheduled for airplay release through U.S. Rhythmic/Crossover and Mainstream formats on February 9 and 10, 2009 respectively via Island Records . [53] [54] Her second English album, titled This Is the One , was released on March 14, 2009, in Japan and on May 12, 2009, in the United States. [55] This Is the One debuted at number 1 in Japan on March 13, 2009, the day it was released in Japan, [56] but became her first album not to top the weekly chart since Precious . On March 30, 2009, Utada appeared on New York City radio station Z-100 , the largest pop radio program in the U.S., and granted a live on-air interview on the station's Elvis Duran Morning Show , a breakthrough that would lead to a promotional schedule through the album's international physical release on May 12. She also sang the theme song for the second Evangelion film, Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance . The single was released on June 27, 2009, and is a remix of a previous single, " Beautiful World ". The single is titled " Beautiful World -PLANiTb Acoustica Mix- ". [57] [58]

On November 30, 2009, at Studio Coast , Tokyo, Utada sung a duet of Let It Snow with pop singer Mika . [59] On December 21, 2009, Utada's Dirty Desire remixes were released only on Amazon.com , Zune Marketplace , and the U.S. iTunes Store , in support of This Is the One and an upcoming tour. [60] The tour, Utada: In the Flesh 2010 , [61] was her first concert tour outside Japan and included eight cities in the US and two dates in London, UK. The tickets for the second London performance went on public sale November 13, and reportedly sold out in just five hours. [62]

2010–2015: Second return to Japan, Single Collection Vol. 2 , Wild Life , and hiatus

In a personal blog post on August 9, 2010, Utada announced a long hiatus, writing "I don't know if it will be 2 years or 5 years." After having been focused on music from age 15 to 27, she expressed a need to have a broader range of experiences, and grow as a person. [63] However, she also wrote that before the hiatus began, some new music would be released. Soon after the post, a compilation album was announced: Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 2 , with a release date of November 24, 2010. This album would include all of Utada's Japanese singles, from " Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro " to " Prisoner of Love ", on disc one, as well as an extra EP featuring five new tracks. [64] Later it was announced a DVD containing the promotional video for Goodbye Happiness would be included in all first-press edition pre-orders. [65]

On September 27, 2010, Utada revealed a single, entitled " Hymne à l'amour (Ai no Anthem) ", which became a commercial tie-in for Pepsi NEX. The song features both Japanese and French lyrics, written and translated by Utada herself. She performed a concert series titled Wild Life at Yokohama Arena to promote the album, her first Japanese concert since 2006's Utada United. [64] On October 3, 2010, Utada's official EMI website was updated with the album artwork and final track list for Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 2 . [66] First-press editions included a three-fold paper slip case, along with a Kuma good luck charm , and a lottery slip for fans to have a chance at winning one of 1000 tickets to Wild Life. [67] [ user-generated source ] In late October, it was revealed online at Tower Records Japan [68] [69] and several other websites that an English-language "best-of album" titled Utada the Best " would become available in Japan on the same day as Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 2 , November 24. Utada reacted to the news, stating: "I understand that if it doesn't sell, I'm the one who will take the hit, but to be honest, I don't want my fans putting down money for something that my heart isn't in." [70] and "The release of Utada the Best is entirely against my will. I wish that my fans won't have to buy it. There's no new material in it." [71]

Utada later announced a single, " Goodbye Happiness ", [72] with its accompanying PV appearing publicly on November 9, 2010. [73] The song was also chosen as the Recochoku Chaku-Uta TV commercial theme song. [74] She also appeared on a track entitled "London City" with English rapper Devlin on his first studio album, Bud, Sweat and Beers , which was also released on November 1. On November 8, 2010, EMI Japan announced on its Web site that the company had made a global recording deal with Utada, also stating that all of her future work regardless of language would be released under one name: Hikaru Utada. [75] This signaled the retirement of her Western stage name , Utada. First-week sales for Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 2 were 231,000 units according to Oricon. [76] The release marked Utada's seventh consecutive number 1 album (5 original and two best-ofs) since her debut, surpassing KinKi Kids ' previous record of six. [77] On April 10, 2011, she won the award for "Best Conceptual Video" in the Space Shower Music Video Awards for the promotional video for "Goodbye Happiness", which was also her directorial debut. [78] The two-concert Wild Life tour took place on December 8 and 9, 2010 at Yokohama Arena . The opening concert was broadcast in 64 cinemas in Japan while it was simultaneously broadcast on Ustream , a live video streaming website. The two channels set up for the concert on Ustream were accessed a total of 925,000 times, with 345,000 unique viewers, which was a global record on Ustream.tv for the highest number of simultaneous accesses of any video, with the previous highest being only 100,000. [79]

Japanese TV station NHK premiered a documentary about Utada on January 15, 2011, entitled Utada Hikaru: Ima no Watashi ( 宇多田ヒカル ～今のわたし～ , "What I Am") , a documentary featuring studio performances (" Show Me Love (Not a Dream) " and " Goodbye Happiness ") as well as a few clips from the Wild Life performances. It also featured a post–Wild Life interview with J-Wave host Chris Peppler, in which she expressed a desire to travel and do volunteer work overseas. [80] She said she would continue writing music during the hiatus. [81] The documentary was also broadcast internationally, in Europe on February 2, 2011, and in the US on February 12, 2011, on the NHK channel (TV Japan in America, and JSTV in Europe). [82] [ failed verification ] A DVD and Blu-ray release of Wild Life were confirmed and initially set for release on April 6, 2011. [83] However, on March 24, 2011, Utada tweeted that both the DVD/Blu-ray of the Wild Life tour had been postponed, due to the earthquake and resulting tsunami in Japan damaging the pressing factories. The DVD was released on April 20, 2011, with the Blu-ray following. [84] On December 7, 2011, Recochoku updated their yearly download and awards chart, with her Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 1 listed as the second-most-downloaded album of 2011. [85] [ user-generated source ]

On November 16, 2012, Utada's YouTube account uploaded a video entitled "桜流し" (" Sakura Nagashi ", meaning "Flowing Cherry Blossoms"). The single was co-written with Paul Carter , and was digitally released on November 17, 2012. A DVD single was released a month later. "Sakura Nagashi" is the theme song from the animation movie Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo . [86] In September 2012, the British EMI group was broken up and sold to various companies. On April 1, 2013, Utada's record company, EMI Music Japan , was absorbed into Universal Music Japan , became defunct as a company and was renamed to EMI Records Japan . [87] Therefore, all of her further releases before switching to Sony Music Entertainment Japan would be through Universal Music Japan. On December 9, 2013, to celebrate the 15th anniversary of First Love , EMI Records released Utada: In the Flesh 2010 tour footage on iTunes and announced a re-release of First Love , including a special limited edition that contained the original album remastered, instrumentals from the original tracks, unreleased tracks and live footage from Utada's first live show, Luv Live . [88] On December 8, 2014, Universal Music Japan released a tribute album entitled Utada Hikaru no Uta . The album features cover versions of Utada's back catalogue of songs by different popular artists such as AI , Ayumi Hamasaki , Peabo Bryson , Ringo Shiina , and more. On December 26, 2014, Universal Music Japan revealed through media outlet Weekly Bunshun that Utada only has one album left before the contract with the label ends, and that a comeback in the music industry was under discussion. [89]

On July 3, 2015, Utada revealed the birth of a son on her blog, and mentioned work on an album primarily written during pregnancy. She asked for patience leading up to the release during the transition into parenthood. [90] [91] In January 2016, it was reported that Utada would release a song in the spring. " Hanataba o Kimi ni " ("Bouquet for You") was the theme for the television show Toto Neechan ( とと姉ちゃん ) ), which aired on April 4, 2016. [92] In February 2016, " Manatsu no Tōriame " was aired on April 4, 2016, to be the theme to a late-night TV station's news show, News Zero . That same day, Utada's website announced the official song's release, as digital singles, on April 15. [93] Utada's website was also updated with the announcement of a project titled "New-Turn", in which fans were encouraged to purchase her music and to use the hashtag "#おかえりHIKKI" ("Welcome Back Hikki") on Twitter . The aim was to use proceeds from the music purchased to plant more cherry blossom trees in the tsunami-damaged areas of Japan after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake . The website also confirmed her return to artistic activities. [94] [95] [96]

On August 8, 2016, the album's title, track list and cover were released. The album's title was announced as Fantôme (French: 'ghost'), containing eight new songs, as well as the previous three singles, for a track listing totaling eleven tracks. [97] [98] Following its release on September 28, Fantôme was commercially and critically successful. It debuted atop the Oricon Albums Chart and stayed there for four consecutive weeks, the most of any Utada studio album since First Love . [99] It was awarded Album of the Year at the Japan Record Awards [100] and received positive reviews from media outlets. [101] [102] [103] At the end of the year, it was ranked the third-best-selling physical record of the year by Oricon, as well as the best-selling digital album, according to Billboard Japan . [104] [105]

On February 9, 2017, it was announced that Utada would switch labels to Sony Music Japan sub-label Epic Records once the contract with Universal expired in March. [106] The label announced that new material would be released later in 2017. [107] The first digital single under the label, called " Ōzora de Dakishimete ", was released digitally worldwide on July 10, 2017. [108] The second one, called " Forevermore ", was released on July 28. It features the drummer Chris Dave . [109] A third digital single, called " Anata ", was released on December 8. The song was chosen as the theme for the movie Destiny: Kamakura Monogatari . [110] On December 8, she announced that the Japanese repertoire, from debut single Automatic to the sixth album Fantôme would be simultaneously available on all streaming services but Spotify , where it would be available a month later on January 8, 2018. [111]

Utada also co-produced the singer-songwriter Nariaki Obukuro 's major label debut album, Bunriha no Natsu , under Epic . The first single off the album, " Lonely One ", has Utada credited as a featured artist and was released on January 17, 2018, through streaming services. [112] On February 10, 2018, it was announced that Utada would provide the theme song for the video game Kingdom Hearts III , called " Chikai " ("Oath"), along the English version, called "Don't Think Twice", for international audiences. It was confirmed that "Chikai" would be included in her seventh Japanese album, set for release in 2018. [113] A third studio collaboration with Obukuro was announced to be released in Sheena Ringo 's tribute album, Adam to Eve no Ringo , a cover of Ringo's song " Marunouchi Sadistic ", which they both covered one year earlier in Obukuro's radio show. [114]

On April 17, 2018, a new single by Utada, "Hatsukoi", was unveiled in the drama Hana Nochi Hare ~Hanadan Next Season~ as an image song. It was the second song she delivered to the Hana Yori Dango drama series, after " Flavor of Life " in 2007. The single was released on May 30. [115] On the next day, a single was announced for release on April 25 called " Play a Love Song ", the theme song for Suntory Water SWITCH&SPARKLE. [116] On June 27, Utada's seventh Japanese album Hatsukoi was released, her first under Epic. It contained all previous six singles, for a total of 12 songs. A domestic concert tour, called Hikaru Utada Laughter in the Dark Tour 2018 was held from November 6 until December 9 (which was her 20th debut anniversary day), for a total of 12 dates at 6 different venues. [117] [118] The album debuted at number 1 in Oricon physical and digital weekly charts, with total sales combined of over 242,000. [119] [120]

On September 28, it was reported that Utada would release a single titled " Face My Fears " as the theme song for Kingdom Hearts III . She co-produced the song with American musicians Skrillex and Poo Bear . [121] [122] "Face My Fears" was released as a CD single on January 18, 2019, making it her first release on the format in eleven years since her 2008 single " Prisoner of Love ". It was also her first release with original English songs since This Is the One in 2009. [123] The song became her first US Billboard Hot 100 at number 98, and it peaked at number 9 in Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart. [124]

On June 26, 2019, Utada's Laughter in the Dark tour film was released worldwide on Netflix, with English subtitles personally translated by the singer. [125] [126] On November 1, 2019, an Utada collaboration with singer-songwriter Sheena Ringo was released, called "Roman to Soroban LDN ver." ("The Sun and the Moon", in English). It was featured in Sheena's best-of album Apple of Universal Gravity . [127] [128] An alternative version of the song, called "Roman to Soroban TYO ver.", was available on November 25. On November 27, 2019, Utada released the first single in over a year with "Shonen Jidai". It appears as track number 5 on the Inoue Yosue Tribute album. She also included a live rendition of the song on her 2003 DVD UH Live Streaming 20 Dai wa Ikeike!

On May 8, 2020, Utada released " Time ", the theme song for the NTV drama Bishoku Tantei Akechi Goro . [129] The single " Darenimo Iwanai " was released on May 29 as the music for a Suntory mineral water campaign, with Utada starring in the commercial. [130] [131] In the second episode of Instagram live series Jitaku Kakuri-chu no Hikaru Paisen ni Kike! , Utada confirmed that work was underway on both new Japanese and English songs for the next album, including English versions of the Japanese songs. [132] On December 3, 2020, it was announced that Takeru Sato and Hikari Mitsushima will star in a Netflix show based on Utada's songs "First Love" and "Hatsukoi". The streaming show, titled First Love Hatsukoi , which was released in November 2022. [133] [134] On December 25, 2020, Utada's official website announced a new single titled "One Last Kiss" as the theme song for the film Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time . [135] The song was later postponed 'until further notice' due to the COVID-19 pandemic , along with the movie. [136] The single was released on March 8, 2021, with the release of the film. [137]

Utada sang the theme "Pink Blood" for the 2021 anime To Your Eternity which was released in April. [138] She released the single "Kimini Muchuu" for TBS drama series Saiai that November. Bad Mode , Utada's eleventh studio album, was released on January 19, 2022. Her first bilingual album, Bad Mode includes collaborations with a variety of producers, including Skrillex and Poo Bear , A. G. Cook , and Sam Shepherd . [139] The album reached number one on Japan's Oricon and Billboard charts. [140] On April 16, 2022, Utada performed at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival 's main stage, her first time in a music festival in the United States, under the 88rising block. She sang a short setlist of old songs including "Simple and Clean", "Automatic", "First Love" and a new song, called T . A studio version of T , featuring rapper Warren Hue , was released in the same day after the concert finished, as part of the 88rising EP Head in the Clouds Forever . [141] On June 9, 2022, the concert "Hikaru Utada Live Sessions from Air Studios" was released for streaming on Netflix . [142]

In celebration of her 40th birthday, January 19, 2023, a live streaming event was held, called 40 Dai-Wa-Iroiro . The stream consisted of a question and answer session with fans, talk with actors Takeru Satoh and Yuriko Yoshitaka , who starred in the 2022 Netflix drama First Love and alive performances. Recordings from the session were released digitally on February 17, 2023. A single titled "Gold -Mata Au Hi Made-" was announced as the theme song of the movie Kingdom: Flame of Destiny   [ ja ] , which was released on July 28. The song was co-produced by A. G. Cook . On the December 9th, Utada announced the release of a greatest hits album, Science Fiction , to commemorate her 25th anniversary since her debut in 1998. [143] A tour of the same name was announced to be held in Japan in July 2024, as well dates in Taiwan and Hong Kong. [143] [144]

Utada is a core component of the ever-changing J-pop music genre, bringing her American-inflected R&B vocal style to a mix of soulful ballads, bouncy dance-pop , and standard pop songs. [145] [146] Utada's official website cites 16 musicians and composers as her favorite artists: Freddie Mercury , Cocteau Twins , Nine Inch Nails , Jimi Hendrix , Prince , Amel Larrieux , Édith Piaf , Chick Corea , the Blue Nile , Björk , Kate Bush , Akino Arai , Lenny Kravitz , Béla Bartók , Mozart , Jeff Buckley , Yutaka Ozaki , and Hibari Misora . [147] Elsewhere, she has also listed R&B artists Aaliyah , Mariah Carey , and Mary J. Blige as inspirations, [148] [ failed verification ] and has previously mentioned growing up as a fan of Madonna , Sting , and the Cure . [149]

Utada is bilingual and speaks English and Japanese fluently. On September 7, 2002, she married Kazuaki Kiriya , a photographer and film director who had directed several of her music videos. On March 2, 2007, the couple announced their divorce, citing personal changes and lack of communication due to the nature of their jobs. [150]

On August 22, 2013, Utada's mother, Keiko Fuji , died by apparent suicide by jumping from the thirteenth floor of a 28-floor condominium building in Shinjuku , Tokyo. [7] [151]

On February 3, 2014, Utada announced plans to be wedded to an Italian man, asking for fans and the media to view their personal lives from a "respectable distance" as he was not in the entertainment industry. [152] [153] On the same day, ex-husband Kazuaki Kiriya congratulated her on the new marriage. [154] On February 10, 2014, Utada and fiancé Francesco Calliano left a message on her official website explaining how they met each other while Calliano was a bartender in a London hotel, and asking for privacy. The couple were married on May 23, 2014. [155] On July 3, 2015, she gave birth to her son. [90] On April 6, 2018, it was announced that they had divorced. [156]

On June 26, 2021, Utada came out as non-binary in an Instagram livestream. [157] [158] Utada uses both she/her and they/them pronouns. [3] Utada also said in regards to the English language honorifics Ms. and Mrs., "It makes me uncomfortable to be identified so markedly by my marital status or sex, and I don't relate to any of those prefixes. Every time, I feel like I'm forced to misrepresent myself." Utada expressed support for such alternatives as Mx . [159]

Japanese studio albums

• First Love (1999)
• Distance (2001)
• Deep River (2002)
• Ultra Blue (2006)
• Heart Station (2008)
• Fantôme (2016)
• Hatsukoi (2018)
• Bad Mode (2022)

English studio albums

• Precious [as Cubic U] (1998)
• Exodus (2004)
• This Is the One (2009)
• Bohemian Summer 2000 Tour (2000)
• Utada United 2006 Tour (2006)
• Utada: In the Flesh 2010 Tour (2010)
• Laughter in the Dark Tour (2018)
• Science Fiction Tour (2024)
• Luv Live (1999)
• Utada Hikaru in Budokan 2004 [lower-alpha 2] (2004)
• One Night Magic (2006)
• Wild Life (2010)

• Capitol Records
• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. dance chart
• List of best-selling music artists in Japan
• List of number-one dance hits (United States)
• ↑ Utada uses she/her and they/them pronouns. [3] This article uses she/her pronouns for consistency.
• ↑ Also known as "Utada Hikaru in Budokan 「No。5」" or "Hikaru No. 5" as the concerts were held to celebrate Utada's fifth anniversary of her musical career in Japan

Related Research Articles

First Love is the debut Japanese-language studio album by Japanese-American recording artist Hikaru Utada, released on March 10, 1999, by Toshiba-EMI.

Deep River is the fourth studio album by Japanese-American singer Hikaru Utada. It was released via Toshiba EMI on June 19, 2002. The title of the album, as well as its title track, was inspired by the novel Deep River by Shusaku Endo. Utada wrote and co-produced the majority of the record, and unlike her previous album Distance (2001), she worked primarily with Japanese collaborator Akira Miyake and her father Teruzane Utada. Musically, Deep River is widely noted by fans and critics as the transition state from Utada's earlier style, R&B, to ethereal pop.

" For You " is a song by Japanese-American musician Hikaru Utada. It was released as a double A-side single with the song "Time Limit" on June 30, 2000.

" Movin' On Without You " is the second single by Japanese–American singer and producer Hikaru Utada. It serves as the second single from her debut studio album First Love (1999). The song was the first song that Utada had written and composed by herself. "Movin' On Without You" was incepted while Utada was attending high school in Tokyo, Japan, during 1997. Utada, who received a recording contract by Toshiba-EMI, had written an English-language version of the song, which remains unreleased to this day.

Ultra Blue is the sixth album by Japanese–American singer Hikaru Utada, released on June 14, 2006, by EMI Music Japan. It is the first original Japanese language album under Hikaru Utada's name in four years since her third album Deep River (2002). While the arrangements for her album Deep River were done collaboratively, all but one of the songs on Ultra Blue were written, composed, and arranged solely by Utada, who also did the programming herself.

The discography of Japanese-American R&B and pop singer Hikaru Utada consists of eleven studio albums, four compilation albums, eleven video albums and numerous singles and promotional singles. Utada began as a musician in the early 1990s as a member of U 3 , a family unit made up of her, her mother Junko Utada, also known as 1970s enka singer Keiko Fuji, and her father, musical producer Teruzane Utada. U 3 released their debut album Star in 1993, with the hope to debut in America. In 1996, the group was rebranded as Cubic U, an R&B project focusing on Hikaru Utada, resulting in the English language album Precious in 1998 with record label Toshiba EMI.

" Flavor of Life " is Hikaru Utada's 18th Japanese single. The physical single was officially released on February 28, 2007.

" Beautiful World " is a song by Japanese American musician Hikaru Utada. It served as the theme song for Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone , the 2007 film reboot of the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion . It was released as a double A-side single on August 29, 2007 along with her song "Kiss & Cry", which had been released digitally three months earlier. In 2009, a remix of the song, "Beautiful World " served as the theme song of the second film in the series, Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance .

Heart Station is the seventh studio and fifth Japanese-language album by Japanese–American recording artist Hikaru Utada. It was released on March 19, 2008, by EMI Music in Japan, and globally on March 26, 2008. It is Utada's eighth consecutive studio album to be fully written and produced by her, with the help of her father Teruzane Utada and long-time collaborator Miyake Akira through the production. Recorded between 2006 and 2008, it was worked on whilst she was recording her ninth studio and second English-language studio album, This Is the One (2009). With the album artwork photographed by Japanese photographer Mitsuo, Heart Station was released in two formats: a physical CD, and as a digital download.

" Heart Station " is a song by Japanese musician Hikaru Utada, which was released as a double A-side single alongside her song "Stay Gold" on February 20, 2008. It served as the fifth single from her fifth Japanese-language album Heart Station . "Heart Station" was fully written, composed and produced by Utada herself. The song was created with the image of a song that would come on if you were to turn on your car radio on a late-night highway on your way home from work or play, with the title meaning a place that transmits radio waves from the heart. Musically, it is a midtempo pop ballad. Lyrically, it speaks about bidding someone adieu and still trying to reach them and maintain their presence in your life.

Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 2 is Japanese pop singer-songwriter Hikaru Utada's second compilation album, released on November 24, 2010, by EMI Music Japan, the same day as her Universal-released English language compilation album, Utada the Best . The album includes two discs, with the first being a 13-track greatest hits album spanning 2004–2009, while the second is an extended play featuring new material. Along with Utada the Best , this remained Utada's last album release for six years, until 2016's Fantôme , due to an announced hiatus. Several of the new songs achieved commercial success, with "Goodbye Happiness" reaching number one on Billboard' s Japan Hot 100 chart, and "Can't Wait 'Til Christmas" reaching number one on the Recording Industry Association of Japan's digital track chart. Both songs have been certified by the association as gold records for full-length cellphone downloads.

" Time Limit " is a song by Japanese musician Hikaru Utada. It was released as a double A-side single with the song "For You" on June 30, 2000.

" Goodbye Happiness " is a song by Japanese American singer-songwriter Hikaru Utada. It was released as the lead track from Utada's second Japanese compilation album, Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 2 , in November 2010. The song was commercially successful, topping Billboard's Japan Hot 100 chart in December 2010, and in January 2011 was certified gold by the RIAJ for more than 100,000 full-length downloads to cellphones.

" Can't Wait 'Til Christmas " is a song by Japanese singer-songwriter Hikaru Utada. It was released on Utada's second Japanese compilation album, Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 2 , on November 24, 2010.

" Sakura Nagashi " is a song by Japanese singer-songwriter Hikaru Utada. It was released by EMI Music Japan digitally on November 17, 2012, with a DVD single released December 26, 2012. The song is the theme to the third film of the Rebuild of Evangelion movie series, Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo , and was later included on their sixth Japanese-language studio album Fantôme , released in 2016. The single also marked Utada's last release under the then EMI-controlled EMI Music Japan as the label was absorbed into Universal Music Japan as EMI Records Japan in April 2013.

" Letters " is a song by Japanese American musician Hikaru Utada. It was released as a double A-side single with the song "Sakura Drops" on May 9, 2002.

" Sakura Drops " is a song by Japanese-American musician Hikaru Utada. It was released as a double A-side single with the song "Letters" on May 9, 2002.

" Stay Gold " is a pop song by Japanese American musician Hikaru Utada. Used in a high-profile campaign for Kao Corporation's Asience shampoo commercials in 2007, the song was released as a double A-side single with Utada's song "Heart Station" on February 20, 2008.

" Hatsukoi " is a song by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Hikaru Utada. It is her fifth single under the label Epic Records Japan and was taken from her upcoming seventh Japanese-language studio album Hatsukoi . The song was released as a digital download on May 30 and was used as a tie-in for the Japanese television drama Hana Nochi Hare - Hanadan Next Season . It's the second song that Utada delivers to the series, after Flavor of Life in 2007.

Hatsukoi is the seventh Japanese-language studio album by Japanese–American recording artist Hikaru Utada. It was released on June 27, 2018, as her first album under Sony Music Japan sublabel Epic Records Japan. The release coincided with the commemoration of her 20th Anniversary as an artist in Japan. A national tour was announced to support the album in November 2018. The five previously released songs were confirmed in the album track list, for a total of twelve songs, including the title track "Hatsukoi" and the Kingdom Hearts III theme song "Chikai".

• 1 2 "Utada Hikaru" . Music Japan Plus (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 5, 2016 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
• 1 2 "Hikaru Utada's Instagram Profile" . Instagram . Archived from the original on April 16, 2022 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
• ↑ Katayama, Frederick H. (March 23, 2009). "Japan singer Utada makes 3rd bid to crack U.S. market" . Reuters . Archived from the original on October 30, 2021 . Retrieved October 30, 2021 .
• ↑ Kim, Michelle (February 10, 2022). "Breaking the boundaries of language and genre, Hikaru Utada finds freedom" . NPR . Archived from the original on May 30, 2022 . Retrieved May 30, 2022 . It's also Utada's first album since they came out as nonbinary last summer, making them one of few Japanese public figures to openly express their gender identity with that language.
• 1 2 Daly, Sean (October 14, 2004). "Leaving the Girl Behind" . The Washington Post . Archived from the original on June 18, 2022 . Retrieved May 9, 2022 .
• 1 2 "Former singer Keiko Fuji, mother of Hikaru Utada, falls to death" . Japan Today . August 22, 2013. Archived from the original on June 8, 2021 . Retrieved June 5, 2021 .
• ↑ "As I See it: Today's Pop Idols Sound Like the Pied Piper". Mainichi Shimbun . 1999.
• ↑ 宇多田ヒカル [ Utada Hikaru ] . Nikkei Trendy (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 7, 2008 . Retrieved November 30, 2008 .
• ↑ "From cotton candy to acid rebels, Japan's pop scene heats up" . CNN . June 15, 1999. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016 . Retrieved December 18, 2008 .
• ↑ 藤圭子の娘・宇多田ヒカルは16歳、いきなり200万枚ヒットでＲ＆Ｂクイーンに [ Hikaru Utada, daughter of Keiko Fuji, is 16 years old and suddenly becomes R&B Queen with 2 million hits. ] . Nikkei Entertainment (in Japanese). Nikkei Business Publications . March 5, 1999. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011 . Retrieved November 30, 2008 .
• ↑ McClure, Steve. "Female Singers: Hikaru Utada Finds 'Love' Blooming". Billboard . Vol.   111, no.   18.
• 1 2 3 歴代アルバムランキング TOP280 [ Album Ranking TOP 280 ] . MusicTVProgram (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 3, 2012 . Retrieved January 22, 2011 .
• ↑ 宇多田ヒカル [ Hikaru Utada ] . Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on September 29, 2008 . Retrieved November 6, 2008 .
• ↑ リスナーとJ-WAVEが選んだ20世紀のビッグ・アーティスト100人を発表 [ Announcing the Top 100 Big Artists of the 20th Century as chosen by listeners and J-wave ] . J-Wave (in Japanese). 1999. Archived from the original on August 14, 2003 . Retrieved August 26, 2007 .
• ↑ Farley, Christopher John (September 15, 2001). "Diva on Campus" . Time.com . Archived from the original on September 30, 2007 . Retrieved December 27, 2006 .
• ↑ "JaME – The 1st database and information website about Japanese music – www.jame-world.com" . JMusicEuropa.com . Archived from the original on September 25, 2008 . Retrieved January 22, 2011 .
• ↑ "Sakurai Champions Japanese Rap, Def Jam Japan Spreads the Word with Dabo Album, Utada Soundtrack Cut" . Billboard . Nielsen Business Media. August 4, 2001. p.   40.
• ↑ "Rush Hour 2 Soundtrack" . AllMusic . Archived from the original on May 28, 2022 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
• ↑ "The Billboard 200" . Billboard . Archived from the original on November 28, 2021 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
• ↑ "Movie Soundtracks: Top Soundtrack Albums Chart" . Billboard . Archived from the original on March 30, 2018 . Retrieved April 19, 2018 .
• ↑ Farley, Christopher John (September 15, 2001). "Diva On Campus" . Time . Archived from the original on January 19, 2022 . Retrieved May 9, 2022 .
• ↑ "Pop star hikaru Utada hospitalized" . The Japan Times . May 6, 2002. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
• ↑ 平成14年 音楽の話題 [ What's This Year - Music 2002 ] . ja:InterQ (in Japanese). Archived from the original on August 22, 2010 . Retrieved January 22, 2011 .
• ↑ 宇多田ヒカル Oricon Style Special Comment [ Utada Hikaru Oricon Style Special Comment ] . Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 15, 2008.
• ↑ Rashbaum, Alyssa (October 5, 2004). "Utada" . MTV . Archived from the original on July 1, 2011 . Retrieved September 12, 2006 .
• ↑ Robson, Daniel (June 23, 2006). "Utada Hikaru "Ultra Blue" " . The Japan Times . Archived from the original on January 16, 2019 . Retrieved January 16, 2019 .
• ↑ "Utada Chart History" . Billboard . Archived from the original on May 20, 2018 . Retrieved March 7, 2018 .
• ↑ "Utada Chart History" . Billboard . Archived from the original on May 14, 2018 . Retrieved March 7, 2018 .
• ↑ "Interview Goes to Tokyo" . Interview . June 2005. Archived from the original on November 21, 2005 . Retrieved June 22, 2008 .
• 1 2 発表! 音楽ファン2万人が選ぶ『好きなアーティストランキング』 [ Announcement! "Favourite Artist Ranking" by 20,000 music fans ] . Oricon (in Japanese). July 20, 2007. Archived from the original on March 2, 2014 . Retrieved August 26, 2007 .
• ↑ 女王復活！宇多田ヒカル新記録達成 [ The Queen is back! Hikaru Utada sets a new record! ] . Daily Sports (Japanese newspaper) (in Japanese). April 19, 2007. Archived from the original on April 22, 2007 . Retrieved November 30, 2008 .
• 1 2 "iTunes annual ranking, tops Utada and Mozart" iTunes年間ランキング、トップは宇多田とモーツァルト . ja:ITmedia (in Japanese). December 20, 2006. Archived from the original on November 4, 2021 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
• ↑ 宇多田ヒカル、2年1ヶ月ぶりのアルバム首位獲得で史上初の快挙！ [ Hikaru Utada's first album to top the charts in 2 years and 1 month, a first in history! ] . Oricon (in Japanese). June 20, 2006. Archived from the original on May 3, 2022 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
• ↑ "Chairman Nicoli Addresses WMG Merger and EMI's Future" . Hypebot . July 13, 2006. Archived from the original on March 11, 2007 . Retrieved January 22, 2011 .
• ↑ EMI Annual Report 2007 (PDF) (Report). EMI . 2007. p.   18. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 20, 2008 . Retrieved August 26, 2007 .
• ↑ ミリオン超え？ 宇多田新作 [ Over a Million? Utada's new work ] . Kōbe Shimbun (in Japanese). February 28, 2008. Archived from the original on October 7, 2011 . Retrieved November 14, 2008 .
• ↑ ゴールド等認定作品認定 2006年7月 [ Gold and other certified works approved July 2006 ] . Recording Industry Association of Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 22, 2009 . Retrieved November 14, 2008 .
• 1 2 "Sales of 'Flavor of Life' by Japan's Utada Hikaru pass 7.5   million" . January 31, 2008. Archived from the original on February 16, 2008 . Retrieved January 31, 2008 .
• ↑ "Bon jour!" . U3 Music (in Japanese). September 25, 2007. Archived from the original on October 12, 2007 . Retrieved September 26, 2007 .
• ↑ Ne-Yoとのデュエット曲"ドゥ・ユー feat. Utada [ Duet with Ne-Yo "Do You feat. Utada" ] . Utada (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 9, 2008 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
• ↑ 当社株式の譲渡と社名（商号）変更に関するお知らせ [ Notice concerning the transfer of company shares and company name (trade name) change ] (PDF) . EMIMusic.jp (in Japanese). EMI Group . June 30, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 29, 2007.
• ↑ "宇多田ヒカルが新記録を樹立！さらに新曲も発表" [ Hikaru Utada sets a new record! And also announced a new song! ] . ja:BARKS (in Japanese). April 20, 2007. Archived from the original on December 30, 2014 . Retrieved December 30, 2014 .
• ↑ レコード協会調べ 6月度有料音楽配信認定 [ Record Association Investigation: June Digital Music Download Certifications ] . Recording Industry Association of Japan (in Japanese). July 20, 2007. Archived from the original on June 7, 2008 . Retrieved February 13, 2014 .
• ↑ 【オリコン】宇多田ヒカル、08年No.1スタートで6作連続1位！ [ Hikaru Utada starts 2008 at No. 1, her sixth consecutive No. 1! ] . Oricon (in Japanese). March 25, 2008. Archived from the original on October 7, 2012 . Retrieved November 10, 2008 .
• ↑ 宇多田ヒカル5年ぶり、ミスチル2年ぶりにミリオン突破 [ Hikaru Utada topped millions for the first time in 5 years and Mr. Children in 2 years ] . Oricon.co.jp (in Japanese). January 6, 2009. Archived from the original on May 3, 2022 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
• ↑ 2008年、「iTunes Store」で最もダウンロードされた楽曲が発表 [ Most Downloaded Songs in the iTunes Store in 2008 ] . ja:BARKS (in Japanese). December 3, 2008. Archived from the original on December 3, 2008 . Retrieved December 3, 2008 .
• ↑ 2008年 年間アルバムランキング [ 2008 Annual Album Ranking ] . Oricon (in Japanese). December 11, 2008. Archived from the original on February 4, 2009 . Retrieved December 12, 2008 .
• ↑ 宇多田ヒカルが歌う新月9ドラマ主題歌の配信開始 [ Distribution of new Tsuki 9 drama theme song sung by Hikaru Utada begins. ] . ja:BARKS (in Japanese). October 20, 2008. Archived from the original on October 22, 2008 . Retrieved November 14, 2008 .
• ↑ 宇多田ヒカルの曲の中で一番好きなのはどれ？ [ Which of Utada Hikaru's songs do you like best? ] . ja:RBB TODAY (in Japanese). November 4, 2008. Archived from the original on December 30, 2008 . Retrieved November 14, 2008 .
• ↑ 2万人が選んだ好きなアーティストランキング [ Favourite artist ranking as selected by 20,000 people ] . Oricon (in Japanese). November 14, 2008. Archived from the original on May 29, 2013 . Retrieved November 14, 2008 .
• ↑ "Future Airplay Charts" . FMQB . Archived from the original on February 21, 2010 . Retrieved December 16, 2008 .
• ↑ "CHR/Top 40" . Radio & Records . February 10, 2009. Archived from the original on October 17, 2015 . Retrieved October 26, 2010 .
• ↑ "Utada's official Japanese website" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on August 10, 2009 . Retrieved January 10, 2009 .
• ↑ "宇多田ヒカルの音楽配信" [ Utada Hikaru's music distribution ] . Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 20, 2015 . Retrieved October 26, 2010 .
• ↑ Loo, Egan (May 15, 2009). "Hikaru Utada to Sing Theme of Evangelion: 2.0 Film" . Anime News Network . Archived from the original on May 19, 2009 . Retrieved May 19, 2009 .
• ↑ "Utada Hiraku Single Collection Vol. 2" . Hikki's Website, EMI Music Japan . Archived from the original on October 30, 2010 . Retrieved October 26, 2010 .
• ↑ @UBlog (November 4, 2010). "Utada joins Mika onstage during his Tokyo show to sing "Let It Snow" " ( Tweet ). Archived from the original on January 5, 2016 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 – via Twitter .
• ↑ "Dirty Desire Remixes" . Utada . December 9, 2009. Archived from the original on December 19, 2009 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
• ↑ "Tour" . Utada . Archived from the original on November 14, 2009 . Retrieved October 26, 2010 .
• ↑ "Utada Returns To The U.S. For Tour" . Utada . November 18, 2009. Archived from the original on November 22, 2009 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
• ↑ Utada, Hikaru (August 9, 2010). 久しぶりの大事なお知らせ [ First important announcement in a long time ] (in Japanese). Archived from the original on August 17, 2010.
• 1 2 『Utada Hikaru SINGLE COLLECTION VOL.2』 11月24日発売！ [ "Utada Hikaru SINGLE COLLECTION VOL.2" to be released on November 24! ] . Hikki's website, EMI Music Japan (in Japanese). October 4, 2010. Archived from the original on October 9, 2010 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
• ↑ Utada, Hikaru (November 2, 2010). " "Goodbye Happiness" PV DVD added as "Single Collection Vol. 2" Pre-order Bonus" . U. Blog - The Utada News Blog . Archived from the original on December 4, 2010 . Retrieved January 22, 2011 .
• ↑ "New Release" . Hikki's website, EMI Music Japan (in Japanese). October 3, 2010. Archived from the original on October 3, 2010 . Retrieved October 30, 2021 .
• ↑ hellcat (October 20, 2010). "Utada Hikaru's two day concert series 'Wild Life' announced" . Tokyo Hive . Archived from the original on June 26, 2021 . Retrieved June 26, 2021 .
• ↑ "Utada The Best" . Tower Records (in Japanese). Archived from the original on July 24, 2011 . Retrieved October 26, 2010 .
• ↑ "Utada The Best / Utada" . Neowing .
• ↑ "Utada: "The release of Utada the Best is entirely against my will" " . U. Blog - The Utada News Blog . October 24, 2010. Archived from the original on October 30, 2010 . Retrieved January 22, 2011 .
• ↑ @utadahikaru (November 4, 2010). "The release of "Utada the best" is entirely against my will. I wish that my fans won't have to buy it. There's no new material in it" ( Tweet ). Archived from the original on March 10, 2016 . Retrieved January 22, 2011 – via Twitter .
• ↑ "Utada's "Goodbye Happiness" Radio Airplay begins 11/01; Chaku-Uta Download 11/03" . U.Blog - The Utada News Blog . October 28, 2010. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011 . Retrieved January 22, 2011 .
• ↑ @UBlog (November 4, 2010). "According to @hikki_staff, @UtadaHikaru's music video for "Goodbye Happiness" will begin airing on 11/09" ( Tweet ). Archived from the original on September 26, 2014 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 – via Twitter .
• ↑ @UBlog (November 4, 2010). "Looks like @UtadaHikaru's "Goodbye Happiness" will be used in an upcoming Recochoku ChakU-Uta TV CM, likely on air from 11/10" ( Tweet ). Archived from the original on March 5, 2016 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 – via Twitter .
• ↑ "and Hikaru Utada agree new global recording deal" . EMIMusic.com . EMI Group . November 8, 2010. Archived from the original on May 15, 2011 . Retrieved January 22, 2011 .
• ↑ "Utada's "Single Collection Vol. 2" Debuts at Number 1 on Oricon Charts " " . U.Blog - The Utada News Blog . November 30, 2010. Archived from the original on April 19, 2011 . Retrieved January 22, 2011 .
• ↑ "Hikaru Utada scores seventh consecutive number one album" . EMIMusic.com . EMI Group . November 30, 2010. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011 . Retrieved January 22, 2011 .
• ↑ "MVA Winners 2010" . Space Shower Music Video Awards (in Japanese). April 10, 2011. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011 . Retrieved June 3, 2011 .
• ↑ Sekiguchi, Ken (December 10, 2010). 宇多田ヒカルコンサートUstream中継、同時視聴者数で世界記録達成 [ Ustream Broadcast of Hikaru Utada's Concert Sets World Record for Number of Simultaneous Viewers ] . ja:RBB TODAY (in Japanese). Archived from the original on September 7, 2012 . Retrieved January 22, 2011 .
• ↑ 宇多田ヒカル活動休止前の姿をNHKでドキュメンタリー放送 [ NHK broadcasts documentary on Hikaru Utada before her hiatus ] . Oricon (in Japanese). January 6, 2011. Archived from the original on April 3, 2011 . Retrieved January 22, 2011 .
• ↑ Shiso (January 15, 2011). "NHK airs Utada Hikaru's final interview before her hiatus" . Tokyo Hive . Archived from the original on January 20, 2011 . Retrieved January 22, 2011 .
• ↑ "News" . Hikki's Website, EMI Music Japan . Archived from the original on July 30, 2013 . Retrieved March 26, 2012 .
• ↑ 宇多田ヒカル「WILD LIFE」 [ Hikaru Utada "WILD LIFE" ] . Hikki's Website, EMI Music Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 11, 2011 . Retrieved March 26, 2012 .
• ↑ @utadahikaru (March 24, 2011). " "WILD LIFE" concert DVD/Blu-ray release has been postponed to 4/20 (DVD) and 5/18(BR) due to earthquake damage to the pressing factories" ( Tweet ). Archived from the original on February 8, 2016 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 – via Twitter .
• ↑ "(Updated) Recochoku's yearly download charts/awards for 2011" . Tokyo Hive . Recochoku. December 6, 2011. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013 . Retrieved December 7, 2011 .
• ↑ 桜流し [ Flowering Cherry Blossoms ] . Utada Hikaru Official Website (in Japanese). November 17, 2012. Archived from the original on December 14, 2013 . Retrieved February 5, 2014 .
• ↑ Flanagan, Andrew (March 18, 2013). "Universal Music UK Announces Launch of Virgin EMI Records" . Billboard . Archived from the original on May 18, 2019 . Retrieved July 16, 2013 .
• ↑ "Utada/Utada Hikaru: In The Flesh 2010" . Utada Hikaru Official Website . Archived from the original on December 14, 2013 . Retrieved February 5, 2014 .
• ↑ Loo, Egan (December 26, 2014). "Magazine: Final Evangelion Film Slated For Fall-Winter 2015 With Utada Song" . Anime News Network . Archived from the original on June 30, 2018 . Retrieved December 31, 2014 .
• 1 2 Utada, Hikaru (July 3, 2015). ファンのみんなにお知らせ [ Notice to all fans ] . Utada Hikaru Official website (in Japanese). Archived from the original on July 3, 2015 . Retrieved July 3, 2015 .
• ↑ "J-pop star Utada gives birth to baby boy, hints at return to music" . The Japan Times . July 3, 2015. Archived from the original on July 3, 2015 . Retrieved July 4, 2015 .
• ↑ Ronald (January 20, 2016). "Utada Hikaru Officially Confirmed for New Drama Theme" . Arama| Japan . Archived from the original on January 24, 2016 . Retrieved January 25, 2016 .
• ↑ "New Songs 'Hanataba Wo Kimini' and 'Manatsu No Tooriame' Premiere on TV Programs Today, and to Be Released Digitally on April 15" . Utada Hikaru Official Website . April 4, 2016. Archived from the original on April 18, 2016 . Retrieved April 6, 2016 .
• ↑ 宇多田 ヒカル New-turn Project [ Hikaru Utada New-turn Project ] . Hikki's Website (in Japanese). Universal Music. Archived from the original on March 13, 2016 . Retrieved March 10, 2016 .
• ↑ Stern, Bradley (March 9, 2016). "Welcome Back Hikki: Utada Hikaru Officially Resumes Artist Activities" . Pop Crush . Archived from the original on March 11, 2016 . Retrieved March 10, 2016 .
• ↑ Ressler, Karen (March 9, 2016). "Hikaru Utada Launches 'New-Turn Project' to Mark Her Return to Music" . Anime News Network . Archived from the original on March 10, 2016 . Retrieved March 10, 2016 .
• ↑ Stern, Bradley (August 8, 2016). "Utada Hikaru Reveals Cover, Track Listing for Upcoming Album, 'Fantome' " . Pop Crush . Archived from the original on August 9, 2016 . Retrieved August 8, 2016 .
• ↑ "Utada Hikaru Releases Her 6th Original Full Album, First in 8 Years, on Sep. 28!" . Utada Hikaru Official Website . Archived from the original on July 31, 2016 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
• ↑ Ronald (October 28, 2016). "Sexy Zone and Utada Hikaru Top the Oricon Charts for the Week of 10/17 – 10/23" . Arama| Japan . Archived from the original on August 27, 2017 . Retrieved June 19, 2017 .
• ↑ "Winners and Nominees for the 58th Japan Record Awards Announced" . ARAMA| Japan . November 17, 2016. Archived from the original on January 18, 2017 . Retrieved January 17, 2017 .
• ↑ Gatmaitan, James (September 28, 2016). "Utada Hikaru's "Fantôme" " . JpopAsia . Archived from the original on October 10, 2016 . Retrieved October 9, 2016 .
• ↑ Stern, Bradley (September 28, 2016). " 'Fantome': Utada Hikaru Returns from Her Hiatus Heartbroken, But Hopeful" . MuuMuse . Archived from the original on October 2, 2016 . Retrieved October 7, 2016 .
• ↑ Miyauchi, Ryo (October 6, 2016). "Utada Hikaru – Fantôme" . Unrecorded . Archived from the original on October 10, 2016 . Retrieved October 7, 2016 .
• ↑ 年間 CDアルバムランキング 2016年度 [ Annual CD Album Ranking 2016 ] . Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 20, 2017 . Retrieved December 28, 2016 .
• ↑ Okada, Mariko (December 13, 2016). "AKB48 and Justin Bieber Top Billboard Japan's Year-end Charts" . Billboard . Archived from the original on July 17, 2017 . Retrieved December 30, 2016 .
• ↑ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (February 10, 2017). "Hikaru Utada Switches Labels, Plans New Work for This Year" . Anime News Network . Archived from the original on February 24, 2021 . Retrieved February 15, 2021 .
• ↑ 「音楽家としても一人の人間としても転機を迎えた」宇多田ヒカル、ソニー・ミュージックへの移籍を報告 [ Hikaru Utada, who has "reached a turning point both as a musician and as a human being," reports on her move to Sony Music. ] . nlab.itmedia.co.jp (in Japanese) . Retrieved February 3, 2024 .
• ↑ "First single release titled 'Oozora de Dakishimete' will be available for download worldwide on Monday, July 10!" . Utada Hikaru Official Website . June 16, 2017. Archived from the original on November 1, 2021 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
• ↑ "New song will be available for digital download worldwide on Friday, July 28th 2017!" . Utada Hikaru Official Website . July 26, 2017. Archived from the original on May 16, 2022 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
• ↑ "New Single "Anata" Chosen As Main Theme for Film "DESTINY Kamakura Monogatari" " . Utada Hikaru Official Website . September 25, 2017. Archived from the original on October 27, 2021 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
• ↑ からアルバム「Fantôme」までのサブスクリプション配信もスタート！そして2018年にはニュー・アルバムおよびコンサートツアーも予定！ [ Subscriptions to the albums "Automatic" through "Fantôme" are now available! And a new album and concert tour are planned for 2018! ] (in Japanese). December 8, 2017. Archived from the original on November 2, 2021 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
• ↑ "Hikaru Utada to produce Nariaki Obukuro's debut album + featured on new track 'Lonely One' " . Ublog . January 16, 2018. Archived from the original on February 3, 2018 . Retrieved January 16, 2018 .
• ↑ "New song 'Chikai' (Game「Kingdom Hearts III」Theme song) announced! New trailer of the game released worldwide today!" . Utada Hikaru Official Website . February 10, 2018. Archived from the original on February 10, 2018 . Retrieved February 10, 2018 .
• ↑ "Hikaru Utada to appear on Shiina Ringo's 20th Anniversary tribute album" . UBlog . March 2, 2018. Archived from the original on March 6, 2018 . Retrieved March 5, 2018 .
• ↑ "Hikaru Utada debuts new song "Hatsukoi," Image Song for TBS Drama "Hana Nochi Hare ~Hanadan Next Season~," On Sale 5/30" . UBlog . April 17, 2018. Archived from the original on April 18, 2018 . Retrieved April 17, 2018 .
• ↑ "Hikaru Utada To Appear in New Commercials For "Suntory Minami-Alps Sparkling", Digital Single "Play A Love Song" (CM Song For "Suntory Minami-Alps Sparkling") To Be Released On April 25" . Utada Hikaru Official Website . April 19, 2018. Archived from the original on March 14, 2022 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
• ↑ 11月から開催される国内ツアー、正式ツアー・タイトル決定！！"Hikaru Utada Laughter in the Dark Tour 2018" [ The official tour title for the domestic tour to be held from November has been decided!   !! "Hikaru Utada Laughter in the Dark Tour 2018" ] . Utada Hikaru Official Website (in Japanese). September 7, 2018. Archived from the original on October 3, 2021 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
• ↑ "HIKARU UTADA is releasing a 7th original studio album, "HATSUKOI (meaning: First Love)" on June 27th 2018, just in time to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Utada's debut!" . Utada Hikaru Official Website . April 25, 2018. Archived from the original on April 25, 2018 . Retrieved April 24, 2018 .
• ↑ 宇多田ヒカル、女性ソロアーティスト初のCD&デジタルアルバム同時2冠 [ Hikaru Utada becomes the first female solo artist to win two simultaneous CD & digital album awards ] . Oricon (in Japanese). July 4, 2018. Archived from the original on July 4, 2018 . Retrieved July 3, 2018 .
• ↑ 宇多田ヒカル、1stから7作連続首位 今年度ソロアーティストのアルバム最高初週売上 [ Hikaru Utada topped the Oricon charts for the seventh consecutive year, making it the highest first-week sales of a solo artist's album this year. ] . Oricon (in Japanese). July 3, 2018. Archived from the original on July 4, 2018 . Retrieved July 3, 2018 .
• ↑ Meadow, Matthew (September 21, 2018). "Kingdom Hearts 3 opening theme written by Utada Hikaru and Skrillex" . Your EDM . Archived from the original on September 22, 2018 . Retrieved September 22, 2018 .
• ↑ Romano, Sal (September 28, 2018). "Kingdom Hearts III opening theme song a collaboration between Skrillex and Hikaru Utada" . Gematsu . Archived from the original on September 28, 2018 . Retrieved September 28, 2018 .
• ↑ 宇多田ヒカル、11年ぶりシングルCD発売決定 Skrillexと『キングダムハーツIII』OP制作 [ Hikaru Utada to release her first single CD in 11 years, produced "Kingdom Hearts III" OP with Skrillex ] . Oricon (in Japanese). September 28, 2018. Archived from the original on November 2, 2019 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
• ↑ Murray, Gordon (January 31, 2019). "James Blake Debuts at No. 1 on Top Dance/Electronic Albums Chart" . Billboard . Archived from the original on February 1, 2019 . Retrieved February 1, 2019 .
• ↑ St Michel, Patrick (July 31, 2019). " 'Hikaru Utada Laughter in the Dark Tour 2018': An online offering that nails the live experience" . The Japan Times . Archived from the original on August 1, 2019 . Retrieved August 2, 2019 .
• ↑ Cimi, Chris (April 22, 2019). "Hikaru Utada's 'Laughter in the Dark' Concert Coming to Netflix" . Otaquest . Archived from the original on August 2, 2019 . Retrieved August 2, 2019 .
• ↑ Ronald. "Music Video for New Shiina Ringo & Utada Hikaru Duet Officially Released" . Arama| Japan . Archived from the original on December 13, 2019 . Retrieved January 21, 2020 .
• ↑ 椎名林檎ベストに宇多田ヒカルとデュエットした新曲「たいへん面白いプログラムでした」 [ Sheena Ringo's Best with a new duet with Hikaru Utada: "It was a very interesting program." ] . Natalie (in Japanese). November 1, 2019. Archived from the original on June 30, 2021 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
• ↑ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (April 5, 2020). "Hikaru Utada Performs Live-action Bishoku Tantei Akechi Gorō Show's Theme Song" . Anime News Network . Archived from the original on April 6, 2020 . Retrieved April 6, 2020 .
• ↑ Ronald (May 5, 2020). "Utada Hikaru Announces 2nd May Digital Single" . Arama| Japan . Archived from the original on June 7, 2020 . Retrieved June 6, 2020 .
• ↑ 宇多田ヒカルの新曲「誰にも言わない」、「サントリー天然水」新CMでOA [ Hikaru Utada's new song "Nobody to Tell" to air in new Suntory Natural Water commercial ] . Natalie (in Japanese). April 17, 2020. Archived from the original on December 10, 2021 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
• ↑ Ronald (May 17, 2020). "Utada Hikaru Talks About Future English-language Music" . Arama| Japan . Archived from the original on June 7, 2020 . Retrieved June 6, 2020 .
• ↑ "Takeru Sato & Hikari Mitsushima to star in Netflix drama based on Hikaru Utada's songs 'First Love' & 'Hatsukoi' " . Arama| Japan . December 3, 2020. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021 . Retrieved December 3, 2020 .
• ↑ 宇多田ヒカルの名曲をつなぐドラマ『First Love 初恋』 満島ひかり×佐藤健W主演で2022年配信決定 [ The drama "First Love Hatsukoi" that connects Hikaru Utada's masterpieces will be delivered in 2022, starring Hikari Mitsushima and Takeru Sato. ] . Crank-in (in Japanese). December 3, 2020. Archived from the original on March 1, 2021 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
• ↑ "Hikaru Utada New Single "One Last Kiss" Partially Unveiled In Trailer For EVANGELION:3.0+1.0 THRICE UPON A TIME" . Utada Hikaru Official Website . December 25, 2020. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021 . Retrieved June 17, 2020 .
• ↑ "Release Postponed for Hikaru Utada "One Last Kiss" (Originally Scheduled for January 27)" . Hikaru Utada Official Website . January 14, 2021. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
• ↑ 宇多田ヒカル『One Last Kiss』 [ Hikaru Utada "One Last Kiss ] . YouTube (in Japanese). March 8, 2021. Archived from the original on November 28, 2021.
• ↑ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (March 2, 2021). "Hikaru Utada Sings 'To Your Eternity' Anime's Theme Song" . Anime News Network . Archived from the original on March 2, 2021 . Retrieved March 2, 2021 .
• ↑ "Hikaru Utada Will Release 8th Studio Album Bad Mode Wednesday, January 19 From Milan Records" . Anime News Network . January 11, 2022. Archived from the original on January 13, 2022 . Retrieved January 13, 2022 .
• ↑ Metropolis (February 23, 2022). "Tokyo Music Scene - Early 2022 Roundup" . Metropolis (free magazine) . Archived from the original on April 23, 2022 . Retrieved May 31, 2022 .
• ↑ "First Music Festival Appearance in 88rising HEAD IN THE CLOUDS FOREVER at Coachella. New song "T" from the 88rising's New Compilation Titled Head In The Clouds Forever Out Now" . Hikaru Utada Official Website . April 17, 2022. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
• ↑ " "Hikaru Utada Live Sessions from Air Studios" Coming to Netflix on June 9" . Anime News Network . June 10, 2022. Archived from the original on June 11, 2022 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
• 1 2 "Celebrating 25 Years of Musical Brilliance: Hikaru Utada Unveils 'SCIENCE FICTION' Best Album and Nationwide Tour in 2024" . tokyohive . Retrieved December 11, 2023 .
• ↑ "Utada Hikaru to Perform in Hong Kong and Taipei" . Nante Japan . Retrieved March 22, 2024 .
• ↑ Gingold, Naomi (April 15, 2016). "Utada Hikaru upended the Japanese music scene like no one before – or since" . The World . Archived from the original on June 18, 2022 . Retrieved June 17, 2016 .
• ↑ Yeung, Neil Z. "Hikaru Utada Biography" . AllMusic . Archived from the original on October 10, 2021 . Retrieved October 30, 2021 .
• ↑ "Profile" . Hikki's Website, EMI Music Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 5, 2010 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
• ↑ "Gallery" . Hikki's Website, EMI Music Japan . Archived from the original on November 29, 2012 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
• ↑ "Utada Interview: Japan's Most Famous!" . Female First . October 10, 2005. Archived from the original on December 27, 2020 . Retrieved December 1, 2020 .
• ↑ 大事なお知らせ [ Important Notice ] . U3 Music (in Japanese). March 3, 2007. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007 . Retrieved August 26, 2007 .
• ↑ Aquino, Faith (August 26, 2013). "Hikaru Utada makes first public statement after news of mother's suicide" . Japan Daily Press . Archived from the original on September 28, 2013 . Retrieved September 23, 2013 .
• ↑ 宇多田ヒカル、イタリア人と再婚へ「自分でも意外」 [ Hikaru Utada to Remarry to Italian, "Surprising Even to Myself". ] . Oricon (in Japanese). February 3, 2014. Archived from the original on February 20, 2014 . Retrieved February 3, 2014 .
• ↑ Loo, Egan (February 3, 2014). "Singer-Songwriter Hikaru Utada to Marry an Italian Man" . Anime News Network . Archived from the original on February 9, 2014 . Retrieved February 3, 2020 .
• ↑ 紀里谷和明氏、元妻・宇多田の結婚祝福「末長く幸せな家庭を」 [ Kazuaki Kiriya, ex-wife Utada's wedding blessing "Long-term happy family" ] . Oricon (in Japanese). February 3, 2014. Archived from the original on February 27, 2014 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
• ↑ "it:Hikaru Utada e Francesco Calliano sposi a Polignano: le curiose nozze della popstar giapponese e il barman italiano" [ Hikaru Utada and Francesco Calliano married in Polignano: the curious wedding of the Japanese pop star and the Italian barman ] . Oggi (in Italian). May 23, 2014. Archived from the original on May 27, 2014 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
• ↑ 宇多田ヒカル、８歳下イタリア人男性と離婚していた [ Hikaru Utada divorced an Italian man 8 years younger than her ] . Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). April 7, 2018. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 .
• ↑ @kuma_power (June 28, 2021). ヒカルパイセンに聞け！パート１ 2021.06.26 庵野秀明さんをゲストにお迎えしました。 [ Ask Hikaru Pisen! Part 1 ] (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 25, 2021 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 – via Instagram .
• ↑ Ashcraft, Brian (June 28, 2021). "Hikaru Utada Is Nonbinary and Wishes All a Happy Pride Month" . Kotaku . Archived from the original on May 16, 2022 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 . .
• ↑ Weekes, Princess (June 28, 2021). "Japanese-American Icon Hikaru Utada Shares Non-Binary Identity!" . The Mary Sue . Archived from the original on June 18, 2022 . Retrieved June 17, 2022 . "I'm sick of being asked if I'm "Miss or Missus" or choosing between "Miss/Mrs/Ms" for everyday things😩 It makes me uncomfortable to be identified so markedly by my marital status or sex, and I don't relate to any of those prefixes. Every time, I feel like I'm forced to misrepresent myself. I long for an alternative option, one that anybody of any gender or social standing could use.
• Hikaru Utada's channel on YouTube
• Farley, Christopher John (September 15, 2001). "Diva on Campus" . Time . Archived from the original on September 30, 2007 . Retrieved December 28, 2006 .

• Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 1
• Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 2
• Utada the Best
• Science Fiction
• Hymne à L'amour
• One Last Kiss
• Utada United 2006
• Utada: In the Flesh 2010
• Hikaru Utada Laughter in the Dark Tour 2018
• Teruzane Utada

• Akina Nakamori (1987)
• Rebecca (1988)
• Boøwy (1989)
• Southern All Stars (1990)
• Yumi Matsutoya (1991)
• Chage and Aska (1992)
• Chage and Aska (1993)
• Wands (1994)
• Namie Amuro (1997)
• Glay (1998)
• Hikaru Utada (2000)
• Ayumi Hamasaki (2001)
• Ayumi Hamasaki (2002)
• Hikaru Utada (2003)
• Ayumi Hamasaki (2004)
• Orange Range (2005)
• Kumi Koda (2006)
• Kumi Koda (2007)
• Exile (2008)
• Exile (2009)
• Arashi (2010)
• Arashi (2011)
• AKB48 (2012)
• AKB48 (2013)
• AKB48 (2014)
• Arashi (2015)

Hikaru Utada

• Born January 19 , 1983 · New York City, New York, USA
• Diva of the Heisei Period
• Height 5′ 2″ (1.57 m)
• Hikaru Utada was born on January 19, 1983 in New York City, New York, USA. She is a music artist and actress, known for Hikaru Utada: Goodbye Happiness (2010) , Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone (2007) and Hikaru Utada: Prisoner of Love (2008) . She was previously married to Francesco Calianno and Kazuaki Kiriya .
• Spouses Francesco Calianno (May 23, 2014 - April 6, 2018) (divorced, 1 child) Kazuaki Kiriya (September 7, 2002 - March 2, 2007) (divorced)
• Parents Keiko Fuji Teruzane Utada
• Japanese singer.
• Fluent in Japanese & English.
• Attended Columbia University.
• I can never really enjoy being famous.
• I'm not like a gorgeous bombshell or anything like that.
• For me, it's an experiment to see what people are gonna think of it.
• The world is in motion, as it seems.
• I just want people to see that I do my own stuff, that I'm not stupid, and I can make fun of myself.

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Born in New York on January 19, 1983 The same birth date as Yuming, a colleague in the same company; writer/poet Edgar Allan Poe whom I fell in love with in junior-high school; Ogai Mori, a writer of Japan's literary history; and dear Mr. Udo Suzuki, another person Japan is proud of. Please let me know if anyone you know is born on the same date. 158 cm It's my height, honest. It hasn't changed since my debut. I wonder if that means my growth is totally over? A Well! True born type!, 'cause both of my parents are A. It's a common type among Japanese, isn't it? Literature remains my eternal passion! I've been missing Japanese literature so much of late. I rushed into a bookstore which sells books in Japanese, and bought about 15 books in one swoop... I stay at home and have been grappling with the books like a hungry beast. Buying furniture, collecting furniture and interior goods Though I said I've been growing my hair long, I've had it cut. Ou, la, la. (Girls who had their hair short once would know this feeling?) Of course email is a tool indispensable for business and private life, but cruise the Net too. I learned about several sites from Toshiba EMI's engineer the other day. They are awesome -- quite interesting, Mesdames! I recommend first of all two of them, Modern Living and otogaiworld-------. Visit them late at night, then they'll be further to the point. To evade saying "I suppose it's OK"*To puzzle others*Independent action of my left little finger*Basketball*Cleaning. Really, I have confidence at it. I get strangely obsessed about the cleanliness of my house. If I suddenly disappear from the music world, you might see Hikaru Utada working as a helper at some inn in Atami. Shawshank Redemption, Meet Joe Black, Godfather Part 2 (I like Robert De Niro), Good Will Hunting, Baghdad Cafe, The Jerk, Unbreakable, Orlando, Amadeus, Sleepy Hollow Kenji Nakagami, "Izoku," "Kishuben"; Ryunosuke Akutagawa, "Rashomon," "Kappa"; Yasunari Kawabata ,"Kanjo Soshoku," "Yukiguni"; Ogai Mori, "Takasebune"; Soseki Natsume "Kokoro"; Kenji Miyazawa (poetry); Yukio Mishima"Kinkakuji"; Ryotaro Shiba "Sekigahara"; Hermann Hesse. Read "Siddhartha" and "Happiness" and "Steppenwolf" as finale, then you'll be fully satisfied! (I recommend the translation by Kenji Takahashi) Roald Dahl, "Tales of the Unexpected"; Shel Silverstein, "Where the Sidewalk Ends," "A Light in the Attic";Edgar Allan Poe; Elie Wiesel, "Night"; John Berendt, "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil"; F. Scott Fitzgerald, "The Great Gatsby. I have many many more favorite artists than listed below. I have too many, in fact, and they are constantly increasing. Anyhow, here are some... Freddie Mercury (Queen), Yutaka Ozaki, Bjork, Janet Jackson, Minnie Riperton, Slash (Guns 'n' Roses), Joe, Lauryn Hill, Maxwell, Craig David, Garbage, No Doubt, GLAY, Guru, Enigma, Blink182, Miles Davis, Mozart, Blue Man Group, At the Drive-in, Erykah Badu, Jimi Hendrix, Bela Bartok, Edith Piaf. Italy, Mexico, Machu Picchu, Sahara Desert, my ancestral home in Yamaguchi Pref. (I've never visited before, and would like to visit as soon as I can.) *Hoop-shaped pierced earrings (again) and accessories with silver and gold mixed, though I used to focus on silver only before (does that mean that I've grown a bit?) *Stimulant seasonings such as tabasco, sesame oil with chili peppers, vinegar and wasabi. *I'm into long baths lately. Throughout the world, whether at home in New York, in Japan or in a hotel in Europe, I'm indebted to Japan's famous hot spring bath powder from Tsumura. My father said he likes it, too. Don't you think I have fairly composed daily schedule, though my looks may be quite far out.... *It's a fairly recent thing but I've become very fond of making drinks myself. I bought an espresso maker and coffee maker and make them myself every day. I also discovered a cute teacup set at DKNY and I make Japanese tea often and drink it. I squeeze oranges every morning to make juice... Are these things so common that everybody does them? For me who doesn't cook, it's great progress! kinomi kinomama (with only the clothes one happens to be wearing); shogyo mujo (All things are in flux and nothing is permanent); kechon kechon (completely); charappoko (no sweat); gakeppuchi (cliff edge); ikkaku senkinn (quick money, fortune at a stroke) (--laugh); February; maybe; love; "Most people are as happy as they make up their minds to be" - Abraham Lincoln; "Instead of tug o'war, let's play hug o' war" - Shel Silverstein; "Turn a negative into a positive picture" - Lauryn Hill Utada Hikaru, born in New York in 1983, grew up immersed in music. Recently she's earned much praise for her musical sense and for her talent as singer-songwriter. Everything started with the single "time will tell," which registered on numerous FM charts more than a month before her official debut "Automatic." That release also did well on the charts, and since then, she's followed it up with more and more songs, many of them entering the charts at the same time! Utada won the "PowerPlay" on dozens of nationwide FM stations. It is still freshly remembered that on the week of its release, her single set the record of ranking No.1 in frequency of airplay on FM and AM stations in both the Kanto and Kansai regions (203 times per week a 1998 record). And it's a well-known fact that "Automatic/time will tell" (released Dec. 9, 1998 as both 12cm and 8cm discs) amazed everybody, achieving the extraordinary distinction of being ranked highly on various sales charts for both 12cm disc and 8cm discs, including the Original Confidence (Ori-Con) chart. Her following second single "Movin' on without you" (released February 17, 1999 ), a commercial song for Nissan Terrano, earned the top position as it appeared in the Original Confidence chart. And her debut album, "First Love" (March 10, 1999 release), sold out at record stores prior to its official release date. In addition to instantly ranking No.1 on the Ori-Con chart, it also set new records for "Highest Initial Points for a Debut Album," and "Highest Initial Points for an Original Album." In the May 10 issue of Ori-Con, it became No.1 on the All Albums Chart. In the space of a mere five months after her debut, Utada climbed to the top of the Japanese pop music scene. After the title track of "First Love" (released April 28, 1999) became the main theme for TBS network's weekly drama "Majo no Joken" (To Be a Witch), it was released as a single. Together with the drama the song continues to give heart-throbbing excitement to all viewers. The first live performances as "Utada Hikaru" were held on April 1 (at Umeda Heat Beat, Osaka) and April 2 (at Zepp Tokyo, Tokyo) with a full invitation system. Each host radio station was swarmed by applications from fans. Each stage was one consolidated groove when everybody and everything in the hall became as one amid the highest excitement, as Utada voiced, "Live is great and fun...!" Utada Hikaru was born in the United States to a famous enka singer and a songwriter, who not only made sure that Hikaru inherited their talents, but also that she learned English before returning to Japan. As a child, Hikaru, spent time in recording studios soaking in the music and, at age 10, she began writing her own song lyrics in English. During that time, she was rocking out to bands like Queen and Bon Jovi, but later on got into R&B. By age 12, she had released three singles in the U.S. under the pseudonym, Cubic U. When she released her first album, "First Love," in Japan, it immediately went to No. 1 on the charts and became the most popular debut album ever released in Japan, selling eight million copies. Utada is currently living in New York City, and is an undergraduate student at Columbia University. Part of the above bio is from Time, and . Utada Hikaru has a hidden life. she appears to be an ordinary American college student. Last fall she attended classes by day, hung out with friends by night, and like most of her fellow Columbia University freshmen, she hasn't settled on a major yet. But there were rumors about her among the students during orientation week—stories that were hard to believe. "Most of my friends know the truth," says Hikaru. "Even before the first day of school, I was talking to this friend who was going to Columbia also, and he told me, 'People all know you're coming.' And I go, 'What do you mean?' And he said, 'Well, all the Asian kids know, but even the non-Asian students have heard something about the Japanese Britney Spears coming to their school.'" She's virtually unknown in the U.S., but Hikaru, 18, is Japan's biggest pop star. The Japanese media sing her praises: BILINGUAL STRAIGHT-A STUDENT! AND THE DIVA OF THE HEISEI PERIOD! The Japanese public devours her music: her debut CD, First Love (1999), sold more than 9.5 million copies, making it the best-selling album in Japanese history. Her new CD, Distance, is selling just as fast. While other Japanese pop divas are content to sing throwaway tunes in baby-girl tones, Hikaru, who says that growing up she used to go to sleep to Metallica and wake up to Pearl Jam, performs songs that draw from R. and B., rap and even rock. During a recent MTV Unplugged concert, she surprised fans with a rendition of the Irish rock band U2's song With or Without You. Except for such occasional covers, Hikaru writes almost all her own material, combining light melodies and strong grooves. Her lyrics, though mostly about adolescent angst, can be intriguingly off center. "Our last kiss/Tasted like cigarettes," she sings on First Love. Although the press has compared Hikaru to Spears, the two are sharply different. First, there's the issue of clothes. Unlike Britney, Hikaru keeps hers on. "I'm not like a gorgeous bombshell or anything like that," she says modestly. "It was just always my music at the front." Mobbed in Japan, she relishes anonymity in America. "I can never really enjoy being famous," she says. "So when I can just take a walk and go grocery shopping in New York, it takes a huge load off my back and I feel great. I feel human again, almost." Hikaru was born in New York City but raised part-time in Tokyo. "When people ask me exactly how much time I spend in each country, I always tell them I have no idea," she says. "Because my parents have taken me back and forth ever since I was a baby." Her father Teruzane Utada is a producer and musician who now runs her management company. Her mother Keiko Fuji was a popular enka (Japanese ballad singer) in the 1970s who broke her fans' hearts by giving up her career and moving to the U.S. to find a little peace. ("I don't sing anymore," is all Fuji says now, smiling.) Hikaru says she got her start when she followed her parents into the studio and began to make recordings around age seven. ("No, younger!" shouts her father from nearby.) Like her mother, Hikaru plans to retire young—as early as 28—and perhaps pursue neuroscience. "I kind of see myself in a white coat in a lab, working till late evening in front of test tubes," she says. It's hard to imagine that Spears has a similar vision of her future. For now, though, Hikaru has taken leave from school (she plans to return soon) to focus on her music and establish her career in the U.S. She recently performed a song called Blow My Whistle, which was included on the sound track of the movie Rush Hour 2. Produced by the Neptunes, one of the hottest American hip-hop production duos around, the song features a cameo from gangsta rapper Foxy Brown. Hikaru said her producers were worried at first that she and Brown might fight, given their different temperaments and backgrounds. They got along just fine. The idea of having her on the song came from Pharrell (Williams, one-half of the Neptunes), says Hikaru. "He said Foxy and I would make a very strong combination, the two of us being such contrasting characters: the crazy, revealing, in-your-face Ill Na Na [Foxy's nickname] and the more settled and slightly mysterious Asian girl." The music industry is ruled by stereotypes: whites rock, blacks rap and croon soul, and few dare to cross the color line. There are hardly any Asian pop acts of prominence in the U.S. (no wonder some see Hikaru as mysterious). Hikaru is mounting a challenge to the status quo. On Blow My Whistle, her voice is more resonant than on her Japanese-language songs, and the track boasts beats that are more forceful. She leaves no doubt: she's got Mary J. Blige, 125th Street-type soul. There's another twist. The credits bill her as "Hikaru Utada"—using the Western custom of listing the surname last. Says Hikaru: "I just figured it's a good way to separate my English and Japanese personas." After the interview, she sends a follow-up e-mail that begins, "This is Hikaru Utada. (Or is it Utada Hikaru...oh, whichever!)" She's still a freshman. She'll work things out. This is from a Time's article Oct 2001 BY CHRISTOPHER JOHN FARLEY WITH REPORTING BY TOKO SEKIGUCHI/TOKYO Update 9/06/2002 - Utada Hikaru announced her marriage to 34 year old photographer Kiriya Taniwa. They met in winter 2 years ago and have continued a relationship ever since. She too plans to have a child in the near future and is puting her singing career on hold for a short period of time to settle into her new life. On October 5, 2004, Utada Hikaru released her North American debut album, Exodus, under the name "Utada" (for fear of fans mutilating her Japanese nickname, Hikki). It was released nearly a month earlier, on September 9 in Japan, with a special booklet and housed in a cardboard slipcase. In an MTV interview, Utada said: "There really aren't any completely Asian people singing right now. For me, it's an experiment to see what people are gonna think of it". But her American debut as an Island Def Jam Music Group artist was met with indifference by the American market, perhaps due in part to poor promotion on her record label's part. Despite the failure in the international markets, this album topped the charts in Japan, though it sold less than her releases as Utada Hikaru. Also, "Devil Inside" became a club hit in the U.S. and topped the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Airplay charts. "Easy Breezy" was released as the lead single in early August 2004, followed up by the dance blockbuster "Devil Inside" a month and two weeks later. "Exodus '04" was released at the end of June 2005. The fourth single from her "Exodus" album was released in October 2005: "You Make Me Want To Be A Man" We highly recommend you get Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol.1. Get ready for Hikaru 's lethal musical dose! Her beautiful new release offers you the ultimate musical library of her beloved hits promising you extended hours of top J-pop all around the clock! The star 's cream of the crop tunes like "For You", "Automatic" & "Can You Keep A Secret", "COLORS", plus many other essential smashs are all lined up for you on this dream collection! Listen to "SINGLE COLLECTION VOL.1" to enjoy Hikaru at her best! This compilation is great for people who is new to Utada Hikaru. Manage Account Utada Hikaru Latest news, see inside j-pop singer hikaru utada’s london home in intimate new ‘time’ video. By Billboard Japan Jul 28, 2020 10:30 am Who Is Hikaru Utada? 5 Things to Know About the Japanese Pop Star & Skrillex Collaborator By Kat Bein Feb 7, 2019 3:57 pm Skrillex on His ‘Kingdom Hearts III’ Theme ‘Face My Fears’ With Utada Hikaru: ‘I Think I Did It Justice’ By Erica Russell Jan 31, 2019 12:28 pm Skrillex & Utada Hikaru’s Kingdom Hearts III Theme ‘Face My Fears’: Listen Jan 18, 2019 12:43 pm Skrillex and Poo Bear Revealed as Co-Writers For ‘Kingdom Hearts III’ Theme Song Sep 24, 2018 11:24 am Japanese Megastar Utada Hikaru Returns to the Charts as ‘Fantome’ Tops World Albums By Jeff Benjamin Oct 11, 2016 10:38 pm Utada Breaks Digital Records In Japan By Billboard Staff Jul 20, 2007 12:00 am Oct 23, 2004 12:00 am Billboard Bits: Utada Hikaru, MTV Latin Awards, TLC Sep 6, 2002 12:00 am Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2024 Billboard Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. optional screen reader Charts expand charts menu. 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EN AF AM AR AZ BE BG BN CA CO CS CY DA DE EL EO ES ET EU FA FI FR FY GA GD GL GU HA HI HR HU HY ID IS IT IW JA YI JW KA KK KM KN KO KU LA LT LV MG MI MK ML MN MR MS MT MY NE NL NO PA PL PS PT RO RU RW SD SK SL SM SN SO SQ SR ST SU SV SW TA TE TG TH TK TR TT UK UR UZ VI XH YO ZH-CN ZU BS CEB NY HAW SI UG LB HT ZH-TW Radio Popnable WorldVision Hot 100 Songs - Daily Top 100 Songs - Daily Top 20 Likeable Songs - Daily Top 10 Annoying Songs - Daily Top 40 Songs Artists Top 40 Trends Top 40 Utada Hikaru Biography and Facts Utada Hikaru Bio and Facts Related Artists Concerts & Tours Ask a Question [Edit Photo] [Instagram Add] [Facebook Add] [Twitter Add] Duplicated Artist Utada Hikaru Biography Facts Utada Hikaru has been appeared in channels as follow: UNIVERSAL MUSIC JAPAN, Sony Music (Japan), Trap City, Proximity, Hikaru Utada, HikaruUtadaVEVO. Born 19 January, 1983 (41 years old). What is the zodiac sign of Utada Hikaru ? According to the birthday of Utada Hikaru the astrological sign is Capricorn . Career of the Utada Hikaru started in 1996 . Utada Hikaru Wiki Japanese-American singer-songwriter and producer Utada Hikaru 宇多田ヒカル Utada performing in 2006 Born Utada Hikaru January 19, 1983 New York City, New York, U.S. Nationality American Japanese Other names Utada Hikki Cubic U Alma mater Columbia University Occupation Singer songwriter arranger producer Spouse Kazuaki Kiriya ​ ​​ Francesco Calianno ​ ​​ Children 1 Musical career Origin Japan Genres J-pop R&B dance electronica rock soul jazz Instruments Vocals guitar piano synthesizer programming Years active 1996–2010 2016–present Labels EMI Music Japan Virgin Island Mercury Epic Associated acts Teruzane Utada   Website utadahikaru.jp Utada Hikaru , who is also known as Hikaru Utada and the mononym Utada ), is a Japanese-American singer-songwriter and producer. Born in the United States to Japanese parents, record producer Utada Teruzane and enka singer Keiko Fuji, Utada began to write music and lyrics at an early age and often traveled to Tokyo as a result of her father's job. Eventually, a recording contract with Toshiba-EMI was signed and, under the stage name Cubic U, Utada released her English-language debut album Precious in early 1998, but it was a commercial failure. In the following year, heavily influenced by R&B and dance-pop, her Japanese-language debut First Love was released and became an instant success. Backed by the massive success of singles "Automatic", "Time Will Tell", and "Movin' On Without You", the album sold two million copies in its first week in Japan, topped the Oricon charts for six non-consecutive weeks and went on to sell six million more throughout the rest of 1999. First Love eventually became the country's best-selling album of all time. Her following album Distance was released in early 2001 and spawned Utada's biggest hit singles—"Addicted to You", "Wait & See " and "Can You Keep a Secret?"—which became million-sellers. The album was commercially successful and broke several sales records after three million copies were sold in its first week of availability in Japan, instantly becoming the country's fastest-selling album. In 2002, backed by chart-topping singles such as "Traveling", "Hikari" and "Sakura Drops", Deep River, which incorporates elements of pop folk, was released and went on to become one of Japan's top-selling records of all-time. Subsequent full-length releases—Exodus, Ultra Blue and Heart Station—achieved million-selling status certified by the Recording Industry Association of Japan. After a prolonged hiatus, Utada released acoustic-driven Fantôme and Hatsukoi, which reached number-one on the Oricon album charts. By the end of the 2000s, Utada was deemed "the most influential artist of the decade" in the Japanese music landscape by The Japan Times. Utada's commercial success has made her one of Japan's top-selling recording artists of all time with over 37 million records sold since launching her career in the late 1990s. Twelve of her singles have reached number-one on the Oricon Singles Chart, while ten of her albums have become chart-toppers. Six of her full-length releases are among the country's highest-selling albums of all time, including First Love, Distance and Deep River, which are among the top ten best-selling records of Japan's music history. Additionally, Utada is best known by international audiences for writing and producing four theme-song contributions to Square Enix and Disney's collaborative video game series Kingdom Hearts: "Simple and Clean", "Sanctuary", "Don't Think Twice" and "Face My Fears". Early life and beginnings Utada was born in New York City as the only child of Teruzane, a Japanese record producer, and his wife Junko, an enka singer, performing under the stage name Keiko Fuji. At the age of 10, Utada began to write music and lyrics. She did her recordings with her mother, releasing songs under a band named "U3" until 1996 when she started her first solo project, "I'll be Stronger",  The "Cookin' with Moses Vocal" from this project was called the "Cookin' with Gas Vocal" on the promotional release. "I'll Be Stronger" was released under the artist name Cubic U, a mathematical reference to her being the third Utada "power", and was her pseudonym before becoming a superstar in Japan; the song was not released in the United States. In 1997, she started her next project, though at first she was hesitant. Cubic U released her debut single "Close to You", which was a cover of The Carpenters' song. She then released her debut album Precious the following year. Both the album and single failed to chart on the Oricon charts. Personal life Utada is bilingual and speaks English and Japanese fluently. On September 7, 2002, Utada married Kazuaki Kiriya, a photographer and film director who had directed several of her music videos. He was fifteen years her senior. On March 2, 2007, the couple announced their divorce, citing personal changes and lack of communication due to the nature of their jobs. On August 22, 2013, Utada's mother, Keiko Fuji, died by apparent suicide by jumping from the thirteenth floor of a 28-floor condominium building in Shinjuku, Tokyo. On February 3, 2014, through an announcement on her personal site, Utada said that she was engaged to be wed to an unknown Italian man, asking for her fans and the media to view her personal life from a "respectable distance" as he is not in the entertainment industry. On the same day, her ex-husband Kazuaki Kiriya congratulated her on the new marriage. On February 10, 2014, Utada and her fiancé Francesco Calianno left a message on the official site of Utada explaining how they met each other, his being a bartender in a London hotel, and asking for privacy. They were wed on May 23, 2014. On July 3, 2015, Utada announced that she had given birth to a son. On April 6, 2018, it was announced that they had divorced. Musical style Utada's music is primarily pop and R&B and sometimes incorporates other musical elements such as rock and hip-hop among others. On her official website, Utada cites 16 musicians and composers: Freddie Mercury, Cocteau Twins, Nine Inch Nails, Jimi Hendrix, Prince, Édith Piaf, Chick Corea, the Blue Nile, Björk, Akino Arai, Lenny Kravitz, Béla Bartók, Mozart, Jeff Buckley, Yutaka Ozaki, and Hibari Misora as some of her favorite artists, and at another point lists R&B artist Aaliyah, Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige as an inspiration as well. She's also previously stated having grown up as a fan of and being influenced by artists such as Madonna, Sting and The Cure. Utada Hikaru Personal Life Utada hikaru career. Hikaru Utada Age, biography and wiki. Hikaru Utada (Hikki, Cubic U, Diva of the Heisei Period) was born on 19 January, 1983 in New York City, New York, USA, is a Soundtrack, Music Department, Actress. Discover Hikaru Utada's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is She in this year and how She spends money? Also learn how She earned most of networth at the age of 38 years old? Popular As Hikki, Cubic U, Diva of the Heisei Period Occupation soundtrack,music_department,actress Age Zodiac Sign Capricorn Born 19 January, Birthday 19 January Birthplace New York City, New York, USA Nationality We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 19 January. She is a member of famous Soundtrack with the age 40 years old group. Hikaru Utada Height, Weight & Measurements At 40 years old, Hikaru Utada height is 5' 2" (1.57 m) . Physical Status Height 5' 2" (1.57 m) Weight Not Available Body Measurements Not Available Eye Color Not Available Hair Color Not Available Who Is Hikaru Utada's Husband? Her husband is Francesco Calianno (23 May 2014 - 6 April 2018) ( divorced) ( 1 child), Kazuaki Kiriya (7 September 2002 - 2 March 2007) ( divorced) Family Parents Not Available Husband Francesco Calianno (23 May 2014 - 6 April 2018) ( divorced) ( 1 child), Kazuaki Kiriya (7 September 2002 - 2 March 2007) ( divorced) Sibling Not Available Children Not Available Hikaru Utada Net Worth Her net worth has been growing significantly in 2022-2023. So, how much is Hikaru Utada worth at the age of 40 years old? Hikaru Utada’s income source is mostly from being a successful Soundtrack. She is from United States. We have estimated Hikaru Utada's net worth , money, salary, income, and assets. Net Worth in 2023 $1 Million - $5 Million Salary in 2023 Under Review Net Worth in 2022 Pending Salary in 2022 Under Review House Not Available Cars Not Available Source of Income Soundtrack Hikaru Utada Social Network Instagram Linkedin Twitter Facebook Wikipedia Imdb Announced she will be taking an indefinite hiatus in 2011. [August 2010] Signed a worldwide record deal with EMI Japan, with any song (English or Japanese) being released under the name "Hikaru Utada". [November 2010] In the final stages of prepping her debut English-language album, "Exodus," for Island/IDJMG/Universal. [August 2004] Best known in the U.S. for her song "Hikari" (Simple and Clean) from the Kingdom Hearts (2002) Soundtrack. Japanese pop singer. Released first album and single "First Love" in 1999, and embarked on hugely successful 'Boheman Summer' concert tour in 2000. Released second album 'Distance' on 28 March 2001. Her mother, Keiko Fuji , a.k.a. Keiko Fuji , was a popular enka (Japanese ballad singer) in the late 1960s & early 1970s. Celebs Wiki Hikaru utada fans also viewed:, anneli saaristo, bonnie guitar, viola wills, keiko kubota, merja rantamäki, arthur baker, johnny hodges, barry white. 425 IMAGES Hikaru Utada Hikaru Utada Utada Hikaru the Musician, biography, facts and quotes Hikaru Utada Profile and Facts (Updated!) Hikaru Utada Utada Hikaru Height, Weight, Age, Boyfriend, Family, Facts, Biography VIDEO Hikaru Takahashi Biography, Age, Weight, Relationships 宇多田光 Utada Hikaru [GER SUB] Utada Hikaru Hikaru Utada's (宇多田 ヒカル) appearance on Hero (2001) Flavor of Life Electricity COMMENTS Hikaru Utada Hikaru Utada was born in New York City as the only child of Teruzane Utada, a Japanese record producer, and his wife Junko, an enka singer performing under the stage name Keiko Fuji. At the age of 10, Utada began to write music and lyrics. [issue needed] She made recordings with Keiko, releasing songs under a band named "U3" until 1996, when she started a solo project as Cubic U. Hikaru Utada Biography Hikaru Utada is a phenomenal Japanese American singer who with her soulful voice and creative pursuits created a storm in the world music industry. Born in a music family, singing came naturally to young Utada. She partnered with her parents to be a part of the band, U3. Later on, she moved to japan where she became one of the top-selling artists of her time. Profile PROFILE. Japanese singer-songwriter and producer Hikaru Utada stands as one of the most influential artists in the J-pop and global music scene. Since debuting on 9 December 1998, Utada achieved many remarkable milestones in their career. Their first single "Automatic/time will tell" sold over two million copies, propelling them to become ... Hikaru Utada In 2021, Utada became one of the first Japanese figures to identify as non-binary. Hikaru Utada , also known by the mononym Utada, is an American and Japanese singer, songwriter and producer. Utada is one of the most influential and best-selling musical artists in Japan. Breaking the boundaries of language and genre, Hikaru Utada finds ... Born in New York City to Teruzane Utada, a record producer father, and Junko Utada, their mother who found success in the '60s and '70s as the enka (a style of Japanese ballad) singer under the ... Hikaru Utada Official Website 01.19. Pre-released the album BAD MODE and held their first pay-per-view studio livestream "Hikaru Utada Live Sessions from Air Studios". 04.16. First-ever music festival performance as a guest on "88rising's Head in the Clouds Forever" stage at the Coachella 2022 in California, USA. 04.27. Released vinyl versions of their latest ... Hikaru Utada Hikaru Utada. Hikaru Utada (宇多田ヒカル Utada Hikaru, born January 19, 1983 in New York City ), is a Japanese and American singer and songwriter. Because she was born in the United States, she can speak English perfectly. She is the only child of the 1970s Enka singer Keiko Fuji. Her first Japanese album, First Love, was very popular. Utada Hikaru: Biography VITALS Born Hikaru Utada on January 19, 1983, in New York, New York. Nickname: Hikki. Utada Hikaru was born in the United States to a famous enka singer and a songwriter, who not only made sure ... Hikaru Utada discography The discography of Japanese-American R&B and pop singer Hikaru Utada consists of eleven studio albums, four compilation albums, eleven video albums and numerous singles and promotional singles. Utada began as a musician in the early 1990s as a member of U 3, a family unit made up of her, her mother Junko Utada, also known as 1970s enka singer Keiko Fuji, and her father, musical producer ... Utada Hikaru: Biography Nickname: Hikki. Utada Hikaru was born in the United States to a famous enka singer and a songwriter, who not only made sure that Hikaru inherited their talents, but also that she learned English before returning to Japan. As a child, Hikaru spent time in recording studios soaking in the music and, at age 10, she began writing her own song ... Utada Hikaru Utada Hikaru (宇多田ヒカル), also known as Utada for their English-language releases, is a Japanese singer. In 1990, they formed the unit U3 alongside their mother and father. The unit debuted in Japan with a studio album released in September 1993. In 1995, they began releasing music independently in Europe and America under the name cubic U. The same year, they were noticed by producer ... Hikaru Utada Official Website Hikaru Utada's official website. We will bring you the latest information. Hikaru Utada's official website. We will bring you the latest information. ... BIOGRAPHY. AWARDS. STREAM ALL. NEWS LETTER. 1ST GREATEST HITS ALBUM. SCIENCE FICTION. BUY. Hikaru Utada's first best album "SCIENCE FICTION" to be released on April 10, 2024. Utada, Hikaru Hikaru Utada. Singer, songwriter. Hikaru Utada was still a teenager when she became the newest superstar of Japanese pop music, or J-pop. Her 1999 release First Love delivered an R & B-influenced string of hits and went on to become the top-selling Japanese release of all time. Her sixth studio album, Ultra Blue, was one of the top-selling releases of 2006 for her label's parent company, EMI. Utada Net.com / The Source For All Things Hikaru Utada / Hikki Hikki's Story: History and Biography On January 19th, 1983, in the city of Manhattan, New York, a star was born. In the fullness of time, she would be known by many names. Among them, "Hikki" by her friends and fans and "(Kazuaki) Iwashita Hikaru" after her recent marriage but in the beginning, she was known simply as "Utada Hikaru". Hikaru Utada Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & Mor... Hikaru Utada. American-born J-pop singer/songwriter and one of the top-selling artists in Japanese history. Read Full Biography. STREAM OR BUY: Active. 1990s - 2020s. Born. January 19, 1983 in New York, NY. Genre. Hikaru Utada Japan's Hikaru Utada, Gen Hoshino & Mrs. GREEN APPLE Featured in Spotify 'Go Stream' Video Single Series. By. Billboard Japan. Sep 26, 2022 4:05 pm. Music News. Hikaru Utada Hikaru Utada (宇多田 ヒカル , Utada Hikaru, born January 19, 1983), also known by the mononym Utada, is an American and Japanese singer, songwriter and producer. Utada is one of the most influential, bestselling musical artists in Japan. Hikaru Utada - WikiMili, The Best Wikipedia Reader Hikaru Utada Hikaru Utada. Actress: Hikaru Utada: Goodbye Happiness. Hikaru Utada was born on 19 January 1983 in New York City, New York, USA. She is a music artist and actress, known for Hikaru Utada: Goodbye Happiness (2010), Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone (2007) and Hikaru Utada: Prisoner of Love (2008). She was previously married to Francesco Calianno and Kazuaki Kiriya. List of awards and nominations received by Hikaru Utada This is the list of awards received by Hikaru Utada, a Japanese singer-songwriter.She has won numerous awards, including 39 Japan Gold Disc Awards (the 3rd most out of any artist in the event's history), 5 Japan Record Awards, 6 awards from MTV Video Music Awards Japan, and 8 Japan Record Sales Awards. AsiaFinest Utada Hikaru Bio and Photo Gallery AsiaFinest Utada Hikaru. Date of Birth: Born in New York on January 19, 1983. The same birth date as Yuming, a colleague in the same company; writer/poet Edgar Allan Poe whom I fell in love with in junior-high school; Ogai Mori, a writer of Japan's literary history; and dear Mr. Udo Suzuki, another person Japan is proud of. Utada Hikaru Billboard Bits: Utada Hikaru, MTV Latin Awards, TLC. By. Billboard Staff. Sep 6, 2002 12:00 am. Explore Utada Hikaru's music on Billboard. Get the latest news, biography, and updates on the artist. Utada Hikaru's Biography And Facts' Utada Hikaru , who is also known as Hikaru Utada and the mononym Utada ), is a Japanese-American singer-songwriter and producer. Born in the United States to Japanese parents, record producer Utada Teruzane and enka singer Keiko Fuji, Utada began to write music and lyrics at an early age and often traveled to Tokyo as a result of her father's ... Hikaru Utada Biography, Age, Height, Husband, Net Worth, Family Hikaru Utada (Hikki, Cubic U, Diva of the Heisei Period) was born on 19 January, 1983 in New York City, New York, USA, is a Soundtrack, Music Department, Actress. Discover Hikaru Utada's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. assignment essay homework paper phd report resume review speech thesis