Akeboshi (song)

"Akeboshi" (明け星, lit. "Morning Star") is a song recorded by Japanese singer LiSA, released on October 18, 2021. The song was featured as the first opening theme song for the anime Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Mugen Train Arc.[1] It charted at No. 1 on the Oricon Daily Digital Singles Chart with 36,062 downloads in its first day release.[2] The song also peaked at number one on Japan Hot 100 and number 107 on Billboard Global 200.

"Akeboshi"
Single by LiSA
from the album Lander
LanguageJapanese
A-side"Shirogane"
ReleasedOctober 18, 2021 (2021-10-18)
GenreRock
Length4:29
LabelSacra Music
Songwriter(s)Yuki Kajiura
LiSA singles chronology
"Yuke"
(2021)		 "Akeboshi"
(2021)		 "Shirogane"
(2021)
Audio sample
  • file
  • help
Music video
"Akeboshi" on YouTube

Background and release

On September 25, 2021, LiSA's official website announced that she will be performing the opening and ending themes for the anime Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Mugen Train Arc premiering on October 10, 2021, with "Akeboshi" as the opening theme and "Shirogane" as the ending theme. Both songs were released as a double A-side single on November 17, 2021. Prior to the single's release, "Akeboshi" is available for download from October 18, 2021.[3][4]

Composition

"Akeboshi" is composed in the key of C-sharp major and is set in time signature of common time with a tempo of 95 BPM, runs for four minutes and 29 seconds.[5] Written and composed by Yuki Kajiura,[6][7] the song starts with strings in the intro, giving off an atmosphere of fantasy, melancholy, and mystery; then a guitar riffs reverberates through the middle of the song. The melody is reminiscent of Aimer's song "I Beg You" which also composed by Kajiura.[8] LiSA describes "Akeboshi" as a song of entrusted thoughts, hopes and curses.[9]

Music video

The music video for "Akeboshi" was released on November 7, 2021, and directed by Masakazu Fukatsu. Based on the world view of the song, it expresses "a hope in the midst of chaos". It shows LiSA performing the song in a railroad tunnel illuminated by lanterns and on a lawn surrounded by flames at night, mixing with images of liquids called "Alive Painting" created by painter Akiko Nakayama.[9][10] As of May 2022, "Akeboshi" has over 20 million views on YouTube.[11]

Personnel
  • LiSA – vocals
  • Yuki Kajiura – lyrics, composer, arranger, keyboards, programming
  • Tomoharu Takahashi – bass guitar
  • Koichi Korenaga – guitar
  • Kyoichi Sato – drums
  • Hitoshi Konno – strings
  • Takashi Koiwa – record, mixing
  • Nobuyuki Murakami – record
  • Mio Hirai – assistant engineer

Charts

Sales and certifications
Certifications for "Akeboshi"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[22]
Physical 		Gold 100,000^
Japan (RIAJ)[23]
Digital 		Platinum 250,000*
Streaming
Japan (RIAJ)[24] Gold 50,000,000†

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Awards and nominations
Awards and nominations for "Akeboshi"
Award Ceremony Year Category Result Ref.
63rd Japan Record Awards 2021 Song of the Year Won [25]

References
  1. Loo, Egan (September 25, 2021). "Demon Slayer Anime Unveils New Cast, Songs by LiSA & Aimer, Entertainment District Arc's December 5 Debut, 7-Episode Mugen Train TV Version". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  2. "Daily Digital Singles Charts" (in Japanese). Oricon. October 18, 2021. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  3. "10/10（日）23:15～放送開始のテレビアニメ「鬼滅の刃」無限列車編オープニングテーマとエンディングテーマを担当決定。 11/17（水）に両A面シングル「明け星 / 白銀」のリリースが決定。" [The opening theme and ending theme of the TV anime 'Demon Slayer: Mugen Train Arc', which will start broadcasting from 23:15 on October 10 (Sun), will be decided. Both A-side singles "Akeboshi / Shirogane" will be released on 11/17 (Wed)] (in Japanese). LiSA Official Website. September 25, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  4. "LiSA and Aimer perform theme songs for 'Demon Slayer' season 2, produced by Yuki Kajiura". Jrock News. September 28, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  5. "Key & BPM for "Akeboshi" by LiSA". Tunebat. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  6. "LiSA、『鬼滅の刃』無限列車編のオープニングテーマ「明け星」先行配信" [LiSA's song "Akeboshi", 'Demon Slayer: Mugen Train Arc' Opening Theme Pre-delivery]. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). October 18, 2021. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  7. "「鬼滅の刃」無限列車編が新作エピソード加えTVアニメに！" ['Demon Slayer: Mugen Train Arc' is now a TV anime with new episodes!]. Natalie (in Japanese). September 25, 2021. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  8. Chinami, Hachisuka (October 21, 2021). "'Demon Slayer: Mugen Train Arc' OP/ED songs "Akeboshi" and "Shirogane" Review". Real Sound (in Japanese). Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  9. Komatsu, Mikikazu (November 7, 2021). "LiSA Releases 'Demon Slayer Mugen Train Arc' OP Theme MV to Express "A Hope in the Midst of Chaos"". Crunchyroll. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  10. "LiSA、『鬼滅の刃』無限列車編OP"明け星"MVを公開。炭治郎と煉獄の描き下ろしジャケット＆新ビジュアルも解禁" [LiSA releases "Akeboshi" MV for "Kimetsu no Yaiba" Mugen Train edition. Alternate single cover with Tanjiro and Rengoku has also been revealed]. Rockin'On Japan (in Japanese). November 8, 2021. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  11. "LiSA 『明け星』 -MUSiC CLiP-（テレビアニメ「鬼滅の刃」無限列車編 オープニング". LiSA Official YouTube. November 7, 2021. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  12. "LiSA (dupe 1) Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  13. "LiSA (dupe 1) Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  14. "Billboard Japan Hot Animation". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). October 27, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  15. 明け星/白銀 – Oricon Oricon News. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  16. "Weekly Combined Singles Chart – November 1, 2021" (in Japanese). Oricon. November 1, 2021. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  17. "LiSA (dupe 1) Chart History (World Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  18. "Oricon Singles 2021 Year-End" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  19. "Japan Hot Animation: 2021 Year-End". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  20. "Billboard Japan Hot Animation Year-End 2022". Billboard Japan. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  21. "Billboard Japan Download Songs Year-End 2022". Billboard Japan. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  22. "Japanese single certifications – LiSA – 明け星" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved June 27, 2022. Select 2022年2月 on the drop-down menu
  23. "Japanese digital single certifications – LiSA – 明け星" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved June 27, 2022. Select 2022年2月 on the drop-down menu
  24. "Japanese single streaming certifications – LiSA – 明け星" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved June 27, 2022. Select 2022年5月 on the drop-down menu
  25. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (November 18, 2021). "LiSA's New Demon Slayer Song Wins Japan Record Awards' Song of the Year". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
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