Kaibutsu

"Kaibutsu" (怪物, lit. "Monster") is a song by Japanese duo Yoasobi from their second extended play, The Book 2 (2021). It was released on January 6, 2021, the same date as the duo's debut EP, The Book, through Sony Music Entertainment Japan. As an opening theme for the second season of the anime television series Beastars, "Kaibutsu" is about a carnivore trying to coexist with herbivores in a cruel world, based on Jibun no Mune ni Jibun no Mimi o Oshi Atete, written by the anime's writer Paru Itagaki.

For the film, see Monster (2023 film).
"Kaibutsu"
Single by Yoasobi
from the EP The Book 2
LanguageJapanese
English title"Monster"
A-side"Yasashii Suisei"
ReleasedJanuary 6, 2021
Genre
Length3:26
LabelSony Japan
Songwriter(s)Ayase
Producer(s)Ayase
Yoasobi singles chronology
"Haruka"
(2020)		 "Kaibutsu"
(2021)		 "Yasashii Suisei"
(2021)
Alternative cover
Illustration of Legoshi, the main character of Beastars
Limited double A-side single cover
Music video
"Kaibutsu" on YouTube
"Monster" on YouTube

Commercially, "Kaibutsu" peaked at number two on the Billboard Japan Hot 100, and number 87 on the Global 200. The double A-side CD single with "Yasashii Suisei", released on March 24, debuted at number two on the Oricon Singles Chart with 24,000 copies. The song earned four wins for Song of the Year (Japan) and Best 5 Songs at the 36th Japan Gold Disc Award in both download and streaming categories. It was featured on Time's 10 Best Songs of 2021 list, becoming the only Japanese song on it. The English version of the song, titled "Monster", was released on July 30.

Background and release

On November 5, 2020, Yoasobi announced to perform the opening theme for the second season of the anime television series Beastars, titled "Kaibutsu". The TV-size version was previewed in the trailer released the same day.[1] The song was based on the novel Jibun no Mune ni Jibun no Mimi o Oshi Atete (自分の胸に自分の耳を押し当てて, "I Press My Own Ear to My Chest"), written by Paru Itagaki, who also wrote and illustrated the manga.[2]

"Kaibutsu" was released to digital music and streaming platforms January 6, 2021. The song was released as a double A-side CD single, together with "Yasashii Suisei" on March 24. The single came in 2 versions: limited edition (anime edition) and fan club limited edition for members of "Club Yoasobi", Yoasobi's official fan club website. Both versions included the original songs, TV size version songs, and non-credit opening and ending video from Beastars. The fan club limited edition also included the acoustic session of "Tabun" and "Ano Yume o Nazotte".[3] Later, the song was included on their second EP The Book 2, released on December 1.[4]

Yoasobi announced to release the English version of "Kaibutsu", titled "Monster" on July 30, alongside the accompanying music video, and aired the full song for the first time on their radio show Yoasobi's All Night Nippon X on July 27. It is the duo's third English song after "Into the Night, and "RGB".[5] Later, the song was included on the duo's first English-language EP E-Side, release on November 12.[6]

Lyrics and composition

"Kaibutsu" is an upbeat fast-paced song with a catchy chorus,[7] tells about a carnivore trying to coexist with herbivores in a cruel world. Although this idea is unrealistic, it still protects the herbivore. To adhere to its ideals, it decides to become strong and confront the whole world.[8] The song is in the key of A-flat minor on the verses and break, C-sharp minor on the first chorus, D-flat major on the bridge and in D minor in the final chorus, and is at 170 beats per minute with a running time of 3 minutes and 26 seconds.[9]

Critical reception

American magazine Time ranked "Kaibutsu" number five on its list of the 10 Best Songs of 2021, becoming the only song from a Japanese act on the list, and being described as a "seamless" integration of "a giant pop hook with furious math rock riffs", "jazzy chromatic runs", and "a seismic EDM-esque drop". Additionally, critics said that the song gave "yearning", and "cinematic nature" and was "wholly unsurprised" to be served as the theme song to the anime Beastars.[10]

Commercial performance

"Kaibutsu" debuted at number 14 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 of January 18, 2021[11] and peaked at number 2 on the chart of March 31, due to releasing the CD single.[12] The song also peaked at number 87 on the Billboard Global 200[13] and number 39 on the Billboard Global Excl. US of January 30.[14]

The CD single "Kaibutsu / Yasashii Suisei" debuted and peaked at number 2 on the Oricon Singles Chart for the chart issue date of April 5, 2021, selling 23,761 copies,[15] and also number 2 on the Billboard Japan Top Single Sales chart, selling 27,275 copies for the chart issue date of March 31, 2021.[16]

Music video

The music video "Kaibutsu" was premiered on January 13, 2021, directed by Rina Mitsuzumi, with 2D animation by Kaori Onishi and motion graphics by Jun Matsuda and Cafuu.[7] The music video depicts the conflict and determination of the main character, Legoshi, that wears a sense of speed and darkness.[17] The music video surpassed 100 million views on June 22[18] and 200 million views on April 4, 2022.[19]

Live performance and cover

Yoasobi premiered the live performance "Kaibutsu" for the first time in their first online concert—Keep Out Theater on February 14, 2021, where the song was the number fifth.[20] The duo gave a television debut performance of the song at the 63rd Japan Record Awards on December 30, alongside "Yasashii Suisei", and "Moshi mo Inochi ga Egaketara".[21]

On February 4, 2021, A cover of "Kaibutsu" by Japanese singer Masayuki Suzuki was released as a promotional single from his 35th anniversary cover greatest hit album Discover Japan DX, scheduled for release on February 23.[22]

Accolades
Awards and nominations for "Kaibutsu"
Ceremony Year Award Result Ref.
Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2022 Best Opening Sequence Nominated [23]
Japan Gold Disc Award 2022 Song of the Year by Download (Japan) Won [24]
Best 5 Songs by Download Won
Song of the Year by Streaming (Japan) Won
Best 5 Songs by Streaming Won

Track listing

All tracks are written by Ayase

Digital download and streaming
No.TitleLength
1."Kaibutsu" (怪物)3:26
Total length:3:26
Digital download and streaming – English version
No.TitleLength
1."Monster"3:26
Total length:3:26
CD single
No.TitleLength
1."Kaibutsu"3:26
2."Yasashii Suisei" (優しい彗星)3:35
3."Kaibutsu" (TV Size version)1:30
4."Yasashii Suisei" (TV Size version)1:26
Total length:9:58
DVD – limited edition
No.TitleDirector(s)Length
1."TV Anime Beastars Season 2 Opening Non-Credit Video / Yoasobi 'Kaibutsu'" (TVアニメ「BEASTARS」 第2期オープニング ノンクレジット映像／YOASOBI「怪物」)Yamashita Toshiyuki1:31
2."TV Anime Beastars Season 2 Ending Non-Credit Video / Yoasobi 'Yasashii Suisei'" (「TVアニメ「BEASTARS」 第2期エンディング ノンクレジット映像／YOASOBI「優しい彗星」」)Kōhei Kadowaki1:31
Total length:3:02
Blu-ray – fanclub limited edition
No.TitleDirector(s)Length
1."TV Anime Beastars Season 2 Opening Non-Credit Video / Yoasobi 'Kaibutsu'" 1:31
2."TV Anime Beastars Season 2 Ending Non-Credit Video / Yoasobi 'Yasashii Suisei'" 1:31
3."Tabun" (acoustic session)Jun'ichi Hirayama5:02
4."Ano Yume o Nazotte" (acoustic session)Hirayama4:27
Total length:12:31

Credits and personnel

Charts

Certifications
Certifications for "Kaibutsu"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[40] Platinum 250,000*
Streaming
Japan (RIAJ)[41] 3× Platinum 300,000,000†

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

Release history
Release dates and formats for "Kaibutsu"
Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Various January 6, 2021
Original (Japanese) Sony Japan [42]
Japan March 24, 2021
  • Limited
  • fanclub limited
 [3]
Various July 30, 2021
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 English ("Monster") [43]

References
  1. "アニメ「BEASTARS」2期OPはYOASOBI、板垣巴留が楽曲のもとになる小説書き下ろし". Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. Natalie. November 5, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  2. "YOASOBI、新曲「怪物」がオープニングテーマを務めるTVアニメ『BEASTARS』とのコラボレーションMVプレミア公開決定". Spice (in Japanese). Eplus. January 12, 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  3. "3月24日(水)「怪物 / 優しい彗星」CDリリース決定！本日より予約受付開始！". Yoasobi Official Website (in Japanese). Sony Music Entertainment Japan. January 20, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  4. "YOASOBI、12月に新作リリース&日本武道館2daysで初の有観客ライブ決定". Oricon (in Japanese). October 1, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
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