Hot on the heels of their holiday-themed spectacle “Happy Surprise”, Naniwa Danshi returned with their fourth single, “Special Kiss”, which was also featured as the theme song for the film “And Yet, You Are So Sweet”. The film starred the group’s (self-proclaimed) hottest member, Kyohei Takahashi, in his first role as a romantic lead.
💘ROCKIN’ ROMANCE💓
Takahashi plays the role of Chigira-kun, a stoic and popular student who finds himself the target of affection from multiple girls at school. While working together in the library with Maaya Kisaragi, who is reeling from a recent breakup, Chigira-kun – as clever as he is charming – proposes an unconventional solution.
He suggests that Maaya redirect her emotions towards him, allowing her to move on from her heartbreak. Taking it a step further, Chigira-kun later proposes a pretend relationship, where they would act as a couple to deter the numerous girls who constantly fawn over him. This mutually beneficial arrangement would provide a welcome respite for both parties, allowing Maaya to heal and Chigira-kun to shake off his unwanted admirers.
However, the more time they spend together, the more they realize those feelings might not be as pretend as they initially thought. Released on March 3, 2023, the all-ages romantic comedy was adapted from the manga series “Na no ni, Chigira-kun ga Amasugiru” (なのに、千輝くんが甘すぎる。) by Anan Kujira (亜南くじら).
The song opens with Takahashi. His youthful voice is innocently sweet, and the video is an adorable look at what it would be like to hang out with the guys. The mid-tempo ballad was also a step in a more mature direction.
🍮SWEET SONGS OF YOUTH💝
While I personally haven’t found a single skippable Naniwa Danshi song yet, the coupling songs on Special Kiss are especially enjoyable.
SEISHUN RHAPSODY (青春ラプソディ) was featured as the commercial theme song for the national television campaign for Benesse “Shinken Zemi,” a home study program for elementary and junior high school students to help them excel in the classroom. The high-energy power-pop bop is the perfect anthem for the young (and young at heart)!
HARUZORA (春空 /Eng: “Spring Sky”)
Keeping the energy high and colorful, this is one of those songs you can easily lose yourself in. It’s the perfect car tune to cruise to, with the volume up and the windows down.
Atarashii Koi, Hajimeyou (新しい恋、はじめよう / Eng: New Love, Let’s Begin)
Where “Spring Sky” is the cruising song, “New Love” is the song you chill to on the beach, watching the stars and stillness of the night.
Dancing in the Rain
With its early Y2K synth beats, this track gives off some serious NSYNC vibes. A step towards a more mature sound than I’m used to from the colorful cuties of Naniwa Danshi. I’m not mad about it; in fact, I really love this song.
Viva Viva Carnival!
Extremely high-energy, this is one of those typical Naniwa Danshi tracks that is guaranteed to get you up and moving!
Upon its release the single also featured some pretty fabulous first-press extras.
The Regular (CD ONLY) Edition:
- Special Kiss
- SEISHUN RHAPSODY
- Dance in the Rain
- Viva Viva Carnival!!
- Special Kiss (Original Karaoke)
- Seishun Rhapsody (Original Karaoke)
- Dance in the Rain (Original Karaoke)
- Viva Viva Carnival!! (Original Karaoke)
Limited Edition 1 (released with a Blu-Ray or DVD):📀
- Special Kiss
- SEISHUN RHAPSODY (青春ラプソディ)
- HARUZORA (春空)
- HARUZORA (Original Karaoke)
- Video content includes “Special Kiss” Music Video & “Making Of” Featurette
- External extras included A5-sized clear folder from the “Special Kiss” photoshoot
Limited Edition 2 (released with a Blu-Ray or DVD):📀
- Special Kiss
- SEISHUN RHAPSODY (青春ラプソディ)
- Atarashii Koi, Hajimeyou (新しい恋､はじめよう)
- Atarashii Koi, Hajimeyou (Original Karaoke)
- Video content includes “SEISHUN RHAPSODY” Music Video & “Making Of” Featurette
- External extras included an A5-sized clear folder from the “Special Kiss” photoshoot
🔥SPARKLE POP ELECTRIC YOUTH🔥
Another double-platinum number-one hit “Special Kiss” spent 57 weeks on the Oricon charts, which makes the group four for four. As the group readied themselves for their second album, the seemed poised for yet another smash hit!
More from Naniwa Danshi soon so…
Stay tuned!
Life In Cartoon Motion 