Hikaru Utada has officially returned with brand new single ‘PAPPAPARADISE’! The release marks Utada’s first new music in a year and serves as the ending theme for beloved anime series Chibi Maruko-chan.
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Airing every Sunday night in Japan, Chibi Maruko-chan remains one of Japan’s most enduring and beloved anime titles. Pairing the show’s playful warmth with Utada’s bright new track, ‘PAPPAPARADISE’ brings together two icons of Japanese entertainment in a collaboration fans have been eagerly anticipating since the song first debuted during the anime’s spring special in March.
Prior to the release, the anime’s non-credit ending video had already been made available on YouTube, offering fans an early glimpse of the song in action.
Utada also reflected on their deep connection to Chibi Maruko-chan and creator Momoko Sakura in a heartfelt statement: “I got to know Chibi Maruko-Chan when I was 9, the same age as her,” Utada shared. “The manga and TV series brought me closer to what everyday life is like in Japan while it told of universal feelings we all share no matter where you live.”
They added, “I hope my song ‘PAPPAPARADISE’ carries on the spirit of her playfulness and kindness. To all the children and all of us grown up children of the world, I hope we never forget that our spirits are free, and it’s ok to be silly and different.”
Alongside the release, ‘PAPPAPARADISE’ has also been selected as the latest commercial song for Japanese green tea brand Ayataka. The campaign began airing across Japan in April, marking the third consecutive year Utada has collaborated with the brand following ‘traveling (Re-recording)’ and ‘Mine or Yours’.
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