Kaibutsu

"Kaibutsu" (怪物, lit. "Monster") is a song recorded by Japanese duo Yoasobi. It was released as a stand-alone digital single on January 6, 2021, the same day as their debut EP The Book, through Sony Music Entertainment Japan, and released as a double A-side CD single together with "Yasashii Suisei" on March 24. The song was featured as an opening theme song for the second season of the anime television series Beastars. The English version of the song, titled "Monster", was released on July 30.

"Kaibutsu"
Single by Yoasobi
from the EP The Book 2
LanguageJapanese
English title"Monster"
A-side"Yasashii Suisei"
ReleasedJanuary 6, 2021 (2021-01-06)
Genre
Length3:26
LabelSony Music Japan
Songwriter(s)Ayase
Producer(s)Ayase
Yoasobi singles chronology
"Haruka"
(2020)		 "Kaibutsu"
(2021)		 "Yasashii Suisei"
(2021)
Alternative cover
Limited edition CD single cover (with "Yasashii Suisei")
Music video
"Kaibutsu" on YouTube
"Monster" on YouTube

Background and promotion

On November 5, Yoasobi announced to writing and singing the opening theme song for the second season of the anime television series Beastars, titled "Kaibutsu".[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 write and illustrate the anime. They 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.[2]

Release

"Kaibutsu" was released digitally on January 6, 2021, and released as a double A-side CD single, together with "Yasashii Suisei", titled "Kaibutsu / Yasashii Suisei (怪物/優しい彗星) on March 24. The single was released 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 composed in the key of C♯ major, 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 an "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]

Track listing
  • Digital download and streaming[19]
  1. "Kaibutsu" (怪物) – 3:26
  • Digital download and streaming – (English version)[20]
  1. "Monster" – 3:26
  1. CD – Limited edition/Fanclub limited edition
    1. "Kaibutsu" – 3:26
    2. "Yasashii Suisei" – 3:35
    3. "Kaibutsu" (TV Size version) – 1:30
    4. "Yasashii Suisei" (TV Size version) – 1:26
  2. DVD – Limited edition
    1. "TV anime Beastars Season 2 opening non-credit video/Yoasobi "Kaibutsu""
    2. "TV anime Beastars Season 2 ending non-credit video/Yoasobi "Yasashii Suisei""
  3. Blu-ray – Fanclub limited edition
    1. "TV anime Beastars Season 2 opening non-credit video/Yoasobi "Kaibutsu""
    2. "TV anime Beastars Season 2 ending non-credit video/Yoasobi "Yasashii Suisei""
    3. "Tabun" (acoustic session)
    4. "Ano Yume o Nazotte" (acoustic session)

Charts

Certifications
Certifications for "Kaibutsu"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[30] Gold 100,000*
Streaming
Japan (RIAJ)[31] Platinum 100,000,000

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

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal[32] and YouTube.[33]

Release history
Release dates and formats for "Kaibutsu"
RegionDateFormatVersionLabelRef.
Various January 6, 2021 (2021-01-06)
Original (Japanese) Sony Music Japan [19]
Japan March 24, 2021 (2021-03-24) CD+DVD Limited edition (with "Yasashii Suisei") [3]
CD+blu-ray Fanclub limited edition (with "Yasashii Suisei")
Various July 30, 2021 (2021-07-30)
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 English ("Monster") [34]

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. Shiba, Tomonori (March 1, 2021). "＜ライブレポート＞YOASOBI初ライブ【KEEP OUT THEATER】を振り返る 興奮を拡散させる"仕掛け"も考察". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Hanshin Contents Link. Retrieved March 11, 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.
  5. "YOASOBI、「怪物」の英語バージョン「Monster」7/30配信リリース決定。本日24時からの"YOASOBIのオールナイトニッポンX"で初フルOA". Skream! (in Japanese). Geki-Rock. Skream!. July 27, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  6. "YOASOBI、初の英語版第1弾EP『E-SIDE』11/12リリース。"群青"英語Verの"Blue"配信＆MV公開も". Rockin'On (in Japanese). October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  7. Topham, Michelle (January 13, 2021). "YOASOBI's 'Kaibutsu' will be a huge hit — BEASTARS Season 2 opening theme is awesome". LeoSign. LeoSign. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  8. Yutorina (February 3, 2021). "YOASOBI「怪物」歌詞の意味を徹底解釈！自身を貫く大切さを教えてくれる？". Utaten (in Japanese). IBG Media. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  9. "Key and BPM of 怪物 by YOASOBI". Musicstax. Musicstax. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  10. Chow, Andrew R.; Lang, Candy (December 5, 2021). "The 10 Best Songs of 2021". Time. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  11. "Billboard Japan Hot 100 [ 2021/01/18 付け ]". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). January 18, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  12. "Billboard Japan Hot 100 [ 2021/03/31 付け ]". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). March 31, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  13. "Billboard Global 200". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  14. "Billboard Global Excl. US". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  15. "YOASOBI、初のCDシングル「怪物/優しい彗星」が初登場2位【オリコンランキング】". Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon ME. March 30, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  16. "【ビルボード】Sexy Zone「LET'S MUSIC」176,844枚を売り上げ総合首位に初登場 YOASOBI「怪物」総合2位に上昇". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Hanshin Contents Link. March 31, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  17. "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". Eplus (in Japanese). Eplus. Spice. January 12, 2021. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
  18. "YOASOBI、「怪物」MVがYouTubeにて1億回再生を突破　1億回再生記念アート公開". CDJournal (in Japanese). CDJournal. CDJournal. June 22, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  19. "Monster - Single". Apple Music. Apple Inc. January 7, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  20. "Monster (English Version) - Single". Apple Music. Apple Inc. July 30, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  21. "Billboard Japan Hot Animation [ 2021/03/31 付け ]". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). March 31, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  22. 怪物/優しい彗星 – Oricon Oricon News. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  23. "週間 合算シングルランキング 2021年04月05日付" (in Japanese). Oricon. April 5, 2021. Archived from the original on March 31, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  24. "World Digital Song Sales The Week of July 31, 2021" (in Japanese). Billboard. July 31, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  25. "週間 デジタルシングル (単曲) ランキング 2021年08月09日付" (in Japanese). Oricon. August 9, 2021. Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  26. "Oricon Top 50 Singles: 2021-03". Oricon. Archived from the original on April 14, 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  27. "Year-End Charts Billboard Global 200 2021". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  28. "Billboard Japan Hot 100 Year-end 2021". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  29. "Billboard Japan Hot Animation Year-end 2021". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  30. "Japanese single digital certifications – YOASOBI – 怪物" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved April 19, 2021. Select 2021年3月 on the drop-down menu
  31. "Japanese single streaming certifications – YOASOBI – 怪物" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved June 30, 2021. Select 2021年5月 on the drop-down menu
  32. "Credits / 怪物 / YOASOBI". Tidal. January 6, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  33. "YOASOBI「怪物」Official Music Video (YOASOBI - Monster)". YouTube. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  34. "英語版第3弾となる「Monster」(「怪物」英語Ver.)が7/30(金)配信リリース決定！本日7/27(火)24時からの『YOASOBIのオールナイトニッポンX』で初フルオンエア！". Yoasobi Official Website (in Japanese). Sony Music Entertainment Japan. July 27, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
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