YOASOBI Extends Global Reach: "PLAYERS" English Version Arrives, "Watch me!"
The captivating musical force that is YOASOBI continues its strategic expansion into the global music landscape with a series of English-language releases. Hot on the heels of their memorable performance at the MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN Grand Ceremony, the English version of "PLAYERS" has officially dropped today, accompanied by its music video release at 10 PM JST. This comes as the first of two consecutive English singles, with the English rendition of "Watch me!", the opening theme for the TV anime Witch Watch, slated for release next Friday, May 30th.
"PLAYERS" holds a unique significance as a collaboration piece for PlayStation®'s 30th-anniversary project, "Project: MEMORY CARD." Conceived with the concept of "saving PlayStation memories into YOASOBI's music," the track was originally penned based on user-submitted anecdotes about games they wished they could experience again for the first time. The decision to release an English version of this track underscores its universal appeal, translating nostalgic gaming experiences across linguistic barriers. Konnie Aoki, who has consistently handled the English translations for all of YOASOBI's previous English versions, once again took on the lyrical adaptation, ensuring the essence of the original Japanese is retained while resonating with English speakers. Notably, the track's distinctive catchy calls have been re-recorded with a new chorus in English, inviting listeners to pay close attention to the nuanced sounds and rhythms unique to this new rendition.
The momentum continues with the upcoming English release of "Watch me!", the opening theme for the TV anime Witch Watch. The Japanese version of "Watch me!" had already made a significant impact since its release on May 18th. It debuted at number one on the Oricon Weekly Digital Single (Single Track) Ranking and has rapidly garnered over 2.4 million views on its music video, claiming the top spot on the latest trending charts. The forthcoming English version promises to maintain the rhythmic flow characteristic of YOASOBI's English adaptations, preserving the essence of the Japanese sound while optimizing for English pronunciation.
These back-to-back English single releases are a clear indication of YOASOBI's ambition to connect with a broader international audience. Their meticulous approach to translation, ensuring both lyrical fidelity and musicality in English, highlights a commitment to quality that transcends language barriers. By making their distinct sound and narrative depth accessible to non-Japanese speaking fans, YOASOBI is not only expanding their global footprint but also solidifying their position as a cross-cultural musical phenomenon. This strategic move aligns with a broader trend in the Japanese music industry, where artists are increasingly looking outward to build global fanbases, leveraging both compelling content and carefully executed localization efforts.
YOASOBI
Official Site：https://www.yoasobi-music.jp/
X（旧Twitter）：https://twitter.com/YOASOBI_staff
YouTube Channel：https://www.youtube.com/c/Ayase0404
