"Yasashii Suisei" (優しい彗星, lit. "Gentle Comet", English title: "Comet")[1] is a song by Japanese duo Yoasobi from their second EP, The Book 2 (2021). It was released as a single on January 20, 2021, by Sony Music Entertainment Japan, and released as a double A-side CD single together with "Kaibutsu" on March 24. The song was featured as an ending theme song for the second season of the anime television series Beastars.

"Yasashii Suisei"
Single by Yoasobi
from the EP The Book 2
LanguageJapanese
English title"Comet"
A-side"Kaibutsu"
ReleasedJanuary 20, 2021
Genre
Length3:35
LabelSony Japan
Songwriter(s)Ayase
Producer(s)Ayase
Yoasobi singles chronology
"Kaibutsu"
(2021)
"Yasashii Suisei"
(2021)
"Mō Sukoshi Dake"
(2021)
Alternative cover
Illustration of Legoshi, the main character of Beastars
Limited double A-side single cover
Music video
"Yasashii Suisei" on YouTube
"Comet" on YouTube

Background and release

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Following the release of "Kaibutsu" in early January 2021, Yoasobi announced the ending theme for the second season of the anime television series Beastars, titled "Yasashii Suisei". The song was based on the short story Shishiza Ryūseigun no Mama ni (獅子座流星群のままに, "A Leonid, Always"), written by Paru Itagaki, who also wrote and illustrated the manga.[2]

"Yasashii Suisei" was released digitally on January 20, 2021, and released as a double A-side CD single, together with "Kaibutsu" on March 24. The single was released with two 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 videos from Beastars. The fan club limited edition also included the acoustic session of "Tabun" and "Ano Yume o Nazotte".[3]

Later, "Yasashii Suisei" was included on their second extended play The Book 2, released on December 1.[4] The English version of the song, titled "Comet" was included on the duo's first English-language EP E-Side, scheduled for release on November 12.[5]

Lyrics and composition

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"Yasashii Suisei" is a ballad song with a straightforward message about two people from different backgrounds nurturing a beautiful friendship in a cruel world.[6][7] The song is composed in the key of F major, 90 beats per minute with a running time of 3 minutes and 33 seconds.[8]

Commercial performance

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"Yasashii Suisei" debuted at number 20 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 of February 1, 2021[9] and peaked at number 19 on the chart of March 31, 2021,[10] and also peaked at number 97 on the Billboard Global Excl. US of February 6.[11]

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,[12] 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.[13]

Music video

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The music video "Yasashii Suisei" was premiered on March 25, 2021.[14] It was directed and produced by Kōhei Kadowaki, who also produced the ending video for the anime Beastars.[15] The music video focuses on the important characters of the anime, Louis and Ibuki, shows the ephemeral and gentle world view which flows between the two is delicate with over 2,500 illustrations drawn by director.[16]

Live performance

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"Yasashii Suisei" was performed for the first time on the YouTube channel The First Take, which premiered on March 10, 2021.[17] The duo gave a televised debut performance of the song at the 63rd Japan Record Awards on December 30, alongside "Kaibutsu", and "Moshi mo Inochi ga Egaketara".[18]

Accolades

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Awards and nominations for "Yasashii Suisei"
Ceremony Year Award Result Ref.
Anime Trending Awards 2022 Ending Theme Song of the Year Nominated [19]
Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2022 Best Ending Sequence Nominated [20]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Ayase

Digital download and streaming
No.TitleLength
1."Yasashii Suisei" (優しい彗星)3:35
Total length:3:35
CD single
No.TitleLength
1."Kaibutsu" (怪物)3:26
2."Yasashii Suisei"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

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Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications for "Yasashii Suisei"
Region Certification Certified 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.

Release history

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Release dates and formats for "Yasashii Suisei"
Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Various January 20, 2021 Original Sony Japan [1]
Japan March 24, 2021
  • Limited
  • fanclub limited
[3]
Taiwan May 28, 2021 CD+DVD Limited Sony Taiwan [32]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Comet - Single". Apple Music. Apple Inc. January 28, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  2. ^ "YOASOBI、新曲「優しい彗星」配信リリース決定". Music Voice (in Japanese). Music Voice. Music Voice. January 14, 2021. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "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、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.
  6. ^ "YOASOBI、新曲「優しい彗星」配信リリース決定". Music Voice (in Japanese). Music Voice. January 14, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  7. ^ The First Take (March 10, 2021). YOASOBI - Yasashii Suisei / THE FIRST TAKE (video). Retrieved March 11, 2021 – via YouTube.
  8. ^ "Key and BPM of 優しい彗星 by YOASOBI". Musicstax. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  9. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot 100 [ 2021/02/01 付け ]". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). February 1, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  10. ^ a b "Billboard Japan Hot 100 [ 2021/03/31 付け ]". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). March 31, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  11. ^ "Billboard Global Excl. US". Billboard. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ "【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.
  14. ^ "YOASOBI、『怪物 / 優しい彗星』リリース&3/25 20時に「優しい彗星」MVプレミア公開". Yahoo News Japan (in Japanese). Yahoo Japan. Japan Music Network. March 24, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  15. ^ YOASOBI_staff (March 10, 2021). "#THEFIRSTTAKE いかがでしたか? 優しさに触れたい時、よければ思い出してください。". Twitter (in Japanese). Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  16. ^ "「BEASTARS」YOASOBIの主題歌リリース! 2,500枚超の描き下ろしイラスト使用したED「優しい彗星」MVも". Anime! Anime! (in Japanese). IID, Inc. March 24, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
  17. ^ "YOASOBIが「THE FIRST TAKE」再登場、「優しい彗星」をメディア初パフォーマンス". Natalie (in Japanese). March 10, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  18. ^ "YOASOBI、『輝く!日本レコード大賞』歌唱曲発表 「怪物」「優しい彗星」「もしも命が描けたら」フルサイズで初披露". Real Sound (in Japanese). December 25, 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  19. ^ "Nominees of the 8th Anime Trending Awards". Anime Trending. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  20. ^ Coats, Cayla (February 10, 2022). "Meet the Winners of This Year's Anime Awards". Crunchyroll. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  21. ^ "Yoasobi Chart History (Global Excl. US)". Billboard. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  22. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Animation [ 2021/03/22 付け ]". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). March 22, 2021. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  23. ^ 怪物/優しい彗星 – Oricon Oricon News. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  24. ^ "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.
  25. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Singles: 2021-03". Oricon. Archived from the original on April 14, 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  26. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot 100 Year-End 2021". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  27. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Animation Year-End 2021". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  28. ^ "Oricon Top 100 Singles: 2021". Oricon. Archived from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  29. ^ "【オリコン年間ランキング2021】BTS、年間アーティストセールストータル1位 海外アーティストで初の快挙 / 合算シングル 1位~10位" (in Japanese). Oricon. December 24, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  30. ^ "Japanese digital single certifications – YOASOBI – 優しい彗星" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved August 19, 2022. Select 2022年7月 on the drop-down menu
  31. ^ "Japanese single streaming certifications – YOASOBI – 優しい彗星" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved June 27, 2022. Select 2022年5月 on the drop-down menu
  32. ^ "YOASOBI / Kaibutsu/Yasashii Suisei (CD+DVD)" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Sony Music Taiwan. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
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