Recommended Song: Shukufuku

Artist: YOASOBI Song Title: Shukufuku (Blessing) Lyrics/Composition: Ayase Release Date: October 1, 2022 Album: THE BOOK 3 Recommended Listen: https://youtu.be/KPK23K7ipVo?si=EwGSZDOKYb1IX8h7&t=215 This is the opening theme song for the first season of the anime "Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury" (機動戦士ガンダム 水星の魔女). It was a hit single for YOASOBI even before their mega-hit "Idol" achieved hundreds of millions of views. Although the alternate version of "Shukufuku" used in the final episode of the first season became a meme along with the plot (YOASOBI even tweeted about it... no spoilers!), the second season's finale brought "Shukufuku" back as the ending theme, properly fulfilling the title's promise. It's a Gundam series with innovative style. I really love the final lyrics: "Kono hoshi ni umareta koto, kono sekai de iki tsuzukeru koto, sono subete o aiseru you ni, me ippai no shukufuku o kimi ni." (To be born on this star, to continue living in this world, so that you can love it all, I give you my utmost blessings.) Listening to it directly, it's the standard YOASOBI style, but paired with the story, it evokes different emotions. I've chosen the live concert version, so let's enjoy ikura's performance expressions together. 😍