Hikaru Utada‘s SCIENCE FICTION promo just keeps getting better.
To celebrate the “In My Room” icon’s first-ever (?) greatest hits compilation, Hikki’s team unveiled a special countdown on Thursday (March 14), allowing fans to explore the journey through Utada’s musical evolution.
Thrillingly, 22 (!) 4K-enhanced music videos will premiere daily on Hikki’s official YouTube channel, leading up to the release of SCIENCE FICTION on April 10. (All music videos premiere at 9:00 p.m. Japan time.)
The 4K project was led by Japanese music video director Wataru Takeishi, who has directed a bunch of Utada visuals, from “For You” to “Prisoner of Love” to “Hanataba o Kimi Ni.”
Per the official release: “Wataru Takeishi has masterfully enhanced the videos, presenting Utada’s past works with unparalleled clarity and visual fidelity using cutting-edge technology in 2024. Each video features the original sound source from its initial release, distinct from the upcoming album.”
In addition, digital zines for every song on SCIENCE FICTION will be released as well, which promise to include “music video stills, cover arts and interviews related to each” song. The zines will be available on Utada’s official social media platforms.
Lastly, Hikaru fans are being invited to take part in a social media campaign: a “digital pop” image will be distributed on X (Twitter) by the @hikki_staff account, encouraging fans to share their stories about Hikaru Utada by responding to provided questions, “recommended songs” and “your story,” which will appear over the image. Among those who post their personalized digital pop image along with the hashtag #HikaruUtada25th, 100 lucky winners will be randomly selected via lottery to receive an exclusive SCIENCE FICTION travel mug. (Stanley Cups, eat your fucking heart out.)
The first 4K-upgraded music video on the schedule was just released this morning, and it’s a stunning update of 2000’s classic “Wait & See (Risk),” the third-best selling song of that year in Japan. 24 years later, Hikaru’s hover cycle and clones have never looked better.
Also delightful: several of the music videos getting the 4K upgrade are for songs that were (devastatingly) left off the SCIENCE FICTION album track list, which means even more of Hikaru’s discography is getting some love for this special release. We won!
You can pre-order the limited edition and regular edition right here.
Buy all of Hikaru Utada’s studio albums on vinyl right here.
4K Music Video YouTube Premiere Schedule
*All music videos will be premiered at 9:00 pm Japan Time
14 March (Thu) Wait & See (Risk): https://youtu.be/jWPs_orw2Dk
15 March (Fri) Movin’ on without you: https://youtu.be/ltz6BX-dBaE
16 March (Sat) Prisoner Of Love: https://youtu.be/EHj3ljJvo5Y
17 March (Sun) Addicted To You: https://youtu.be/fZ7JyZyBjjY
19 March (Tue) For You@shibuya: https://youtu.be/cE6QBKp62aE
20 March (Wed) Can You Keep A Secret?: https://youtu.be/w4w6OTjV7so
21 March (Thu) Automatic: https://youtu.be/rJwLPcL2u3c
23 March (Sat) FINAL DISTANCE: https://youtu.be/UrxdeHn_E1k
24 March (Sun) Hikari: https://youtu.be/PFzQ3ZXBsbo
25 March (Mon) SAKURA Drops: https://youtu.be/V6PisCGexEU
26 March (Tue) DEEP RIVER: https://youtu.be/l-g0iwqyeZA
27 March (Wed) COLORS: https://youtu.be/04RQ6uLSf64
28 March (Thu) Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro: https://youtu.be/tWSY-5meT68
29 March (Fri) Be My Last: https://youtu.be/li2TjO2P-Pg
30 March (Sat) Passion: https://youtu.be/j01KLlxfoN4
31 March (Sun) Keep Tryin’: https://youtu.be/fwo2O7f33C8
1 April (Mon) Flavor Of Life-Ballad Version: https://youtu.be/iX4FRMcV88Y
2 April (Tue) Time Limit: https://youtu.be/KHkZvsuhQU0
4 April (Thu) traveling: https://youtu.be/4j2ZJAgdrGE
5 April (Fri) Sakura Nagashi: https://youtu.be/5GUHzOvKG8g
6 April (Sat) HEART STATION: https://youtu.be/VccJi8eo-Vg
8 April (Mon) First Love: https://youtu.be/GcpsTmDO9k0
Check out the MuuTunes Spotify playlist. You can also subscribe on Apple Music.
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