In the realm of Japanese music, there is a name that resonates with beauty, talent, and an extraordinary ability to touch the hearts of others – Hikaru Utada. Born and raised in the States, the singer has charmed listeners around the world with her ethereal vocals and poignant lyrics. Following the tremendous success of her recent revival hit, “First Love”, and the unforgettable birthday event, “40 Dai-Wa-Iroiro♫”, Hikaru Utada is set to hypnotise fans once again with a highly-anticipated single release on Friday, July 28th – her first single in a year and a half.

The song, titled “Gold – Mata Au Hi Made” (“Gold – Till the Day We See Each Other Again”), has been specifically crafted as the theme song for the much-anticipated movie “KINGDOM: The Flame of Destiny” – the third instalment of the “KINGDOM” film series. Utada co-produced the song with A.G. Cook, marking the third collaboration between the two artists, following “One Last Kiss” and “Kimini Muchuu”. Drawing inspiration from the original comic, “KINGDOM”, which vividly depicts the tumultuous Warring States Period in ancient China, the film follows the extraordinary journey of Shin, a war orphan with dreams of becoming a great general, and Eisei, a young king striving to unify China. The previous instalments, “KINGDOM” (2019) and “KINGDOM 2: Far and Away” (2022), have both enjoyed great success at the box office, ranking as the top live-action Japanese movies of their respective years.

In addition, the latest trailer for the movie, featuring a snippet of the track “Gold – Mata Au Hi Made”, can now be viewed on the Toho Movie Channel on YouTube. The trailer seamlessly merges the film’s captivating characters with the essence of the song, offering a tantalising glimpse into the world of “KINGDOM”. 

The film itself will be released in Japan on July 28th, 2023. Directed by Shinsuke Sato (“Alice in Borderland”, “Bleach”) and written by Tsutomu Kuroiwa and Yasuhisa Hara, “KINGDOM: The Flame of Destiny” will definitely make waves once it’s released. The film is based on “KINGDOM” by Yasuhisa Hara (Serialized in Weekly Young Jump by SHUEISHA), and one can only hope that it will get its release beyond Japan’s borders. 

For more information, follow the links below:

Official Website: http://kingdom-the-movie.jp

Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/kingdomthemovie

Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kingdom_movie

You can learn more about Hikaru Utada by visiting her page: https://www.utadahikaru.jp/en.

Image © Yasuhisa Hara/SHUEISHA

_{View of the Arts is a British online publication that chiefly deals with films, music, and art, with an emphasis on the Asian entertainment industry. We are hoping our audience will grow with us as we begin to explore new platforms such as K-pop / K-music, and Asian music in general, and continue to dive into the talented and ever-growing scene of film, music, and arts, worldwide.}