Umi no Koe

"Umi no Koe (海の声)"
Song by Kenta Kiritani, BEGIN
from the album Kanon
ReleasedJuly 31, 2015 (limited digital release)
December 2, 2015
GenreOkinawan folk, Japanese folk
Length3:49
LabelUniversal Music Japan
SongwritersMakoto Shinohara (lyrics)
Masaru Shimabukuro of BEGIN (music)
ProducerHiroaki Yamashita
Music video
「海の声」 フルver. on YouTube

Umi no Koe (海の声, literally 'Voice of the Sea'), is a digital single by Japanese actor Kenta Kiritani, performing as the character Urashimataro (浦島太郎) that was a part of the au "Santarō" commercial series. Originally conceived as a promotional jingle, the song became a hit in Japan, topping digital charts. It was pre-released as a digital song from July 31 to August 31, 2015 through LISMO store,[1] and later distributed more widely on December 2, 2015.[2][3] Its popularity grew with its inclusion on Kiritani’s debut album Kanon. It topped annual charts in 2016, selling over a million digital copies. It was certified by the RIAJ in April 2016.[4][5]

The song reimagines classic Japanese folklore characters like Urashimataro, Momotarō, and Kintarō as friends. The music video features Kiritani alongside Shota Matsuda as Momotarō (Momo-chan), Gaku Hamada as Kintarō (Kin-chan), and Kasumi Arimura as Kaguya-hime (Kagu-chan).[6]The lyrical and musical inspiration draws directly from the Urashimataro folktale, with the protagonist longing for Princess Otohime as he gazes at the sea that separates them. The lyrics use metaphors about nature to convey the narrator’s longing. He implores the sky, wind and sea to carry his voice to his love, Oto-hime (Oto-chan).[3]

Summary

The track was created as a commercial song for the au Santaro commercial series, specifically for the "au Garaho 'Umi no Koe'" advertisement. In the commercial, Kiritani plays the traditional character Urashimataro (affectionately called Ura-chan) and performs the song.[7] The advertisement was produced to promote a new au flip phone and began broadcasting on July 17, 2015.

The lyrics were written by Makoto Shinohara, a commercial planner for Dentsu who worked on the au Santaro series, while the music was composed by Masaru Shimabukuro (島袋優) (guitar) of the acoustic band BEGIN.[8] When composing the music, Shimabukuro spent five days watching videos of Kiritani to understand his vocal style before writing the song over a two-day period.[9]

Original Japanese
空の声が 聞きたくて
風の声に 耳すませ
海の声が 知りたくて
君の声を 探してる
Romaji
Sora no koe ga kikitakute
Kaze no koe ni mimi sumase
Umi no koe ga shiritakute
Kimi no koe o sagashiteru
English Translation
I wanted to hear the voice of the sky
So I listened to the voice of the wind
I wanted to know the voice of the sea
So I'm searching for your voice

Production

Concept

The campaign aimed to promote au’s "Garaho" line of hybrid smartphones. It was originally a commercial tie-in for KDDI’s "au Santarō" campaign, was digitally pre-released as a digital song from July 31 to August 31, 2015 through LISMO store,[10][11] and officially released on December 2, 2015, by Universal Music Japan.[12][1]

Sound production and lyrics

The project was a collaboration between the Okinawan folk-rock band BEGIN and au's marketing team.[3] Makoto Shinohara, the creative director behind the commercials, wrote the lyrics. Shimabukuro of BEGIN composed the music.[3]

The production team focused on a minimalist, acoustic sound. The song is a slow-tempo Okinawan folk ballad,[13]

Domestically, it peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100[14] and held the top spot on digital charts for several months. In 2016, it became the most-requested song in Japanese karaoke parlours, topping both the JOYSOUND and DAM rankings. By April 2016, the RIAJ certified the song for over one million digital sales.[5][15]

Despite not being a trained musician at the start of the project, Kiritani performed the vocals and played the sanshin (a three-stringed Okinawan lute). Kiritani insisted on playing the instrument himself to maintain the character's authenticity. The recording sessions were held in 2015, with arrangements provided by Hiroaki Yamashita.[3] Kiritani performed the sanshin accompaniment on the recorded track himself.[16]

Commercial performance

It was released as a limited-time free download for Android smartphone users via the LISMO store in mid-2015.[10] It was subsequently released across all major digital platforms on 2 December 2015.[12][10]

Release

From July 31 to August 31, 2015, the track was distributed exclusively through the au music services "Uta Pass" and "LISMO Store".[17] It received a wide release across all major digital platforms on December 2 of the same year.[18] Following this wider release, the single achieved the number-one spot on thirteen different digital charts, including the iTunes Store and RecoChoku.[19]

On April 29, 2016, the track was released globally in 251 countries and territories, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, and Indonesia.[20]

Influence

The song created a renewed interest in Okinawan folk music among younger Japanese people. Former Yomiuri Giants outfielder Garrett Jones and Orix Buffaloes infielder Koji Oshiro have both used the song as their batter walk-up music. Kenta Kiritani performed it at the 67th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 2016. Various artists have covered the song. Hibiki Ganaha (voiced by Manami Numakura) featured on the 2020 album THE IDOLM@STER MASTER ARTIST 4 05 Ganaha Hibiki. Ryukyu Mura performed it as a traditional Okinawan arrangement on the 2017 compilation Ryukyu Nabi Road. BEGIN also performs their own version during live concerts.[3]

Awards

Year Award Category
2016 49th Japan Cable Awards[21] Special Award
58th Japan Record Awards[22] Excellent Work Award
JOYSOUND Best Karaoke of the Year 2016 JOYSOUND Annual Karaoke Ranking No. 1
2017 NexTone Award 2017[23] Bronze Medal

Charts and certifications

The song was recognised by the RIAJ as certified 'Million' (Single Track).[24] It also won the 58th Japan Record Awards: Excellent Work Award[22] The song also hit multiple Billboard Japan lists including the Hot 100, Weekly No. 3, [25] and 2016 Year-End No. 14[26][27]

Year Chart / Award Peak
position
2016 RecoChoku Award Monthly Best Song (January) 1
RecoChoku Award Monthly Best Song (February) 1
Annual Digital Download Ranking (RecoChoku) 1
Annual Digital Download Ranking – Singles (music.jp)[28] 1
Annual Digital Download Ranking – Combined Singles (mora)[29] 1
Annual Digital Download Ranking – Singles (TSUTAYA Musico♪)[30] 1
Annual Digital Download Ranking – Singles (mysound)[31] 1
Amazon.co.jp Ranking Awards 2016 – Combined Digital Music[32] 2
Annual USEN Hit J-Pop Ranking[33] 8
Annual Billboard Japan Hot 100[26] 14
JOYSOUND Annual Karaoke Ranking 1
DAM Annual Karaoke Request Ranking[34] 14
Japan (RIAJ) Million (Single Track)[24] 1

Cover versions

Release date Artist Album / Single Notes
October 28, 2015 Begin Sugar Cane Cable Network Self-cover version.[35] Certified Gold for digital single tracks by the RIAJ.[36]
January 31, 2016 Iduhe i-dushi[37]
June 17, 2016 Matt Cab Digital single Covered in English.[38]
August 24, 2016 Island Bag Stars in the Sand Covered in English.[39]
September 24, 2016 Softly Ienakata Koto. Iitai Koto. Some lyrics were modified because Softly is a female duo.
October 20, 2016 Haruoid Minami Digital single A virtual singer developed using singing voice synthesis technology based on the voice of Haruo Minami.[40]
April 1, 2017 Nise Taro (Tomoya Maeno) Web exclusive Released as an au April Fools' Day prank under the title Gumi no Koe (Voice of the Gummy). The track was accessible on a special website from April 1 to April 7, 2017.[41][42]
September 13, 2017 Beni Covers the City Covered with English lyrics.
December 20, 2017 Ryota Kaizo TV Tokyo's "The Karaoke Battle" BEST ALBUM III
December 20, 2017 Miyakawakun On Your Mark Digital edition exclusive bonus track.
June 22, 2018 Nenes MAPAI
November 14, 2018 Fumika Cover Life Pre-released digitally on July 25, 2018.
May 29, 2019 Han-Kun Musical Ambassador
June 5, 2019 Keisuke Kuwata Live DVD Heisei Sanjū-nendo! Daisan-kai Hitori Kōhaku Uta Gassen Kuwata had previously placed this song at number four on his personal radio program ranking feature, "Keisuke Kuwata's Choice of 2015 Japanese Pop Single Best 20". He praised the track, calling it a moving piece that showed the positive evolution of Japanese popular music.[43]
November 11, 2020 Hibiki Ganaha (voiced by Manami Numakura) The Idolm@ster Master Artist 4 #05 Hibiki Ganaha
July 27, 2022 Haruki Ishiya [Re:collection] HIT SONG cover series feat.voice actors 〜10's-20's EDITION〜

Track listing

'Umi no Koe' (3:47)
Lyrics: Makoto Shinohara Composition: Masaru Shimabukuro (島袋優) (BEGIN) Arrangement: Hiroaki Yamashita
Sanshin: Kenta Kiritani

References

  1. 1 2 "桐谷健太扮する"浦ちゃん"の「海の声」がiTS、レコチョクで再配信". Archived from the original on 2019-11-09. Retrieved 2019-11-09.
  2. ↑ "「海の声」カバー曲特集！". Archived from the original on 2019-11-09. Retrieved 2019-11-09.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "The Secret Behind the Hit "Umi no Koe" (海の声」ヒット of 裏側)" 「海の声」ヒットの裏側：浦ちゃんが歌う、BEGIN作曲の三線バラード. Oricon News (in Japanese). 26 December 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  4. ↑ "The Recording Industry Association of Japan Releases Its Digital Certifications for April". Archived from the original on 2019-11-09. Retrieved 2019-11-09.
  5. 1 2 "Digital Single Certifications April 2016 (有料音楽配信認定 2016年4月)" 有料音楽配信認定 (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. 20 May 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  6. ↑ 「海の声」 フルver. on YouTube
  7. ↑ ""Umi no Koe" Sung by Ura-chan in au Garaho CM to be Distributed via Uta Pass and LISMO Store" (in Japanese). au. 2015-07-31. Retrieved 2016-07-22.
  8. ↑ "Dentsu Inc. "au Santaro Series" Commercial Planner Mr. Makoto Shinohara" (in Japanese). Creative Village. 2016-05-13. Retrieved 2016-07-22.
  9. ↑ Utacon "Sea Songs to Hear in Summer" - NHK (Broadcast on July 12, 2016)
  10. 1 2 3 "Kenta Kiritani's "Umi no Koe" Full Version Distribution" 桐谷健太扮する浦島太郎「海の声」フルver.配信決定. Natalie.mu (in Japanese). 31 July 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  11. ↑ "桐谷健太扮する"浦ちゃん"、BEGIN提供「海の声」で歌手デビュー". Archived from the original on 2019-11-09. Retrieved 2019-11-09.
  12. 1 2 "Kenta Kiritani - Umi no Koe (海の声)" 桐谷健太 - 海の声 商品情報 (in Japanese). Universal Music Japan. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  13. ↑ "「海の声」カバー曲特集！". Archived from the original on 2019-11-09. Retrieved 2019-11-09.
  14. ↑ "Hot 100 Chart 2015/12/14 (Billboard Japan Hot 100 2015/12/14 付け)" Billboard Japan Hot 100. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 9 December 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  15. ↑ "The Recording Industry Association of Japan Releases Its Digital Certifications for April". Archived from the original on 2019-11-09. Retrieved 2019-11-09.
  16. ↑ ""Ura-chan" (Kenta Kiritani) from the au Commercial Releases "Umi no Koe" for General Distribution". Barks (in Japanese). 2015-12-02. Retrieved 2016-07-22.
  17. ↑ ""Ura-chan" Played by Kenta Kiritani Makes His Singer Debut with "Umi no Koe" Provided by BEGIN". Natalie (in Japanese). 2015-07-31. Retrieved 2016-07-22.
  18. ↑ ""Umi no Koe" by Kenta Kiritani's "Ura-chan" Re-released on iTunes and RecoChoku". Natalie (in Japanese). 2015-12-02. Retrieved 2016-07-22.
  19. ↑ "Huge Response for au Ura-chan (Kenta Kiritani) at FNS Music Festival". Lawson HMV Entertainment (in Japanese). 2015-12-04. Retrieved 2016-07-22.
  20. ↑ "Ura-chan (Kenta Kiritani) Receives Love Calls from All Over the World". Barks (in Japanese). 2016-04-29. Retrieved 2016-07-22.
  21. ↑ "Eight Acts Nominated for the Japan Cable Awards, Including AKB48, JUJU, Mariya Nishiuchi, and Kana Nishino". Natalie (in Japanese). 2016-11-16. Retrieved 2016-11-28.
  22. 1 2 "Candidates for the 58th Japan Record Awards Determined; Utada, AKB48, Kenta Kiritani, and More". Oricon Style (in Japanese). 2016-11-18. Retrieved 2016-11-18.
  23. ↑ "Spitz's "Nagisa" Wins the Gold Medal at the NexTone Award 2017". Barks Music News (in Japanese). 2017-04-05. Retrieved 2017-04-05.
  24. 1 2 "Paid Digital Music Certifications April 2016" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 2016-07-22.
  25. ↑ "Hot 100". Billboard Japan. 2015-12-09. Retrieved 2015-12-10.
  26. 1 2 "Billboard Japan Hot 100 Year End 2016". Billboard Japan. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
  27. ↑ "billboard japan hot100". Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2019-11-09.
  28. ↑ "[Breaking News] 2016 Annual Download Ranking Announced! Gen Hoshino at 3rd, RADWIMPS at 2nd, and the "Face of the Year" at 1st". music.jp News (in Japanese). 2016-12-01. Retrieved 2016-12-04.
  29. ↑ "Ranking (Comprehensive) 2016 Annual" (in Japanese). mora. Retrieved 2016-12-09.
  30. ↑ "Kenta Kiritani's "Umi no Koe" Dominates the 2016 Annual Charts with Consecutive No. 1 Wins! Strong Support in Karaoke". E-TalentBank (in Japanese). 2016-12-09. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
  31. ↑ "Announcement! mysound Annual Ranking 2016" (in Japanese). mysound. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
  32. ↑ "Amazon.co.jp: Amazon Ranking Awards 2016 Digital Music Comprehensive" (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
  33. ↑ "2016 Annual USEN HIT J-POP Ranking" (in Japanese). music.usen.com. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
  34. ↑ "DAM Annual Karaoke Request Ranking 2016 Announced; Urashima Taro (Kenta Kiritani)'s "Umi no Koe" Proudly Claims 1st Place!" (in Japanese). Daiichikosho Company. 2016-12-06. Retrieved 2016-12-07.
  35. ↑ "BEGIN's New Album Includes a Self-Cover of "Umi no Koe" Sung by Kenta Kiritani as Urashima Taro in the au CM". Barks (in Japanese). 2015-10-05. Retrieved 2016-07-22.
  36. ↑ RIAJ Certification February 2016
  37. ↑ "Iduhe's 1st Album "i-dushi" Exclusive Pre-release Distribution!". Okinawa Chura Sounds (in Japanese). 2016-01-27. Retrieved 2016-07-22.
  38. ↑ "Matt Cab Covers Kenta Kiritani's "Umi no Koe" in English". music.jp News (in Japanese). 2016-05-24. Retrieved 2016-07-22.
  39. ↑ "A "Relative" Unit is Born by Caroline, the Younger Sister of the Famous OLIVIA, and BEGIN's Masaru Shimabukuro". M-ON! Music News (in Japanese). 2016-07-04. Archived from the original on 2016-08-15. Retrieved 2016-07-22.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  40. ↑ "National Singer Haruo Minami Revives Virtually; "Haruoid Minami" Makes Debut". Oricon Style (in Japanese). 2016-10-20. Retrieved 2016-10-20.
  41. ↑ What is the True Identity of Nise Taro, Who Sings the New Song "Gumi no Koe" for the au Santaro Series?, Daily Sports, April 1, 2017.
  42. ↑ WANIMA, Masaki Suda-lookalike, and Others Sing; Four New au CM Songs Released Simultaneously, Barks Music News, April 1, 2017.
  43. ↑ Entertainment Vitamin: Keisuke Kuwata Chooses the Top 20 Japanese Singles of 2015, Admits He "Cried" to Kenta Kiritani's "Umi no Koe", Techinsight, December 27, 2015.
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