"Mirrorcle World" is the forty-third physical single and forty-fourth single overall by Japanese singer Ayumi Hamasaki. The title track is an extended version of the song "Mirror," a two-minute introductory track on Hamasaki's ninth studio album, Guilty. The single was released on April 8, 2008, exactly ten years after her debut single, "Poker Face"; the single features two new recordings of her second and fifth singles, both released in 1998, "You" and "Depend on You," respectively.
Mirrorcle World has been certified platinum by RIAJ for shipment of more than 250,000 copies in Japan, Hamasaki's first single to do so since 2006's "Blue Bird". As of 2008 Oricon Yearly Chart, it is the #33 best-selling single in Japan of 2008 and #1 best-first week sales for female artist in Japan of 2008. "Mirrorcle World" made Hamasaki the first female artist to have a single reach #1 on the Oricon for ten consecutive years.
Packaging and design The CD+DVD version of "Mirrorcle World," according to Avex, was released in a "special limited-edition package" which consists of a vertical sleeve. Also, first press editions of the CD+DVD versions comes with posters of the respective cover, and an extra-long vertical casing.
The CD-only version, however, was released in regular sleeves. Also, Spoinichi Annex revealed that the cover of "Mirrorcle World" would feature Hamasaki in a topless shot, in the vein of the covers of her album and single Loveppears and "Appears," respectively. However, whereas Hamasaki's hair covered her bust in the covers of the aforementioned records, the covers of "Mirrorcle World" depicted Hamasaki covering her breasts with her arm.
Commercial and promotional videos
On January 9, rumors began circulating through Japanese media that Hamasaki was to fly to Venice to shoot a new commercial for Panasonic. The following day, the rumor was confirmed, and on February 22, Panasonic released the commercials, featuring "Mirrorcle World." In addition to shooting the Panasonic commercial in Italy, Hamasaki flew to Paris where she shot a music video for "Mirrorcle World." The promotional video was officially released on March 19, 2008.
The PV for Mirrorcle World starts off in Paris. Hamasaki (dressed in a trench coat) walks under Pont de Bir-Hakeim with Eiffel Tower in the background as she notices that men clad in black are following her. She flees from them and goes to Venice (where she is clad in a large, red, Spanish ballgown). The men find her and Hamasaki runs away from them again, leaving a handkerchief. Hamasaki goes back to Paris and she is finally cornered by the men inside a telephone booth (this time, she is clad in a white evening gown). A car arrives and the men disperse. Hamasaki steps inside the car before giving a smile to the camera. The video is also inter-cut with scenes of Hamasaki singing in lingerie and headshots of Hamasaki wearing furry nails and lash extensions.
Track listing
Live performances March 25, 2008 - CDTV x SACAS! December 31, 2008 - 59th Kouhaku Utagassen March 25, 2011 - 'Life' at Music Station
Charts
Oricon Sales Chart (Japan) ReleaseChartPeak positionFirst week sales Sales totalChart runApril 8, 2008Oricon Daily Singles Chart1Oricon Weekly Singles Chart1145,576220,00015 weeksOricon Monthly Singles Chart2Oricon Yearly Singles Chart33
Total Sales : 220,000 (Japan) Total Sales : 254,000 (Avex)
Billboard Japan Sales Chart ReleaseChartPeak positionApril 8, 2008Billboard Japan Hot 1002Billboard Japan Hot 100 Airplay-Billboard Japan Hot Singles Sales2
Digital Sales Charts ChartPeakpositionRecochoku Chaku-Uta 「着うたフル」・「着うた」なら「レコ直♪」 - デイリーランキング 2Recochoku Chaku-Uta Melody 「着うたフル」・「着うた」なら「レコ直♪」 - 着信メロディダウンロードランキング 8Recochoku Chaku-Uta All 「着うたフル」・「着うた」なら「レコ直♪」 - トータルダウンロードランキング 3Mu-mo Song Download Chart 着うた(R)/着うたフル(R)/着信メロディ 無料・先行・最新楽曲が充実のオリコン・モバイル1Dwango Truetone Ringtones (Chaku Uta) dwango.jp | 着うたフル(R)＆着うた(R)無料検索2Dwango Polyphonic Ringtones (Chaku Mero)4USEN1
Notes and references