Umi no Koe (, literally 'Voice of the Sea'), is a digital single by Japanese actor Kenta Kiritani, performing as the character Urashimataro () 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, and later distributed more widely on December 2, 2015. 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.
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).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).
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. 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. 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.Utacon "Sea Songs to Hear in Summer" - NHK (Broadcast on July 12, 2016)
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 RomajiSora no koe ga kikitakuteKaze no koe ni mimi sumaseUmi no koe ga shiritakuteKimi no koe o sagashiteru English TranslationI wanted to hear the voice of the skySo I listened to the voice of the windI wanted to know the voice of the seaSo 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, and officially released on December 2, 2015, by Universal Music Japan.
Sound production and lyrics The project was a collaboration between the Okinawan folk-rock band BEGIN and au's marketing team. Makoto Shinohara, the creative director behind the commercials, wrote the lyrics. Shimabukuro of BEGIN composed the music.
The production team focused on a minimalist, acoustic sound. The song is a slow-tempo Okinawan folk ballad,
Domestically, it peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 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.
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. Kiritani performed the sanshin accompaniment on the recorded track himself.
Commercial performance
It was released as a limited-time free download for Android smartphone users via the LISMO store in mid-2015. It was subsequently released across all major digital platforms on 2 December 2015.
Release From July 31 to August 31, 2015, the track was distributed exclusively through the au music services "Uta Pass" and "LISMO Store". It received a wide release across all major digital platforms on December 2 of the same year. Following this wider release, the single achieved the number-one spot on thirteen different digital charts, including the iTunes Store and RecoChoku.
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.
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.
Awards Year Award Category2016 49th Japan Cable Awards Special Award 58th Japan Record Awards Excellent Work Award JOYSOUND Best Karaoke of the Year 2016 JOYSOUND Annual Karaoke Ranking No. 1 2017 NexTone Award 2017 Bronze Medal
Charts and certifications The song was recognised by the RIAJ as certified 'Million' (Single Track). It also won the 58th Japan Record Awards: Excellent Work Award The song also hit multiple Billboard Japan lists including the Hot 100, Weekly No. 3, and 2016 Year-End No. 14
Year Chart / Award Peakposition2016 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) 1 Annual Digital Download Ranking – Combined Singles (mora) 1 Annual Digital Download Ranking – Singles (TSUTAYA Musico♪) 1 Annual Digital Download Ranking – Singles (mysound) 1 Amazon.co.jp Ranking Awards 2016 – Combined Digital Music 2 Annual USEN Hit J-Pop Ranking 8 Annual Billboard Japan Hot 100 14 JOYSOUND Annual Karaoke Ranking 1 DAM Annual Karaoke Request Ranking 14 Japan (RIAJ) Million (Single Track) 1
Cover versions Release date Artist Album / Single Notes October 28, 2015 Begin Sugar Cane Cable Network Self-cover version. Certified Gold for digital single tracks by the RIAJ.RIAJ Certification February 2016 January 31, 2016 Iduhe i-dushi June 17, 2016 Matt Cab Digital single Covered in English. August 24, 2016 Island Bag Stars in the Sand Covered in English. 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. 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.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.WANIMA, Masaki Suda-lookalike, and Others Sing; Four New au CM Songs Released Simultaneously, Barks Music News, April 1, 2017. 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.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. 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 YamashitaSanshin: Kenta Kiritani
External links Kenta Kiritani - Umi no Koe - Universal Music Japan Urashima Taro "Umi no Koe" - Lismo
References