is a song recorded by Japanese–American recording artist Hikaru Utada for their fourth studio and third Japanese language album, Deep River (2002). It was released on March 20, 2002, as the third single from the album in Japan. It was written and composed by Utada, whilst production and arrangement was handled by Utada, Teruzane Utada, and long-time collaborator Miyake Akira. The single, and a remix by Russell McNamara (under the alias PlaniTb), was used as the official Japanese theme song for the 2002 action role-playing video game Kingdom Hearts, and appeared on its original soundtrack.
Upon its release, the track garnered positive reviews from music critics, who highlighted the track as one of Utada's best singles, and commended their vocal abilities and songwriting. It was also successful in Japan, peaking at number one both on the Oricon Singles Chart and Tokyo Broadcasting System's (TBS) Count Down TV singles chart. It was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for physical shipments of half a million units. An accompanying music video was shot by their then-husband, Kazuaki Kiriya; it features Utada washing dishes and drinking water. It was performed on some of their concert tours, including the Utada United and Wild Life tour.
For international versions of Kingdom Hearts, Utada recorded an English language version of the song, entitled "Simple and Clean". Both the original edit and remix version by PlanitB served as international theme songs. It did not appear on Utada's English studio album Exodus (2004), but was released as an A-side 12-inch single with Utada's single "Colors" in 2003, and received positive reviews from most music critics. The original version was included on their 2009 English studio album This Is the One. "Hikari" and "Simple and Clean" were rerecorded in 2024, with the former released for their 2024 greatest hits album, Science Fiction, and the latter used in 2024 for the Kingdom Hearts Steam announcement trailer released on YouTube.
Background and release In February 2000, Japanese video game artist Tetsuya Nomura announced the development of an action role-playing video game named Kingdom Hearts. According to Nomura, he only had Utada in mind to create the theme song for the video game, so he had contacted them to collaborate; as a result, she accepted his offer. In a brief interview with IGN, Nomura further stated; "Her music has moved millions of fans, and I was absolutely thrilled when she agreed to contribute to this project. I see her as an icon for young artists and she also proves that music transcends national and language barriers."
"Hikari" was written and composed by Utada, whilst production was handled by Utada, Teruzane Utada, and long-time collaborator Miyake Akira. The song's instrumentation consists of keyboards and programming handled by Kawano Kei, synthesizers from Tsunemi Kazuhide, and an acoustic guitar from Akiyama Hironori. The song was recorded by Ugajin Masaaki and mixed by Goh Hotoda in 2001 at Bunkamura Studio, Shibuya, Tokyo. It was released as the third single from their fourth studio and third Japanese language album, Deep River (2002). Since then, the song has been remastered and re-released twice; the first on April 1, 2004, and the second time on December 9, 2014, for Utada's first greatest hits album Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 1 (2003).
The song was also released in Japan and Taiwan as a CD single. Both formats included the original track, a remix each by Russell McNamara (under the alias PlanitB) and Alex Richboug (under the alias Godson), plus the instrumental version. The artwork for the CD singles was photographed by Takimoto Mikiya. It has a long-distance shot of Utada in a greyish living room. A promotional 12" vinyl was released by EastWorld Records in 2002, and included both the remixed tracks.
Composition
Musically, "Hikari" is a pop folk song, as described by staff members from Japanese music magazine CD Journal. Square Enix Music's Neo Locke described the song's composition and melody in an extended review: "The acoustic guitar combined with the synth in the background creates a pleasant and gentle harmony that helps bring out Utada's voice." A reviewer from OngakuDB.com noted the acoustic guitar as one of the composition's key elements, and described its sound as "melancholy" and a big "impact". Similarly, Yeah! J-Pop! editor Hiromi Yonemoto noted that the acoustic instrumentation was an "unusual" change in Utada's normal pop musical style. Shinko Music's Hiroshi Shinito described "Hikari" as a mid-tempo ballad.
According to Kano, the editor in chief of Rockin'On Japan, he stated that the lyrical content discusses themes of mystery and daily life actions.
Critical response "Hikari" received positive reviews from most music critics. Neo Locke from Square Enix Music was positive in his review, saying "'Hikari' has always impressed me for having a very recognizable and easy to manipulate melody despite the fact that the vocals are the only melodic line in the piece — partially due once again to Hikaru Utada's strong and versatile voice." He awarded the single seven out of ten points. Staff members from CD Journal complimented Utada's "simple" and "distinctive" vocals, and their songwriting. Similarly, a reviewer from OngakuDB.com praised Utada's vocals and expressed happiness for the song's nostalgic vibe. Yeah! J-Pop! editor Hiromi Yonemoto believed that "Hikari" demonstrated some of Utada's best vocals to date, and labeled them and the song's melody as "synergistic". In a similar review, Shinko Music's Hiroshi Shinito praised the songwriting and the chorus. Although describing the song in a positive manner, Sharon G. from KpopBreaks.com compared the song to many other of Utada's music, and felt "Hikari" didn't come close to their "true sound". Despite Daniel Kalabakov from Soundtrack Central disliking pop songs, he complimented Utada's singing and the track's instrumentation.
Commercial performance Commercially, "Hikari" was a success in Japan. It became Utada's seventh single to debut at number one on the Oricon Singles Chart, with sales of 270,370 units. It stayed at number one for three consecutive weeks (their first of two singles to do so), and spent a total of 13 weeks on that chart. By the end of 2002, the single was ranked at number 10 on Oricon's Annual 2002 chart with sales of 598,130 units. This made "Hikari" their third single to reach inside the top ten of the yearly Oricon chart; the other two singles being "Sakura Drops" at number six, and "Traveling" at number two. The single was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for physical shipments of 500,000 units. The single debuted at number one on Tokyo Broadcasting System's (TBS) Count Down TV chart during the chart week of March 30, 2002, their eighth non-consecutive single to do so. It stayed at the top spot for three consecutive weeks. The single stayed in the chart for 13 weeks, and was ranked at number eight on the 2002 Annual Chart. Despite it not charting on any digital record charts in Japan, it was certified gold by the RIAJ for 100,000 full-length cell phone downloads. According to the Oricon Style database, it is Utada's 11th highest selling single.
The remix EP Hikari -Ray Of Hope Mix- achieved the #1 in Japan iTunes.
Music video An accompanying music video was filmed by their then-husband, Kazuaki Kiriya. Initially, Utada intended to produce a more complex and intricate video for "Hikari" directed by Kiriya, but scheduling and work conflicts prevented this from happening. Instead, Utada conceived a simpler video of them washing dishes because they found it enjoyable. In a blog post, they further explained; "Actually we were to shoot the music video of 'Hikari' with him (Kazuaki Kiriya) but it didn't come true due to his scheduling conflicts at the last moment, and that's why we requested Kiriya urgently to shoot that dish-washing video." The video features Utada washing dishes in their kitchen; during some portions of the video, Utada drinks water, stops washing the dishes, and walks away from the camera. According to Utada, no further editing was needed, and filming was completed in one take.
The music video received positive reviews from critics. Naomi Gingfold of The Global Post commended the video's simplicity and its departure from Utada's other "beautiful and intricate music videos", stating "The camera did not move once. Occasionally she lip-synced along; occasionally she just washed dishes." Daniel Montesinos-Donaghy from Noisey Vice complimented Utada's ability to adapt to different roles through their music videos, specifically highlighting the "mundane" activity of washing dishes. A reviewer from OngakuDB.com noted a contrast between the song and the video, stating that the video had shown them "lonely" and the song more "gracious".
Live performances and promotion Utada has performed "Hikari" on several of their concert tours. Despite Utada's plans to promote the song between 2002 and 2003, they halted all promotional activities due to their diagnosis of a benign ovarian tumor, which was surgically removed that same year. Its first performance was in 2004 during their Bokuhan concert tour, where it was included as the first song performed. It appeared on the live DVD, which was released on July 28, 2004. It was included on Utada's debut English concert tour named Utada United. Featured as the closing number, it was later included on the live DVD, released on December 20, 2006. "Hikari" was performed during Utada's two date concert series Wild Life in December 2010. Since the track's release, it has appeared on three compilation releases: Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 1 (2003), its 2014 remastered version, and a special bundle of the compilation and the vol. 2 collection on a USB. In 2014, Love Psychedelico covered the song for Utada Hikaru no Uta, a tribute album celebrating 15 years since Utada's debut.
"Simple and Clean"
For international releases of Kingdom Hearts, Utada recorded an English version of "Hikari", named "Simple and Clean". Both the original edit and remix version by PlanitB served as the international theme songs. The original version was included on their 2009 English studio album This Is the One, as well as on the English release of Kingdom Hearts Original Soundtrack. It was released as a B-side 12-inch single with Utada's single "Colors" in 2003, which received positive reviews from music critics. It has been performed at two of Utada's concerts, Utada United in 2006 and In The Flesh 2010.
Background and composition Much of the song's production is similar to the Japanese version, except the chorus was interpolated from "Uso Mitai na I Love You" (嘘みたいな I Love You), the 9th track of their 2002 album Deep River. The song was written and composed by Utada, whilst production was handled by Utada, Teruzane Utada, and Miyake Akira. The song included live instrumentation by Kawano Kei (keyboards and programming), Tsunemi Kazuhide (synthesizers), and Akiyama Hironori (acoustic guitar), whilst it was arranged by Utada and Kawano Kei. The song was recorded by Ugajin Masaaki and mixed by Goh Hotoda in 2001 at Bunkamura Studio, Shibuya, Tokyo. The song was also remixed by Russell McNamara (under the alias PlanitB). Like the Japanese version, Utada felt the writing process was difficult, elaborating in an interview with Jetanny Magazine: