Fighter (Namie Amuro song)

"Fighter"
CD and DVD, and digital cover that commercializes "Fighter".
Single by Namie Amuro
A-side	"Dear Diary"
Released	October 26, 2016
Format	CD DVD digital download
Recorded	2016; LAB Recorders (Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan)
Genre	Dance
Length	3:21
Label	Avex Trax Dimension Point
Writer(s)	Emyli
Producer(s)	Emyli Reason
Namie Amuro singles chronology
"Hero" (2016) "Dear Diary" / "Fighter" (2016)

"Fighter" is a song by Japanese recording artist Namie Amuro, released as a double A-side single with her track "Dear Diary". It was released on October 26, 2016 via Dimension Point and Avex Trax as Amuro's seventh consecutive non-album single, and is an insert song to the Japanese drama–horror film, Death Note: Light Up the New World (2016). Additionally, "Fighter" premiered as the theme tune for the film's spin-off series Death Note: New Generation, which premiered on streaming website Hulu. It was distributed with "Dear Diary" in two physical formats—standard CD and CD/DVD bundle— and for digital consumption on November 16.

"Fighter" was written, composed and produced by Japanese vocalist Emyli, with additional production credits to Reason. Musically, the track is an aggressive dance number that incorporates elements of electronic dance music. Lyrically, it is written from the point of view of the film's female protagonist, Misa Amane, and delves into themes of empowerment and courage. "Fighter" received generally favorable reviews from music critics. Many of the reviews commended the production and its dance nature, alongside positive remarks towards the lyrical content.

Commercially, both recordings experienced success in Japan, peaking at number three on the daily and weekly Oricon Singles Chart and on competent Billboard charts in that region. An accompanying music video was directed by Higashi Hiroaki and released on the singers YouTube channel, depicting Amuro in a dark castle that beholds several realms and hallways. Like "Dear Diary", the visuals are heavily developed with computer generated imagery. In order to promote the track, "Fighter" was broadcast on several Japanese television shows and was included on the singers 2016–17 Live Style tour in Japan.

Background and composition

In December 2015, Amuro returned to releasing non-album singles with "Red Carpet";^[1] this was after distributing her eleventh studio album Genic in June that same year.^[2] Alongside this, the singer released the singles: "Mint" (May 2016),^[3] and "Hero" (July 2016),^[4] with the latter being used as the official theme song to the NHK broadcasting of the Summer Olympics and Paralympics.^[5] In August, Amuro confirmed her involvement with the Japanese drama–horror film, Death Note: Light Up the New World, based on the anime and manga series of the same name.^[6] Originally, Takahiro Sato, the films co-producer, wanted to enlist Western musicians to provide songs to the movie, which he used Red Hot Chili Peppers or Lenny Kravitz as examples. However, knowing that the series was already popular around the globe, Sato decided to enlist Amuro in order to get the audience to recognized the "power of foreign artists" and also promote her work overseas.^[7] Amuro herself expressed her gratitude for participating in the films soundtrack.^[7]

	"Fighter" (2016) A 21-second sample of "Fighter", which was described by critics as an "aggressive" dance track with elements of EDM. In this verse, it has Amuro delivering rapping techniques rather than singing.[8]
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The singer revealed the titles to be "Dear Diary" and "Fighter", which were served as double A-side singles; this is her first to do so since 2014's "Big Boys Cry/Beautiful".^[9][10] The former track was allocated as the film's theme song, whilst "Fighter" was used as the insert track—a term used in Japan for a recording placed randomly throughout the film.^[9] Additionally, "Fighter" served as the theme tune for the film's spin-off series, Death Note: New Generation, which premiered on streaming service Hulu.^[11]

"Fighter" was written, composed and produced by Japanese vocalist Emyli, with additional production credits to musician, Reason.^[12] Furthermore, Emyli provided background vocals to both this track and "Dear Diary". The tracks were recorded by Wataru Namifusa at LAB Recordings in Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan.^[12] According to Amuro's website, "Fighter" was described as an aggressive dance number that incorporates elements of electronic dance music. Lyrically, it was written from the point of view of the film's female protagonist, Misa Amane, and also delves into self-empowerment and courage.^[13][14] During the second verse, the singer incorporates a rapping technique in comparison to the remaining parts where she sings, as noted by Japanese critic Kanako Hayawaka.^[8] Regarding the singles relation towards the film, Amuro believed that both "Dear Diary" and "Fighter" shared similar themes but were expressed in different styles of music.^[8] "Fighter" is Amuro's first English-language single since 2013's "Ballerina".^[15]

Release and critical reception

A snippet of "Fighter" was published through the trailer of Death Note: Light Up the New World.^[11] Subsequently, it was released on October 26, 2016 via Dimension Point and Avex Trax as Amuro's seventh consecutive non-album single, following "Hero". Additionally, the single was distributed as an double A-side single with "Dear Diary" in two physical formats: a standard CD, and CD/DVD bundle.^[12][16] Both formats include the tracks and their instrumental versions, whilst the DVD set features both music videos.^[12][16] The CD artwork is an outtake shot from the music video of "Dear Diary", whilst the CD and DVD cover, representing "Fighter", features Amuro in dark clothing and make-up, surrounded by black feathers. A limited edition cover, featuring Amuro and the film's mascot character Ryuk, was published throughout selected Japanese retails and at her 2016–2017 Live Style concert venues.^[17] Two bonus posters were distributed through Japanese store CDJapan, for those whom pre-ordered the CD and DVD bundle versions.^[18][19] Promotional pop-up cards were made available at her Live Style venues, which incorproated an image of Amuro and promoted aesthetics of Halloween 2016.^[12]

On November 16, nearly three weeks since its initial release, "Fighter" and it's instrumental version were issued solely for digital consumption.^[20][21] The recording received generally favorable reviews from music critics. Japanese critic Kanako Hayawaka enjoyed the track, commending its dance ready nature and production; additionally, she also highlighted Amuro's vocal performance.^[8] An editor at Excite.co.jp described both tracks as "charm[s]".^[22] Masahiro Higashide, whom plays one of the films protagonist characters, Tsukuru Mishima, expressed his enjoyment of the track upon its release.^[7]

Commercial performance

Commercially, "Fighter" experienced success in Japan. On October 26, 2016, both singles entered together at number four on the daily Oricon Singles Chart, the fourth highest debut of that week.^[23] The following day, it slipped to number six but rose to number three on October 29, selling an additional 4,553 copies in that region.^{[24][25][upper-alpha 1]} On November 1, the single dropped from number three to number 21, one of her quickest falls.^[26] Based on the first seven-day statistics, "Dear Diary" and "Fighter" opened at number three on the weekly Oricon Singles Chart with over 45,000 units sold, making this Amuro's highest first-week sales since "Go Round" / "Yeah-Oh!" in 2012.^{[27][28][upper-alpha 2][30]} By the end of October 2016, Oricon ranked the singles at number 15.^[31] It slipped to number 14 the following week, selling 8,911 units, and fell again to number 22 with 3,985 sales.^[32][33] The single stumble further at number 43, selling 1,992 copies.^[34]

Separately, "Fighter" garnered lower success than "Dear Diary" on component charts by Billboard Japan. The former track entered at number 73 on the Radio Songs chart, and at number four on the Top Singles Sales chart, together with "Dear Diary".^[35][36] Whilst falling out the top 100 on the former chart, it also slipped to number 13 on the Top Singles Sales chart.^[37] The following week—dated October 21, 2016—the A-side entry fell to number 23, and slipped again to number 43.^[38][39] After the singles digital availability on November 16, "Fighter" entered the Japan Hot 100 at number 15, the first of two other additions of the singers ("Dear Diary" at number 30 and "Hero" at number 81).^[40]

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Fighter" was directed by Hiroaki Higashi and published on Amuro's official YouTube channel.^[41] In an extensive analysis with Arama Japan, a staff member explained;

The video takes place in a floating cubical fortress chained above a body of water. The camera traverses through the interior where we meet Amuro in a long, winding hallway with doors leading to different dimension-defying locations. Between choreography (which is really… something else), she soon finds herself in a bright dining room where the shinigami Ryuk sits with a plate apples.^[42]

It opens with the camera scoping over a forest, series of mountains and fields. A square-shaped castle appears, being supported by chains and rocks, whilst lifted above a lake. As the camera passes through the entrance—filled with staircases and rooms— it zooms into Amuro walking along a vast hallway. Curiously, the singer opens several doors which showcases visions of her in different landscapes; for example, the first room has Amuro standing in a white room, fulled with clouds, feathers and support systems that resemble Ancient Greek architecture. In this scene, the film's character, Arma, makes an appearance. The second room shows the singer at a dining table with the film's character Ryuk, as they look upon each other questioningly yet aggressively. A third and final separate scene has staring out of window, seeing yet another vision of herself in a mystical forest with Bepo, another character from Death Note.^[41]

The bridge section of the video has a distance shot of the castle at night, having the singer stand on the rooftop. Additionally, a winged-Ryuk oversees Amuro from the moon and sends her an apple—a staple item for the character's aesthetic. Eventually, a small intercut scene has each character in the dining room with Amuro. The visual ends with Amuro seated and Ryuk behind her, eventually expanding out on the castles exterior and landscape. For each chorus and other spontaneous intercut, Amuro and four background dancers perform in a grey-coloured ball room, surrounded with black feathers, historical architecture and LED screens on the floor.^[41] A promotional teaser of "Dear Diary", alongside a musical snippet of "Fighter", was uploaded on Amuro's YouTube channel.^[43] Furthermore, an official lyric video was leaked online, depicting footage of the original video with red–black–white vectors and graphics.^[44]

Promotion

In order to promote the single, several Japanese television shows broadcast special commemorations for Amuro, the accompanying film and the respective music videos to "Dear Diary" and "Fighter"; on October 26, Music On! Japan TV hosted a visual special, including "Dear Diary" and "Fighter" and her previous releases.^[45][46] Likewise, Space Shower TV premiered a music video special dedicated to the two singles and footage from the Death Note movie.^[47] The single was included on the singer's 2016–17 Live Style tour in Japan; it was revealed two months prior in August 2016.^[48]

Track listing and formats

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of the single's CD and DVD release.^[16]

Recording and management

• Recorded by Wataru Namifura at LAB Recordings, Japan in 2016; mixed and mastered by D.O.I. and Tom Coyne at Sterling Studios, New York City, New York. Management by Stella88 and Avex Trax.

Credits

Charts

Sales

Release history

See also

• Music of Death Note: Light Up the New World

Notes

References

External links

• "Dear Diary" / "Fighter" at Namie Amuro's website. (Japanese)