Daichi Miura splashes around in some water with a bunch of guys, in the music video for his Bokura no Yoake theme song “Itsushika”

Daichi Miura’s single “Itsushika” which translates to “Someday” is the theme song for the movie adaptation of the manga Bokura no Yoake, otherwise known as Break of Dawn.

I’m not sure how it happened, but Daichi has become the go to guy for anime theme songs, and it’s not a bad place to be by any means. Because if you’re getting booked to do anime series and movie theme songs, then not only are you making money, but you’re seen as somebody of relevance within music.

[Looks over at Crystal Kay]

You know I ride for you. But, gurl. Where have the big anime tie-ins been at since “Konna ni Chikaku de” for Nodame Cantabile and “One” for Pokemon?

HENNYWAY.

“Someday” has a music video of a look and vibe which has become typical for Daichi these days. Dancing his ass of with a troupe of dancers in the lowest of lights. Barely showing his face. Doing a bunch of dance moves with not one move which is memorable or easy to follow. And choreography which doesn’t always match the tone of the song.

Daichi Miura’s music hasn’t been doing anything for me for a good while now. All of his songs sound the same. All of his music videos look the same. Daichi has some really unique qualities, but none of them are coming through in the stuff he’s been putting out over the past few years. But at the very least his uniqueness and that thing that makes him special still comes through in his tours, which is great if you get to see them. Otherwise, if all you’ve got is the music and the music videos, then...

Ever since Nao’ymt became Daichi Miura’s primary producer, it’s like Daichi has become his vessel. This was cool for the concept album Kyuutai. And I also think it’s cool that Daichi was willing to be a vessel for him for that album. But for this to be carrying through all of Daichi’s music? It’s not working for me, and I’m losing sense of where Nao’ymt ends and Daichi begins. Nao’ymt is the type of producer who finds a sweet spot and kinda just stays there, and it holds artists back. He did the same shit with Namie Amuro. After Play and the mammoth success of “Baby Don’t Cry”, his contributions stopped being album highlights.

But this whole middling music dealio seems to be working in Daichi’s favour, as he is bagging tie-ins left and right with these songs and his singles still do well on the Oricon.

It’s disheartening to see J-R&B acts become so muted and their music so mediocre. It’s like a rite of passage.