Ballad ‘Kotoba ni Shite’ by This is LAST, Their First Since ‘#Joutowa’
This is LAST has released their new song ‘Kotoba ni Shite’ on November 29th, with the music video debuting on December 1st. ‘Kotoba ni Shite’, a ballad, is their first release since the smash hit ‘#Joutowa’, which gained widespread attention as the theme song for the popular Japanese streaming show ‘Bouquet and Wolf: Not Deceived’ on ABEMA.
In the music video for ‘Kotoba ni Shite’, actors Ririka Tabane, Hana Kawamura, and Kousuke Suzuki make an appearance. The video was directed by Kensaku Kakimoto.
Comments from Ririka Tabane
“I enjoyed filming scenes where we went eating out, visited the beach, and traveled. The character I played is a wonderful girl who can convey her feelings honestly as she experiences them. Each person’s thoughts, perspectives, and every moment carry a significant message. This gentle work taught me the importance of expressing feelings and that ordinary days are irreplaceable. I hope you enjoy the story while listening to the song.”
Comments from Hana Kawamura
“Shooting scenes at the beach and in the shopping district was fun, so the hospital scenes were quite hard. Though it was a brief shoot, it deeply reflected the pain of missing one person in a special relationship. It’s hard to express feelings in words to someone important, which made me think a lot. I hope the viewers can feel the emotions of the three characters. I’m glad to have encountered this song, ‘Kotoba ni Shite’.”
Comments from Kousuke Suzuki
“I had the pleasure of appearing in the music video for ‘Kotoba ni Shite’ by This is Last. I played the role of Satoru and worked closely with the director to portray him sincerely. I experienced a range of emotions—shyness, joy, sadness, pain. Personally, seeing Ayumu’s desperate struggle to live was moving. How Satoru and Haruka perceive Ayumu’s ‘I love you’ changes over time, and I hope viewers notice this shift. This MV encapsulates the lives of these three characters. It’s a unique relationship, but I think many can relate to Satoru and Haruka’s positions. Please watch this wonderful music video.”
Comments from Director Kensaku Kakimoto
“It’s a story difficult to put into words. But there are emotions that need to be expressed.”
Member Departure Announced in November
This is LAST announced the departure of their bassist, Ryusei Kikuchi, on November 24th. According to the official announcement, Kikuchi had been on a break due to health issues since last December. After extensive discussions among the members and staff, Kikuchi himself requested to leave the band, and the decision was mutually agreed upon. The band’s upcoming live performances will continue with a supporting bassist. This is LAST is set to embark on a nationwide one-man tour across five cities starting in February 2024. The final show is scheduled for April 21st at Zepp DiverCity in Tokyo.
Artist Profile: This is LAST’ – Haruki Kikuchi (Gt, Vo), Teruna Kanimata (Dr)
Formed in May 2018, This is LAST is a three-piece rock band hailing from Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture. They started their live performances mainly in Tokyo, formed by brothers Haruki and Ryusei Kikuchi, and their high school senior, Teruna Kanimata. The band went through several member changes to arrive at their current lineup. Their candid lyrics, drawn from real-life experiences, and live performances have garnered a following among teens, primarily through social media and live houses. The band’s name signifies their commitment to making it their final and all-in band in their musical journey. Originally leaning towards metalcore, hardcore, and punk, their sound shifted to its current style following a painful breakup and infidelity experienced by vocalist Haruki.
In August 2022, they signed with SDR (Stardust Promotion). They released ‘Is It Over?’ on August 3, 2022, and ‘Kasumisou’ on November 9, 2022. The increasing attention from subscription services, YouTube views, and social media reactions, especially the relatability of the lyrics of ‘Kasumisou’, garnered significant buzz. On March 1, 2023, they released ‘#Feelings’, which became the theme song for ABEMA’s popular Wolf Series “Bouquet and Wolf: Not Deceived”. The song ranked high on various subscription services and reached 14th on the Shazam rankings, creating a buzz. Its music video hit one million views in two months. They also released ‘Goodnight’ on May 31 and ‘Yosoro’ (insert song for ABEMA’s ‘Fall in Love ♥️ Weekend Homestay 2023 Summer’) on August 2.
The band has been actively participating in festivals and events, including ‘ROCK IN JAPAN FES.’, ‘FM802 RADIO CRAZY’, ‘Tutalock’, ‘ARABAKI ROCK FEST.’, ‘VIVA LA ROCK’, ‘JAPAN JAM’, ‘METROCK’, and more. Their performances at ‘OSAKA GIGANTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL 2023’, ‘RISING SUN ROCK FESTIVAL’, ‘MONSTER baSH’, ‘SWEET LOVE SHOWER 2023’ also drew significant attention.
In the fall of 2022, their ‘This is LAST Awinaight Tour’ (a battle-of-the-bands tour) sold out at all eight locations. In 2023, they embarked on a nationwide 23-city one-man live tour ‘OVER’, with sold-out shows at each venue, including the tour finale at Zepp DiverCity, which also sold out and was live-streamed on LINE LIVE to approximately 20,000 viewers. In September, they held their largest-scale tour yet, the ‘East-Nagoya-Osaka Hall Tour’, selling out all performances. They have also confirmed a five-city one-man live tour in major cities including Zepp in the spring of 2024.
Continuing to grow at a rapid pace, This is LAST is expanding its fanbase, especially among teens, and is considered “the band to listen to right now.”
