Takuya Kimura to release his first original album in 2 years and 7 months, "SEE YOU THERE"! Songs provided by Sanma Akashiya, Toshinobu Kubota, Tsuyoshi Domoto, Takuro Yoshida, and others

■ “The first thing I thought about this time was whether I could do something together with the people who support me.” (Takuya Kimura)

Takuya Kimura will release his third original album on August 14th.

The title of this work, which is the first in two years and seven months, is “SEE YOU THERE”. The previous work “Next Destination” was released in January 2022. The release period was in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and difficult times continued, but the album was released with the message from Kimura that “It is precisely in these difficult times that we should all look for our next destination.”

Furthermore, even though it was not permitted to shout out loud during live performances, the band worked with the fans in attendance to find ways to allow them to enjoy the show even in a situation where they couldn’t shout out loud, and they went ahead with the concert.

After going through such difficult times, the film was finally completed, and the title was chosen with the fans in mind.

“SEE YOU THERE” contains a passionate message that no matter what adversity awaits them, they will always remain steadfast, put their fans first, and always be present at the live venue to give their fans the best performance they can.

■This work also features songs by many talented artists!
The artists who contributed songs to this work are AI, Sanma Akashiya, Uru, Toshinobu Kubota, Mariya Takeuchi, Tsuyoshi Domoto, Ryota Yanagisawa (SUPER BEAVER), and Takuro Yoshida, a total of eight people.
“Menu” was impressive for its first TV performance on Fuji TV’s “Sanma Taku” broadcast in January 2024. From a different angle to his previous work “Born ready,” Akashiya Sanma wrote the lyrics for this song, which evokes the image of adult love.

Kimura also covered “Shinkote,” which was written and sung by Uru as the theme song for the Fuji TV 65th anniversary special project “Kazama Koshin – Kyojo 0,” which aired in April 2023. The wonderful original song provided for “Kyojo” has been rearranged through Kimura’s filter.

This will be the second time that she has teamed up with Uru since 2020, when they collaborated on the songs “Sunset Bench” and “I wanna say I love you” on Kimura Takuya’s first album, “Go with the Flow.”

In addition, the theme song “I’ll be there” sung by MAN WITH A MISSION for the TV Asahi 65th anniversary Thursday drama “Believe – A Bridge to You” starring Kimura, which is currently being broadcast, is a self-cover of a song that MAN WITH A MISSION provided for Kimura’s second album. Although the stance is different, it is interesting that the covers of the two songs “Kokoroe” and “I’ll be there” were done at the same time.

Toshinobu Kubota provided two songs, “No Night, No Starlight” and “‘Cause I love you”. The two have been friends for a long time since Kubota provided the theme song for the 1996 drama “Long Vacation”, but this is the first time that Kubota has provided a song for Kimura’s solo album. When the album project was first launched, it was planned to include one song, but due to Kimura’s strong request, it was decided to include two songs in the end.

Mariya Takeuchi contributed the pure love song “Lovers in October”. Takeuchi’s demo tape was a medium tempo song with an American 60’s feel, which was very much her style, but Kimura wanted to express it with a rock taste, so she asked ex-Superfly member Koichi Tabo to arrange it.

In the end, the thoughts of Mariya Takeuchi and Kimura were mixed together, elevating them to the ultimate medium rock with a pure quality.

Due to their recent connection, including co-starring in Fuji TV’s “LOVE LOVE I Love You, Yoshida Takuro Graduation SP” which aired in 2022, and Kimura singing Yoshida’s famous song “Rakuyou” on Fuji TV’s “Sanma & Taku” in January 2023, Kimura himself asked Yoshida to provide a song, and Yoshida wrote the lyrics and music for “The Moment I Touched Your Air.”

Kimura beautifully expressed Takuro Yoshida’s worldview through an arrangement by guitarist Yuji Toriyama, a member of Takuro Yoshida’s tour and involved in the production of many of his songs.

■The music video for the album track “Stay Safe” has been released!
At the same time as the release of the album information, the music video for the ballad “Stay Safe” provided by AI was also released. This is a ballad song provided by AI.

AI has woven the memorable phrase “Stay Safe,” which Kimura has been saying constantly for the past few years since the COVID-19 pandemic, into lyrics in her own interpretation, and AI herself also joins in on the chorus.

The music video is a memorable piece, featuring a scene of him singing passionately alone on an empty sandy beach, as if to serve as a guide for his fans.

The shoot took place in February near the Kanto region. Rain was forecast for the day of the shoot, but the weather cleared up in the morning, making for a perfect location for the shoot.

The early reservation bonus for this work was also announced. If you pre-order both the first limited edition A and the first limited edition B by 23:59 on June 30th, you will receive an “original desk calendar 2025” with completely new photos.

■ Comment from Takuya Kimura
After the release of the album and concert tour in 2022, I wanted to deliver my next work as soon as possible, so I have been working on it and it has finally taken shape. This time, I was able to complete the album with the help of many artists. I am truly grateful. Sanma-san and I talked about it during the last location shoot and he kept his word (laughs).
How do I look through the filter of the people who have provided me with songs this time? I asked myself how I should express myself when I received that, and tried to express it. I really want to deliver all the songs to you all as soon as possible. The first thing I thought about this time was whether I could do something together with the people who support me. With that feeling in mind, I would like to shape this album together with you all! Let’s move forward together!

<Comments from the artists who provided the music>

■ AI
I wondered how Kimura-san was feeling, so I watched various videos and listened carefully to his words, behavior and voice. I thought he must have overcome a lot of things, but I put myself in his position and wondered what the most important thing he would want to convey right now was… I thought about what he might be feeling… and this is what I came up with when I made it.
Since the track was made by UTA, I knew I could only make the best one, and while we were making it, I was saying that it would be great if everyone around Kimura felt something when he sang it.
And when I finally heard Kimura-san’s voice, I was so moved.
Anyway, please give it a listen🙏✨🙏

■Akashiya Sanma
During the last San-Taku location shoot on Amami Oshima, Kimura said, “I’ll write a ballad for the next album,” and he remembered that, so he decided to try writing lyrics again. After much thought, he decided to write a song titled “Menu” this time. I wrote the lyrics with the intention of making it a song about Kimura getting dumped, despite having worked hard to prepare a “thrilling date menu.” When their relationship was going well (in the first chorus), the words on the date menu always started with “H,” but after he was dumped (in the second chorus), the suggested date menu didn’t have an “H” in it. I wanted to make it an adult love song like that. I intended to write it from a man’s perspective, but when it was finished, Kimura told me that it also contained a woman’s heart.
This will be the last lyrics!
…Next time, let me write a folk song (laughs).

■Uru
I was very honored and happy to be in charge of the theme song for the drama “Kazama Koushin – Kyojo 0-“.
I was incredibly surprised when I heard that Kimura would be singing “Shin’tei,” and I’m truly grateful that he cherishes this song.
The fresh arrangement, different from the original, and Kimura’s dignified singing voice gave me the feeling of “Kazama” as I listened to it.
I was able to see a new face of “Shikiri”. Thank you very much.

■ Toshinobu Kubota
Kimura-kun can do anything and master any kind of groove!
You’ll be able to handle the latest Trap and Aflo Beats with Cool.
But that doesn’t sum up Kimura-kun’s unique personality. He has a timeless dignity and a carefree attitude!
I wrote two songs with that perspective in mind: an old school funk song and an evergreen blues song.
Both songs are so beautiful! They even conveyed their views on life through their voices. Great job, Bro!

■ Mariya Takeuchi
Thank you for the honor of asking me to compose this song. The first thing I thought when writing the song was, “Because Takuya is in his 50s, I want him to sing a boyish, heart-melting love song.” With the cheerful track with full-throttle guitar sounds arranged by Koichi Tabo and Takuya’s beautiful, flowing voice, my wish was beautifully fulfilled. I’m really looking forward to the day I can hear this rock ballad at a live concert!

■ Tsuyoshi Domoto
My musical career has lasted more than 25 years, and I have been a singer-songwriter for more than 20 years now.
In the latter half of the year, I had many opportunities to provide songs to some of Japan’s greatest musicians. And now I have received an offer from my senior, Takuya Kimura. I never dreamed that a day like this would come in my life.
Please enjoy this dance number where the brother’s sexiness permeates even the gaps between the sounds.

■ Ryota Yanagisawa (SUPER BEAVER)
I was fortunate enough to be able to provide the song “I’m Here.”
This is a song I wrote, thinking deeply about the person called Kimura Takuya, whom I have been watching one-sidedly since I was a child.
When I heard Mr. Kimura’s thoughts after listening to the demo recording, I realized that the arrow of this song was completely pointed towards you.
This was the true meaning of what I put into the song, and it was a very happy moment for me. I hope it reaches everyone.

■ Takuro Yoshida
“We laughed a few times on TV shows.
I once saw his “heart” in it.
It matched the dream I had always had in my “lungs.”
The world has a certain image of him.
That’s a stomach-churning imagination.
The night I was asked to write a song
I decided to jump into his “ventilator”
With oxygen, water, and some supplements
While he absorbs them,
As a result, by making full use of the original “digestive system”
It led him to the “blood” he believed in
So now he is right here.
He knows himself better than anyone
Moving forward on a path only he knows
And it creates “brain waves” of admiration for him.
I won’t take my favorite stomach medicine from today onwards.
I imagine the day I’ll meet him again.”