Wikipedia

Kick Back (song)

"Kick Back" is a song by Japanese musician Kenshi Yonezu. It was released as a single digitally by Sony Music Records on October 12, 2022, as well as in three physical editions: a regular CD edition, a video edition, and a chainsaw edition. The song serves as the opening theme for the anime series Chainsaw Man.[1][2]

"Kick Back"
Single by Kenshi Yonezu
from the album Lost Corner
B-side"Hazukashikutte Shōganē"
ReleasedOctober 12, 2022 (2022-10-12)
GenreRock
Length3:13
LabelSony Japan
Songwriter(s)Kenshi Yonezu
Producer(s)
  • Kenshi Yonezu
  • Daiki Tsuneta
Kenshi Yonezu singles chronology
"M87"
(2022) 		"Kick Back"
(2022) 		"Lady"
(2023)
Music video
"Kick Back" on YouTube

Background and release

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This song is used as one of the opening theme for the anime series Chainsaw Man.[3] Yonezu was in charge of the theme song for the TV anime My Hero Academia, the first opening of the second season. It has been about five years since the theme "Peace Sign".

King Gnu and Millennium Parade member Daiki Tsuneta participated in the production and arrangement with Yonezu.[4] "Kick Back" also samples Morning Musume's 2002 song "Sōda! We're Alive".

On September 19, 2022, the preview for Chainsaw Man was released, with "Kick Back" being used. In addition, it was also performed live for the first time at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium performance on the first day of "2022 Tour / Henshin", which was held on September 23. In addition, the arranger Daiki Tsuneta appeared at the tour final at Saitama Super Arena on October 27, performing this song and "Ai Lily".[citation needed]

The CD single was released in three formats: a chainsaw board, a video board, and a regular board, and it also came with a "Kenshi Yonezu 2023 Tour / Fantasy" advance lottery application serial number and a corporate privilege sticker.[5][6]

In the United States, the single was released by Milan Records.[7]

"Kick Back" became the first song with Japanese lyrics to be certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[7][8]

Music video

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Prior to the song's release, the music video premiered on October 25, featuring Yonezu and Daiki Tsuneta. It was directed by Yoshiyuki Okuyama [ja], who also worked on the music video for "Kanden" and Yonezu's promotional photos. In the video, Yonezu devotes himself to training in a gym alongside Tsuneta. After a montage of vigorous working out and Yonezu shown with large muscular arms, Yonezu runs off a treadmill into a field and then onto a road, where he is hit by a truck, which launches him through the air and into doing parkour across shipping containers and city buildings. A group of men dressed in similar attire appear and run alongside him through an industrial site and across a quarry. The video ends with Yonezu shown back in the gym, walking on a treadmill alongside Tsuneta, with a security camera revealing Tsuneta is not really there.[9]

The opening sequence for the Chainsaw Man anime plays tribute to several films, including Reservoir Dogs, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Pulp Fiction, Sadako vs. Kayako, No Country for Old Men, Fight Club, Messiah of Evil, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Don't Look Up, Jacob's Ladder, Constantine, and The Big Lebowski. The other references are the manga Goodbye, Eri and Fire Punch by the same author, the song "Sōda! We're Alive" by Morning Musume and the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion. The sequence was directed and storyboarded by Shingo Yamashita.[10]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Kenshi Yonezu

CD single / digital download / streaming
No.TitleArrangementLength
1."Kick Back"
  • Kenshi Yonezu
  • Daiki Tsuneta
3:13
2."Hazukashikutte Shōganē" (恥ずかしくってしょうがねえ; lit. "I Can't Help Being Embarrassed")Yonezu3:41
3."Kick Back" (anime edit)
  • Yonezu
  • Tsuneta
1:27
Total length:8:21
Limited edition DVD
No.TitleLength
1."TV Anime Chainsaw Man Non-Credit Opening Movie"1:39
2."M87" (music video)4:46
Total length:14:46

Accolades

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Awards and nominations for "Kick Back"
Ceremony Year Award Result Ref.
Reiwa Anisong Awards 2022 Best Work Award Nominated [11]
Best Anime Song Award Won
Composition Award[a] Nominated
Arrangement Award[b] Nominated
Japan Expo Awards 2023 Daruma for Best Opening Won [12]
45th Anime Grand Prix 2023 Best Theme Song 5th place [13]
8th Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2024 Best Opening Sequence Nominated [14]
Best Anime Song Nominated

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications for "Kick Back"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[39]
CD single 		Platinum 250,000^
Japan (RIAJ)[40]
Download 		Gold 100,000*
United States (RIAA)[41] Gold 500,000‡
Streaming
Japan (RIAJ)[42] 3× Platinum 300,000,000†

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Release dates and formats for "Kick Back"
Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Various October 12, 2022
Standalone Sony Japan [43]
November 23, 2022 Regular [44]
Japan CD+DVD Video
CD+chainsaw necklace Chainsaw
CD Regular

Notes

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  1. ^ Kenshi Yonezu credited as nominee.
  2. ^ Kenshi Yonezu and Daiki Tsuneta credited as nominees.

References

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  1. ^ 米津玄師が「チェンソーマン」描き下ろし、本日配信の新曲「Kick Back」ジャケット公開 [Kenshi Yonezu draws "Chainsawman" and releases the jacket for his new song "Kick Back" distributed today]. Music Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. October 12, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  2. ^ 米津玄師「チェンソーマン」OPテーマをCDリリース、ネックレスが付属する“チェンソー盤”も [Kenshi Yonezu "Chainsawman" "Opening theme CD release, "Chainsaw board" with necklace]. Music Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. October 19, 2022. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  3. ^ 米津玄師 TVアニメ『チェンソーマン』OP「Kick Back」配信がスタート！ [Kenshi Yonezu TV animation "Chainsaw Man" OP "Kick Back" distribution starts!]. LisAni! (in Japanese). October 12, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  4. ^ 米津玄師、TVアニメ"チェンソーマン"OP「Kick Back」配信スタート。描き下ろしジャケット公開 [Kenshi Yonezu, TV anime "Chainsaw Man" OP "Kick Back" distribution start. Newly drawn jacket released]. Skream! (in Japanese). October 12, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  5. ^ 米津玄師 13th Single「Kick Back」11月23日発売 [Kenshi Yonezu 13th Single "Kick Back" released on November 23rd]. Reissue Records (in Japanese). November 1, 2022. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  6. ^ "Kick Back". Reissue Records (in Japanese). October 18, 2022. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  7. ^ a b "J-POP SUPERSTAR KENSHI YONEZU'S HIT TRACK "KICK BACK" HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN GOLD-CERTIFIED BY THE RIAA". Milan Records. October 26, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  8. ^ "米津玄師インタビュー｜「KICK BACK」米レコード協会ゴールド認定に寄せて - 音楽ナタリー 特集・インタビュー" ['KICK BACK' sets a milestone in the US Gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)]. Music Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. November 2, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  9. ^ 米津玄師「Kick Back」MVに常田大希登場、筋トレを重ねる2人に待ち受ける衝撃の展開 [Kenshi Yonezu "Kick Back" MV featuring Daiki Tsuneta The shocking development that awaits the two of them as they train (with video)]. Music Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. October 25, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  10. ^ Loveridge, Lynzee (October 11, 2022). "The Film References in the Chainsaw Man Opening". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  11. ^ 令和4年アニソン大賞. Anisong Awards (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  12. ^ "Les vainqueurs des Daruma 2023". Japan Expo (in French). July 14, 2023. Archived from the original on July 17, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  13. ^ 第45回アニメＧＰ. chikimato.net (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 5, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  14. ^ Mateo, Alex (January 17, 2024). "Crunchyroll Anime Awards Reveals 2024 Nominees". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on January 17, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  15. ^ "Kenshi Yonezu Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  16. ^ "Kenshi Yonezu Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  17. ^ "Kenshi Yonezu Chart History (Hong Kong Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  18. ^ "Kenshi Yonezu Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  19. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Animation – Week of October 19, 2022". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  20. ^ Oricon Weekly Single Ranking – 2022-12-05 Oricon News. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  21. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Combined Singles: 2022-12-05" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  22. ^ "RIAS Top Charts Week 43 (21 - 27 Oct 2022)". RIAS. Archived from the original on November 1, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  23. ^ "Digital Chart – Week 7 of 2023". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  24. ^ "Kenshi Yonezu Chart History (Taiwan Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  25. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  26. ^ "Kenshi Yonezu Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  27. ^ "Kenshi Yonezu Chart History (World Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  28. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Singles: 2022-11". Oricon. Archived from the original on December 14, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  29. ^ "Digital Chart – February 2023". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  30. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot 100 Year-End 2022". Billboard Japan. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  31. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Animation Year-End 2022". Billboard Japan. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  32. ^ 年間 シングルランキング 2022年度 [Annual Single Ranking 2022] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  33. ^ "【オリコン年間ランキング2022】King & Prince、今年度唯一のミリオン達成で自身初の「シングル」首位 Snow Man初の「アルバム」1位 / デジタルシングル (単曲) ランキング 1位~10位" (in Japanese). Oricon. December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  34. ^ "Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  35. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot 100 – 2023 Year-End". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  36. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Animation – 2023 Year-End". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  37. ^ "【オリコン年間ランキング2023】King & Prince、「シングル」「アルバム」ともにミリオン達成で「音楽」3ジャンルで首位 YOASOBI「アイドル」が3冠 | 合算シングルランキング 1位~10位". Oricon (in Japanese). December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  38. ^ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  39. ^ "Japanese single certifications – 米津玄師 – KICK BACK" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved December 10, 2022. Select 2022年11月 on the drop-down menu
  40. ^ "Japanese digital single certifications – 米津玄師 – KICK BACK" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved December 10, 2022. Select 2022年10月 on the drop-down menu
  41. ^ "American single certifications – Kenshi Yonezu – Kick Back". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  42. ^ "Japanese single streaming certifications – Kenshi Yonezu – Kick Back" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved October 25, 2023. Select 2023年9月 on the drop-down menu
  43. ^ 「Kick Back」配信リリース. Reissue Records (in Japanese). October 12, 2022. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  44. ^ 米津玄師 13thシングル Kick Back. Reissue Records (in Japanese). October 19, 2022. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
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