Wikipedia

Mephisto (song)

For other songs, see Mephisto § Music.

"Mephisto" (メフィスト, Mefisuto) is a song by Japanese rock band Queen Bee. It was released on April 20, 2023, through their own Ziyoou Records and Sony Music Associated Records. The song served as the ending theme of the first season of Japanese anime series Oshi no Ko.[1]

"Mephisto"
Standard edition cover
Single by Queen Bee
Language
  • Japanese
  • English
B-side"Faust"
ReleasedApril 20, 2023
Genre
Length3:50
Label
Songwriter(s)Avu Barazono
Producer(s)
  • Queen Bee
  • Kōji Tsukada
Queen Bee singles chronology
"Mysterious"
(2022) 		"Mephisto"
(2023) 		"01"
(2023)
Alternative cover
Digital and first press limited editions cover
Digital and first press limited editions cover
Music video
"Mephisto" on YouTube

Background and release

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On March 2, 2023, Queen Bee announced that they would perform the ending theme of anime series Oshi no Ko, titled "Mephisto", alongside the band's Japan tour Mephisto Shōkan.[2] The single was released to digital music and streaming platforms on April 20, and on CD single on May 17 with two versions—limited and anime editions.[3] The music video, directed by Sayaka Nakane, was uploaded on May 17, depicting the life of idol Avu-chi. It stars the band's members, and actress Karin Ono.[4]

Titled after German folklore demon Mephistopheles, lead vocalist and songwriter Avu-chan explained to Billboard Japan in August 2023 that they used the motif of the legend's protagonist Faust for the main idea of "Mephisto", alongside authors who "richly depicted the doings and passion of people", e.g. Go Nagai, Yukio Mishima and William Shakespeare.[5]

Accolades

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Critics' rankings of "Mephisto"
Publication Accolade Rank Ref.
Anime News Network The Best Songs of 2023 — [6]
Screen Rant 2023's Best Anime EDs 3 [7]
Awards and nominations for "Mephisto"
Ceremony Year Award Result Ref.
8th Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2024 Best Ending Sequence Nominated [8]

Track listing

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  • Digital download and streaming
  1. "Mephisto" (メフィスト) – 3:50
  • Standard edition
  1. "Mephisto" – 3:50
  2. "Faust" (ファウスト) – 3:13
  3. "Mephisto" (anime size edit) – 1:31
  4. "Mephisto" (off vocal version) – 3:49
  • Digital and first press limited editions
  1. "Mephisto" – 3:50
  2. "Faust" – 3:13
  3. "Mephisto" (off vocal version) – 3:50
  4. "Faust" (off vocal version) – 3:11
  • First press limited edition – disc 2 (Blu-ray) – Avu-chan Birthday Festival 2022: Harpie Gal (2022.12.25 Live at Zepp DiverCity (Tokyo))
  1. "Shitsurakuen" (失楽園)
  2. "P R I D E"
  3. "Violence" (バイオレンス, Baiorensu)
  4. "Venus" (ヴィーナス, Vinasu)
  5. "Ten" (十, Jū)
  6. "Utahime" (歌姫)
  7. "Inuhime" (犬姫)
  8. "Introduction"

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications for "Mephisto"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Streaming
Japan (RIAJ)[16] Gold 50,000,000†

† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Various April 20, 2023
Digital one-track single
[17]
Japan May 17, 2023 CD Standard [18]
  • CD
  • digital download
  • streaming
 First press limited
CD+Blu-ray

References

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  1. ^ "女王蜂がアニメ「【推しの子】」エンディング主題歌担当、新曲携え全国ツアーへ". Natalie (in Japanese). March 2, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  2. ^ "女王蜂、新シングル「メフィスト」を5月に発売＆TVアニメ『【推しの子】』エンディング主題歌に決定 リリースツアーの開催も発表に【コメントあり】". Spice (in Japanese). March 2, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  3. ^ "女王蜂「【推しの子】」エンディング主題歌「メフィスト」先行配信開始！". Lisani (in Japanese). April 20, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  4. ^ "女王蜂 New Single「メフィスト」MUSIC VIDEOでアイドルの業を描く。俳優 小野花梨も出演。". Encore (in Japanese). May 18, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  5. ^ Mori, Itsuki (August 16, 2023). "QUEEN BEE's Avu-chan on 'Mephisto' & Her Vision for the Band's Global Future : Interview". Billboard. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  6. ^ "The Best Anime of 2023 - MrAJCosplay, Caitlin Moore, Steve Jones + The Best Songs of 2023". Anime News Network. December 30, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  7. ^ Sockol, Ben (December 13, 2023). "Oshi no Ko, Frieren, & Zom 100: 2023's Best Anime EDs Made Staying For the Credits Worth it". Screen Rant. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  8. ^ "Anime Awards 2024 Winners: Anime of the Year and Full List". Crunchyroll. March 2, 2024. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  9. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot 100 – Week of June 14, 2023". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  10. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Animation – Week of July 5, 2023". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  11. ^ メフィスト – Oricon Oricon News. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  12. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Combined Singles: 2023-07-03" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on July 1, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  13. ^ "Oricon Top 20 Anime Singles: 2023-05-29" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  14. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot 100 – 2023 Year-End". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  15. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Animation – 2023 Year-End". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  16. ^ "Japanese single streaming certifications – 女王蜂 – メフィスト" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved February 5, 2024. Select 2023年8月 on the drop-down menu
  17. ^ "「【推しの子】」エンディング主題歌「メフィスト」4/20(木)0時より先行配信＆ノンクレジットED映像公開". Queen Bee Official Website (in Japanese). April 19, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  18. ^ "5/17New Single「メフィスト」発売決定＆TVアニメ『【推しの子】』エンディング主題歌決定". Queen Bee Official Website (in Japanese). March 2, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
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