The Book 2

The Book 2
A silhouette of a skyline with a green background, showing "YOASOBI" / "NOVEL INTO MUSIC" on the left-top corner, and a black circle on the right-top corner
EP by
Yoasobi
ReleasedDecember 1, 2021
GenreJ-pop
Length27:29
LanguageJapanese
LabelSony Japan
ProducerAyase
Yoasobi chronology
E-Side
(2021) 		The Book 2
(2021) 		E-Side 2
(2022)
Singles from The Book 2
  1. "Kaibutsu"
    Released: January 6, 2021
  2. "Yasashii Suisei"
    Released: January 20, 2021
  3. "Mō Sukoshi Dake"
    Released: May 10, 2021
  4. "Sangenshoku"
    Released: July 2, 2021
  5. "Loveletter"
    Released: August 9, 2021
  6. "Taishō Roman"
    Released: September 15, 2021
  7. "Tsubame"
    Released: October 25, 2021

The Book 2 is the second Japanese-language EP (third overall) by Japanese duo Yoasobi. It was released on December 1, 2021, through Sony Music Entertainment Japan, eleven months after their debut EP The Book (2021). It consists of eight tracks, preceded by their all singles released in 2021, and included the new song "Moshi mo Inochi ga Egaketara".

In support of the EP, the duo held their first face-to-face concert Nice to Meet You on December 4–5 at Nippon Budokan. Commercially, The Book 2 debuted at number two on the Oricon Albums Chart, and atop Billboard Japan Hot Albums and certified gold by Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ).

Background and release

[edit]

In 2021, Yoasobi released the debut EP The Book, preceded by the singles released from 2019 to 2020.[1] It peaked at number two on both Oricon Albums Chart, and Billboard Japan Hot Albums,[2][3] and atop the Oricon Digital Albums Chart for five consecutive weeks.[4] According to Oricon, the EP sold over 200,000 units in Japan in the first half of 2021[5][6] and was certified gold for physical release and later downloads by Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ).[7][8]

On September 30, 2021, Yoasobi tweeted "IOOI / NOON" with the mysterious four images of the cartoonish vertical and horizontal rotating bookshelf. They show the colored cover books with the title "Yoasobi Story", the dates, and the word "noon", and the book spines with the duo's English song title, the latest livestream concert title Sing Your World, and the slogan "novel into music" among mostly plain and a few colored book spines.[9] A day later, on the duo's second anniversary, they announced the second EP, titled The Book 2, alongside its track listing and cover artwork, scheduled for release on December 1. Pre-orders began on the same day of the announcement.[10] In 2024, the vinyl format was released elsewhere by Sony Music Germany and Black Screen Records in July 26,[11] and in Japan with the different cover artwork illustrated by EIM (Junhwi Kang) on October 23.[12]

Promotion

[edit]

On December 1, 2022, the same day as The Book 2 announcement, they also announced "Nice to Meet You Countdown" for the new announcement every Friday at noon (JST) for ten weeks until December 3,[13] The second revealing was the release as standalone single of "Tsubame" on October 25,[14] and the final announced the duo's appearance at the documentary program Jōnetsu Tairiku [ja], broadcast on December 12.[15] On November 23, Yoasobi released the EP's snippets "crossfade movie" and announced a phone call campaign as they did when promoting The Book. Fans can make a telephone call on November 23–30 for commentary of The Book 2's tracks daily. On the last day of the campaign, during their radio show, Yoasobi's All Night Nippon X [ja], fans can call directly with the duo.[16]

Live performances

[edit]

Yoasobi appeared on Best Artist 2021 [ja], performing "Gunjō" for the first time via television on November 17.[17] They debuted the televised performance of "Mō Sukoshi Dake" on December 1 at 2021 FNS Music Festival.[18] The duo appeared on Songs the next day, and performed "Loveletter", "Taishō Roman", and "Tsubame" together with Midories for the first time.[19] They performed "Sangenshoku" at the six-hour special edition of Music Station, titled Music Station Ultra Super Live 2021 on December 24.[20] Yoasobi gave debut performances of "Kaibutsu", "Yasashii Suisei", and "Moshi mo Inochi ga Egaketara" on December 30 at the 63th Japan Record Awards,[21] and participated the 72nd NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen on the New Year's Eve to perform "Gunjō" and "Tsubame" with Midories.[22][23]

Nice to Meet You

[edit]
Yoasobi "Nice to Meet You"
One-off concert by Yoasobi
LocationTokyo, Japan
VenueNippon Budokan
Associated albumThe Book 2
Date(s)December 4–5, 2021
Durationc. 110 minutes
No. of shows2
Attendance14,000 (offline)[24]
Yoasobi concert chronology

On October 1, 2021, the same day as the EP announcement, Yoasobi announced their one-off concert, titled Nice to Meet You in support of The Book 2. It was held from December 4 to 5 at Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, marking their first face-to-face concert since their debut in 2019.[25] The performance of "Kaibutsu" from the first day of the concert was lived via YouTube as part of the virtual online music festival YouTube Music Weekend.[26][27] In addition to in-venue, livestream was also available for the official fan club website Club Yoasobi via Stagecrowd.[28]

The first-day show was re-run via Wowow streaming service on January 22, 2022.[29] The footage of the concert was included on the duo's first video album The Film, released on March 23,[30] which use the concert performances of "Moshi mo Inochi ga Egaketara" and "Tsubame" to promote the album.[31][32] The duo uploaded three shows from the first day of the concert, which originally broadcast through Wowow, between July 26 to 28 at 17:00 JST, consisting of "Kaibutsu", "Yasashii Suisei", and "Gunjō".[33]

Set list

[edit]

This set list is representative of the show on both December 4 and 5, 2021.[34][35]

Accolades

[edit]
Awards and nominations for The Book 2
Ceremony Year Category Result Ref.
CD Shop Awards 2022 Grand Prize (Red) Nominated [36]
Finalist Award Won
Special Award Won

Commercial performance

[edit]

The Book 2 debuted at number two on both Oricon Albums Chart and Combined Albums Chart of December 13, 2021, selling 80,015 CDs in its first week, behind HKT48's Outstanding.[37][38] It also peaked atop Digital Albums Chart, collecting 10,448 downloads, scored Yoasobi their third number-one digital albums of the chart, after The Book, and E-Side.[39] For Billboard Japan, The Book 2 debuted at number one on the Hot Albums, making it the first number-one album of the chart.[40] It opened with 83,585 CD copies (number two on the Top Albums Sales),[41] and 8,717 download albums (number one on the Download Albums).[42] The EP certified gold for physical release by RIAJ on January 14, 2022.[43]

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Ayase

The Book 2 track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Tsubame" (ツバメ; featuring Midories)3:36
2."Sangenshoku" (三原色)3:40
3."Taishō Roman" (大正浪漫)2:46
4."Mō Sukoshi Dake" (もう少しだけ)3:38
5."Yasashii Suisei" (優しい彗星)3:33
6."Kaibutsu" (怪物)3:25
7."Moshi mo Inochi ga Egaketara" (もしも命が描けたら)3:21
8."Loveletter" (ラブレター)3:30
Total length:27:29

Credits and personnel

[edit]
  • Ayase – songwriter, producer
  • Ikura – vocals
  • Midories – chorus (1)
  • AssH – chorus (2), guitar (1–2, 4–6)
  • Honogumo – chorus (2)
  • Hikaru Yamamoto – chorus (2)
  • Zaquro Misohagi – chorus (2)
  • Nana Ototsuki – based story writer (1)
  • Yūichirō Komikado – based story writer (2)
  • Natsumi – based story writer (3)
  • Chiharu – based story writer (4)
  • Paru Itagaki – based story writer (5–6)
  • Osamu Suzuki – based story writer (7)
  • Takayuki Saitō – vocal recording
  • Masahiko Fukui – mixing
  • Hidekazu Sakai – mastering

Charts

[edit]

Certifications and sales

[edit]
Certifications and sales figures for The Book 2
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[53]
Physical 		Gold 133,974[52]
Japan
Digital 		— 69,277[54]

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for The Book 2
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various December 1, 2021
Sony Japan [55]
Japan CD
Taiwan October 20, 2023 Sony Taiwan [56]
Various July 26, 2024 Vinyl
[57]
Japan October 23, 2024 Sony Japan [58]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "YOASOBI、自身初のCDとなるEP『THE BOOK』のリリースが決定". OK Music (in Japanese). October 1, 2020. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  2. ^ "1/18付週間アルバムランキング1位はSixTONESの『1ST』". Oricon (in Japanese). January 15, 2021. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  3. ^ "【ビルボード】SixTONES『1ST』が総合アルバム首位　YOASOBI『THE BOOK』が2位に続く". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). January 13, 2021. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  4. ^ "YOASOBI、1stEPがオリコン週間デジタルアルバムランキング5週連続1位を獲得　バレンタインデーには初のオンラインライブも". Spice (in Japanese). February 10, 2021. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  5. ^ "オリコン上半期ランキング2021 アルバム 1位～25位". Oricon (in Japanese). June 29, 2021. Archived from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  6. ^ "オリコン上半期ランキング2021 デジタルアルバム 1位~10位". Oricon (in Japanese). June 29, 2021. Archived from the original on July 14, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  7. ^ "Snow Man「Snow Man ASIA TOUR 2D.2D.」がダブル・プラチナ認定＜3月度GD＞". Modelpress (in Japanese). April 9, 2021. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  8. ^ Recording Industry Association of Japan (November 19, 2022). "10月度DL認定 ～Aimer、YOASOBI、米津玄師がゴールド認定". PR Times (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 24, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
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  10. ^ "YOASOBI、12月に新作EP『THE BOOK 2』リリース＆日本武道館ライブ開催". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). October 1, 2021. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  11. ^ Höpfler, Melanie (April 19, 2024). "YOASOBIs THE BOOK Alben erscheinen erstmals auf Vinyl". Crunchyroll (in German). Retrieved April 20, 2024.
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  14. ^ "YOASOBI、新曲「ツバメ」配信リリース　ジャケット＆MVは「夜に駆ける」のクリエイター・藍にいな". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). October 8, 2021. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  15. ^ "YOASOBI：「情熱大陸」登場 初の有観客ライブまでの軌跡追う 12月12日放送". Mantan Web (in Japanese). December 3, 2021. Archived from the original on November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  16. ^ "YOASOBIの電話番号は0570-046-506". Natalie (in Japanese). November 23, 2021. Archived from the original on November 23, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  17. ^ "【ベストアーティスト】YOASOBI、人気曲「群青」TV初披露 来年の抱負は「有観客ライブを頑張りたい」". Oricon (in Japanese). November 17, 2021. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  18. ^ "YOASOBI「もう少しだけ」テレビ初披露に反響「FNS歌謡祭」初出演". Modelpress (in Japanese). December 1, 2021. Archived from the original on December 1, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  19. ^ "YOASOBIが「SONGS」で語る紅白の舞台裏、ミドリーズとの初共演も実現". Natalie (in Japanese). November 22, 2021. Archived from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
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  22. ^ "【紅白】2度目出場のYOASOBI、「群青」の歌詞を一部変更パフォーマンス「みんなだ！」と絶叫". Encount (in Japanese). December 31, 2021. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  23. ^ "YOASOBI with ミドリーズ、笑顔でコラボ ダンスに川口春奈、大泉洋らも参加【紅白歌合戦】". Chunichi Sports (in Japanese). December 31, 2021. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  24. ^ Satō, Katsusuke (December 5, 2021). "ＹＯＡＳＯＢＩ、初有観客ライブは武道館「この空間には愛しかないなって」". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 20, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  25. ^ "YOASOBI、12月に新作リリース&日本武道館2daysで初の有観客ライブ決定". Oricon (in Japanese). October 1, 2021. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  26. ^ "RADWIMPS、岡崎体育、YOASOBI、阿部真央、ビッケブランカ、インディゴ、クリープ、Uru、ビーバーら参加。"YouTube Music Weekend vol.4"、12/3-5開催". Skream! (in Japanese). November 29, 2021. Archived from the original on March 25, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  27. ^ YOASOBI [@YOASOBI_staff] (December 4, 2021). "#YOASOBI武道館 より「怪物」をお届けしました！長らくお待たせしてしまいごめんなさい！ご覧いただいた皆さまありがとうございました！ / 明日もライブあります。全編ご覧になりたい方はこちらから。" (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Twitter.
  28. ^ "YOASOBI、日本武道館公演をFC限定で生配信". Barks (in Japanese). October 22, 2021. Archived from the original on December 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  29. ^ "YOASOBI、初の有観客ライブがWOWOWで放送!". Mynavi (in Japanese). December 9, 2021. Archived from the original on May 3, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  30. ^ Billboard Japan (March 10, 2022). "YOASOBI Shares Details & Artwork of Upcoming Visual Project 'The Film'". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 25, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  31. ^ "YOASOBI、初の映像作品集『THE FILM』より「もしも命が描けたら」ライブ映像公開". The First Time (in Japanese). March 8, 2022. Archived from the original on April 27, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  32. ^ "YOASOBI、日本武道館公演より「ツバメ」ライブ映像公開　60秒スペシャルTVCMの放映決定". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). March 23, 2022. Archived from the original on April 27, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  33. ^ "YOASOBI、日本武道館有観客ライブ映像3曲を3日連続YouTube公開決定". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). July 26, 2022. Archived from the original on July 26, 2022. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  34. ^ "「はじめまして、YOASOBIです！」YOASOBI、有観客ライブ『NICE TO MEET YOU』を日本武道館にて開催". The First Time (in Japanese). December 5, 2021. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  35. ^ Mitsushima, Erio (December 7, 2021). "YOASOBIと同じ空間にいることの特別さ　リスナーとの"はじめまして"を叶えた武道館初有観客ライブを観て". Real Sound (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 21, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  36. ^ "第14回CDショップ大賞2022" (in Japanese). CD Shop Awards. Archived from the original on January 6, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  37. ^ "12/13付週間アルバムランキング1位はHKT48の『アウトスタンディング』". Oricon (in Japanese). December 12, 2021. Archived from the original on June 20, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  38. ^ a b "Oricon Top 50 Combined Albums: 2021-12-13" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  39. ^ "YOASOBI最新アルバム『THE BOOK 2』が通算3作目の「デジタルアルバム」1位【オリコンランキング】". Oricon (in Japanese). December 8, 2021. Archived from the original on December 8, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  40. ^ "【ビルボード】YOASOBI『THE BOOK 2』が総合アルバム首位　HKT48／ケツメイシが続く". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). December 8, 2021. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  41. ^ "【ビルボード】HKT48『アウトスタンディング』が98,649枚を売り上げてALセールス首位　YOASOBI／ケツメイシが続く". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). December 6, 2021. Archived from the original on December 8, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  42. ^ "【ビルボード】YOASOBI『THE BOOK 2』がDLアルバム制す、ケツメイシ／MISIAがトップ5デビュー". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). December 8, 2021. Archived from the original on December 8, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  43. ^ Recording Industry Association of Japan (January 14, 2022). "12月度GD認定～Snow Man、嵐がトリプル・プラチナ認定、JO1がダブル・プラチナ認定に". PR Times (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
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  49. ^ "【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 / デジタルアルバム 1位~10位" (in Japanese). Oricon. December 22, 2022. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
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  52. ^ Cumulative physical sale figures for The Book 2 as of February 2022:
  53. ^ "Japanese album certifications – Yoasobi – The Book 2" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved January 14, 2021. Select 2021年12月 on the drop-down menu
  54. ^ Cumulative digital sale figures for The Book 2:
  55. ^ "本日結成2周年！12月1日(水) 2nd EP『THE BOOK 2』リリース決定！". Yoasobi Official Website (in Japanese). October 1, 2021. Archived from the original on October 1, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  56. ^ "YOASOBI / THE BOOK 2【Limited Edition】" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Sony Music Taiwan. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  57. ^ "YOASOBI • THE BOOK II • Vinyl". Black Screen Records. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  58. ^ "10月に迎える結成5周年を記念して、EP『THE BOOK』シリーズ3作品のアナログ盤を10/23(水)に発売決定! 国内外で活躍するイラストレーター3名による描き下ろしイラストジャケットデザイン&カラーバイナル仕様。本日より予約開始!". Yoasobi Official Website (in Japanese). August 29, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
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