Home | Songs By Year | Songs from 2021
Kaibutsu
Buy Kaibutsu now from AmazonFirst, read the Wikipedia article. Then, scroll down to see what other TopShelfReviews readers thought about the song. And once you've experienced the song, tell everyone what you thought about it.
Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Kaibutsu
| cover = Yoasobi - Kaibutsu.jpg
| alt =
| border =
| caption =
| type = single
| artist = Yoasobi
| EP = The Book 2
| language = Japanese
| English_title = "Monster"
| A-side = "Yasashii Suisei"
| published =
| released =
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre =
* J-pop
* anisong
| length =
| label = Sony Japan
| writer = Ayase
| producer = Ayase
| prev_title = Haruka
| prev_year = 2020
| next_title = Yasashii Suisei
| next_year = 2021
| misc =
}}
is a song recorded by Japanese duo Yoasobi. It was released digitally on January 6, 2021, the same date as the duo's debut extended play (EP), 'The Book', through Sony Music Entertainment Japan. As an opening theme for the second season of the anime television series 'Beastars', "Kaibutsu" is about a carnivore trying to coexist with herbivores in a cruel world, based on 'Jibun no Mune ni Jibun no Mimi o Oshi Atete', written by the anime's writer Paru Itagaki. Later, the song was included on the duo's second EP 'The Book 2'. The English version of the song, titled "'Monster'", was released on July 30.
Commercially, "Kaibutsu" peaked at number two on the 'Billboard' Japan Hot 100, and number 87 on the Global 200. The double A-side CD single with "Yasashii Suisei", released on March 24, debuted at number two on the Oricon Singles Chart with 24,000 copies. The song earned four wins for Song of the Year (Japan) and Best 5 Songs at the 36th Japan Gold Disc Award in both download and streaming categories and featured on 'Time' 10 Best Songs of 2021 list, becoming the only Japanese on it.
Background and release
On November 5, Yoasobi announced to writing and singing the opening theme song for the second season of the anime television series 'Beastars', titled "Kaibutsu". The song was based on the novel , written by Paru Itagaki, who also wrote and illustrated the manga.
"Kaibutsu" was released to digital music and streaming platforms January 6, 2021. The song was released as a double A-side CD single, together with "Yasashii Suisei" on March 24. The single came in 2 versions: limited edition (anime edition) and fan club limited edition for members of "Club Yoasobi", Yoasobi's official fan club website. Both versions included the original songs, TV size version songs, and non-credit opening and ending video from 'Beastars'. The fan club limited edition also included the acoustic session of "Tabun" and "Ano Yume o Nazotte". Later, the song was included on their second EP 'The Book 2', released on December 1.
Yoasobi announced to release the English version of "Kaibutsu", titled "Monster" on July 30, alongside the accompanying music video, and aired the full song for the first time on their radio show 'Yoasobi's All Night Nippon X' on July 27. It is the duo's third English song after "Into the Night, and "RGB". Later, the song was included on the duo's first English-language EP 'E-Side', release on November 12.
Lyrics and composition
"Kaibutsu" is an upbeat fast-paced song with a catchy chorus, tells about a carnivore trying to coexist with herbivores in a cruel world. Although this idea is unrealistic, it still protects the herbivore. To adhere to its ideals, it decides to become strong and confront the whole world. The song is in the key of B-flat minor on the verses and break, C-sharp minor on the first chorus, D-flat major on the bridge and in D minor in the final chorus, and is at 170 beats per minute with a running time of 3 minutes and 26 seconds.
Critical reception
American magazine 'Time' ranked "Kaibutsu" number five on its list of the 10 Best Songs of 2021, becoming the only song from a Japanese act on the list, and being described as an "seamless" integration of "a giant pop hook with furious math rock riffs", "jazzy chromatic runs", and "a seismic EDM-esque drop". Additionally, critics said that the song gave "yearning", and "cinematic nature" and was "wholly unsurprised" to be served as the theme song to the anime 'Beastars'.
Commercial performance
"Kaibutsu" debuted at number 14 on the 'Billboard Japan' Hot 100 of January 18, 2021 and peaked at number 2 on the chart of March 31, due to releasing the CD single. The song also peaked at number 87 on the 'Billboard' Global 200 and number 39 on the 'Billboard' Global Excl. US of January 30.
The CD single "Kaibutsu / Yasashii Suisei" debuted and peaked at number 2 on the Oricon Singles Chart for the chart issue date of April 5, 2021, selling 23,761 copies, and also number 2 on the 'Billboard Japan' Top Single Sales chart, selling 27,275 copies for the chart issue date of March 31, 2021.
Music video
The music video "Kaibutsu" was premiered on January 13, 2021, directed by Rina Mitsuzumi, with 2D animation by Kaori Onishi and motion graphics by Jun Matsuda and Cafuu. The music video depicts the conflict and determination of the main character, Legoshi, that wears a sense of speed and darkness. The music video surpassed 100 million views on June 22 and 200 million views on April 4, 2022.
Live performance and cover
Yoasobi premiered the live performance "Kaibutsu" for the first time in their first online concertKeep Out Theater on February 14, 2021, where the song was the number fifth. The duo gave a television debut performance of the song at the 63rd Japan Record Awards on December 30, alongside "Yasashii Suisei", and "Moshi mo Inochi ga Egaketara".
On February 4, 2021, A cover of "Kaibutsu" by Japanese singer Masayuki Suzuki was released as a promotional single from his 35th anniversary cover greatest hit album 'Discover Japan DX', scheduled for release on February 23.
Accolades
Track listing
*'Digital download and streaming'
# 3:26
*'Digital download and streaming (English version)'
#"Monster" 3:26
*'CD single'
#CD
##"Kaibutsu" 3:26
##"Yasashii Suisei" 3:35
##"Kaibutsu" (TV Size version) 1:30
##"Yasashii Suisei" (TV Size version) 1:26
#DVD (limited edition)
##"TV anime 'Beastars' Season 2 opening non-credit video/Yoasobi "Kaibutsu""
##"TV anime 'Beastars' Season 2 ending non-credit video/Yoasobi "Yasashii Suisei""
#Blu-ray (fanclub limited edition)
##"TV anime 'Beastars' Season 2 opening non-credit video/Yoasobi "Kaibutsu""
##"TV anime 'Beastars' Season 2 ending non-credit video/Yoasobi "Yasashii Suisei""
##"Tabun" (acoustic session)
##"Ano Yume o Nazotte" (acoustic session)
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from 'The Book 2' liner notes and YouTube.
;Song:
* Ayase producer, songwriter
* Ikura vocals
* AssH guitar
* Paru Itagaki based story writer
* Takayuki Sait vocal recording
* Masahiko Fukui mixing
* Kazuyoshi Sait cover artwork design
;Music video:
* Rina Mitsuzumi director
* Jun Matsuda motion graphics
* Cafuu motion graphics
* Kaori Onishi 2D animation
* AI Rinna design supporter
Charts
Weekly charts
Monthly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
Release history
References
Buy Kaibutsu now from Amazon
<-- Return to songs from 2021