Utada Net.com // The Source For All Things Hikaru Utada / Hikki

2012/4/9 (1566 reads)

The following is a fan account of an encounter with Hikki, apparently during a train ride in London.

Quote:

So today I met Japanese SUPERSTAR Utada Hikaru!

I was on my way to Belsize Park riding the Northern line when at either Angel or Kings Cross a small Japanese lady got on the tube a few feet away from me.

I looked at her and I thought to myself “LOL she looks like Utada” and was laughing to myself-some Taiwanese dudes to the left of me started laughing at ME because they obviously thought I was crazy or something.

Anyway as the train becomes emptier (after Camden Town) I get a better view of the woman sitting down and thats when I’m like, “Wait that could be Utada!” But then I was like nah, “Why would she be in London?” plus she looks almost EXACTLY like she did on the ‘Ultra Blue’ cover with the same bob cut…

So I decided to gas myself up and played ‘Sakura Drops’ and imagined what I’d say to her if I met her.

Curiosity really got the better of me so I stood up when the tube was near Belsize (so I could get a better look) and when I looked directly at the woman I was damn near sure it was her.

So I went up to her and said “Excuse me are you Utada Hikaru?” and she had her earphones on so she asked me to repeat what I said and when I did a bashful grin spread across her face and she said, “Yes I am”.

Luckily there was an empty seat next to her so I sat down and shook her hand and started chatting with her. I showed her that I was listening to ‘Sakura Drops’ and she was very shocked at that.

I asked her why she was here and she said she was just visiting a friend and was a bit disappointed with how the weather changed-she’s been here for over a week so far and staying around the Camden area (I won’t say where exactly).

I told her how she was the first Japanese artist I ever heard (apart from Ryu Sakamoto) and she was like “Wow Really?”

She asked ME how I even found out about her and I explained that from loving Chinese music and being on forums (like JPM which I told her about a bit) that people talked about the ‘First Love’ cd and her song for Kingdom Hearts-LOL that part of the conversation made me laugh because there I was, listing Hikki’s discography to her as if she didn’t know her own music-I’m so lame.

I told her that I went to the show in Islington (if you never went you missed a great show!) and she thanked me for that and I asked her if she’s ever going to do another one. She said it’s all up in the air and that she was on a break (I told her how pressed everyone got when she did that and she laughed!). But she said that she’s currently working on a few projects that she couldn’t really talk about but new stuff is coming soon!

I did ask for a photo but she said she’s not really taking photos right now-and I could see that she felt bad for having to say that, but I was like “No that’s fine, it’s just great to finally meet you!”

After her stop came up (YES I missed my stop just to keep talking to her LOL) we got off together and walked and talked till I realised I was going to be late for my meeting so I thanked her for the music and she said it was nice to meet me and shook my hand again and went off on her way!

She is TINY under 5 foot and she was wearing pink converse and animal print skinny jeans and she still rocks the short bowl cut from way back when!
She looks EXACTLY like the photos and she hasn’t aged at all.
All in all was a GREAT night! If you’re in London and you see a woman that looks like Hikki, don’t chance it, go up to her and say hi!

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Amazing Rock Covers of Hikki by Animadness

2011/12/14 (974 reads)

Usually, fan covers aren't the type of thing we post on our Noteworthy News. But, in a Hiatus era, news is slow.

Recently, we were contacted by Paulo, the bassist from a Brazilian J-Music band called Animadness, telling us about their recently released rock covers of Hikki's "Simple & Clean" and "Hikari". We were blown away by these Rock versions of Hikki classics. Have a listen!:

3 Comment(s)

"Goodbye Happiness" Music Video Wins Best Conceptual Video & Special Award!

2011/4/11 (97 reads)

Hikki's first self-directed music video "Goodbye Happiness" has won Best Conceptual Video and Special Award at the Space Shower Music Awards!

@hikki_staff has explained that the
Special Award is awarded to the artist who has made a big contribution to the music scene throughout their career.

Congratulations!

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March 11, 2011 Earthquake and Tsunami

2011/4/11 (117 reads)

As all of you know, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake shook the Tohoku region of Japan and triggered a destructive tsunami on
March 11, 2011.

Hikki has updated her blog in both Japanese and English concerning this disaster. She states that she has made a donation to the Japanese Red Cross and donated 400ml of her blood to the blood bank. According to officials, it is said that she has donated 80 million Japanese yen which is equivalent to $983,888 USD.

Through her official twitter account, Hikki has been occasionally updating about the situation in Japan and calling out to fans on how they can help.

Due to the earthquake damages to the pressing factories, WILD LIFE DVD and Blu-Ray has been postponed. The DVD will be released on April 20 and Blu-Ray will be released on May 18. The WILD LIFE poster presents will be distributed as planned but 30,000 posters will be released with the DVD and 20,000 with the Blu-ray.

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Utada Hikaru WILD LIFE DVD & Blu-ray Release - April 6th!

2011/2/27 (2177 reads)

Officially announced on Hikki's Website that WILD LIFE DVD and Blu-ray will be released April 6!

Bonus content:
A documentary, never-before-seen footage of Hikki interacting with the concert audience, and a photo gallery.

Buy today and receive a special gift!
The first 50,000 people to purchase Hikki’s complete collection of CDs and DVDs (including WILD LIFE, but excluding single DVDs) will receive a 500x707mm WILD LIFE poster!
＊This special gift is not available at all shops. Please inquire at individual shops

DISC 1: WILD LIFE 2010.12.8-9 YOKOHAMA ARENA
-Opening-
Goodbye Happiness
traveling
テイク　5
Prisoner Of Love
COLORS
Letters
Hymne a l'amour ～愛のアンセム～
SAKURAドロップス
Eclipse
Passion
BLUE
Show Me Love ( Not A Dream )
Stay Gold
ぼくはくま
Automatic
First Love
Flavor Of Life - Ballad Version -
Beautiful World
光
虹色バス

-Encore-
Across The Universe
Can't Wait 'Til Christmas
time will tell

Disc 2: Bonus Content Disc
1. DOCUMENT "WILD LIFE"
A documentary of precious moments from the start of rehearsals until after the final performance!
2. Complete footage of Hikki interacting with audiences over the two days of the concert – never before released!
3. PHOTO GALLERY "WILD LIFE" – Numerous pictures of the concert taken by Kenji Miura!

Note: The Blu-ray disc contains both the concert footage and bonus content on the same disc.

7 Comment(s)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HIKKI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011/1/19 (1904 reads)

Today is Hikaru Utada's birthday,
A big Happy 28th Birthday to Hikki!
お誕生日おめでとうございます。

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Upcoming 宇多田ヒカル Documentary from NHK!

2011/1/16 (2981 reads)

NHK will be premiering a TV documentary about Hikki on January 15th, 2011.
The documentary will include new studio performances as well as footage from her WILD LIFE Yokohama concerts from December. Some of the songs include 'First Love', 'Goodbye Happiness', 'Show Me Love (Not A Dream)', and 'Prisoner of Love'.
The doc will also include a post-'WILD LIFE' interview with Hikaru and Chris Peppler (J-WAVE host).

The program will be called "Utada Hikaru ~Ima no Watashi~" (Hikaru Utada ~Myself right now~)

[UPDATE]
Quote:

【国際放送】
■北米
TV JAPAN（NHKコスモメディアアメリカ）
2月12日（土）東部時間　午後6：50～7：39

■欧州
JSTV（NHKコスモメディアヨーロッパ）
2月2日（水）英国（ＵＫ）時間　午後8:10～8:59
　　　　※ヨーロッパ中央時間　午後9:10～9:59

Overseas Broadcast:
-North America
TV Japan (NHK Cosmo Media America)
Saturday, February 12 Eastern Time 6:50pm-7:39pm

-Europe
JSTV (NHK Cosmo Media Europe)
Wednesday, February 2 England (U.K.) time 8:10pm-8:59pm
*European Central Time 9:10pm-9:59pm