Yumi Matsutoya sings theme song for Fuji TV drama, first in nine years, with a work by Yoshikazu Okada

It has been revealed that singer-songwriter Matsutoya Yumi will be performing the theme song for the new Fuji TV drama "Children's Day, God Was There," which will begin airing on October Getsuku on the Thursday Theatre slot (Thursdays at 10pm). The new song, "Ten Made Todoke," was written specifically for the series, and marks Matsutoya's first theme song for a Fuji TV drama in about nine years, since "Chef: Three-Star School Lunch," which aired in October 2016. "I hate to say it myself, but I think it's a divine song," she said.

"When I Was Young, There Was a God" is a sitcom starring Kitamura Yukiya and co-starring Nakama Yukie, and is the latest work by Okada Yoshikazu, known for the "Second to Last Love" series. 19 years ago, Ogura Wataru (Kitamura) and his wife Ann (Nakama) made a promise to divorce when their child turned 20, due to a certain incident. Wataru has completely forgotten those words and lives at his own pace, while his wife Ann has always relied on those words for support. The story follows two people with completely different feelings who gradually begin to waver in their hearts as they go about their everyday lives.

"Ten Made Todoke," which will be included in Matsutoya's 40th original album "Wormhole / Yumi AraI," to be released on November 18th, is notable for its nostalgic atmosphere, particularly reminiscent of "Yumi Arai," among the songs on the album. Utilizing the latest AI technology, Matsutoya's singing voice from her "Yumi Arai" days in the 1990s and 2000s was synthesized to create a new vocal that could be called a "third Yuming." Furthermore, by "co-starring" Matsutoya in her current voice, the song is a blend of nostalgia and newness.

◇Comment from Yumi Matsutoya

I think this song best captures the theme of this album, "Arai Yumi." It also happens to be linked to the title of the drama. It's like the Arai Yumi me and the Matsutoya Yumi I am today have moved parallel and blended together in this song. I hate to say it myself, but I think it's a divine song.

◇Comment from Yukiya Kitamura

-How did you feel when you heard that Yumi Matsutoya would be performing the theme song?

Just yesterday (the day before the interview), I was listening to a playlist like "Yumi Matsutoya Best" on a subscription service. All of the songs were familiar masterpieces... I was really happy to hear that Matsutoya, who has created so many masterpieces, had written a new song specifically for this drama. I actually had the opportunity to meet her in person and we had a short chat, and from the first word she spoke I was overwhelmed, thinking "She's amazing, as expected." Even just her natural voice had such a great resonance, it felt as if it was reaching through the ground to my feet. She also spoke to me in a very friendly manner, and I was also impressed by her personality.

--Listen to the newly written song "Tenmade Todoke"

I thought it was a wonderful song that really fits the worldview of this drama. When I prepare for a role, I sometimes choose a theme song that I think will suit the character, and this time I was listening to "Ten Made Todoke" thinking that Wataru must be listening to it a lot. When I listen to it like that, I can't help but burst into tears. It just seeps into my heart. If I had to compare it to something, it would be like the feeling you get when you gulp down a glass of sake on an empty stomach (laughs). It's a song that really seeps into you in that way.

--About the title of the drama

When I heard the title "When I was little, there was a God," the thought came to mind: "But now that I'm an adult..." I'm sure Wataru and Ann also believed in the existence of something like a "God" when they were children. But as they grew older, they gradually lost faith in it... But even so, I felt once again that it's important now that we're adults to cherish our "prayerful hearts" and "hopeful feelings." After all, humans have lived with prayers like this for thousands of years. In this work, I wonder how long Wataru will be able to "not give up." And how will the final episode unfold... I myself am very much looking forward to it.

-- A message to the viewers looking forward to the broadcast

It's a heartwarming story woven together by three families, like an Ensemble. Okada's original script is filled with scenes that are so characteristic of Okada, from chuckling to crying before you know it. I hope this work will bring you a little comfort and lighten your heart. I also hope it will make you realize that human connections aren't so bad after all. We live in an age where we tend to distance ourselves from others, but this drama will convey the meaning of connection, transcending that hassle and courage. At first, you might think, "There's no such thing these days." But with each episode, the bonds between the three families deepen, and I'm sure that connection will be conveyed convincingly. I hope you'll tune in from the first episode to the very end. I'd be really happy if my wish could reach the heavens (laughs).

◇Comment from Yukie Nakama

-How did you feel when you heard that Yumi Matsutoya would be performing the theme song?

I was really happy when I heard that Matsutoya-san would be in charge of the theme song, and even writing a new song. When I realized that he had a deep understanding of the worldview of the drama and would be able to create a song that would encompass the entire story, I was convinced that "this drama will be a wonderful work," and I personally felt strongly that "I want to do my best to deliver this work to the viewers."

--Listen to the newly written song "Tenmade Todoke"

When I first heard "Tenmade Todoke," the staff on set and I shared our excitement, saying, "It's such a wonderful song." While gently embracing the central theme of the drama—a couple who have promised to divorce—the song makes us feel fondly about the characters' past and even offers encouragement for their future. I was particularly moved by the opening line, "The beginning and end of this short autumn." The song is also peppered with lines that emphasize the importance of "this moment," such as "today's only sunlight," "today's only shredded clouds," and "today's only smile." When I think of the feelings of Kitamura's husband, Wataru, I almost burst into tears. It's a truly beautiful song, overflowing with love and gently encouraging. The feelings of the couple we play and the characters in the story "reach the heavens" through this song. This is incredibly moving, and it moves me every time I listen to it.

--About the title of the drama

I was really drawn to the title, "When I was little, there was a God." Why have we lost faith in the "God" we once innocently believed in? And what do we believe in today as we live our lives? I thought it was a very interesting and memorable title that raises such questions.

-- A message to the viewers looking forward to the broadcast

People cannot live alone. When we live with others, there are times when we feel a distance between us and things do not always go as planned. But that is precisely why, by showing a little consideration for each other and gently supporting each other, each person finds their own way of life... This drama features many such lovable characters. I hope you enjoy this warm and loving story, accompanied by Matsutoya's gentle and powerful theme song.