Happy (Koharu Kusumi song)

"Happy" (ハッピー☆彡, Happī) is the third opening theme song from the Japanese anime Kirarin Revolution. The song was released on May 2, 2007 and is performed by Koharu Kusumi from Morning Musume, credited as "Kirari Tsukishima starring Koharu Kusumi (Morning Musume)" (月島きらり starring 久住小春(モーニング娘。)). The song was released as Kirari Tsukishima's third single, who Kusumi portrays in the show.

"Happy"
Regular edition cover
Single by Kirari Tsukishima starring Koharu Kusumi (Morning Musume)
from the album Kirarin Land
A-side"Happy"
B-side"Koi no Mahō wa Habibi no Bi"
ReleasedMay 2, 2007 (CD single)
May 9, 2007 (DVD single)
Recorded2007
GenreJ-pop
LabelZetima
Songwriter(s)Bounceback
Lyricist(s)Bounceback
Kirari Tsukishima starring Koharu Kusumi (Morning Musume) singles chronology
"Balalaika"
(2006)
"Happy"
(2007)
"Chance!"
(2007)
Kirarin Revolution singles chronology
"Balalaika"
(2006)
"Happy"
(2007)
"Hana o Pūn / Futari wa NS"
(2007)
Music video
"Happy" (30-sec. ad) on YouTube

Background and release edit

"Happy" is the third opening theme song to Kirarin Revolution and is performed by Koharu Kusumi from Morning Musume, who voices the main character, Kirari Tsukishima.[1] The song was released as the character's third single and Kusumi is credited as "Kirari Tsukishima starring Koharu Kusumi (Morning Musume)" (月島きらり starring 久住小春(モーニング娘。)).[2] Regarding the song, Kusumi said, "Listening to 'Happy' gave off a 'Koharu happy' kind of feeling."[3]

To promote the song, Oha Suta aired live-action episodic segments titled "The Secret Behind the New Song 'Happy'" from April 23, 2007 to May 2, 2007.[3] The episode is a fictional account of how Kirari recorded the song with a "psychedelic" music director named Jake Shimamura, with Kusumi reprising her role from the show.[3]

The single was released on May 2, 2007 under the Zetima label. "Koi no Mahō wa Habibi no Bi", the fifth ending theme song to Kirarin Revolution, was included as a B-side and is also performed by Kusumi under her character's name. The song is fast-paced and full of nonsensical words.[4] Kusumi was confused by the lyrics, as she had stated, "My eyes went blank... I was thinking, 'What does 'habibi no bi' mean?"[4]

The limited edition featured an alternate cover and an exclusive version of Takara Tomy's paper doll Millefeui Card from Kirarin Revolution, while the first press bonus for the regular edition came with a large sticker.[5]

A video single, referred as a "Single V", was released on May 9, 2007.[6]

Music video edit

The music video was directed by Hideo Kawatani and produced by Tetsushi Suehiro.[7][8] It features Kusumi dressed up as her character, Kirari Tsukishima, and dancing in a set resembling an outdoor yard with clouds. Regarding the video, Kusumi commented that her favorite part was jumping on the trampoline.[3] A version featuring the choreography was released with the video single.[6]

Reception edit

The CD single debuted at #2 in the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart and charted for 15 weeks.[2] The single sold 57,278 copies in total. The video single charted at #15 on the Oricon Weekly DVD Charts.[6]

Editors at Barks found "Happy" to have the "sparkling" charm from the character Kirari Tsukishima.[4] They described the music video as "matching the image of the same song."[3] For the single's coupling track, "Koi no Mahō wa Habibi no Bi", they felt its nonsensical lyrics and Kusumi's exaggerated singing brought out the energy and tension in the song, comparing the song's catchiness to "Girlfriend" by Canadian singer Avril Lavigne.[4] They also mentioned "Koi no Mahō wa Habibi no Bi" was more difficult than it appeared to sing because of its fast pace.[4]

Track listing edit

Single edit

No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Happy" (ハッピー☆彡)BouncebackBouncebackBounceback 
2."Koi no Mahō wa Habibi no Bi" (恋の魔法はハビビのビ! lit. The Magic of Love Ends with Darling)
  • Chieko Suyama
  • Katsuya Yoshida
Katsuya YoshidaKatsuya Yoshida 
3."Happy" (Instrumental) BouncebackBounceback 

DVD single edit

No.TitleLength
1."Happy" 
2."Happy" (Dance Shot Ver.) 
3."Making Of" (メイキング映像) 

Charts edit

References edit

  1. ^ Pirosue (July 26, 2016). "Buono!、きら☆レボから、こぶしファクトリーまで ハロプロ×アニソンを俯瞰する". Real Sound (in Japanese). Retrieved January 16, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c ハッピー☆彡. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved December 31, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e 月島きらりのハッピーな新曲は、アイドルらしいアイドルの“洋楽っぽい”楽曲! (後編). Barks (in Japanese). May 8, 2007. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d e 月島きらりのハッピーな新曲は、アイドルらしいアイドルの“洋楽っぽい”楽曲! (前編). Barks (in Japanese). May 8, 2007. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  5. ^ "Happy" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. Archived from the original on April 5, 2009.
  6. ^ a b c d "シングルV「ハッピー☆彡」". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved December 31, 2018.
  7. ^ "ハロプロ関連楽曲PV監督(第6回ハロプロ楽曲大賞2007 PV部門用)". Fraction Collector (in Japanese). November 13, 2007. Retrieved January 2, 2019.[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ "株式会社 ハッチ HATCH CORPORATION - WORKS" (in Japanese). Retrieved May 7, 2019.

External links edit

  • Happy entry on the Hello! Project official website (in Japanese)
  • Single V "Happy" entry on the Hello! Project official website (in Japanese)