Ado and Ayase team up for the first time on new single ‘Episode X’

Utaite sensation Ado has teamed up with Ayase, one half of the hit-making duo YOASOBI, for their first collaboration, ‘Episode X’. Written by Ayase, the single will debut as the theme song for Doctor X: The Movie, set to hit Japanese cinemas on December 6th.

This marks the first collaboration between the two J-pop powerhouses, despite Ado’s previous history of covering Ayase’s tracks. ‘Episode X’, teased via Ado’s social media, will be a fast-paced track that matches the fierce determination of lead character Michiko Daimon, portrayed by Ryoko Yonekura.

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Doctor X: The Movie continues the legacy of the hit drama, which aired for seven seasons on TV Asahi from 2012-2021. Known for its strong-willed protagonist, the film goes into Daimon’s origins, revealing the trials that shaped her unyielding persona. Ado previously contributed ‘Ashura-chan’ as the theme for the drama’s seventh season, and now returns with a new track that showcases her evolving vocal style.

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— Ado Staff (@ado_staff) September 24, 2024

In a comment on the collaboration, Ado expressed her excitement, noting her admiration for Ayase and her joy in finally collaborating with him:

“I’m truly delighted to once again be in charge of the theme song for Doctor X, this time for the movie. Thank you so much for this opportunity. I hope you’ll notice how my singing has grown since the previous theme song, Ashura-chan. And this time, Ayase wrote a brand new song for me! I’ve been posting covers of his songs for a while now, so I’m really happy that we can finally collaborate on ‘Episode X’.”

Meanwhile, Ayase shared how he wrote ‘Episode X’ by connecting Ado’s distinct vocal style with the intensity of Daimon’s character:

“I had the honor of providing the song ‘Episode X’ for Ado. As I worked on the track, I also watched Doctor X: The Movie. The more I explored Michiko Daimon’s background and emotions, the more I couldn’t help but feel a connection between her and Ado. I wrote the lyrics and composed the music by overlapping their stories. As a fellow artist walking the same path, it was a thrilling experience to hear Ado’s voice bring the sound I had envisioned to life. I hope everyone can fully experience this raw and powerful song. Thank you.”

Additionally, Ado’s ‘Heart’ concert, held at Tokyo’s National Stadium, will be streamed on U-NEXT starting October 24th—Ado’s birthday. The performance includes a 25-song setlist, featuring collaborations with Hatsune Miku and Tak Matsumoto. A replay will be available until November 23rd. Moreover, two of Ado’s previous concerts, ‘Campanella’ and ‘Mars’, are also available on the platform as of September 24th.

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