Ado has released her double A-side single today, October 24th, coinciding with her 22nd birthday. The single features ‘Sakura Biyori and Time Machine’ with Hatsune Miku, and ‘Shoka’, a song Ado wrote and composed herself in her teenage years. Both tracks highlight pivotal moments in her career, showcasing her development as an artist and songwriter.
The music video for ‘Sakura Biyori and Time Machine’ is now streaming on YouTube. Ado, who has often credited Hatsune Miku as a key influence, describes this collaboration as a dream realised. The video captures the two artists wandering through a landscape of cherry blossoms, echoing the song’s themes of time, memory, and the bittersweet ache of past love. The poignant imagery mirrors the lyrics, which reflect on unspoken words, distant memories, and a longing for what’s been lost, all while contemplating the desire to relive moments through a “time machine”.
In addition, the music video for ‘Shoka’—a track kept under wraps in the initial announcement—dropped on October 14th, giving fans a personal glimpse into Ado’s journey. Originally written when she was 17 and later refined, ‘Shoka’ marks Ado’s first fully self-penned and composed track. The song’s lyrics, laced with self-loathing and existential questions, are set against a driving alternative rock arrangement by Ritsuro Mitsui. The juxtaposition of youthful confusion and adult reflection resonates throughout, as Ado confronts the emotional scars of the past while wrestling with unresolved pain and longing for answers she may never find.
As part of her birthday celebrations, Ado will host a live YouTube stream tonight at 10 PM, where she’ll engage with fans and answer questions submitted via social media. Additionally, her Ado SPECIAL LIVE 2024 ‘Heart’ concert, held at Japan National Stadium in April, will be streamed exclusively on U-NEXT.
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Continuing the birthday festivities, Ado has also teamed up with conveyor belt sushi chain Kura Sushi once again for a special collaboration. From October 24th to 27th, fans can try limited-edition “Birthday Collaboration Sushi” designed by Ado herself. The two sushi varieties feature her favorite ingredients: a maguro x salmon mille-feuille and maguro with ikura sushi. This collaboration extends into November with additional desserts and drinks inspired by her music. Fans can also win exclusive Ado-themed merchandise through the “Bikkura Pon!” game during the campaign.
