The seven dynamic members of BE:FIRST, spanning a vibrant age range from 17 to 26, have captivated audiences by selling out Japan's iconic Tokyo Dome multiple times with their electrifying performances. Away from the spotlight, the ensemble—comprised of Sota, Shunto, Manato, Ryuhei, Junon, Ryoki, and Leo—radiates an infectious burst of energy.
Next week, the group is poised to release their latest single, “Sailing,” a collaborative effort with the wildly admired animated series One Piece. This track will serve as the closing theme for a newly revamped version of the show's Fish-Man Island story arc, titled One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga, an "abbreviated 21-episode tale," as described by Crunchyroll. Initially scheduled for October 27th, its premiere was postponed to November 3rd due to live broadcasts of the MLB World Series.
"We're avid fans of One Piece, and we're thrilled to lend our voices to its ending theme," beams Ryuhei, the youngest member of BE:FIRST, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. The 17-year-old reveals that they aimed to craft a song that wasn't merely an extension of One Piece or BE:FIRST, but a harmonious blend of both worlds.
"Sailing" is an uplifting tune that evokes the thrill of navigating the vast, open sea, seamlessly aligning with the essence of both the song and the show. Its lyrics embrace the notion of being a family and overcoming adversity together, themes that resonate deeply with both the anime and the band. "We intertwined every aspect with the lyrics," asserts Sota, aged 23. He elucidates that the lyrics were co-penned by himself, Shunto, Ryuhei, along with their label's CEO and producer, SKY-HI. "The bond between BE:FIRST and One Piece runs deep," he adds thoughtfully.
For most of the group, One Piece has been an integral part of their lives since childhood. Manato reminisces how his vocal training began with a TVXQ cover of a One Piece theme song, sparking his aspiration to become a vocalist. "It's fate," the 23-year-old smiles.
"We've been huge fans since we were kids," echoes Shunto. "We've always dreamed of collaborating like this in the future, but never imagined it would happen so soon after our debut."
Earlier this year, BE:FIRST made their U.S. debut, opening for K-pop boy band ATEEZ at their Los Angeles stadium concerts. The two groups recently collaborated on two tracks. Leo highlights the thrill of connecting with the local team during their American adventure, playfully noting he even picked up English slang, which he's now incorporating into his solo music.
"At just 25 years old, Ryoki elaborates, 'We composed these songs [performed in L.A.] not merely catering to a Japanese audience, but with the intent to resonate globally.' He continues, 'It is precisely for this reason that we harbored the confidence to take the stage in Los Angeles.' Reflecting on the performance, he recalls the audience's electric ambiance, which rendered that night in L.A. nothing short of perfect for them, igniting the spark of a dream to hold solo concerts in Los Angeles or other parts of the United States."
BE:FIRST is gearing up for a memorable year-end and an exhilarating start to the next. The group is plotting a dome tour across Japan and aspires to broaden their touring horizons in the future. "We yearn to embark on a live tour across the globe," declares Leo. "We want to share our music with all our fans worldwide."
