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Hikaru Utada

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Hikaru Utada is a famous singer, songwriter, and record producer. They are one of the most successful musical artists in Japan. Many people around the world know them from video games. Utada wrote four theme songs for the Kingdom Hearts series. These songs are "Simple and Clean," "Sanctuary," "Don't Think Twice," and "Face My Fears."

Utada Hikaru 2004
Utada Hikaru 2004

People love their music because it is very influential. They have sold over 40 million records throughout their career.

Utada began making music at a very young age. They started writing songs and lyrics when they were ten. Their parents both worked in the music industry. Their mother, Keiko Fuji, was a singer. Their father, Teruzane Utada, is a record producer.

Hikaru Utada in New York 20090325
Hikaru Utada in New York 20090325

Utada was born in New York City on January 19, 1983. They moved to Tokyo, Japan, when they were eleven years old. This move happened because of their parents' work.

Utada's music career grew very quickly in Japan. They released an English album called Precious in 1998. In 1999, they released their first Japanese album, First Love. This album became the best-selling album of all time in Japan.

Utada United 2006
Utada United 2006

It sold two million units in its very first week. The album eventually sold over seven million copies in Japan. It also sold three million more copies in other countries.

Many of Utada's albums broke big records. Their third album, Distance, was released in early 2001. It sold three million copies in its first week. This made it the fastest-selling album in Japan at that time.

Utada Hikaru 2018 (2)
Utada Hikaru 2018 (2)

Their fourth album, Deep River, also became a huge hit in 2002. Utada is the only singer to have three albums in a row sell over three million copies. They have had twelve number-one singles on the Oricon Singles Chart.

Utada's work connects different parts of the world. They have released music in both Japanese and English. In 2004, they released an English album called Exodus. They also went on large concert tours, like the Utada United 2006 tour.

Utada United 2006
Utada United 2006

In 2021, Utada became one of the first Japanese figures to identify as non-binary. This means they do not feel they are only a boy or a girl. They continue to release new music, like the album Bad Mode in 2022.

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File:Utada Hikaru 2004.jpg
Utada Hikaru 2004.jpg
File:Utada United 2006.jpg
Utada United 2006.jpg
File:Hikaru Utada in New York 20090325.jpg
Hikaru Utada in New York 20090325.jpg
File:Utada Hikaru 2018.png
Utada Hikaru 2018.png
File:Utada Hikaru 2018 (2).png
Utada Hikaru 2018 (2).png
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