Tsubomi (song)

"Tsubomi" was released on March 21, 2007, in two editions: a CD-only edition;^[1] and a limited edition which includes a DVD with the short film February 2007 Rehearsal & Live.^[2] Marty Friedman pointed out that the song's arrangement was very simple and did away with the influence of the music of the Western culture.^[3]

"Tsubomi" was used as the theme song for the television drama Tokyo Tower: Okan to Boku to, Tokidoki, Oton (2007).^[4] It was also used as the entrance song for the 80th National High School Baseball Championship the following year.^[5]

"Tsubomi" debuted at number two on the weekly Oricon Singles Chart, selling 182,737 copies in its first week.^[6] The single sold 69,737 copies and rose to number one the following week,^[7] and was certified platinum by the RIAJ shipment of 250,000 units.^[8] For the month of April, "Tsubomi" topped the monthly RIAJ Reco-kyō Chart for ringtones.^[9] The single was certified double platinum in June.^[10] "Tsubomi" became the third best-selling single on the 2007 Oricon yearly singles chart, selling 441,799 copies in Japan.^[11] The single charted for 71 weeks and went on to sell 506,093 copies by the end of its chart run.^[12][13]

At the end of the year, "Tsubomi" earned Kobukuro the Grand Prix award on Tokyo Broadcasting System's 49th Japan Record Awards.^[14][15] On February 20, 2008, the song was certified by the RIAJ for selling three million digital ringtone downloads.^[16]

Ayumi Nakamura recorded a cover version of "Tsubomi", which was included on her 2008 cover album Voice.^[17] The song was also covered on Kyōko Abe's Yasashī Uta^[18] and Shinichi Mori's Love Music.^[19]

All songs written and composed by Kentarō Kobuchi.^[20]