View source for Undead (Yoasobi song)

{{Infobox song
| name          = Undead
| cover         = Yoasobi - Undead.png
| alt           = The face of ''Monogatari'' character Yotsugi Ononoki making V sign with both hands in solid red and black
| type          = single
| artist        = [[Yoasobi]]
| EP            = 
| language      = Japanese
| released      = July 1, 2024
| genre         = [[Electronic dance music|EDM]]
| length        = 3:02
| label         = [[Sony Music Entertainment Japan|Sony Japan]]
| writer        = [[Ayase (music producer)|Ayase]]
| producer      = Ayase
| prev_title    = [[Heart Beat (Yoasobi song)|Heart Beat]]
| prev_year     = 2023
| next_title    = [[Butai ni Tatte]]
| next_year     = 2024
| misc          = {{External music video|{{YouTube|Jj1_mfUzjOs|"Undead"}}|type=single}}
}}

"'''Undead'''" is a song by Japanese duo [[Yoasobi]], serving as the theme{{efn-ua|"Undead" is sometimes considered as ending theme, as it features on the anime's [[end credits]].<ref>{{cite news |title=【独占動画入手!】花澤香菜、井口裕香、早見沙織が「〈物語〉シリーズ」最新作をアピール♪ |url=https://animeanime.jp/article/2024/07/06/85281.html |access-date=July 7, 2024 |work=Anime! Anime! |date=July 6, 2024 |language=ja}}</ref>}} for the ''Off & Monster Season'' of the ''[[Monogatari (series)|Monogatari]]'' [[anime]] series (2024). It was released as a [[Single (music)|single]] on July 1, 2024, by [[Sony Music Entertainment Japan]]. Written by [[Ayase (music producer)|Ayase]], the song was based on the light novel ''Monogatari'' writer [[Nisio Isin]]'s short stories ''Nadeko Past'' and ''Shinobu Future''. Commercially, "Undead" reached number ten on the [[Billboard Japan Hot 100|''Billboard'' Japan Hot 100]], and number 14 on the [[Oricon Combined Singles Chart]].

==Background and release==

In January 2024, an anime adaption of two sagas of light novel series ''[[Monogatari (series)|Monogatari]]''—[[:ja:〈物語〉シリーズ オフ&モンスターシーズン|"Off" and "Monster" seasons]]—was announced, set to premiere in the same year.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=アニメ『物語』シリーズ新作『オフ&モンスターシーズン』2024年に制作決定。撫子、月火たちが集合したキービジュアルが解禁 |url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/202401/18331569.html |access-date=June 29, 2024 |magazine=[[Famitsu]] |date=January 18, 2024 |language=ja}}</ref> Later, on May 1, the official website of the anime series teased the upcoming announcement by countdown with an image of the letter "Y" on a red-pink background, as well as posted the image by the official [[Twitter|X]] (formerly Twitter) account for the writer [[Nisio Isin]]'s anime project.<ref>{{cite news |title=YOASOBIの新曲「UNDEAD」アニメ「〈物語〉シリーズ オフ&モンスターシーズン」主題歌に |url=https://www.fashion-press.net/news/118331 |access-date=June 29, 2024 |work=Fashion Press |date=May 2, 2024 |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Harding |first1=Daryl |title=YOASOBI to Perform ''Monogatari Series Off & Monster Season'' Anime Theme Song |url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2024/5/2/monogatari-series-off-and-monster-season-anime-yoasobi-theme-undead |access-date=June 29, 2024 |work=[[Crunchyroll]] |date=May 2, 2024}}</ref> The next day, the anime series confirmed that [[Yoasobi]] would perform the theme song for ''Monogatari Series: Off & Monster Season'', titled "Undead".<ref>{{cite news |title=YOASOBI、新曲が『〈物語〉シリーズ オフ&モンスターシーズン』主題歌に決定 |url=https://www.musicvoice.jp/news/271595/ |access-date=July 13, 2024 |work=MusicVoice |date=May 2, 2024 |language=ja}}</ref>

In the press release, [[Ayase (music producer)|Ayase]] stated: "The ''Monogatari'' series has such a strong attachment to me that when asked about my favorite anime, I always answers ''[[Bakemonogatari]]''."<ref>{{cite news |title=YOASOBIの新曲"UNDEAD"が『〈物語〉シリーズ オフ&モンスターシーズン』主題歌に |url=https://www.cinra.net/article/202405-whn-monogatariseries_edteam |access-date=June 29, 2024 |work=Cinra |date=May 2, 2024 |language=ja}}</ref> He also revealed in a ''[[Comic Natalie]]'' interview that he wrote the song about the ''Monogatari'' character [[Hitagi Senjōgahara]] when he was 18–19  and often performed it live with his rock band.<ref name=comicnatalie>{{cite news |last1=Kishino |first1=Keika |last2=Kasuya |first2=Taichi |title=「〈物語〉シリーズ オフ&モンスターシーズン」YOASOBIインタビュー {{!}} "超全身全霊"で臨んだ主題歌「UNDEAD」、そのこだわりを紐解く |url=https://natalie.mu/comic/pp/monogatari-series-oms |access-date=July 13, 2024 |work=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |date=July 12, 2024 |language=ja}}</ref> A snippet of the song was previewed via the trailer of the anime's first two arcs ''Orokamonogatari'' and ''Nademonogatari'' on May 3.<ref>{{cite news |title=アニメ『〈物語〉シリーズ オフ&モンスターシーズン』7月6日より配信開始。YOASOBIによる主題歌を使用した愚物語&撫物語PVも公開 |url=https://dengekionline.com/article/202405/4302 |access-date=June 29, 2024 |work=[[Dengeki Online]] |date=May 3, 2024 |language=ja}}</ref> Around two months later, on June 24, the duo additionally teased the song via their social media.<ref>{{cite web |author1=[[Yoasobi]] [@yoasobi_ayase_ikura] |title=#YOASOBI #YOASOBI_UNDEAD #物語シリーズ |url=https://www.tiktok.com/@yoasobi_ayase_ikura/video/7383969307220266248 |access-date=June 29, 2024 |date=June 24, 2024 |via=[[TikTok]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |author=[[Ayase (music producer)|Ayase]] / [[Yoasobi]] |date=June 24, 2024 |title=#YOASOBI_UNDEAD #物語シリーズ |medium=video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmMrc_abx74 |access-date=June 29, 2024 |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> Five days later, they revealed the song's release date, to be July 1, 2024, and its cover artwork, featuring the character [[Yotsugi Ononoki]] making a [[V sign]] with both hands.<ref>{{cite news |title=「〈物語〉シリーズ」YOASOBIが歌う主題歌、"原作"は西尾維新の書き下ろし小説 |url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/579991 |access-date=June 30, 2024 |work=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |date=June 29, 2024 |language=ja}}</ref>

==Lyrics and composition==

"Undead" was sourced from two short stories written by Nisio, {{nihongo|''Nadeko Past''|なでこパスト}} and {{nihongo|''Shinobu Future''|しのぶフューチャー}}, published on the anime's website on July 1, 2024, the same day as the song release.<ref>{{cite news |title=＜物語＞シリーズ オフ&モンスターシーズン: YOASOBI主題歌の"原作"公開 西尾維新書き下ろし短々編「なでこパスト」「しのぶフューチャー」 |url=https://mantan-web.jp/article/20240630dog00m200040000c.html |access-date=July 1, 2024 |work=[[Mantanweb]] |date=July 1, 2024 |language=ja}}</ref> Both stories told the ''Monogatari'' characters [[Nadeko Sengoku]] and [[Shinobu Oshino]] lying on a sofa and receiving counseling from Yotsugi Ononoki about their nervousness.<ref name=realsound>{{cite news |last1=Mori |first1=Tomoyuki |last2=Ishii |first2=Eriko |title=YOASOBI、Official髭男dism、Mrs. GREEN APPLE、菅田将暉、ビッケブランカ、羊文学......注目新譜6作をレビュー |url=https://realsound.jp/2024/07/post-1710796.html |access-date=July 5, 2024 |work=Real Sound |date=July 5, 2024 |language=ja}}</ref><ref name=comicnatalie/> Ayase compared the short stories to his mental gloom at the time he wrote about his musical [[novelty]] losing.<ref name=comicnatalie/>

Musically, "Undead" is an [[Electronic dance music|EDM]] track<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hashimoto |first1=Hajime |title=ふたつの「物語」が交わり、始まる |url=https://rockinon.com/disc/detail/210219 |access-date=August 13, 2024 |work=[[Rockin'On Japan]] |date=August 13, 2024 |language=ja}}</ref> that was composed the "danceable and very bright" music based on the image of ''Monogatari'' as a whole, rather than the short stories.<ref name=comicnatalie/> Tomoyuki Mori from ''[[:ja:リアルサウンド|Real Sound]]'' described it as a "perfect blend of [[Bass drum|kick and bass]] that reaches deep into the body," the track that "intertwines brilliant and sharp synth phrases," and the inorganic melody that reminisces about early [[Vocaloid]] music.<ref name=realsound/> Lyrically, the song talks about living the lives to the fullest in the present without being bound by the past or the future.<ref>{{cite news |author1=MarSali |title=YOASOBI「UNDEAD」歌詞の意味を考察! 過去と未来に憂う人々へ贈る力強いメッセージ |url=https://utaten.com/specialArticle/index/8813 |access-date=October 10, 2024 |work=UtaTen |date=October 9, 2024 |language=ja}}</ref>

==Commercial performance==

"Undead" debuted at number two on the [[Oricon]] Digital Singles Chart for the issue dated July 15, 2024, with 18,199 digital sales, behind [[Be First|Be:First]] and [[Ateez]]'s "Hush-Hush",<ref>{{cite news |title=BE:FIRST X ATEEZコラボ曲「Hush-Hush」デジタルシングル初登場1位【オリコンランキング】 |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2335487/full/ |access-date=July 10, 2024 |work=[[Oricon]] |date=July 10, 2024 |language=ja}}</ref> and peaked at number 14 on the [[Oricon Combined Singles Chart|Combined Singles Chart]].<ref name=com/> For ''[[Billboard Japan]]'' charts, the song entered the [[Japan Hot 100]] dated July 10 at number ten. It also landed at number two on the component [[:ja:Billboard Japan Download Songs|Download Songs]] and number 17 on the [[:ja:Billboard Japan Streaming Songs|Streaming Songs]], earning 17,284 downloads and 4,791,166 streams in its first week.<ref>{{cite news |title=【ビルボード】BE:FIRST X ATEEZ「Hush-Hush」がDLとラジオを制して総合首位、こっちのけんと「はいよろこんで」がトップ20位内に |url=https://billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/139480/2 |access-date=July 10, 2024 |work=[[Billboard Japan]] |date=July 10, 2024 |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=【ビルボード】BE:FIRST×ATEEZ「Hush-Hush」DLソング首位デビュー、YOASOBI/GEMNが続く |url=https://billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/139476/2 |access-date=July 10, 2024 |work=[[Billboard Japan]] |date=July 10, 2024 |language=ja}}</ref> The latter later peaked at number 13.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=stsongs&year=2024&month=07&day=22|title=Billboard Japan Streaming Songs – Week of July 17, 2024|website=[[Billboard Japan]]|language=ja|access-date=July 31, 2024}}</ref> Additionally, "Undead" debuted at number four on the specific-genre [[:ja:Billboard Japan Hot Animation|Hot Animation]] chart.<ref>{{cite news |title=【ビルボード】Creepy Nuts「Bling-Bang-Bang-Born」アニメ24連覇 YOASOBI新曲、『【推しの子】』GEMNが初登場 |url=https://billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/139473/2 |access-date=July 10, 2024 |work=[[Billboard Japan]] |date=July 10, 2024 |language=ja}}</ref>

==Music video==

An accompanying music video for "Undead" premiered on September 14, 2024, at 22:30 [[Japan Standard Time|JST]].<ref>{{cite news |title=YOASOBI、アニメ『〈物語〉シリーズ オフ&モンスターシーズン』主題歌「UNDEAD」のMVを公開 |url=https://thefirsttimes.jp/news/0000485273/ |access-date=September 14, 2024 |work=The First Times |date=September 14, 2024 |language=ja}}</ref> It was directed by Toshitaka Shinoda of Ijigen Tokyo and features characters from ''Monogatari: Off & Monster Season'', with the footages including the ending sequence.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lazic |first1=Tamara |title=YOASOBI Reveals Music Video for "Undead" |url=https://animecorner.me/yoasobi-reveals-music-video-for-undead/ |access-date=September 14, 2024 |work=Anime Corner |date=September 14, 2024}}</ref>

==Live performances==

Yoasobi included "Undead" as part of [[Yoasobi Live in the USA]] setlist in New York City and Boston. The duo debuted the live performance of "Undead" on August 6, 2024, at [[Radio City Music Hall]], New York City.<ref>{{cite news |title=【ライブレポート】ボストンで見せた、YOASOBIの自信みなぎるパフォーマンス |url=https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000249839 |access-date=August 12, 2024 |work=Barks |date=August 9, 2024 |language=ja}}</ref> The song also appeared on the setlist for the duo's [[Chō-genjitsu Dome Live]].<ref>{{cite news |title=結成5周年を記念した、自身初のドームライブ「YOASOBI 5th ANNIVERSARY DOME LIVE 2024 "超現実"」 2days大阪公演を敢行! |url=https://entameclip.com/news/412367/ |access-date=October 28, 2024 |work=Entameclip |date=October 28, 2024 |language=ja}}</ref>

==Credits and personnel==
* [[Ayase (music producer)|Ayase]] – writer, producer
* [[Lilas Ikuta|Ikura]] – vocals
* Haley Lewis – background chorus
* Missy Suzuki – background chorus
* Leona Ortiz – background chorus
* Dylan Ortiz – background chorus
* Jonas Whitaker – background chorus
* Konnie Aoki – background chorus lyrics
* Satoru Taguchi – guitar
* [[Nisio Isin]] – based story writer

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Weekly chart performance for "Undead"
! scope="col"| Chart (2024)
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
! scope="row"| [[Billboard Global Excl. US|Global Excl. US]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/yoasobi/chart-history/glx/|title=Yoasobi Chart History (Global Excl. US)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=July 16, 2024}}</ref>
| 181
|-
{{single chart|Billboardjapanhot100|10|artist=Yoasobi|rowheader=true|access-date=July 20, 2024}}
|-
! scope="row"| Japan Hot Animation (''[[Billboard Japan]]'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=anime&year=2024&month=07&day=15|title=Billboard Japan Hot Animation – Week of July 10, 2024|website=[[Billboard Japan]]|language=ja|access-date=July 10, 2024}}</ref>
| 4
|-
! scope="row"| Japan Combined Singles ([[Oricon]])<ref name=com>{{cite web |title=Oricon Top 50 Combined Singles: 2024-07-15 |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/cos/w/2024-07-15/p/2/ |publisher=[[Oricon]] |access-date=July 11, 2024 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240711032432/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/cos/w/2024-07-15/p/2/ |archive-date=July 11, 2024}}</ref>
| 14
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Year-end chart performance for "Undead"
! scope="col"| Chart (2024)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| Japan Download Songs (''[[Billboard Japan]]'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=dlsongs_year&year=2024|title=Billboard Japan Download Songs – 2024 Year-End|website=[[Billboard Japan]]|language=ja|access-date=December 6, 2024}}</ref>
| 35
|}
{{col-end}}

==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Undead"}}
{{Certification Table Separator|title=Streaming}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|type=single|title=Undead|artist=Yoasobi|award=Gold|streamsonly=true|certyear=2024|certmonth=11|access-date=December 26, 2024|refname=st}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streamsonly=true|noshipments=true|nosales=true}}

==Release history==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release dates and formats for "Undead"
! scope="col" | Region
! scope="col" | Date
! scope="col" | Format
! scope="col" | Label
! scope="col" | {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
! scope="row" | Various
| July 1, 2024
| {{hlist|[[Music download|Digital download]]|[[Streaming media|streaming]]}}
| [[Sony Music Entertainment Japan|Sony Japan]]
| style="text-align:center" | <ref>{{cite news |author1=[[The Orchard (company)|The Orchard Japan]] |title=YOASOBI『〈物語〉シリーズ オフ&モンスターシーズン』の主題歌、新曲「UNDEAD」が7月1日に配信リリース決定＆JKが公開! 原作小説はなんと西尾維新書き下ろしオリジナル小説! |url=https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001017.000055377.html |access-date=June 29, 2024 |work=[[PR Times]] |date=June 29, 2024 |language=ja}}</ref>
|}

==Notes==
{{notelist-ua}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|https://www.monogatari-series.com/oms/|name=''Monogatari Series: Off & Monster Season'' official website}}
* [https://www.monogatari-series.com/oms/special/novel/ ''Nadeko Past'' and ''Shinobu Future'' short stories]
* {{YouTube|jAAZDIGWcio|''Monogatari Series: Off & Monster Season'' non-credit ending video featuring "Undead"}}

{{Yoasobi}}
{{Monogatari}}

[[Category:2024 singles]]
[[Category:2024 songs]]
[[Category:Animated music videos]]
[[Category:Animated series theme songs]]
[[Category:Anime songs]]
[[Category:Monogatari (series)]]
[[Category:Music based on short fiction]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Ayase (music producer)]]
[[Category:Songs in Japanese]]
[[Category:Songs written by Ayase (music producer)]]
[[Category:Sony Music Entertainment Japan singles]]
[[Category:Yoasobi songs]]