It was recently announced that Maaya Sakamoto’s latest song, “Drops,” will serve as the opening theme for the upcoming TV anime Aru Majo ga Shinu Made, which begins airing on April 1. Today, it has been confirmed that the song will be released as her 36th single, and the cover artwork has also been revealed.
The lyrics for “Drops” were written by Yuho Iwasato, who has collaborated with Maaya Sakamoto on many songs. The music was composed by Naoto Kiyota, an up-and-coming composer making his debut collaboration with Sakamoto, and the arrangement was handled by Shin Kono, who has been arranging Sakamoto’s music for many years. This combination of familiarity and fresh talent makes for an exciting team.
The coupling song, “Twilight,” features lyrics co-written by Maaya Sakamoto and Yuho Iwasato for the first time in 28 years, with composition and arrangement by Tomoya Kawasaki. This electro-style number marks a bold new direction for Sakamoto.
The Limited First Edition comes with the Maaya Sakamoto 30th Anniversary Acrylic Stand, “Omote mo Ura mo Sakamoto Maaya!” (Maaya Sakamoto on the front and back!). This exclusive anniversary item features a newly photographed image of Sakamoto with the FlyingDog logo on the base. The acrylic stand is double-sided, with her back view printed on the reverse.
Product Information
Artist: Maaya Sakamoto
Title: Drops
Release Date: May 21, 2025
Product No./Price:
Limited First Edition / VTZL-255 / ¥3,300 (tax incl.)
Standard Edition / (CD) VTCL-35386 / ¥1,320 (tax incl.)
The Limited First Edition comes with the Maaya Sakamoto 30th Anniversary Acrylic Stand, “Omote mo Ura mo Sakamoto Maaya!”
Tracklist
- Drops (OP theme of Aru Majo ga Shinu Made)
Lyrics: Yuho Iwasato
Composition: Naoto Kiyota
Arrangement: Shin Kono
2. Twilight
Lyrics: Maaya Sakamoto & Yuho Iwasato
Composition / Arrangement: Tomoya Kawasaki
- Drops (TV size)
And two instrumental tracks
PROFILE
Born in Tokyo, she began her career as a child actress at the age of eight. She made her CD debut in 1996 with the single “Yakusoku wa Iranai.” Following her 2011 album You Can’t Catch Me, which topped the Oricon chart, she began actively collaborating with a wide range of other artists and musicians. Since her 2013 album Singer-Songwriter, she has also been composing music for other artists.
In 2019, she released her 30th single “Uchuu no Kioku” (produced by Ringo Sheena) and her 10th original album Kyou Dake no Ongaku. In 2020, she released her 25th anniversary album Single Collection+ Achikochi and the digital single “Yakudo,” which topped the Oricon chart.
In July 2021, her radio program “Vitamin M,” which she had been hosting for 20 years, reached its 1,000th broadcast and entered its 21st year. In May 2022, she released the double tie-up single “Sumire / Kotoba ni Dekinai,” with music written and arranged by Shigeru Kishida.
To date, she has released 35 singles and 11 full albums. As a lyricist, in addition to writing her own original songs, she has also written many songs for other artists, including Kinki Kids’ “Hikari no Kehai,” Mamoru Miyano’s “Toumei,” and Walküre’s “Kaze wa Yokoku Naku Fuku,” and has published her own lyrics book Shishu (Kadokawa).
She won the 38th Kazuo Kikuta Theater Award for her performance as Jerusha in the musical Daddy-Long-Legs. Her latest essay collection Manpukuron – Asu ni Kaburitsuke (Kadokawa) has also garnered attention.
In addition to her singing career, she is active as a voice actress, actress, lyricist, essayist, and radio personality. Her fresh and vibrant voice is loved by fans not only in Japan but also around the world. In 2025, she will celebrate her 30th anniversary as a performer and is set to contribute the opening theme song for the TV anime Aru Majo ga Shinu Made.
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