The Book 3
A solid black city with a yellow background, showing the group's name "Yoasobi" and their slogan "novel into music" on the left-top corner, and a solid black circle on the right-top corner
EP by
Yoasobi
ReleasedOctober 4, 2023
Genre
Length29:31
LanguageJapanese
LabelSony Japan
ProducerAyase
Yoasobi chronology
Hajimete no – EP
(2023)		 The Book 3
(2023)
Singles from The Book 3
  1. "Mr."
    Released: February 16, 2022
  2. "Suki da"
    Released: May 30, 2022
  3. "Shukufuku"
    Released: October 1, 2022
  4. "Umi no Manimani"
    Released: November 18, 2022
  5. "Adventure"
    Released: February 15, 2023
  6. "Seventeen"
    Released: March 27, 2023
  7. "Idol"
    Released: April 12, 2023
  8. "Yūsha"
    Released: September 29, 2023

The Book 3 is the third Japanese-language extended play (sixth overall) by Japanese duo Yoasobi. It was released on October 4, 2023, through Sony Music Entertainment Japan, one year and ten months after their second EP The Book 2 (2021). The EP consists of ten tracks, including top-five singles "Shukufuku", "Idol", and "Yūsha". Commercially, The Book 3 peaked at number two on both the Oricon Albums Chart and Billboard Japan Hot Albums, and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments of over 100,000 units.

Background and release

On September 1, 2023, Yoasobi announced their third extended play, titled The Book 3, alongside its track list and album cover, set to be released on October 4. Pre-orders of the EP began on the same day, being made available only as a limited-edition binder package.[2] The Book 3 comprises ten tracks, being all 2022 to 2023 singles, including songs from the duo and four Naoki Prize-winning writers collaborative project Hajimete no; and three new tracks, which the two are interludes "Awakening" and "Worship", preceding anime themes "Shukufuku" and "Idol", respectively, and another is opening theme for anime series Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, titled "Yūsha", which was announced the same day as the EP via a promotional video of the anime,[3] The song was released as a single ahead of the EP on September 29.[4] The EP's trailer was uploaded on October 1.[5]

Promotion

After The Book 3 announcement, on September 14, 2023, Yoasobi appeared at television special NHK Music Expo 2023, where they discussed their favorite music with Woozi and NewJeans,[6] and broadcast the performance of "Idol" at the 2023 Summer Sonic Festival.[7] The duo performed "Idol" on television for the first time at South Korean music show M Countdown on September 21.[8] Yoasobi gave interviews and appeared on magazine covers for NME,[9] Rockin'On Japan,[10] Separate Volume Kadokawa,[11] Rolling Stone Japan with Bring Me the Horizon's Oliver Sykes,[12] Anan,[13] and With (only interview).[14]

Just like with their previous EPs, Yoasobi commemorated the release with the telephone campaign Denwa o "Yoru ni Kakeru" Shisaku for commentaries of each track from The Book 3 from September 27 to October 4; on the last day, fans were able to call the duo directly.[15] The duo appeared on several television shows during the promotion, such as Mezamashi TV,[16] Nichiyōbi no Hatsumimi-gaku,[17] and Ano-chan no Den Den Denpa.[18] They first performed "Adventure" on television at CDTV Live! Live! on December 18,[19] and gave the televised performance of "Idol" at the 74th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen on the 31st.[20] In support of The Book 3, Yoasobi embarked on their first Asia Tour from December 2023 to January 2024, including Hong Kong's Clockenflap and Taiwan's Simple Life Festival appearances,[21] and will continue with the Pop Out Zepp Tour in Japan between January and March 2024.[22]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Financial Times[23]

Rockin'On Japan's Mie Sugiura praised The Book 3 a "wonderful EP" with "ultimate level of perfection", and a "collection of short stories expressed through magnificent yet delicate music."[24] Critic Ludovic Hunter-Tilney from Financial Times rated the EP three out of five stars for the "manic coding sessions, at once hectic and precisely put together."[23] Sara Delgado of Teen Vogue listed the EP as one of the fifteen best non-English albums of 2023.[1]

Accolades

Awards and nominations for The Book 3
Ceremony Year Category Result Ref.
CD Shop Awards 2024 Grand Prize (Red) Pending [25]
Finalist Award Won

Commercial performance

In Japan, The Book 3 debuted at number two on the Oricon Albums Chart, selling 71,556 copies, behind only Mr. Children's Miss You.[26] It also topped the Digital Albums Chart, Yoasobi's fourth album to do so, gaining 11,021 downloads on its first week,[27] and topping for four non-consecutive weeks.[28] Overall, the EP landed at number two on the Combined Albums Chart.[26] The Book 3 entered the Billboard Japan Hot Albums at number two, blocked from Miss You.[29] On its first week, the EP earned 72,927 CD copies (number two on the Top Albums Sales),[30] and 9,094 downloads (number one on the Download Albums); the latter was the second biggest digital sales week in 2023, behind 15,190 units of Kessoku Band's self-titled album,[31] and topped for three consecutive week.[32] In November, The Book 3 received gold certification for physical format from the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ), exceeding 100,000 shipments.[33]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Ayase

The Book 3 track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Yūsha" (勇者)3:14
2."Interlude: Awakening"0:48
3."Shukufuku" (祝福)3:12
4."Umi no Manimani" (海のまにまに)4:16
5."Mr." (ミスター)3:05
6."Interlude: Worship"1:07
7."Idol" (アイドル)3:31
8."Seventeen" (セブンティーン)3:18
9."Adventure" (アドベンチャー)3:18
10."Suki da" (好きだ)3:37
Total length:29:31

Credits and personnel

  • Ayase – songwriter, producer
  • Ikura – vocals (1, 3–5, 7–10)
  • Ebony Bowens – background chorus (1, 7)
  • Lyle Carr – background chorus (7)
  • Shore Cienna – background chorus (1)
  • Imani J. Dawson – background chorus (1, 7)
  • Emily – background chorus (1)
  • Mimiko Goldstein – background chorus (1)
  • Ivy – background chorus (1)
  • Chloe Kibble – background chorus (7)
  • Kyte – background chorus (7)
  • Haley Lewis – background chorus (1)
  • Marrista – background chorus (1)
  • Zaquro Misohagi – background chorus (5)
  • Sofia Ray – background chorus (1)
  • Andrew Soda – background chorus (7)
  • Marista Stubbs – background chorus (7)
  • Missy Suzuki – background chorus (1)
  • Velvet – background chorus (1)
  • Jonas Gen Whitaker – background chorus (1)
  • Real Akiba Boyz – background shouts (7)
  • Konnie Aoki – background chorus lyrics (1, 7)
  • AssH – guitar (6, 9–10)
  • Takeruru – guitar (2–3, 5, 8)
  • Hikaru Yamamoto – bass (2–3, 8)
  • Jirō Kiso – based story writer (1)
  • Ichirō Ōkouchi – based story writer (3)
  • Mizuki Tsujimura – based story writer (4)
  • Rio Shimamoto – based story writer (5)
  • Aka Akasaka – based story writer (7)
  • Miyuki Miyabe – based story writer (8)
  • Nagi – based story writer (9)
  • Eto Mori – based story writer (10)
  • Takayuki Saitō – vocal recording
  • Kunio Nishikawara – background chorus recording (1)
  • Yūki Iwata – background chorus recording (1)
  • Hiroaki Okuda – background chorus recording (7), background shouts recording (7)
  • Masahiko Fukui – mixing
  • Hidekazu Sakai – mastering

Charts

Certifications and sales

Certifications and sales figures for The Book 3
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[41]
Physical 		Gold 138,559[42]
Japan
Digital 		— 37,264[43]

Release history

Release dates and formats for The Book 3
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various October 4, 2023 Sony Japan [44]
Japan CD

References

  1. 1 2 Delgado, Sara (December 11, 2023). "15 Best Non-English Albums of 2023". Teen Vogue. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  2. ↑ "YOASOBI、TVアニメ『葬送のフリーレン』OPテーマ「勇者」を担当！ 3rd EP『THE BOOK 3』の発売も決定". The First Time (in Japanese). September 1, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  3. ↑ "YOASOBI、新曲「勇者」がTVアニメ"葬送のフリーレン"OPテーマに決定。同曲収録した3rd EP『THE BOOK 3』10/4リリース". Skream! (in Japanese). September 1, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  4. ↑ "YOASOBI、『葬送のフリーレン』OPテーマをリリース". Barks (in Japanese). September 27, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  5. ↑ "結成4周年迎えたYOASOBI、初のZeppツアー開催". Natalie (in Japanese). October 1, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  6. ↑ "YOASOBI×NewJeans×SEVENTEENウジが音楽トーク ウジの「怪物」歌唱、ミンジの流ちょうな日本語にも反響". Oricon (in Japanese). September 14, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  7. ↑ "YOASOBI＆NewJeans、相思相愛を告白 Ayase「ただのオタクです」 MINJI「夜に駆けるが特に好き」". Oricon (in Japanese). September 14, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  8. ↑ Jang, In-young (September 21, 2023). "'최애의 아이돌' 왜 여기서 나와…日 요아소비 "감사합니다"→반쪽하트까지 (엠카)". Xportsnews (in Korean). Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  9. ↑ Soo, JX (September 4, 2023). "YOASOBI: the "ultimate J-pop unit" faces the world". NME. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  10. ↑ Yamasaki, Yōichirō (September 25, 2023). "JAPAN、次号の表紙と中身はこれだ！YOASOBI／ELLEGARDEN／WANIMA／Eve／ヨルシカ n-buna／UNISON SQUARE GARDEN／Official髭男dism／BE:FIRST／go!go!vanillas／ヤングスキニー かやゆー2万字". Rockin'On Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  11. ↑ "「別冊カドカワ 総力特集 YOASOBI」2023年10月4日(水)発売へ!"読むCD"3枚目となるEP『THE BOOK 3』と同日発売でYOASOBIの原点から現在地まで丸ごと1冊の総力特集". Kadokawa Shoten (in Japanese). September 1, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  12. ↑ "YOASOBIとブリング・ミー・ザ・ホライズンが表紙のRSJ最新号、川谷絵音は2023年の音楽を総括". Rolling Stone Japan (in Japanese). December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  13. ↑ "YOASOBI、『anan』スペシャルエディション表紙に初登場". The First Times (in Japanese). December 15, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  14. ↑ Asahara, Satoshi (December 30, 2023). "【全文公開】成田悠輔と愛すべき非生産性の世界 対談: ミュージシャン・YOASOBI". With (in Japanese). Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  15. ↑ "YOASOBI、アニメ『葬送のフリーレン』OPテーマを配信へ 生電話チャンスあり「電話を"夜に掛ける"施策」開始". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). September 27, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  16. ↑ Kandagawa, Nozumi (October 5, 2023). "YOASOBI、ロサンゼルスに移住!?「住みたいって思った」「不動産紹介してもらいました」". Coconuts (in Japanese). Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  17. ↑ "神木隆之介がYOASOBIに謝罪! 完全プライベートでコンサートに訪れた際に起こった仰天エピソードとは?!". RBB Today (in Japanese). October 6, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  18. ↑ "YOASOBIが私生活ぶっちゃけ お金トークにAyase苦笑い「税金はヤバい ヤバいからちゃんと」". Sponichi Annex (in Japanese). October 11, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  19. ↑ "『CDTVライブ!ライブ!クリスマスSP』第2弾アーティスト発表 Ado、YOASOBI、新しい学校のリーダーズら今年の顔ズラリ". Encount (in Japanese). December 11, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  20. ↑ "【紅白】YOASOBI、満を持して「アイドル」国内テレビ初披露　出演者11組と". Sports Hochi (in Japanese). December 31, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  21. ↑ L, Vincent (September 19, 2023). "YOASOBI Announces Concert Tour in Asia Countries, Including Malaysia, Singapore, and More". GamerBraves. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  22. ↑ "結成4周年迎えたYOASOBI、自身初のZeppツアー来年1月より開催決定。3rd EP『THE BOOK 3』全曲トレーラーも公開". Skream! (in Japanese). October 1, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  23. 1 2 Hunter-Tilney, Ludovic (December 29, 2023). "Yoasobi: The Book 3 album review — frantic hits from Google's most wanted". Financial Times. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  24. ↑ Sugiura, Mie (October 3, 2023). "YOASOBI『THE BOOK 3』／壮大にして繊細な音楽で表現する「短編小説集」". Rockin'On Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  25. ↑ "第16回CDショップ大賞2024" (in Japanese). CD Shop Awards. January 10, 2024. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  26. 1 2 "Mr.Children、最新作『miss you』が通算3作目の合算アルバム1位【オリコンランキング】". Oricon (in Japanese). October 13, 2023. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  27. ↑ "YOASOBI、デジタル2冠達成 シングル「勇者」、アルバム『THE BOOK 3』ともに1位【オリコンランキング】". Oricon (in Japanese). October 11, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  28. ↑ "オリコン週間デジタルアルバム11/20~11/26、YOASOBI「THE BOOK 3」5週ぶりの1位返り咲きで通算4週目の1位". Musicman. November 29, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  29. ↑ "【ビルボード】Mr.Children『miss you』総合アルバム首位獲得 YOASOBI/JO1が続く". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). October 11, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  30. ↑ "【ビルボード】Mr.Children『miss you』アルバムセールス首位獲得". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). October 9, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  31. ↑ "【ビルボード】YOASOBI『THE BOOK 3』が前作を上回る初週ダウンロード数でDLアルバム制す". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). October 11, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  32. ↑ "【ビルボード】YOASOBI『THE BOOK 3』が3週連続の首位、谷村新司/アリスの作品が浮上". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  33. ↑ "【団体】レコ協、23年10月度ゴールドディスク認定発表". Oricon Biz (in Japanese). November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  34. ↑ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2023-10-16" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  35. ↑ "Oricon Top 50 Combined Albums: 2023-10-16" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  36. ↑ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of October 11, 2023". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  37. ↑ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2023-10" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Oricon Top 100 Albums: 2023". Oricon. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  39. ↑ "【オリコン年間ランキング2023】King & Prince、「シングル」「アルバム」ともにミリオン達成で「音楽」3ジャンルで首位 YOASOBI「アイドル」が3冠 | デジタルアルバム 1位~10位". Oricon (in Japanese). December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  40. ↑ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums – 2023 Year-End". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  41. ↑ "Japanese album certifications – Yoasobi – The Book 3" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved November 10, 2023. Select 2023年10月 on the drop-down menu
  42. ↑ Cumulative physical sale figures for The Book 3:
  43. ↑ Cumulative digital sale figures for The Book 3:
  44. ↑ "9/29 金曜ロードショーで放送開始のTVアニメ『葬送のフリーレン』オープニングテーマを担当！タイトルは「勇者」、原作者 山田鐘人監修の小説をもとに楽曲を制作！さらに新曲「勇者」を収録した3rd EP『THE BOOK 3』が10/4(水)にリリース決定！". Yoasobi Official Website (in Japanese). September 1, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
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