On August 9, singer-songwriter Natsuki Kawanishi will release her new song Waratte Iyouyo (Let’s Smile). The release comes five months after her last song.

The song will serve as the theme song for the short drama and anime series Shinya Yuuki Exposed at Night ~The Dark Secrets of a Counselor for the Families of Murder Victims~, inspired by a series of popular postings on the Puri Shosetsu byGMO app. The earnest lyrics promise to inspire those coping with lost love, and ahead of its release, a teaser trailer for the music video has been uploaded to YouTube. The full video will be revealed on August 9.

In addition, an event to celebrate the song’s release will be held at Studio Freedom in Shibuya on August 10. In collaboration with KDDI’s αU app, which provides metaverse and Web3 services to creators, visitors who download the app will receive a free NFT of the song’s jacket cover.

In December, Kawanishi will hold her first solo concert, Natsuki Kawanishi ONE MAN SHOW “SPOTLIGHT,” in Tokyo and Osaka. The Tokyo event will be held at Spotify O-WEST on December 3, while the Osaka event will take place at Matsushita IMP Hall on December 16. General ticket sales have begun for the Tokyo show, while pre-sale tickets are now available for the Osaka performance.

<Comment from Natsuki Kawanishi>
“I wrote this song to support a dear friend who was suffering from a broken heart. The lyrics are filled with my own experiences and with real things I’ve said to my friends in the past, so I think I was able to show who Natsuki Kawanishi really is. I hope this track can help you to move forward when you feel trapped, whether you’re experiencing heartbreak or not.”