When YOASOBI's composer Ayase described the duo's new theme song for NHK's morning drama Blossom as a "treasure-like work," he wasn't just engaging in the usual promotional language we've come to expect. The song "Sakihokore" ("Bloom Proudly"), which premiered on September 28, 2026, represents something genuinely special in the duo's catalog—a piece that came together unusually quickly and felt, in Ayase's words, as though "the music itself had called" them to write it. We're going to explore what makes this song so meaningful, how it connects to the drama's historical subject, and what went into creating what Ayase considers a treasured addition to YOASOBI's body of work.
The Quick Version
- "Sakihokore" ("Bloom Proudly") premiered as the theme song for NHK's Blossom drama on September 28, 2026
- Composer Ayase called it a "straightforward" song that became a "treasure-like work" and said it came together more quickly than most of his recent compositions
- The song is based on an original story by novelist Risa Wataya titled "Hana no Inochi wa Fumetsu Nari" ("The Life of Cherry Blossoms Is Immortal"), following YOASOBI's signature method of turning novels into music
- Ayase visited Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture—the birthplace of novelist Chiyo Uno, whose life inspired the drama—as part of his research process
- The drama Blossom stars Shizuka Ishibashi and tells the story of Chiyo Uno's life spanning the Meiji, Taishō, and Shōwa periods
Why This Song Feels Different: Understanding Ayase's "Treasure" Description
We've all heard artists describe their work in glowing terms, but Ayase's characterization of "Sakihokore" carries particular weight when we look at the context. According to what he shared at a September 7, 2026 interview event at NHK Broadcasting Center, this song represented an unusual creative experience—one where the composition felt almost inevitable, as though it had been waiting to be written.
What makes a song feel like a treasure to its creator? In this case, it appears to be the alignment of several factors. Ayase described the work as "straightforward," which in the context of YOASOBI's often complex, layered productions suggests a clarity of purpose that isn't always present. The song came together quickly compared to many of his recent compositions—a sign that the creative vision was unusually clear from the start. When an artist of Ayase's caliber says he's genuinely glad to have made something, we're looking at a piece that satisfied not just commercial or professional requirements but a deeper artistic impulse.
The Literary Foundation: How Risa Wataya's Story Shaped the Song
YOASOBI has built their entire approach around transforming novels into music—it's the defining characteristic of their work. For "Sakihokore," they collaborated with Risa Wataya, who wrote an original story specifically as the literary basis for this theme song. The story, titled "Hana no Inochi wa Fumetsu Nari" ("The Life of Cherry Blossoms Is Immortal"), was released on the morning of September 28, 2026, alongside the drama's premiere.
This isn't just a creative flourish—it's central to understanding what YOASOBI does differently from most pop acts. Rather than writing lyrics first and adding melody, or vice versa, they start with narrative. Wataya's story provided the emotional and thematic blueprint that Ayase and vocalist Ikura then translated into musical form. The title itself, with its reference to immortal cherry blossoms, connects directly to the drama's themes of legacy, beauty, and the enduring nature of creative work.
Walking in Chiyo Uno's Footsteps: The Iwakuni Research Trip
Ayase didn't rely solely on reading about Blossom's subject to understand the project. He traveled to Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture, the birthplace and childhood home of novelist Chiyo Uno, whose life story forms the basis of the drama. This kind of on-the-ground research might seem like an unusual step for a pop songwriter, but it speaks to the level of engagement Ayase brought to the project.
According to what Ayase has shared about the process, he also read Uno's autobiography, "Iki te Yuku Watashi" ("The I Who Goes On Living"), and found himself deeply impressed by her philosophy and way of life. Uno lived through three distinct eras of modern Japanese history—Meiji, Taishō, and Shōwa—and her career embodied a pursuit of personal freedom that was remarkable for a woman of her time. Understanding that context, and experiencing the atmosphere of the place that shaped her, gave Ayase something no amount of secondhand research could provide.
We can hear this depth of understanding reflected in what both members of YOASOBI have said about the song's purpose: they hope it will become something that pushes listeners forward and supports people as they pursue their own lives—precisely the kind of encouragement Uno herself embodied throughout her career.
What Makes "Sakihokore" Work as a Morning Drama Theme
NHK's morning dramas—known as asadora—occupy a special place in Japanese television. They air at 8:00 a.m. on weekdays and become part of millions of people's daily routines for six months at a stretch. The theme song needs to work in a very particular way: bright enough to energize viewers starting their day, but substantial enough to carry emotional weight across 130+ episodes.
"Sakihokore" has been described as a bright, forward-looking pop song intended to encourage people living positively. That might sound generic in summary, but the specific musical choices matter enormously. The song needs to be memorable after a single hearing—you'll hear it once every morning—but also rewarding enough that it doesn't wear thin after months of repetition. It needs to complement the drama without overwhelming it, and it needs to function both as part of the show and as a standalone piece listeners will seek out on its own merits.
The drama itself, starring Shizuka Ishibashi and featuring background music by jazz ensemble fox capture plan, is set primarily in Iwakuni but follows Uno's life as she moves through different locations and life stages. The theme song serves as the emotional throughline connecting all those episodes—which explains why Ayase and Ikura felt such responsibility to get it right.
The Timeline: From Announcement to Premiere
The journey from initial announcement to broadcast spanned just over two months. YOASOBI was announced as the theme song artist on July 23, 2026, with Risa Wataya confirmed as the writer of the source story at the same time. This gave them a relatively tight window to complete what would become one of the most-heard songs in Japan over the following six months.
By September 7, 2026, YOASOBI participated in a press event at NHK Broadcasting Center to discuss the song and their approach. The song title "Sakihokore" and the premiere-day release plans were formally announced around September 25, 2026. Then on September 28, 2026, at 8:00 a.m., viewers across Japan heard the song for the first time as Blossom began its run.
What YOASOBI Hopes Listeners Will Take Away
In statements about the song, Ikura expressed the hope that "Sakihokore" would become a piece that pushes listeners forward—something that supports people as they work toward their own goals and dreams. This intention connects directly to both Chiyo Uno's life story and to the broader purpose of morning dramas themselves: these shows are designed to send viewers into their day with something uplifting, a story of perseverance and achievement that reminds us what's possible.
The fact that Ayase felt the song "called" them to write it suggests he and Ikura recognized that resonance early in the process. When you're creating something meant to accompany people through half a year of their lives—six months of mornings—that's a meaningful responsibility. The "treasure" Ayase described isn't just a beautiful melody or clever lyrics; it's a piece of work that fulfills its purpose so completely that it feels like it was always meant to exist.
What People Are Saying
"Hearing Ayase call it a treasure before we even got to hear it made me so excited for this drama. YOASOBI always brings something special to their TV work, but you can tell this one meant something extra to them."
"The fact that Risa Wataya wrote a whole story just for this song is amazing. That's the YOASOBI method at its best—they don't just write theme songs, they adapt literature into music. It's a completely different level of thoughtfulness."
"I loved learning that Ayase actually went to Iwakuni to research. That's the kind of dedication you don't always see from pop artists. He really wanted to understand Chiyo Uno's world before writing about it."
"'Straightforward but treasure-like' is such a perfect description. Sometimes the simplest, most direct songs are the hardest to write and the most powerful when you get them right. Can't wait to hear how it grows on me over the next six months."
Frequently Asked Questions
When did "Sakihokore" premiere?
The song premiered on September 28, 2026, during the first broadcast of NHK's Blossom drama at 8:00 a.m. on NHK General.
What does "Sakihokore" mean in English?
"Sakihokore" (咲き誇れ) translates to "Bloom Proudly" or "Bloom in Full Glory" in English, reflecting the drama's themes of growth and achievement.
Is the song based on a novel like other YOASOBI songs?
Yes, novelist Risa Wataya wrote an original story titled "Hana no Inochi wa Fumetsu Nari" ("The Life of Cherry Blossoms Is Immortal") specifically as the basis for this song, following YOASOBI's signature method of turning literature into music.
Who is Chiyo Uno, the subject of the drama?
Chiyo Uno was a Japanese novelist whose career spanned the Meiji, Taishō, and Shōwa periods. Her life embodied the pursuit of personal freedom and creative expression, making her a compelling subject for a morning drama about perseverance and achievement.
Where can I watch Blossom and hear the theme song?
The drama airs on NHK General at 8:00 a.m. on weekday mornings. Specific details about streaming availability or music platform releases for "Sakihokore" haven't been confirmed in official announcements yet.
A Song That Lives Up to Its Name
When we look at everything that went into "Sakihokore"—the literary foundation, the historical research, the visit to Iwakuni, and the unusually smooth creative process—Ayase's description of it as a treasure makes complete sense. This isn't just another theme song commission that YOASOBI fulfilled professionally; it's a piece of work that aligned with their artistic values and allowed them to contribute meaningfully to a story about creative persistence and personal freedom. As Blossom continues its run through the coming months, we'll get to experience how this "treasure-like work" grows and resonates with audiences who hear it morning after morning, hopefully finding in it the encouragement to bloom proudly in their own lives.
