Biri-Biri

For Gambian footballer, see Biri Biri. For the fictional character, see Mikoto Misaka.

"Biri-Biri" (from Japanese ビリビリ, onomatopoeia for the sound of electric shock) is a song by Japanese duo Yoasobi. It was released as a single on November 18, 2023, through Sony Music Entertainment Japan to commemorate the first anniversary of the release of 2022 role-playing video games Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Commercially, "Biri-Biri" peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 and number 19 on the Oricon Combined Singles Chart.

"Biri-Biri"
Single by Yoasobi
Language	Japanese English
Released	November 18, 2023
Genre	Electropop
Length	3:07
Label	Sony Japan
Songwriter(s)	Ayase
Producer(s)	Ayase
Yoasobi singles chronology
"Yūsha" (2023) "Biri-Biri" (2023) "Heart Beat" (2023)
Music video
"Biri-Biri" on YouTube English version on YouTube

Background and release

On November 16, 2023, Yoasobi and The Pokémon Company's role-playing video games Pokémon Scarlet and Violet announced a collaboration to celebrate the games' first anniversary with the song titled "Biri-Biri",^[1] slated for release in both Japanese- and English-language versions, the latter translated by Konnie Aoki, simultaneously on November 18, 2023, the same date as the first anniversary of the games.^[2] The limited black-and-white CD single and scarlet-and-violet 12-inch vinyl formats were released on March 13, 2024,^[3] which included code for receiving special Pawmot on the games.^[4] The English-language version was included on the duo's third English-language EP E-Side 3, released on April 12, 2024.^[5]

Lyrics and composition

"Biri-Biri" was inspired by the game-based short story Kimi to Ameagari o (きみと雨上がりを, lit. 'After the Rain with You'), written by novelist Ayano Takeda. The story tells about "treasure hunting" of the video games' characters: Nemona, a student council president at Naranja Academy in Paldea region, and Anna, a transfer student.^[6]

"Biri-Biri" was described as an electropop song^[7] with hip-hop elements,^[8] and drum and bass rhythms,^[9] adding Pokémon-styled video game music, while the intro contains the battle music elements.^[10] The song is about the bond between rivals, which the lyrics reference all Pokémon video games from Red and Blue to the most recent Scarlet and Violet.^[11][12] In an interview with Vogue Taiwan in December 2023, Ayase explained about the song that "does not want to convey any life message, nor does it want to tell you how to live in the future. It simply expresses our love for Pokémon."^[13]

Music video

An accompanying music video for "Biri-Biri" premiered on November 18, 2023, the same date as the single release, at 22:00 JST.^[14] Directed by Ryō Sasaki,^[15] the 3D-animated visual features Nemona and Anna's journey and bond with a variety of Pokémon,^[16] including Sprigatito, Fuecoco, Fidough, and Gengar. It also shows Pokémon battles and Nemona and Anna riding Cyclizar and Koraidon together.^[8] Later, the English version's music video was uploaded on December 4.^[17]

Live performances

Yoasobi performed "Biri-Biri" for the first time on December 1, 2023, at Clockenflap music festival in Hong Kong,^[18] as part of their first Asia Tour, which was included on the tour's setlist.^[19] In the Jakarta and New Taipei City shows, Pikachu, Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly mascots also joined the performance.^[20][21] It was also a part of the setlist for their Pop Out Zepp Tour,^[22] and Coachella festival.^[23] The duo debuted the televised performance of the song at Music Station special episode Super Live 2023 on December 22, featuring augmented reality of various Pokémon.^[24][25] At the Bunnies Camp 2024 Tokyo Dome, Yoasobi performed the song with NewJeans.^[26]

Track listing

• Digital download and streaming

1. "Biri-Biri" – 3:07
2. "Biri-Biri" (English version) – 3:07

• CD single and 12-inch vinyl

1. "Biri-Biri" – 3:07
2. "Biri-Biri" (English version) – 3:07
3. "Biri-Biri" (instrumental) – 3:07

Credits and personnel

• Ayase – songwriter, producer
• Ikura – vocals
• Ayano Takeda – based story writer
• Konnie Aoki – English lyrics, English version vocal direction
• BFNK – English lyrics, English version vocal direction
• Takayuki Saitō – vocal recording (original)
• Kunio Nishikawara – vocal recording (English version)
• Masahiko Fukui – mixing
• Hidekazu Sakai – mastering

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Biri-Biri" Chart (2023–2024) Peak position Japan (Japan Hot 100)[27] 14 Japan (Oricon)[28] 4 Japan Combined Singles (Oricon)[29] 19 Japan Anime Singles (Oricon)[30] 1 US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[31] 9

Monthly charts Monthly chart performance for "Biri-Biri" Chart (2024) Position Japan (Oricon)[32] 21 Japan Anime Singles (Oricon)[33] 6

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Biri-Biri"

Region	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
Various	November 18, 2023	Digital download streaming	Sony Japan	[34]
Japan	March 13, 2024	CD single 12-inch vinyl		[35]

References

1. "YOASOBIが作曲した「ポケモン スカーレット・バイオレット」のインスパイアソング「Biri-Biri」, 11月18日に配信開始". 4Gamer.net (in Japanese). November 16, 2023. Archived from the original on November 16, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
2. Kong, Clark Jason (November 16, 2023). "Pokemon and YOASOBI "Biri Biri" Collab Song and Music Video Announced". Game8. Archived from the original on November 16, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
3. "YOASOBI×ポケモン「Biri-Biri」レコード盤限定発売。Tシャツ付きCDも". AV Watch (in Japanese). February 13, 2024. Archived from the original on February 13, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
4. Okano (March 13, 2024). "『ポケモンSV』「ヨアソビのパーモット」が貰える「あいことば」が公開! YOASOBIのインスパイアソング発売を記念して". Inside (in Japanese). Retrieved March 13, 2024.
5. "YOASOBIの英語版EP第3弾『E-SIDE 3』が明日配信リリース". Cinra (in Japanese). April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
6. "【ポケモンSV】YOASOBIが発売1周年楽曲『Biri-Biri』を制作。配信ジャケットを飾るのはパーモット、11月18日より日本&英語版を同時配信". Famitsu (in Japanese). November 16, 2023. Archived from the original on November 16, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
7. Mori, Tomoyuki; Ishii, Eriko (November 24, 2023). "YOASOBI、宮本浩次、Nulbarich、なとり、Chilli Beans.、くじら……注目新譜6作をレビュー". Real Sound (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 24, 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
8. Palmer, Lauren (November 20, 2023). "Music Video for Yoasobi Pokemon Song Stars Nemona". Siliconera. Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
9. Shosa, Travis (May 21, 2024). "YOASOBI's Global J-Pop Overthrow". Paper. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
10. Ueda, Takuto (December 27, 2023). "YOASOBI and Ayano Takeda Discuss Their Love of Pokémon and the Spirit of Adventure in Their Collaboration 'Biri-Biri'". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
11. Adlan, W. Amirul (November 20, 2023). "YOASOBI Pokemon Collab Creates A Beautiful Music Video About You And Nemona". GamerBraves. Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
12. Kim, Mi-hee (November 20, 2023). "모든 시리즈 망라, 요아소비가 만든 포켓몬 컬래버 곡 공개". GameMeca (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
13. Chen, Avril (December 4, 2023). "YOASOBI親揭最新單曲〈Biri-Biri〉背後涵義，不做純粹悲傷的音樂是因為…?". Vogue Taiwan (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
14. "YOASOBI新曲MVでホゲータとニャオハが激突". Natalie (in Japanese). November 18, 2023. Archived from the original on November 18, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
15. Casupang, Gerrymelyn (November 21, 2023). "YOASOBI's Released "Biri-Biri" Official MV Filled With Pokémon Adventures". Anime Corner. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
16. Yoerider (November 18, 2023). "[Update] Pokemon X YOASOBI Collaboration Song "Biri-Biri" Now Available". NintendoSoup. Archived from the original on November 18, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
17. "YOASOBI、"ポケットモンスター スカーレット・バイオレット"インスパイア・ソング「Biri-Biri」英語版MVを本日12/4 22時に公開". Skream! (in Japanese). December 4, 2023. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
18. Durand, Lorelei (December 8, 2023). "Clockenflap Pushes Hong Kong to the Forefront of the Global Music Scene: Review". Consequence. Archived from the original on December 9, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
19. "抵港後大擦叉燒! YOASOBI為《Clockenflap》壓軸演出". On.cc (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). December 2, 2023. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
20. Putra, Ivan Two; Noviana, Riki (January 19, 2024). "Tampilkan Karakter Pokemon, YOASOBI Sukses Hibur 6.000 Penonton di Jakarta". Voi.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved March 21, 2024.
21. Zhang, Yajing (January 21, 2024). "YOASOBI熱唱80分鐘無冷場 嗨喊「多謝」承諾再來". Central News Agency (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved March 21, 2024.
22. "YOASOBI、自身初となる単独ドーム公演開催決定". MusicVoice (in Japanese). January 25, 2024. Archived from the original on January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
23. Hamada, Rio (April 13, 2024). "YOASOBIのコーチェラ初出演を見逃した人へ。「アイドル」など計45分の熱唱、全て英語のMCにも注目". HuffPost Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved April 15, 2024.
24. "今夜放送『Mステ SUPER LIVE』タイムテーブル発表 総勢50組生ライブの全楽曲&出演者コメント". Oricon (in Japanese). December 22, 2023. Archived from the original on December 22, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
25. "YOASOBI、Mステ特番で最新曲「Biri-Biri」テレビ初披露 大晦日には紅白で「アイドル」歌唱". Otaku Lab (in Japanese). December 23, 2023. Archived from the original on December 23, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
26. "NewJeans、初の東京ドーム公演1日目が終了! ゲストのYOASOBIと記念ショット...村上隆&トニー・レオンらも会場に". Kstyle (in Japanese). June 27, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
27. "Yoasobi Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
28. Biri-Biri(完全生産限定盤/Tシャツ(ホワイト)付) – Oricon Oricon News. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
29. "Oricon Top 50 Combined Singles: 2024-03-25" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on March 21, 2024. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
30. "Oricon Top 20 Anime Singles: 2024-03-25" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on March 27, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
31. "Yoasobi Chart History (World Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 23, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
32. "Oricon Top 50 Singles: 2024-03". Oricon. Archived from the original on April 10, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
33. "Oricon Top 10 Anime Singles: 2024-03". Oricon. Archived from the original on April 10, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
34. The Orchard Japan (November 16, 2023). "『ポケットモンスター スカーレット・バイオレット』発売1周年記念日となる11/18(土)に、同作インスパイアソング「Biri-Biri」、日本語・英語版を同時リリース決定&配信ジャケット公開!". PR Times (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 16, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
35. "「Biri-Biri」のTシャツ付きCD&12inch LPが完全生産限定盤にて3月13日(水)にリリース決定、予約開始! 店舗購入特典絵柄も公開!". Yoasobi Official Website (in Japanese). February 13, 2024. Archived from the original on February 13, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024.

External links

• Kimi to Ameagari o short story