Fukui Mai - Yakusoku no basho/Tatta hitori no mikata

For some time, joyful anticipation for the upcoming game release "FINAL FANTASY XIII-2" has been spreading around the role play game community. This has been stirred up by the two theme songs as well, which were released at the end of October and November respectively. This review is about Fukui Mai's Yakusoku no basho/Tatta hitori no mikata in its limited edition, where already the jacket artwork shows the pop singer side by side with game heroine Lightning.

Though this single is a double A-side, the whole design is marked by the game. For instance, on the other side of the jacket is Yoshitaka Amano's illustration for the latest game. Even the enclosures are 100% dedicated to the game: a flyer for the game and a flyer with the download code for two exclusive abilities.

As expected, the theme song of "FINAL FANTASY XIII-2", Yakusoku no basho, is a romantic love song with strings and piano accompaniment. Of this catchy ballad, especially the second line of the chorus with the words "Yakusoku no basho e" will stick in your mind. The second song, Tatta hitori no mikata, was chosen as the main theme in the Fuji TV drama "Hanayome noren" and is enjoyable with its happy, danceable and mid-tempo composition. Musically, the song gives the impression you're in a big band and listening to an expression of thanks by Mai. The lively song creates a good mood and will draw a smile out of listeners. Afterwards both songs in their instrumental versions are featured.

The limited version of the CD comes with a DVD. On this bonus DVD are the music video to Yakusoku no basho and a game trailer from "Tokyo Game Show." For the clip, Mai is walking around ruins, surrounded by nature, or sitting on stony walls. The location perfectly fits well with the love song. The trailer for the game reveals some more background about the adventure of Serah and Noel, and there is also a reunion with familiar faces. All the while, Yakusoku no basho is running in the rear. Together the videos have a run time of over seven minutes.

Fukui Mai's latest single is very well balanced and entertaining due to its emotional love song and the happy dance tune combined. Due to the overall design, the limited press might only attract fans of the game, who gain something special because of the exclusive code (and it doesn't matter if they are using Xbox 360 or PS3), but all others will be getting two wonderful new songs from the singer.