On October 14, the digital release of King & Prince’s album Re:ERA was unleashed onto the world, and one of the songs on the album is member Ren Nagase’s solo song titled “Shimi” (染み), which features Daigo Nishihata (Naniwa Danshi) on lyrics and chorus vocals and Yoshinori Masakado (Ae! group) on guitar and chorus vocals.
Like previously announced, the best friend trio is back at it! The collaboration between the three best friends is finally out for the world to listen to and enjoy. “Shimi” creates the perfect harmony that highlights the strong bond between the three Kansai region performers.
Ren invited Daigo and Yoshinori, his longtime friends who have been with him in the industry since they all entered the agency together. Their shared history stretches over a decade, and this song is a reflection of that journey. The title, “Shimi,” alludes to April 3, the day the three first met, and encapsulates the memories, emotions, and unwavering friendship that have grown since that pivotal moment.
The lyrics echo these sentiments of deep connection. Phrases like “no matter how far apart we are, there’s something here that won’t break” resonate with the enduring friendship between Ren, Daigo, and Yoshinori, while lines such as “surely no one else can take your place” and “just like a perfectly fitting piece of a puzzle” underscore how irreplaceable they are to one another.
It’s clear that their bond is not just one of surface-level friendship but one that has become essential, much like the puzzle pieces mentioned in the lyrics.
In the teaser video, we get to see the trio collaborating on the song, and their behind-the-scenes interactions are a testament to how close they’ve remained throughout the years.
The footage shows them laughing, working, and creating music together, reflecting the casual yet deeply affectionate nature of their relationship—something emphasized in the lyrics: “drinking, shouting, laughing together… I love that time, anywhere, anytime.”
The video captures the exact moments that the song’s lyrics convey, turning a simple music project into a powerful representation of their 13-year friendship. The full behind-the-scenes video included in the physical release is sure to move fans hearts.
Yoshinori, especially, shines as he shares this intimate project with his best friends, playing his beloved guitar with a smile that mirrors the warmth and support expressed in the song. The guitar parts in the song really highlight the music, keeping the tone of the song bright and adding the drive to it that makes it so catchy. One can just imagine the immense joy that the guitar-loving Yoshinori felt while playing the parts, and hopefully, we’ll be able to witness a live performance of this song and see for ourselves just how much joy this brings him.
His dedication to this collaboration, combined with Daigo’s witty lyrical contributions, brings an emotional weight to the project. This is more than just a collaboration—it’s a snapshot of their shared past and hopes for the future, much like the line “From now on, for life, let’s keep going forever” conveys.
Their casual, fun-loving nature, as shown in their highball-fueled banter, is the same one reflected in the lyrics: “A high five we’ve been waiting for, your happy face… That smile I wanted to see, I gently save it in my heart.” This bond, where they can be themselves and still know they have each other’s backs, is what makes their friendship so special.
Despite being in different groups, debuted at different times, and having embarked on different, yet so similar paths, the three of them remain steadfast in their relationship.
「Aぇ！時間過ごしてきた
なにわ背負って羽ばたこうぜ
確かな王道を探す旅
この先、一生
ずっとよろしくな」
This project with Ren’s solo song isn’t just about making music—it’s about capturing a friendship that’s stood the test of time. As the lyrics say, “We’ve spent great times together, let’s soar with the pride of Naniwa on our shoulders, on a journey to find a certain royal road… From now on, forever and ever, let’s keep going.“
The lyrics part “great” references the “Aぇ！,” which comes from “Aぇ！group,” Yoshinori’s group1, the “Naniwa “from “なにわ男子,” and the “royal” (王)stems from the sub-unit “Naniwa Ouji” (なにわ皇子) that Ren and Daigo was a part of.
As we now know from the song’s full release, “Shimi” is more than just a musical collaboration. It’s a testament to 13 years of memories, laughter, and unwavering support between three of the Kansai region’s finest talents. The song is filled with moments that mirror their real-life relationship—just as “soul friends” fit them better than “best friends,” according to the lyrics, it’s clear this track is much more than a simple tribute; it’s a celebration of everything they’ve been through and everything they still have ahead.
- Aぇ: pronounced “ええ” means “good” in Kansai dialect. ↩︎