Kuwata Keisuke Reveals New Single Artwork Tied to Anime Tie-In
Legendary Japanese artist Kuwata Keisuke has unveiled the jacket artwork for his upcoming single "Hitotarashi," set to release June 24. The cover features striking imagery connected to the song's music video.

Kuwata Keisuke has unveiled the artwork for his new single "Hitotarashi / Hitokarashi," arriving June 24 after a roughly 10-year gap since his last CD single in 2016.
The standard edition jacket features a striking portrait of Kuwata surrounded by garbage bags and discarded items—a direct pull from the music video currently in production. It's a bold visual choice that immediately captures attention and hints at the creative direction of the accompanying clip.
Alongside the standard cover, Kuwata also released artwork for an analog edition with a more conceptual design: a single flower reimagined as a human mouth. This graphic treatment plays on the dual meaning of "hitotarashi" (人誑し), expressing the word's two-sided nature through visual metaphor.
The single packs three tracks, including the opening theme "Hitotarashi / Hitokarashi" for the anime series Akane Banashi, plus the ending theme "AKANE On My Mind ~Manjuu Kowai" and a third track.
At 70 years old, Kuwata continues to stay active and relevant. The legendary frontman of Southern All Stars—who debuted in 1978 with "Katte ni Shindobaddo"—has maintained a prolific solo career since 1987. Hits like "Nami-nori Johnny," "White Lovers," and "Ashita Hareru Kana" have cemented his status as a cornerstone of Japan's music scene.
This new single arrival follows Kuwata's recent activity, including a special live special program and previously released concert footage. The artist has positioned this moment as a fresh beginning rather than a career wind-down—fitting for someone still pushing creative boundaries well into their seventies.
