Mirei Hoshina is moving forward with her solo career. The singer and entertainer will release her debut single "Hikariato" on August 5, marking her first release since launching her solo career last December with the album "Once Upon a Star."

The title track, "Hikariato," pairs a fleeting end-of-summer romance with imagery of sparklers — those short-lived fireworks that burn bright before fading away. Producer Dickey and lyricist YU-A, both regulars on FM Yokohama's "Break It Down" radio show (where Hoshina now hosts as a DJ), crafted the song to capture that specific emotional landscape.

The single comes in two versions, each with different B-sides. Type-A includes the upbeat, emotional pop track "New! Emomonster," while Type-B features "Sparkle," a summery driving song that evokes the heat of the season.

Hoshina's solo push continues to gain momentum. Before the single's August release, she's already performing two live shows this month as part of her "A New Dawn" tour. She'll play Tokyo's Otsuka FUTURE: on June 20 and Osaka's OSAKA RUIDO on June 26. Meet-and-greet sessions with attendees will follow both performances.

In a comment, Hoshina expressed excitement about the upcoming shows and the new material. "This is my first solo live in Osaka, so I'm nervous," she wrote, "but I'm happy to share these songs I've been developing over the past six months with so many people." She also teased that the new single will get its live debut at these performances.

The 28-year-old's transition to solo work follows 14 years with the idol group Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku, which ended in 2024. Beyond music, Hoshina has built a presence in fashion and beauty, launching the apparel brand mILLELiz in 2023. Her expanding radio presence on "Break It Down" signals that her solo era is about more than just music — it's a fuller creative expression.