Fighter (Namie Amuro song)

"Fighter"
A close-up of a Japanese woman (Namie Amuro), looking towards the camera. She is wearing black eye shadow and a black outfit, in front of a dark-blue background. The song title and artist name is superimposed, whilst feathers surround her.
CD+DVD, and digital cover that commercializes the single.
Single by Namie Amuro
from the album Finally
A-side"Dear Diary"
ReleasedOctober 26, 2016
Recorded2016; LAB Recorders
(Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan)
Genre
Length3:21
Label
Songwriter(s)Emyli
Producer(s)
  • Emyli
  • Reason
Namie Amuro singles chronology
"Hero"
(2016) 		"Dear Diary" / "Fighter"
(2016) 		"Just You and I"
(2017)

"Fighter" is a song recorded by Japanese singer Namie Amuro, released as a double A-side single with "Dear Diary". It was released on October 26, 2016 via Dimension Point and Avex Trax in two CD formats, and a DVD package; a digital release was made available for consumption on November 16. The single serves as the insert song to the Japanese drama–horror film Death Note: Light Up the New World, and the theme song to its accompanying spin-off series Death Note: New Generation (2016). "Fighter" was written, composed and produced by Japanese vocalist Emyli, with additional production credits to Reason.

Originally, one of the film producers, Takahiro Sato, intended to hire a Western musical act, namely Red Hot Chili Peppers or Lenny Kravitz, to record the themes songs. He came to believe that the series was already popular around the world; he changed his mind and felt the need to promote a foreign Japanese artist. Musically, "Fighter" is an "aggressive" electronic dance number that incorporates heavy usage of synthesizers and keyboards. The lyrical content delves into the point of view from the film's female protagonist, Misa Amane, and is heavily based on self-empowerment and courage.

"Fighter" received positive reviews from music critics, who complimented its dance nature and Amuro's delivery. Additionally, some reviews noticed the singers' ability to re-invent, and cited the single as a significant factor. Its popularity, alongside many other of her previous singles in 2016 brought her a nomination for Best Female Artist at the Space Shower Music Awards. Commercially, both recordings experienced success in Japan, peaking at number three on the daily and weekly Oricon Singles Chart, alongside scoring top ten positions on three component Billboard charts in that region.

An accompanying music video was directed by Higashi Hiroaki and released on Amuro's YouTube channel, showing the singer inside a large castle holding several corridors and mystical rooms. Furthermore, the main chorus sections feature Amuro in a large white ballroom with LED screens. Like "Dear Diary", the visuals are heavily developed with computer generated imagery. In order to promote the track, "Fighter" was broadcast on several Japanese television shows and was included on the singers 2016–17 Live Style tour in Japan.