SOTA HANAMURA Just Found His Match: His First Duet is a Full-On Rivalry

Release Date: 18 August, Tuesday

Release Time: 00:00 (Local Store Turn)

Type: Single

Language: Japanese

Genre: Pop

They’ve been circling each other’s orbit for a while. Now they’re finally sharing a song, and it feels like deja vu.

Following the release of his pre-debut album “ASCEEENSION”, SOTA HANAMURA returns with “Dejavu“, his first digital single since the album and his first-ever collaboration as a solo artist. Joining him is actress, model and singer Airi Suzuki, bringing together two performers widely recognised for their vocal ability in a duet that blurs the line between chemistry and competition.

Rather than a conventional love song, “Dejavu” unfolds like a musical face-off. Inspired by the tension of two people constantly challenging one another, the track explores the push and pull between equals, where admiration and rivalry exist at the same time. That “VS” dynamic comes naturally to SOTA and Airi, whose friendship grew through radio appearances and whose journeys from successful groups into solo careers have seen them continue to inspire one another.

The song was created alongside acclaimed producer A.G.O, whose credits span artists including Ayumu Imazu, Furui Riho, SIRUP, and most recently songwriting for King & Prince. Known for blending live instrumentation with forward-thinking production, A.G.O gives “Dejavu” a groove that feels both sleek and organic, providing the perfect backdrop for two distinctive vocalists to trade lines and elevate one another.

The collaboration also marks another milestone in SOTA HANAMURA’s rapidly expanding solo career. After introducing his artistic vision through “ASCEEENSION”, “Dejavu” opens a new chapter by placing dialogue and chemistry at the centre of his music.

The release arrives just after another major milestone. On 17 August, SOTA HANAMURA took the stage at Tokyo’s Nippon Budokan for his first solo concert, billed as a Special Edition performance. Coming only months after releasing “ASCEEENSION” and embarking on his first solo tour, the show reflects the growing momentum of an artist continuing to expand beyond his work as Da-iCE’s main vocalist.

With “Dejavu”, SOTA HANAMURA doesn’t simply introduce his first collaboration. He finds the perfect counterpart, creating a duet where neither voice overpowers the other, and where the tension between them becomes the song’s greatest strength.

About SOTA HANAMURA

SOTA HANAMURA is the solo project of Sota Hanamura, main vocalist of five-member dance and vocal group Da-iCE, known for his exceptional singing skill and dance performance. He released pre-release digital single “Me.exe” on 6 February 2026, and made his solo live debut as SOTA HANAMURA on 14 March at the 42nd Mynavi Tokyo Girls Collection 2026 Spring/Summer at Yoyogi National Gymnasium, a performance that firmly established his presence as a solo artist. His pre-debut album “ASCEEENSION” followed on 3 June, alongside his first solo tour in support of it, culminating in a Special Edition Budokan show on 17 August, expanding his range as an artist while continuing his work with Da-iCE.