Yankee: The Album That Saved Kenshi Yonezu's Life

[@ubnubmaster]

Everyone thank you so much for the all positive responses on the video! Real quick just wanted to shout out Natanael A. and Kirby Ride for their incredible song covers. Not sure if I could've made this without them. Links to their channels can be found in the description.

[@worldatoms5242]

I love Kenshi Yonezu’s music, I couldn’t dislike a single song. This video has taught me a lot about Yonezu and I feel that it has strengthened my connection to him and his music. While I don’t have a background exactly like his, it feels relatable in a way. The messages and quotes I’ll be taking to heart are never ending, this is single-handily my favorite video ever.

[@omfgsunny]

As an autistic person and long-time fan of Kenshi Yonezu/hachi that childhood part hit me hard. I'm so proud of him and where he is now. I also loved the desire/awe at people being so close they can bicker and disagree so frequently haha I felt that. This makes me appreciate his music even more than I already did

[@fitfox_1419]

Thankyou for telling this story, as someone also with high functioning autism who’s currently in a rather dark place I found this incredibly refreshing and empowering

[@jacobrzeszewski6527]

This just makes me love Vocaloid more. As I realize how much more it is than voice synthesizer software or even a genre. It's art created by some incredibly talented people.

[@mochhhhee]

Yankee is one of my favorite albums of all time. Mad head love, shitodo seiten daimeiwaku, toxic boy and OBVIOUSLY donut hole got me through my angsty highschool years. Bootleg was also very good and unearthing diorama and his previous albums was a fun thing to do before spotify, but Yankee has a very special place in my heart. It was sad when he stopped making vocaloid music but i love the send-off that was suna no wakusei. Still, love to see him mlae music for very popular animes and more mainstream avenues, i wish him nothing but success and thank him for all the good memories he's given me.

[@ubnubmaster]

Couldn't agree more, this album single-handedly changed my high school experience too. Let's hope for the day Bremen gets put on streaming

[@tuyettutieu520]

​@@ubnubmaster I thought Bremen and Yankee are both available on streaming? Maybe not in some regions because UMG still bitter?

[@luonguchuy2113]

@@tuyettutieu520 iirc Bremen is still not available for streaming in NA

[@Rene-xi3so]

Its so interesting to see the history and past of Kenshi Yonezu, especially as im in the process of translating his Magical Mirai 2017 interview and other bits for my degree. He states that Hachi and Kenshi Yonezu are 2 different people. This video added a lot more to something he says: "Miku, please continue to save others from burden". Its a reflection not just on how Vocaloid helped him, but how it was a step free of his struggles for him. Amazing Video as always

[@whatzittooyah9182]

I’m glad you brought up that quote, because I think that should be the main takeaway people should be getting from Sand Planet. People instead like to dwell on the pessimistic aspects of the song instead of understanding that it’s about the community’s, and Miku’s, resilience. The old guard of producers may have changed out, but Miku is still there soldiering on through the sandstorm, bringing previously isolated people together. ❤️

[@Kuwaiden]

Seeing (part 2 of?) your deep dive into Kenshi Yonezu's journey as an artist, I can't help but understand why most Vocaloid artist end up moving away from the subculture. I can only that newer artists that pickup the software never go into the obsessive spiral that Kenshi Yonezu ended up in and come out with a more healthy relationship with Vocaloid as a whole.

[@squidfrackr]

YANKEE is a peak pop album, each song is a unique stop on the adventure of the album, which is endlessly fun and at times melancholic, the whole thing feels like a camping trip late at night in a forest, super nostalgic

[@ellebarron7112]

I didnt know a lot of this context even being a long time fan. But I've been so proud of him moving into stardom. When the new ghibli film ended and his voice came up on the ending song I almost cried tears of joy. I'm so proud of him.

[@ubnubmaster]

There's some interviews out there, even before the movie, of how big of an impact ghibli had on him as an artist. For example, A swallow in flight (on bootleg) was influenced by naucissa. It must have been a dream come true for him to write that song.

[@luonguchuy2113]

Great video as always, but I just slightly disagree with the point that you state "The Yonezu of the early 2010's is no longer here", because he is pretty much is still here As time changes the music also evolves with it as well He never determined his music has to be a certain way, whether it has to be alt rock or electronic pop, his intention when making music was and is still making music that everyone can just enjoy and understand him, and use that music to reach his voice out even more The old Kenshi Yonezu’s music definitely was more ‘rough’ or more ‘instrumental’ because that’s how life was for him, he was struggling emotionally, he did not understand why he was so different from other people surrounding him so he used music to reach out to other people that felt like him at the time, while also telling more normal (as he deemed) people about a situation like his, reaching his voice out even further. As his life gets better and better, his music also reflects that as well, he’s figured everything out about him, accepted his loss and imperfections, finally opened up and start working with other people, but after all, he is just doing things he enjoyed most - making, experimenting with music and drawing, he's also branching out and trying new and exciting things as well, that's why his music became more refined, more lively as time goes on, he simply has found inner peace and accept himself. You can directly see this throughout the albums as well: - diorama is chaotic and rough because he was struggling and lost emotionally, just like his vocaloid days - Yankee is a self-reflection, while also like you said in the video, "breaking free of the curse" - Bremen starts to feel more refined and calm, with the whole album having a much more noticable romantic vibe, because that is when things started to get alot bettefor him - Bootleg was when he decided that he was bored of how he was doing things previously, so he sought out new things by working and collaborating with more people (DAOKO, Masaki Suda, Daiki Tsuneta,....) while is still an homage to his past with tracks like moonlight, nighthawks,.. - Stray Sheep is an album about himself struggling through covid times while trying to keep himself positive, while also paying tributes to the fans who have passed away waiting for his next album after Bootleg (and also Wowaka in Himawari) The Yonezu of the early 2010's is still here with us, as time goes on, he progress more as a human being, being able to open himself up, trying out new things and working with other people, which only makes him grows more. But inside he is still the same Kenshi Yonezu from back then, still the same thought process, still the same artistic vision, same soul, and still experimenting with music and creating unique songs, now just without the struggles or limitations from back then

[@CherryNah]

I must admit that more of Hachi's song are my favorite compared to Yonezu san ones ... I connected with my feelings at that time so they are important but, now, hearing him with a 'happier' tune (being able to watching his true smile while performing)... I'm so happy for him too

[@whatzittooyah9182]

“…and a random white couple” took me out. 💀 This is a fantastic biographical essay. As someone with ADHD, with a twin sibling with autism, the guy’s songs always deeply resonated with me in a way I could never properly explain. Now knowing he’s autistic himself, everything makes sense. You did a fantastic job describing the overall sense of melancholy, isolation, and regret in not being able to communicate with others/miss out on “normal” life present in his work. Consciously or not, Yonezu’s songs narrate the neurodivergent experience. This representation is vitally important. I’m sure I’m not the only one that sees myself and my struggles in his songs.❤️

[@aglefed]

I really like your deep dives into the individual songs, just makes me appreciate them so much more

[@Noelu08]

This video was incredible. I've been Yonezu's fan for more than 10 years , being lucky to go to his concert (空想 tour 2023) seeing all the love he gets and how much energy and happiness he have was so heart warming , he is such an amazing artist and so intelligent. At the middle of the show he started talking about some childhood memories and games he like to play and some stories about the songs ,and when he was singing the visuals were amazing!! everything was so beautiful . I'm happy there is more videos like this so people can appreciate his work more and him as a person

[@kenshi3942]

as you can probably tell from my pfp i prefer a different album but this video was really eye opening. Also glad someone is making this kind of content on yt keep it up

[@tilly.dot.tilly.]

dude u gotta make a vid on siinamota/powapowa p he was one of my fav producers growing up !! i genuinely love all ur vocaloid vid essays sm and it would be a dream to hear u talk about him and his music

[@njo191]

The most perfect moment in Donut Hole is those four beats with missing vocals in the final chorus. It's like a musical way of expressing just how painful the absence of their friend feels.

[@CallieRadsworth]

ubnub you do NOT miss. this video has made me appreciate Yonezu even more and I am so glad he seems to be succeeding and releasing new, great music. thanks for another great video!!!!

[@NikuNicole_RikkuX5]

I have so many thoughts and feelings about this video and Kenshi Yonezu that I probably won’t be able to present properly. I think this story really represents how important Vocaloid is as an outlet to not only reach other people but yourself. This synthetic voice and avatar are an outlet for all of these things we feel that can’t be put easily in our own voice. Hachi/Kenshi Yonezu always resonated deeply with me even when I didn’t know about his background for a long time. The warped acceptance of your own mind while desiring to be “normal” in at least some capacity, searching for answers you don’t even know the questions to, feeling this void inside you and trying to fill it with your ideal version of how a person should be only to realise over and over again that so much happened yet nothing changed inside you, wishing this big part of your soul to be different while being scared of it at the same time. I hope someday all of us that resonate with Kenshi Yonezus music will find their way to enjoy this weird yet lovely like despite our self destructive mind just like he did. Thank you so much for the inspiring work you do, Ubnub.

[@m3012y]

that was so unexpected to get another one of your great yonezu videos - maybe unexpected from my perspective but let me explain in further detail. this album explains it itself, yonezu has the heart of an artist and the mind of a genius, but it was a long journey. his tragic yet inspiring journey is a part of my journey, i couldn’t imagine a life without him because i felt so understood. i never would have thought this state will pass after a while, i grew out of it and started forgetting about his music; still appreciating his works but not feeling connected to it anymore. now the year is ending and your video is reminding me i wouldn’t be here without him. to go a little depth when it comes to yonezu himself. this man is one of the smartest guys i’ve heard so far. not only the lyrics he writes or the art he draws - these are truly masterpieces - also his interviews really reflect how intelligent he is. from his life stories to elaborations of the progresses of the song making, they all have something super interesting to it. you feel that what he does is important to him and his work - or he himself - will end up having importance in your life too. to draw a conclusion, he is a very special soul and i think he is somewhat of a gift for many people - if not for anyone else, he was something like a saviour for me. diorama and yankee were always full of chaos but a beautiful one and this gives me joy. this ended up being longer than i wanted. anyhow, thank you so much for putting so much effort into this video and reminding me about the person who got me so far in life.

[@ubnubmaster]

This was really beautiful thank you for taking the time to write it. I'm glad that his career has had such a massive impact on your life.

[@CherryNah]

There are many producers that caught me back to my entering to VocaCommunity but Hachi... He was the one who made me love vocaloid music so so much. Now I feel so happy to be able to watch him smile, showing more and more his face and being him plenty. I just love him as artist as a whole through his storytelling, illustrations and music. Eine Kleine is the song that made me cry so much. Is so important.

[@Phandinnnz]

Thank you for making this incredible video! As a fan who discovered Kenshi Yonezu around the Yankee era (Eine Kleine was the first song by him I listened to), this album really gives me a scent of nostalgia every time I come back listening to it.

[@Arsa...]

I found kenshi yonezu through peace sign, but then when I look back at his music, I was in tears because how deep the lyrics of the song, Santa Maria felt like a cold embrace for me like someone from the light giving a helping hand, it was indeed the most beautiful song I've heard, second one for me is wooden doll

[@Lady_ETHNE]

I'm not sure if I've said this before on your channel, but MY GOSH your videos are phenomenal. The way you write and construct your videos makes it seem like I'm watching a story unfold before my eyes, and it's rare I get that feeling out of any video essayist. Fantastic work, and now I have a deeper appreciation for one of my favorite Vocaloid songs :)

[@ubnubmaster]

Thank you very much Lady ETHNE I do my best

[@Lady_ETHNE]

@@ubnubmaster you’re very welcome!

[@ochinchinsama696]

Thanks for making an in depth video on my favourite album of all time!

[@Skenel]

The King has come back with a Kenshi Yonezu video. Happy holidays!

[@ubnubmaster]

Happy holidays Skenel, hope you enjoy the break. Thanks for the support.

[@wxlurker]

WOODEN DOLL still remains my favorite song from kenshi yonezu, it was one of the first songs that really spoke to me and made me cry just the first time listening to it. Yankee, even now is my favourite album (with Diorama second) and really helped me out during a very difficult time in my life back then.

[@krisboii]

One of my favourite videos about Kenshi. I saw the full thing and I must thank you for making it so interesting. It feels nice to know I'm not the only one that reads vgperson's translated interviews for hours at a time. Kenshi's story is truly incredible, thank you once again for the in-depth video!

[@Advenit647]

absolutely beautiful video. kenshi yonezu's music had changed me forever and finally getting a video (a beautifully written one at that!) about him and his music is so appreciated. finding out someone feels the same way about him and his music is super duper pleasing to see. keep up the great work!

[@kienoduy7194]

Recently I’ve been looping eine kleine and randomly found this vid. Such a great job 👍👍👍❤❤❤

[@meggipie]

i was so happy to see this video!! you are one of my favorite youtubers and ive super missed these vocaloid essays.

[@RAMSIL882]

I'd just like to express how I appreciate your video and effeort you put in making it. I remember he tweeted in his X, "I know that there are those outthere who cannot even say help me when in need. I try to make music that can reach the heart of those people. I want to be like north star so peolpe won't lose their ways and struggle."

[@yanautau5041]

Thank you for this video! I was (still am?) a huge Yonezu stan growing up and was around when Yankee was doing promo and on it's way to release. He was a major inspiration with my art journey and shaped my music taste as a teen. I started listening to him through Hachi-p, then followed him in the Diorama era. But the Yankee era was the most memorable one for me. Although, i don't really keep up with him as much, since what music and art i like has changed overtime. I think after Stray Sheep, i just didn't resonate with his stuff anymore. But I look back with.....Ambivalence, maybe? Sad that it's not like what it was back then but just happy that it happened. It's like the relationship between us is that we grew as different people and went our separate ways.

[@Neopets4Life494]

When I heard the YANKEE album preview, the two tracks that stood out most to me were Melancholy Kitchen and Horafuki Nekoyarou. They are my favorites to this day. I still don't know what the translations are for the lyrics themselves. Once I finally listened to the album many years ago, all I could think was "I can't quite describe it, but the album almost feels like it's fighting or going back and forth." Starting with Living Dead Youth is like entering a funhouse mirror maze that the album then kind of tosses you around before pausing in the multiple slower tracks to then continue and then end it with DONUT HOLE. I enjoyed the video very much and the clips you featured were some crazy stuff. It makes me wish I could find his old covers but they're just about impossible to find now (I haven't checked recently but last time I did there was still no sign of his old covers circulating). But, I don't know if it was just me, but I feel like there could have been something said more about the album of YANKEE to tie it even further, like a stronger bridge connection, since your video had this way of setting it up to open it up further into discussion with featuring 3 of his most prominent songs to that album, as well as the title of the video. Not the specifics or the nitty gritty of "this song means this", but probably more mention or image preview of the tracklist and their titles, even though the album speaks for itself and garners a listen. Nevertheless, I'm still glad this era of his musical career/history was talked about because anytime I mention YANKEE or Diorama to other people who listened to his more modern music, all i get are blank stares like I'm crazy. Thank you for creating this video!

[@ubnubmaster]

You have great taste (two of my favorites as well). The give and pull you describe is right on the nose. The energy on both of those songs are incredible and frankly unmatched. I agree with your points, it's just the way that I wrote this script, I wanted it to be open to a second part but simultaneously provide a conclusion in case the interest wasn't there for a continuation. Hence why I didn't mention anything past the title announcement or really any album exclusive tracks.

[@melanydonna]

amazing video, It gives us a unique perspective of this album, thank you so much for your hard work in this video. I almost cried I'm so proud of him. He's definitely one of my favorite singers, he'll always be.

[@Krlytz]

This is an incredible story. Thank you for sharing it and helping us understand it better

[@gumi_matryoshka]

The amount of research made for this video is astounding, thanks as well for publishing it during holiday season:3

[@risetteP]

SO EXCITED!!! I absolutely love your videos and having another video about my favorite musican amazing.

[@Ummuri2000]

Love your videos, and I'm so glad to see a video on Yonezu. Donut Hole was my first vocaloid song, and Mad Head Love is easily one of my favorite songs of all time. I was surprised (but not at all) that Yonezu has the 'tism too!

[@joan0210]

always a pleasure seeing a vid from ubnubamaster in my sub box. thanks for the upload and have a happy new year pal

[@ubnubmaster]

Of course thanks for watching, have a wonderful new year.

[@TheName4321]

I love your way of narrating and explaining, thank you so much for your insight of Kenshi Yonezu and the depth there is for his music, this video is great :)

[@sierra-zi5zh]

i absolutely adore your channel and your videos- you have no idea how happy i got when i saw this in my feed! your writing is always wonderful and incredibly well-researched and it's such a treat to listen to what you have to say. thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. vocaloid has been one of my interests since i was young and i don't really have anyone to talk to about it... it's a little silly but watching your videos makes me feel less alone.

[@春龍-c7p]

Great video, I love your videos about Yonezu

[@nekoest]

HE'S BACK!!!!

[@brokensaint058]

Hello, great to see another excellent video from you.

[@emilii_]

I love your videos!

[@hiendarinenkoray]

thank you for this video 💙 I've been listening to his music for a while now, searching up lyrics and translating them to my first language, thinking about the meaning, spent hours drawing to his songs, but I never really knew about his life. now I understand how I had a similar childhood, too. also, are you a mushishi enjoyer or did you just pick those songs by an accident? ʘ⁠‿⁠ʘ

[@ubnubmaster]

I really love mushishi, maybe I'm reading too much into it but your pfp kind of looks like Ginko actually! I ended up picking a lot of songs from that show because it just seemed to match the atmosphere I wanted to create for this video.

[@hiendarinenkoray]

@@ubnubmaster that's awesome 😭 and ya that's him! one of my drawings, I make a lot of fanart :D

[@barakito]

Thank you so much for this video, thank you for once again bring so much attention to the efforts and details the artists have put in their work, and shed light even on their life and musical growth. Really make people appreciate their music even more. You are indeed really good at putting to words the complex feelings and pointing out the special things in their music, honestly I was surprised at the Donut Hole and Mad Head Love part too. To me, those songs have always been very special, it's the kind of song that once you loves it, it forever imprints in your mind and your heart, kinda, but I never know why it was so special. I just think I like it, I have no idea it was different. I'm glad that Kenshi was no longer Hachi and now have ventured into a brighter future. Little did he know but his raw emotions and honesty in his music even from Hachi's time is what makes people love so much about it (And also leads so many people through difficult times). Also, that Mushishi sneak 😂 Mushishi's a masterpiece, maybe you should do a video about it on april fool just for fun heh. But once again, thank you for this video.

[@ubnubmaster]

Maybe I will! Thanks for watching barakito, glad you enjoyed the video!

[@So0fer]

Wonderful video as always! The insight you provide in artists' lives, is a treat I'll always be waiting for.

[@cagonmuzak]

omg the goat is back

[@ploploplop2349]

Glad to see you back!! :D

[@emet0526]

wow, ive popped around your channel a few weeks back to see how youre doing, and i just saw this in my reccomended!! Excited to watch

[@prince_8bit]

So glad when I see your uploads !!!!! Have an amazing new year's :D

[@OldShatterham]

great video!

[@blodekopf8150]

Amazing video!!

[@Alex08449]

he is still alive :000000

[@whatzittooyah9182]

Yes, he’s just not doing Vocaloid songs as Hachi much anymore! Last one he did I think was Sand Planet. He wrote the theme song for the Chainsaw Man anime recently if you wanna give that a listen!

[@andrewacacia9851]

@@whatzittooyah9182im pretty sure that the guy is talking about the channel

[@Alissi-P]

7:03 unused art for the Rinne PV spotted!!

[@CryingOblivion]

Oh!!! i didnt know Kenshi was Autistic!! relateable---

[@bejoba3519]

hey its good to see you post again. hope you're doing well. i've been busy working on my first original song featuring Solaria. its been a slow progress. but besides that, i do want to say that Yankee is one of my favorite albums that Yonezu made. I'm split on what songs i like and dont like on the album, but the songs that i do like are worth revisiting from time to time. Also, i relate to Yonezu to a degree as im also high functioning autism and it has affected me and my family in different ways. however, i've had trouble getting started to make music and had no idea how to compose good songs for a while. so i spent a lot of time listening to music instead. I also feel kind of estranged from the vocaloid scene as i never really made a single song and let down everyone on top of all of the mistakes that i've made and how i was punished. so in spite of that, i kind of blamed Miku for all of my troubles because she was the one thing that tied me and the other vocaloid fans together. Thank you for the video

[@kemi_dot]

Isn't the bassist and drummer in 9:29 Ygarshy and Yumao? (Hitorie/Wowaka's Bassist and Drummer)

[@ubnubmaster]

Honestly I'm not sure. But if you could confirm that for me I would love to know. I merely had that on screen because we have no actual footage or photos (as far as I know) of Yonezu's prior bands. Knowing Yonezu's connection to Wowaka it's a strong possibility.

[@kemi_dot]

@@ubnubmaster It is most probably them, could recognize those faces from anywhere haha. I also vaguely remember reading an interview of Wowa and Yonezu before, where Yonezu said that he used to be in a band with Yga and Yumao, let me see if I can find it.

[@kemi_dot]

@@ubnubmaster ​ @ubnubmaster I found the interview, I searched "ygarshy yonezu kenshi" and it's on the manjuhitorie tumblr site. (I tried sending the link but youtube won't allow me to do so ww) Yonezu forming that band, prolly lead to Wowaka forming Hitorie with them as the members, which is cool!

[@ubnubmaster]

@@kemi_dot If you could find that, that would be an incredible resource for me thank you!

[@wizmizz]

um why is he me🤨

[@ChucktheAnimator]

First!

[@weabooavatar399]

Ok?