On May 29, 2025, NHK held the press conference in Osaka to announce the 115th morning television drama series (asadora), titled Blossom. It will star Shizuka Ishibashi as Tama Hano, loosely based on the life of author Chiyo Uno. The series is set to premiere in the second half of 2026. On July 23, 2026, it was revealed that duo Yoasobi would perform a theme song for the series.
On September 8, the series held a preview screening of the first week's episodes, "Watashi no Chichi, Watashi no Haha", where the theme song's title, "Sakihokore" and its snippet were revealed through the title sequence that features Ishibashi as Hano dancing under blooming cherry blossom trees. The song publicly premiered on September 28, alongside the series' first episode, and its full-length version was officially released via digital music and streaming platforms on October 14.
Production and composition
Risa Wataya (pictured) wrote a based story for "Sakihokore".
Risa Wataya wrote the original story for "Sakihokore", titled Hana no Inochi wa Fumetsu nari (桜の命は不滅なり; lit.'The life of cherry blossom flower is immortal') about Uno's inexhaustible vitality, likening it to a cherry blossom tree, that changes the protagonist's thought following meeting her. It was published via Yoasobi's official website on September 28, 2026. For writing process, Ayase additionally read Uno's memoir I Will Go On Living (1983) and used the series' script as a reference, and travelled to her hometown in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, the same home prefecture as him, which hugely influenced him to write the song in one go.
"Sakihokore" is described as a dance-pop track with "bright, cheerful melody and positive lyrics." Its fanfare-like intro incorporates a brass-band sound, and the vocals express a blend of "open-heartedness, earnest resilience, and a resolute strength of will." The lyrics depict the protagonist forging their own path through turbulent eras. It features vocals, handclapping, and stomps by current and former members of the cover group Plusonica, as well as an orchestra performed by Yuta Bandoh-led Ensemble FOVE and arranged by Yuya Haryu.
Music video
An accompanying animated music video for "Sakihokore" premiered on October 14, 2026. It was directed by Nina Ai and Nobuhide Kariya. Inspired by Uno's life and Hana no Inochi wa Fumetsu nari, the visual depicts, amidst the routine of everyday life, a girl picking up a book written by Uno and encountering it, resulting in she finding herself wavering, yet ultimately moves forward on her own. The scenes alternate to Uno at different times and in different circumstances. It featured "a life that changes through encounters and partings, and how [Uno] embraces joy and sadness even through the twists and turns and moves forward strongly" with cherry blossoms in full bloom.
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