"Senkou" (閃光, Senkō; 'Flash') is a song by the Japanese rock band [Alexandros]. Written and composed by vocalist and guitarist Yoohei Kawakami and produced by [Alexandros], it was released as their 19th single on May 5, 2021, through Universal J and RX-Records. The song was used as the theme song for the 2021 animated film Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway. It was released digitally on April 28, 2021, ahead of the physical single.
Background
"Senkou" was released approximately six months after [Alexandros]' previous single, "Beast". It was the band's first release following drummer Satoyasu Shomura's departure because of focal dystonia, and the first following Ib Riad officially joining the band.
"Senkou" was selected as the theme song for the animated film Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway. The film's producer, Naohiro Ogata, said that the production team wanted an artist capable of expanding the film's reach overseas and chose [Alexandros] for that reason.
An English version of the song was used as the theme song for the international release of the film on Netflix.
Release
The single was released in four editions: a regular edition, a first-press limited edition available with either a DVD or Blu-ray, and a complete-production limited edition. The latter included an original Gunpla model, the HG 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam Ver. [Alexandros]. The DVD and Blu-ray editions included six songs recorded at a secret live performance at Shimokitazawa SHELTER, including "Senkou".
On August 6, 2021, a deluxe digital single of "Senkou" was released. It included the original version, the English version, the instrumental version and a live version from [Alexandros]' 10th-anniversary concert at Makuhari Messe, which was the first time they performed the song to a live audience.
Commercial performance
"Senkou" was released digitally on April 28, 2021, and debuted at number three on the Billboard Japan Download Songs chart, selling 12,518 downloads during its first week. Following the physical single's release, it reached number four on the Billboard Japan Top Single Sales chart and number five on the Download Songs chart, while peaking at number 15 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100. It also reached number four on the Hot Animation chart and number five on the Oricon weekly singles chart.
Following the Japanese theatrical release of Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway on June 11, the song rose from number 51 to number nine on the Billboard Japan Download Songs chart before reaching number five the following week. The song surpassed 100 million streams on May 3, 2023, becoming the second [Alexandros] song to do so.
In May 2024, Yoohei Kawakami received the Bronze Award for "Senkou" at the 2024 JASRAC Awards.
Music video
The music video for "Senkou" was released on April 28, 2021, alongside the song's digital release. It was filmed over three days at Nippon Steel's East Nippon Works Kashima Area in Kashima, Ibaraki, whose industrial facilities and port were used as the video's setting. It was directed by [Alexandros]' chief manager, Ikki Chida.
The music video for "Senkou (English Version)" was released on June 11, 2021. It uses animation from Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway.
