A burgeoning star needs a marquee platform to shine. Singer Ado connected with Gen Z peers online thanks to her candid exploration of contemporary youth culture, forceful vocals, and exciting collaborations. She achieved even wider fame after handling singing duties for the Uta character in 2022’s One Piece Film: Red, the 15th feature in the beloved pirate anime series—and the accompanying soundtrack. Even when embodying a character on the eight-track UTA’S SONGS ONE PIECE FILM RED, Ado’s own artistry and voice come through loud and clear. As on her debut album, Kyougen, the artist pushed herself by singing in a variety of styles. Ado showed the sentimental side of her delivery on the aching folk of “The World’s Continuation” and flexed her J-pop bona fides with the sweeping ballad “Where the Wind Blows.” The snarl and screams that helped Ado’s breakthrough took center stage on the rocker “Backlight” and the heavy electronic barrage of “Tot Musica.” Her vocals soar on the album’s hopeful centerpiece “New Genesis,” a surging synth-pop display constructed by prolific J-pop producer Yasutaka Nakata. That she was able to shine as a new artist within the established world of ONE PIECE speaks to her immense talent.