"Kiss of Death" (stylized as "KISS OF DEATH") is a song recorded by Japanese singer Mika Nakashima, released as a single by Sony Music Associated Records on March 7, 2018.[1] It was written and produced by L'Arc-en-Ciel's Hyde. The song marks the first collaboration between Nakashima and Hyde in thirteen years, since "Glamorous Sky".[2] "Kiss of Death" is the opening theme to the Tokyo MX anime series Darling in the Franxx.[3] The title track was released digitally in advance after premiering on the series' second episode, on January 20, 2018.[4]
Upon being released digitally, "Kiss of Death" charted at number 12 on the weekly RecoChoku Singles Chart and at number 6 on the weekly Mora Singles Chart.[5][6] It also debuted on several Billboard Japan charts: at number 81 on the Hot 100,[7] number 19 on Hot Animation and number 23 on Download Songs.[8][9] "Kiss of Death" entered the weekly Oricon Digital Singles Chart at number 22,[10] selling 5,000 copies in its first charting week.[11] The song stayed at number 22 the following week, bringing its total reported digital sales figure to 10,000 copies.[12]
The physical release of "Kiss of Death" entered the daily Oricon Singles Chart at number 16.[13] It peaked at number 9 the following day.[14] The single debuted at number 17 on the weekly Oricon Albums Chart, with 7,000 copies sold in its first week.[15]
