[1] The single is Utada's first release since 2012's Evangelion: 3.0 theme song "Sakura Nagashi", and marks her official comeback to the Japanese music scene.

[2] "Hanataba o Kimi ni" is a soft J-pop ballad featuring prominent strings, as well as a piano and drums.

[3] On April 30, 2016, the song entered Billboard's Japan Hot 100 at number 3, based on strong radio airplay and digital sales.

[9][10] It again descended down the charts and stayed in lower positions throughout November and December, but re-entered the top 20 after New Year's Day.

[12] The song has received a double-platinum certification by the RIAJ for digital sales in excess of 500,000 copies or more and became the second-highest-selling download single of the year, behind only "Zenzenzense" by Radwimps.