It was released on November 5, 2021, through N46Div., and Sony Music Records, as a lead single of their first compilation album Time Flies.

[8] Writing for Real Sound, Akihiro Watanabe described the song as a "the-warmth-lives-together-with-the-sadness" feeling to hug and send Ikuta off, with an acoustic guitar transforming to an organ-like synthesizer.

[12] Nogizaka46 gave a debut performance of "Saigo no Tight Hug" at YTV's Best Hits Kayosai on November 11, 2021, alongside "Gomen ne Fingers Crossed".

[16] The group performed the song at Fuji TV's FNS Music Festival on December 8, alongside Ikuta and Yuki Saito's collaboration "Sotsugyō".

[18] "Saigo no Tight Hug" at MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2021: The Live on December 18, alongside "Influencer", and "Synchronicity".

[21] 3rd Row: Sakura Endō, Rei Seimiya, Sayaka Kakehashi, Ayame Tsutsui, Seira Hayakawa, Mayu Tamura, Haruka Kaki 2nd Row: Renka Iwamoto, Yūki Yoda, Minami Umezawa, Mai Shinuchi, Mizuki Yamashita, Shiori Kubo 1st Row: Hinako Kitano, Hina Higuchi, Asuka Saitō, Erika Ikuta (centre), Manatsu Akimoto, Minami Hoshino, Ayane Suzuki[22]