[2] In March 2002, Hikaru Utada released "Hikari", the theme song for the game Kingdom Hearts.

The imagery seen in the video was inspired by the works of Edo period artist Itō Jakuchū.

Hayashi of Ongaku DB noted that the song was simultaneously elaborate and simple, praising the balance of this sound with a humble melody and Utada's passionate vocals, feeling that this mix was "natural, but at the same time miraculous".

[20] Akiyoshi Sekine of CDData praised the song's "simple but deep world view", while noting its "oriental taste" and "graceful sense of the season".

[21] Kanako Hanakawa of Backstage Pass felt that the cherry blossom imagery worked especially well because of Utada's vocal qualities.

They praised their vocal style and song arrangement, noting the "gleaming sound effects" and "tough melody" as highlights.

He likened the song to those of Yumi Matsutoya, feeling its "straightforward emotional expression" and "pop arrangement" left the biggest impression.