Singer-songwriter Reol has released the live performance video of "Astronauts" (cover) — her rendition of Shiina Mota (powapowaP)'s iconic Vocaloid track — on YouTube, filmed during her one-man live "Reol Oneman Live 'Bigaku' in YOKOHAMA ARENA" held on November 9, 2025.
A Full-Circle Moment
"Astronauts" holds deep significance in Reol's career. Originally uploaded to Nico Nico Douga on June 2, 2011 by Vocaloid producer Shiina Mota (also known as powapowaP), Reol first released her own cover of the song in 2015 — early in her career when she was still gaining recognition through Vocaloid cover videos on Japanese video-sharing platforms.
At Yokohama Arena — the largest solo venue of her career to date — Reol performed the cover with a deliberately straightforward, stripped-back arrangement, singing as if intimately addressing the audience rather than delivering a high-production spectacle. The contrast between the intimate delivery and the arena setting embodies the emotional core of the original track, a bittersweet song about the loneliness of space and searching for connection.
The timing of the release is deliberate: June 2 marks the anniversary of the original "Astronauts" upload to Nico Nico Douga, making the video release a tribute to both the song's legacy and Reol's own journey from Nico Nico cover artist to Yokohama Arena headliner.
Home Video Release
On June 3, 2026, Reol released the concert film "Reol Oneman Live 'Bigaku' in YOKOHAMA ARENA" on Blu-ray and DVD. The release captures her first-ever Yokohama Arena performance, a milestone following her debut Nippon Budokan show in August 2024. The setlist spanned her catalog from early hits through her 2023 album "BLACK BOX" and the 2024 EP "Hisokuroku" (featuring anime "Blue Exorcist: Shimane Illuminati Saga" opening theme "RE RESCUE").
Community Reception
The live cover video was warmly received upon release, with emotional resonance noted across fan communities. Reol's Vocaloid-origin fanbase — core supporters who have followed her since her 2012 Nico Nico upload days — particularly appreciated the full-circle narrative of performing the song at the biggest venue of her career. On Billboard Japan, the story drew strong engagement, and Natalie's coverage carried the "video available" tag indicating the YouTube embed was actively watched.
The video sees Reol performing in an arena bathed in blue-white stage lighting, letting Shiina Mota's melody and her own vocal storytelling carry the emotional weight without excessive choreography or production gimmicks — a deliberate creative choice that underscores the sincerity of the performance.
Visual and Audio
Blu-ray/DVD available via Reol's official store and major retailers.