I'm a bit disappointed :( It's the end of the Heisei Era and I expected something more special. But still excited to see her on TV.

I wonder if it will be live broadcast because I remember she posted something about a TV shooting on her instagram.

Why not cover a different Utada song? That would’ve been a treat. Much like this song was the first time. But now it’s like, the only cover she sings lol.

Would have been cool If she sings one of her own songs, maybe one of her winter ballads or maybe a chrisgmas song. But let's wait and see how her prrformance will be. I like Movin' on without you but I also whished for anothrr song from her

The more I think about this the more disappointed I am. A medley of her most well-known winter ballads (no dancers required kthxbai) and a gorgeous ballgown would have been the perfect choice.

Especially cause they're doing a big Christmas & Winter medley with different songs and different artists.
If she is not performing with Utada together, I really don't understand it.

Maybe since they couldn't get Utada herself (one of the biggest stars of Heisei period), somebody's covering one of her songs is their second best option, and Ayu already has a successful cover of hers.
I really can't come up with a better explanation :-)

Maybe she just loves the song, and that's why she has been constantly performing it since it was released. Let's not forget she already performed it on TV on NHK's "SONGS" and the questions were the same (Why this and not one of her own songs).
By the way... to me Movin' on without you is HER song, just like I Will Always Love You is Whitney's even though it's a Dolly Parton cover.

Well, FNS Kayousai in Winter is a year-end show plus it always has a theme going on (Christmas and Winter this time, not Heisei).
So they usually have a mix of current popular artists and songs and those fitting to the theme.
Which makes it so puzzling.

But yeah, maybe it's just Ayu, who wants to do that, and they let her. Would fit to the impression she's making all year already. Then it is great they let her doing it at least!

How I feel about it too. She clearly doesn't view it as just a cover, with how often she performs it.

Only one song? Is there possibility to add more songs to list?

1. I like this song. But it's kinda overused to me. Perhaps the song has its status elevated to a "concert staple".

2. Don't think ayu is going to pull it off well haha.

3. I thought she would chose aeternal or The way I am.

It's her most recent hit. Period.

Would've said step by step was.

Cant wait to see it!
Glad that she decided to do another TV performance (no matter what the song).

And also something she has done to death xD oh well no way of satisfying everyone - just happy that she is on TV at all.

But she hasn't done it in years and it would be refreshing to hear it with her current vocals

Also--not to be petty, but it's her anniversary FFS. And she's gonna remind people of that by singing a cover of a song by another artist? Ugh.

Yeah, that's pretty much the reaction of the Japanese public as well from what I'm reading.
The two top commentaries on Yahoo News e.g. are pretty much going like "Why is she singing a Utada Hikaru song? She has many great old songs herself. Even though she might not be able to hit the high notes anymore."
They don't understand it.
So it won't help her with the public, which is why I only hope it is what she wants.

Good point becuase I far prefer Ayu's version.

I wouldn't call Step by Step a hit...

It would be cool if Utada made a surprise appearance during the song but that is wishful thinking, ha.

My first thought was wondering what the Japanese public think of it. I can already imagine what the twitter haters are going to say...