# Rule/Sparkle

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"**Rule**"/"**Sparkle**" is a double A-side single by Japanese recording artist [Ayumi Hamasaki](/source/Ayumi_Hamasaki) from her tenth studio album, *[Next Level](/source/Next_Level_(Ayumi_Hamasaki_album))* (2009). The song was released on a [CD](/source/CD) and [DVD](/source/DVD) format on February 25, 2009 as the [second single](/source/Single_(music)) from the album. With "Rule" composed by Miki Wantanabe and "Sparkle" composed by Kazuhiro Hara, both songs were written by Hamasaki and produced by long-time collaborator [Max Matsuura](/source/Max_Matsuura). "Rule" was used as the international theme song for the 2009 film *[Dragonball Evolution](/source/Dragonball_Evolution)*.

"Rule/Sparkle" received mixed reviews from most limited music critics, some of whom favoured "Rule" over "Sparkle". Released in Japan and Taiwan, it peaked at number one on the Japanese [Oricon Singles Chart](/source/Oricon_Singles_Chart), becoming her thirty-second number one single on the chart. The song was certified gold by [Recording Industry Association of Japan](/source/Recording_Industry_Association_of_Japan) (RIAJ). To promote "Rule/Sparkle", Hamasaki performed the song on several Japanese television series. It has also been included on several tours and countdown live shows conducted by Hamasaki. A music video was directed for each song.

## Background and release

With "Rule" composed by Miki Wantanabe and "Sparkle" composed by Kazuhiro Hara, both songs were written by Hamasaki and produced by long-time collaborator [Max Matsuura](/source/Max_Matsuura).[1] "Sparkle" is used in advertisements for the [Honda Zest Spark](/source/Honda_Zest), while "Rule" was used as the international theme song for the 2009 adventure film *[Dragonball Evolution](/source/Dragonball_Evolution)*.[2][3] "Rule/Sparkle" was released on February 25, 2009 by [Avex Trax](/source/Avex_Trax) and Avex Taiwan in three different versions: two different CD editions and a CD and DVD version.[1] Both CD version features two remixes of "Rule" while the first version features two remixes of her single "[Green](/source/Days/Green)" and the second features two remixes of her single "[Days](/source/Days/Green)".[4][5] [Akira Toriyama](/source/Akira_Toriyama), the creator and manga artist of the *[Dragon Ball](/source/Dragon_Ball)* series, was commissioned by [Avex Trax](/source/Avex_Trax) to draw an illustration of Hamasaki. It shows the singer wearing the outfit of series' protagonist [Son Goku](/source/Goku) and appears on the DVD version of the single.[6] The song's music video features a piece of choreography patterned after Goku's signature "Kamehameha" attack.[7]

Musically, "Rule" is a "hard" [rock](/source/Rock_music) song that incorporate harder drum progression and guitar strumming; Mike LaBrie from kanzenshuu.com commented that the composition is "pound harder than they have before with her music".[8] LaBrie also remarked that the lyrical content was rather "self-centered" and "cocky".[8] "Sparkle" is a rock-influenced electronic song that was compared to the works of French musical duo [Daft Punk](/source/Daft_Punk).[8]

## Reception

"Rule/Sparkle" received mixed reviews from most music critics. Victoria Goldenberg from Purple Sky magazine criticized the production of the singles, stating " the singles themselves barely sound like singles. I had to listen to "Sparkle" and "Rule" five times before I started to remember the choruses. That’s far from "Seasons," which stuck with me immediately when I heard it in 2000, got me into Hamasaki’s music, and remains a favorite today."[9] Random J from his online website reviewed Hamasaki's album *Party Queen* (2012) and compared the composition of the album to the tracks, stating "It makes me appreciate Next level a whole lot more, an album which I cared very little for. I think it's because in my head when I hear the term *Party Queen'*, I think of songs such as "Rule", "Sparkle" and "Rollin'" - all of which throw near enough every up-tempo song on Party queen under a Nozomi bullet train."[10] LaBrie was critical towards "Sparkle" for its repetitive structure and its harsh composition, but was moderately positive towards the production and lyrics of "Rule".[8]

"Rule/Sparkle" charted together and debuted at number one on the Japanese [Oricon Singles Chart](/source/Oricon_Singles_Chart), becoming Hamasaki's twentieth consecutive single to debut at number-one position since her 2002 single "[Free & Easy](/source/Free_%26_Easy_(Ayumi_Hamasaki_song))" and made her the first solo artist and the female artist to have twenty consecutive singles to debut at number-one position.[11] The song was her thirty-second single to go to number one on the Oricon Singles Chart and charted for nine weeks, her lowest spanning single in the charts until her 2010 single "[Crossroad](/source/Crossroad_(Ayumi_Hamasaki_song))".[12][13] "Rule/Sparkle" was certified gold by the [Recording Industry Association of Japan](/source/Recording_Industry_Association_of_Japan) (RIAJ) for shipments of 100,000 units and "Rule" was certified platinum for digital sales of 250,000 units.[14][15]

## Live performances and other appearances

Both "Rule" and "Sparkle" were included on Hamasaki's headline concert tours *[Ayumi Hamasaki Arena Tour 2009 A: Next Level](/source/Ayumi_Hamasaki_Arena_Tour_2009_A:_Next_Level)*, while "Rule" and "Sparkle" each were included on Hamasaki's annual New Years countdown concert tours *[Ayumi Hamasaki Countdown Live 2011–2012 A: Hotel Love Songs](/source/Ayumi_Hamasaki_Countdown_Live_2011%E2%80%932012_A:_Hotel_Love_Songs)* and *[Ayumi Hamasaki Countdown Live 2012–2013 A: Wake Up](/source/Ayumi_Hamasaki_Countdown_Live_2012%E2%80%932013_A:_Wake_Up)*.[16][17][18] Scottish DJ and record producer Public Domain remixed "Rule" and it was included on her remix compilations *[Ayu-mi-x 7 Presents Ayu Trance 4](/source/Ayu-mi-x_7_Presents_Ayu_Trance_4)*, the instrumental edition and her remix box set *[Ayu-mi-x 7 Limited Complete Box Set](/source/Ayu-mi-x_7_Limited_Complete_Box_Set)*.[19][20][21]

## Formats and track listings

These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "Rule/Sparkle".

- "**Type A CD single**"[1]

1. "Rule" — 4:08
1. "Sparkle" — 4:35
1. "Rule" (80kidz's "No More Rule" mix) — 4:49
1. "Rule" (Remo-con "tech dance" remix) — 6:42
1. "Rule" (Instrumental) — 4:08
1. "Sparkle" (Instrumental) — 4:30

- "**Type B CD single**"[4]

1. "Rule" — 4:08
1. "Sparkle" — 4:35
1. "Days" (8-bits of tears YMCK remix) — 4:22
1. "Days" (Acoustic Orchestra version) — 5:18
1. "Rule" (80kidz's "No More Rule" mix) — 4:49
1. "Rule" (Remo-con "tech dance" remix) — 6:42
1. "Rule" (Instrumental) — 4:08
1. "Sparkle" (Instrumental) — 4:30

- "**Type C CD single**"[5]

1. "Rule" — 4:08
1. "Sparkle" — 4:35
1. "Green" (CMJK Spring Storm mix) — 5:46
1. "Green" (Acoustic Orchestra version) — 4:56
1. "Rule" (80kidz's "No More Rule" mix) — 4:56
1. "Rule" (Remo-con "tech dance" remix) — 6:42
1. "Rule" (Instrumental) — 4:08
1. "Sparkle" (Instrumental) — 4:30

- "**Type A CD and DVD**"[1]

1. "Rule" — 4:08
1. "Sparkle" — 4:35
1. "Rule" (80kidz's "No More Rule" mix) — 4:49
1. "Rule" (Remo-con "tech dance" remix) — 6:42
1. "Rule" (Instrumental) — 4:08
1. "Sparkle" (Instrumental) — 4:30
1. "Rule" (music video)
1. "Rule" (making of video)

## Credits and personnel

- Ayumi Hamasaki - songwriting, vocals
- Max Matsuura - production
- Miki Wantanabe - composer
- Kazuhiro Hara - composer
- Akira Toriyama - design
- Takahide Ishii - director ("Rule")
- Kazuyoshi Shimomura - director ("Sparkle")

Credits adapted from the DVD maxi-single liner notes.[1]

## Charts and certifications

### Charts

Chart ("Rule") Peak position Japan Weekly Chart (Oricon)[11] 1 Japan Hot 100 (Billboard)[22] 1 Taiwan East Asian Weekly Chart (G-Music)[23] 10

Chart ("Sparkle") Peak position Japan Weekly Chart (Oricon)[11] 1 Taiwan East Asian Weekly Chart (G-Music)[23] 10

## References

1. *Rule/Sparkle* (Album liner notes). Avex Trax, Avex Trax Taiwan. February 25, 2009.

1. ["Honda Zest Spark CM Gallery"](http://www.honda.co.jp/ZESTSPARK/cmgallery/). [Honda](/source/Honda). Retrieved December 25, 2008.

1. ["Honda Zest Spark CM Gallery"](http://www.sanspo.com/geino/news/081210/gnj0812100505015-n1.htm). Sanspo.com. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090414092358/http://www.sanspo.com/geino/news/081210/gnj0812100505015-n1.htm) April 14, 2009 at the Wayback Machine.

1. *Rule/Sparkle* (Album liner notes). Avex Trax, Avex Trax Taiwan. February 25, 2009. AVCD-31606.

1. *Rule/Sparkle* (Album liner notes). Avex Trax, Avex Trax Taiwan. February 25, 2009. AVCD-31607.

1. ["Japan Zone - Entertainment News from Japan: Ayu Goku to Grace New Single"](http://www.japan-zone.com/news/2009/02/03/index.shtml). Japan Zone. Retrieved February 4, 2008.

1. ["Dragonball's Toriyama Sketches Ayumi Hamasaki as Goku"](http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-02-03/dragonball-toriyama-sketches-ayumi-hamasaki-as-goku). *[Anime News Network](/source/Anime_News_Network)*. February 3, 2009. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20121020001407/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-02-03/dragonball-toriyama-sketches-ayumi-hamasaki-as-goku) October 20, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 17, 2012.

1. ["Reviews – Ayumi Hamasaki – Rule/Sparkle"](http://www.kanzenshuu.com/reviews/ayumi-hamasaki-rule-sparkle-cd-single/). Kanzenshuu.com. Retrieved July 1, 2015.

1. Goldenberg, Victoria. ["Ayumi Hamasaki – *Next Level* review"](http://purpleskymagazine.com/2009/04/review-hamasaki-ayumi-next-level/). Purple Sky Magazine. Retrieved July 1, 2015.

1. Random J. ["Ayumi Hamasaki – *Party Queen* album review"](http://randomjpop.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/album-review-ayumi-hamasaki-party-queen.html). Random J Pop. Retrieved July 1, 2015.

1. ["ja:浜崎、史上初の女性歌手20作連続初登場首位記録"](http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/63693/full/) (in Japanese). [Oricon](/source/Oricon). Retrieved January 4, 2010.

1. ["ja:浜崎あゆみ、史上初の２０作連続初登場１位"](http://sankei.jp.msn.com/entertainments/music/090303/msc0903031418003-n1.htm) (in Japanese). [Sankei Shimbun](/source/Sankei_Shimbun). March 3, 2009. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20101117043348/http://sankei.jp.msn.com/entertainments/music/090303/msc0903031418003-n1.htm) November 17, 2010 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["ja:浜崎あゆみのリリース一覧"](http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/246497/products/) [List of Ayumi Hamasaki's Releases] (in Japanese). *[Oricon](/source/Oricon)*. Retrieved August 17, 2014.

1. cert2

1. cert1

1. *Ayumi Hamasaki Arena Tour 2009 A: Next Level* (DVD). Avex Trax, Avex Trax Taiwan. 2009. AVBD-91786~8.

1. *Ayumi Hamasaki Countdown Live 2011–2012 A: Hotel Love Songs* (DVD). Avex Trax, Avex Trax Taiwan. 2012. AVBD-92029~30.

1. *Ayumi Hamasaki Countdown Live 2012–2013 A: Wake Up* (DVD). Avex Trax, Avex Trax Taiwan. 2013. AVBD-92034.

1. *Ayu-mi-x 7 Presents Ayu Trance 4* (Compilation). Avex Trax. 2011. AVCD-38298.

1. *Ayu-mi-x 7 Presents Ayu Trance 4 (Instrumental Versions)* (Compilation). Avex Trax. 2011. ANTCD-1290.

1. *Ayu-mi-x 7 Limited Complete Box Set* (Compilation). Avex Trax. 2011. AVCD-38300~3/B.

1. ["Japan Billboard Hot 100"](http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100&year=2009&month=03&day=09) (in Japanese). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. March 4, 2009. Retrieved August 20, 2014.

1. ["G-Music Eastern Asian Chart"](http://www.g-music.com.tw/GMusicBillboard3.aspx). G-Music. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090228041215/http://www.g-music.com.tw/GMusicBillboard3.aspx) February 28, 2009 at the Wayback Machine.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Rule/Sparkle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule%2FSparkle) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule%2FSparkle?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.