{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2022}}{{Infobox song | name = So Special | cover = Ai - So Special.png | alt = | border = yes | caption = CD-only cover | type = single | artist = Ai and Atsushi | album = Viva Ai | language = {{hlist|Japanese|English}} | A-side = Okuribito | released = {{start date|2008|09|10}} | recorded = 2008 | studio = | venue = | genre = {{hlist|R&B|J-pop}} | length = 4:13 | label = {{hlist|Island|Universal Sigma}} | writer = {{hlist|Ai Uemura|Atsushi Satō}} | producer = Uta | chronology = Ai | prev_title = Crazy World | prev_year = 2008 | title = So Special | title2 = Okuribito | next_title = Broken Strings | next_year = 2008 | misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|kZlS086QaGk|"So Special (Version Ai)"}}}} }} "'''So Special'''" is a song recorded by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai and Japanese singer-songwriter Atsushi of Exile. It was released on September 10, 2008, alongside "Okuribito" as a double A-side single, by Island Records and Universal Sigma. The song and "Okuribito" served as the lead singles for Ai's seventh studio album, ''Viva Ai''.
== Background == "So Special" was written by Ai and Atsushi as a duet. Two versions of the song were recorded, a "Version Ai" and a "Version EX". In July 2008, Avex Group announced the "Version EX" of the song was to be included on Exile's greatest hits album, ''{{Interlanguage link|Exile Entertainment Best|ja|EXILE ENTERTAINMENT BEST}}''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=EXILEベストにATSUSHIとAIの友情コラボ曲収録|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/8226|access-date=2022-01-17|website=音楽ナタリー|language=ja}}</ref> The band's greatest hits album was initially announced in June 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|title=EXILEベスト第2弾は新曲満載＆話題のアニメ収録|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/7768|access-date=2022-01-17|website=音楽ナタリー|language=ja}}</ref> In August, Universal Japan announced Ai's version of the song was to be included on the physical release of "Okuribito", a song she recorded for ''Departures'', as a double A-side single.<ref>{{Cite web|title=AI、感動から生まれた新曲「おくりびと」|url=https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000042299|access-date=2022-01-17|website=BARKS| date=August 3, 2008 |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=AIの両A面新作はATSUSHI・久石譲とのＷコラボ|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/8975|access-date=2022-01-17|website=音楽ナタリー|language=ja}}</ref>
== Promotion and live performances == "So Special" was used as the Music Fighter power play song.<ref name="CDJTieups">{{cite web|title=AI - タイアップ|trans-title=Ai - tie-ups|url=http://artist.cdjournal.com/a/ai/146437/tieup/|access-date=September 10, 2012|work=CDJournal}}</ref> Ai performed "So Special" with Atsushi on ''Music Station'' on September 12.<ref>{{cite web|date=September 12, 2008|title=ミスチルが「Mステ」スペシャルで新曲テレビ初披露|trans-title=Mr. Children debut new song on TV, at M-Ste special|url=http://natalie.mu/music/news/9519|access-date=September 11, 2012|work=Natalie|language=ja}}</ref>
== Charts == {| class="wikitable" !Chart (2008) !Peak{{break}}position |- |Japan Singles Chart (Oricon)<ref>{{Cite web|title=おくりびと/So Special -Version AI- {{!}} AI|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/1374/products/779815/1/|access-date=2022-01-17|website=ORICON NEWS}}</ref> | align="center" |15 |- |Japan Hot 100 (''Billboard Japan'')<ref>{{Cite web|title=Billboard Japan Hot 100: 2008 September 17|url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100&year=2008&month=09&day=22|website=Billboard Japan}}</ref> | align="center" |14 |}
== Certifications == {{certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "So Special"}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|title=So Special|artist=Atsushi + Ai|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2014|certmonth=12|digital=true|note=Digital Download|accessdate=January 17, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true}}
== References == {{reflist}}
{{Ai (singer)}}
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Category:2008 singles Category:2008 songs Category:Ai (singer) songs Category:Male–female vocal duets Category:Songs written by Ai (singer) Category:Island Records singles Category:Universal Sigma singles