J-Pop icon Hikaru Utada comes out as non-binary

Photo credit: Hikaru Utada/Instagram

Hikaru Utada's new pronouns are now "they" and "them" after the singer came out as non-binary on Instagram.

The singer shared, “I’m sick of being asked if I’m ‘Miss or Missus’ or choosing between ‘Miss/Mrs./Ms.’ for everyday things.” 

They continued, “It makes me uncomfortable to be identified so markedly by my marital status or sex, and I don’t relate to any of those prefixes. Every time, I feel like I’m forced to misrepresent myself. I long for an alternative option, one that anybody of any gender or social standing could use. After writing thus far, I looked it up and discovered that ‘Mx.’ (pronounced as ‘mix’) has been suggested!”

Photo credit: Hikaru Utada/Instagram

The popular J-POP singer also announced their truth during an appearance with Hideaki Anno, the director for Neon Genesis Evangelion. Before Anno appeared on cam, Utada said “I’m non-binary. Happy Pride month!” 

Utada's One Last Kiss is the theme song for Anno's Evangelion: 3.0+1.0: Thrice Upon A Time (Shin Evangelion Gekijō-ban :||). The song is slated for an "overseas LP release" this summer. They also sang the first opening theme song, PINK BLOOD, for the currently airing To Your Eternity anime. 

READ: Hikaru Utada’s ‘One Last Kiss’ MV was directed by Evangelion creator

Previously in 2016, the singer hinted that they were not straight after releasing the song Tomodachi. The song is written from the perspective of a lesbian falling in love with the character's straight friend.

Since opening up about their gender identity, they received outpouring support from fans all around the world. One fan tweeted: “Hikaru Utada coming out as nonbinary makes me very happy.”

Do you support Utada’s coming out as non-binary?

What are you looking forward to seeing in the new Evangelion movie?