Asian Kung-Fu Generation is a Japanese rock band signed by Ki/oon Records , a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Japan. The band was first formed in 1996 and they released their first indie EP in 2000, a six-song EP of songs sung in English. One of their songs was eventually picked up by a popular radio DJ and put into heavy rotation due to the demand of listeners. And as they say, the rest is history.
Kinya Kotani is a male Japanese singer and actor who was born on July 16, 1979. His songs were made into theme songs for the hit animes Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle and Gravitation . He is best known for his musical contributions to Gravitation .
Maaya Sakamoto is a female Japanese seiyū (a person who does voice-overs for anime, movies, and video game character actors) and singer who was born on March 31, 1980 in Itabashi, Tokyo. She made her debut in 1998 as the voice of Hitomi Kanzaki in the hit anime series The Vision of Escaflowne , and made other subsequent voice roles in other animes and video games.
Mikuni Shimokawa is a J-pop singer and songwriter born on 19 March 1980 in Shizunai, Hokkaido, Japan. She is best known for her songs used for anime theme music, particularly the opening and ending themes of the Full Metal Panic! series. In addition to her vocal talents, Mikuni Shimokawa can also play the piano. The video below is of hers singing Tomorrow, the opening theme of Full Metal Panic! live.
Chieko Kawabe is a female J-pop singer, model, radio host and actress. She was born on February 24, 1987 in Tokyo. She is also referred to as Chieco Kawabe, as it is the spelling she uses in her signature. This J-pop singer is also an avid fan of Hello Kitty and collects Hello Kitty goods.
V6 is a very popular Japanese idol group, formed by Johnny & Associates. They debuted on 1 November 1995 with CD-Single Music for the People. Each member takes part in a variety of activities - as well as singing, they appear in TV dramas, variety shows, host radio programs, etc.
Dir en grey is a Japanese band formed in 1997 and as of 2008, they have released six full-length records and while the group’s lineup has remained consistent since its inception, numerous stylistic changes have made its music’s genre difficult to determine (though it is generally considered to be a form of rock music). Originally part of Japan’s visual kei movement, the band has opted for less flamboyant attire in recent years.
Yuuri Chinen is a Japanese actor, singer, and a member of Hey! Say! JUMP. Yuuri Chinen is under the management of Johnny & Associates and was born in Hamamamatsu City and lives in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area.
Yurina Kumai was born on August 03, 1993 in Kanagawa, Japan and is a Japanese pop singer currently a member of the all-girl group Berryz Kobo which is under Hello! Project. Yurina Kumai joined Hello! Project in 2002 after passing the Hello! Project Kids auditions, also being the tallest member of Hello! Project standing at 5 feet and nine and a half inches tall.
Kanna Arihara was born on June 15, 1993 and despite her young age, is a Japanese pop singer. Like Mai Hagiwara, she is also a member of C-ute and Hello Project Kids. AkiKan is her official nickname and before joining C-ute, she was a member of Tomoiki Ki wo Uetai from 2005 up to 2006.