Ikimonogakari

ikimono-gakari promoting "Hotaru no Hikari" (2009)

ikimono-gakari (いきものがかり) is a three member rock band that formed in 1999. They made their mainstream debut in March 2006 with EPIC Records Japan.

Members

• Yoshioka Kiyoe (吉岡聖恵) - Vocals
• Mizuno Yoshiki (水野良樹) - Guitar & Vocals; leader
• Yamashita Hotaka (山下穂尊) - Guitar & Harmonica

Information

ikimono-gakari formed in February 1999 as an indie band based in Kanagawa, Japan. Founded by Mizuno Yoshiki and Yamashita Hotaka, the two began doing street performances and decided on their name of "ikimono-gakari". In December of the same year Yoshioka Kiyoe joined as the group's main vocalist. However, nearly one year later the three disbanded in order for Yoshiki and Hotaka to focus on their university entrance exams. Their reformation occurred in March 2002 after the two had gone through their university classes.

Four years after their formation, their first album was released on an indie label. They were signed to EPIC Records Japan and released their first mainstream single "SAKURA" in March 2006. The title song was used in NTT East Japan commercials and heard on various televised programs.

Trivia

• Vocalist Kiyoe's older brother was the classmate of both Yoshiki and Hotaka.
• Yoshiki and Hotaka met in their first year of elementary school in 1989. The two were "ikimono-gakari" in their class, or the leaders.
• The band opened for Tamaki Nami on August 5th, 2005 at an Atsugi, Kanagawa music festival.

Discography

Albums

• [2007.03.07] Sakura Saku Machi Monogatari (桜咲く街物語; The Story of the Town Where Cherry Blossoms Bloom)
• [2008.02.13] Life Album (ライフアルバム)
• [2008.12.24] My song Your song

Mini-Albums (Indie)

• [2003.08.25] Makoto ni Senetsu Nagara First Album wo Koshiraemashita... (誠に僭越ながらファーストアルバムを拵えました...; Indeed, We Were Being Audacious When We Made Our First Album...)
• [2004.08.28] Shichishoku Konnyaku (七色こんにゃく; Rainbow Konjac)
• [2005.05.25] Jinsei Sugorokudabe. (人生すごろくだべ。; Life's Dice Game.)

Singles

• [2006.03.15] SAKURA (Cherry Blossom)
• [2006.05.31] HANABI (Fireworks)
• [2006.10.18] Koisuru Otome (コイスルオトメ; Loved Maiden)
• [2006.12.06] Ryuusei Miracle (流星ミラクル; Meteor Miracle)
• [2007.02.14] Uruwashiki Hito / Seishun no Tobira (うるわしきひと / 青春のとびら; The Lovely One / The Door of Youth)
• [2007.08.08] Natsuzora Graffiti / Seishun Line (夏空グラフィティ / 青春ライン; Summer Sky Graffiti / Youth Line)
• [2007.10.24] Akaneiro no Yakusoku (茜色の約束; Madder-Coloured Promise)
• [2008.01.30] Hana wa Sakura Kimi wa Utsukushi (花は桜 君は美し; Flowers are Cherry Blossoms; You are Beautiful)
• [2008.04.16] Kaeritakunatta yo (帰りたくなったよ; I Wanted to Go Home)
• [2008.07.09] Blue Bird (ブルーバード)
• [2008.10.15] Planetarium (プラネタリウム)
• [2008.12.03] Kimagure Romantic (気まぐれロマンティック; Capricious Romantic)
• [2009.05.27] Futari (ふたり; Us)
• [2009.07.15] Hotaru no Hikari (ホタルノヒカリ; Glow of Fireflies)

Download Exclusive

• [2006.07.19] Futari no Ai Land (ふたりの愛ランド; Our Love Island)

DVDs

• Tottemo Eezou (とってもええぞう; Very Good Elephant)

Compilation / Other

• [2006.03.08] 14 Princess ~PRINCESS PRINCESS CHILDREN~ (14プリンセス～PRINCESS PRINCESS CHILDREN～) (#10 GET CRAZY!)
• [2006.10.18] Cherry Pie Original Soundtrack (「チェリーパイ」オリジナル・サウンドトラック) (#7 Nirinka -Cherry Pie version-)
• [2007.03.21] Tenpo Ibun Ayakashi Ayashi Original Soundtrack (「天保異聞 妖奇士」オリジナルサウンドトラック) (#25 Ryuusei Miracle (ayakashiayashi Ver.))
• [2006.12.13] BLEACH THE BEST (#11 HANABI)
• [2007.09.12] Ookiku Furikabutte Original Soundtrack (「おおきく振りかぶって」オリジナル・サウンドトラック) (#24 Seishun Line -Oofuri version-)
• [2008.07.02] Koi no Uta (恋のうた) (#5 Koisuru Otome)
• [2009.03.18] JUDY AND MARY 15th Anniversary Tribute Album (#1 Classic)
• [2009.04.08] Shout at YUMING ROCKS (#6 Sotsugyou Shashin)

External Links

• ikimono-gakari Official Website
• ikimono-gakari Official Blogs
• Sony Music Japan Profile
• CUBE Group Profile
• "Ikimono World" Unofficial Forum&Fansite