Kurosaki Maon

Maon Kurosaki promoting "Last Desire" (2017)

Kurosaki Maon (黒崎真音) is a Japanese pop singer, idol, lyricist, and model. She was scouted after she started performing in 2008 at the Dear Stage "Live & Bar" in Akihabara. She was later signed by NBC Universal Entertainment Japan and recorded a concept album for the anime HIGH SCHOOL OF THE DEAD in 2010.

In 2011, Kurosaki started working with the music Super Group ALTIMA. She currently focuses on recording her solo material, but continues to work with ALTIMA in conjunction.

Profile

• Name: Kurosaki Maon (黒崎真音)
• Nickname: Ojou (ヲ嬢)
• Birthdate: January 13, 1988 (1988-01-13)
• Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
• Blood Type: A
• Associated Acts: I've Sound
• Groups:
  • ALTIMA (2011-present)
• Labels:
  • NBC Universal Entertainment Japan (soloist) (2010-present)
  • Warner Home Video (group) (2011-present)

Information

Kurosaki Maon (pre-debut)

Early Career

Kurosaki originally became interested in becoming a performer during her elementary years. During this time, she wanted to become a theater artist, and she participated in an audition in her school during her sixth grade. She did not pass the audition as she lacked talent in performing, but her singing was praised. This event would leave an impression on her, and as her parents were not interested in her taking up performance arts, she decided that she wanted to become a singer.

Kurosaki began her singing career in Akihabara at the performance venue and bar Dear Stage, where she had been singing since at least January 2008. Music producer Akihiro Tomita noticed her singing talent, and he subsequently became her producer when she made her major debut signed to Geneon Universal Entertainment (now NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan). Kurosaki first announced her major debut to her fans in January 2010. Before she had her major debut, Kurosaki posed as a gravure model for the cover of Yūsaku Kitano's novel Maid Road Reload sold on April 26, 2010 by ASCII Media Works under their Media Works Bunko imprint.

Kurosaki Maon promoting "Magic∞world" (2010)

Debut

Her first music release was her debut album H.O.T.D. on September 22, 2010, which contains all ending theme songs used in the 2010 anime series HIGHSCHOOL OF THE DEAD. Kurosaki also made a voice acting cameo during the series' twelfth episode. To commemorate the album and the broadcast of the anime, she performed songs from the album once a week at Dear Stage from July 7 to September 22, 2010. Another event to commemorate the album was held at Animate in Yokohama on October 16, 2010. Kurosaki became the regular host for the Thursday broadcast of the radio program A&G Artist Zone 2h on October 7, 2010; she would host the show until 2011. Her first single "Magic∞world" was released on November 24, 2010, and she performed at Dear Stage on that day to commemorate the release. Kurosaki's second single "Memories Last" was released on March 2, 2011. Both singles were used as ending theme songs to the 2010 anime series To Aru Majutsu no Index II.

Kurosaki had her first solo live event titled "Maon Kurosaki Live 2011 Spring: Memories First" on March 4–5, 2011 in Harajuku. She made her North American debut at Anime Expo 2011 in Los Angeles, California where she performed on July 1 and July 3 at Club Nokia as a guest of honor. She released the mini-album Goshiki Uta -Immortal Lovers- on August 10, 2011, which contains all ending theme songs used in the 2011 anime OVA series Hakuouki Sekkaroku. She made her first appearance at Animelo Summer Live on during its 2011 iteration on August 28. Kurosaki released her second album and first original studio album Butterfly Effect on November 30, 2011 containing the songs "SCARS", the ending theme for the ninth episode of Hellsing Ultimate and "VANISHING POINT", which was used as theme song for the online video game LEGEND of CHUSEN 2.

Kurosaki Maon with the members of ALTIMA

L-R: MOTSU, MAON and SAT

Joined to the Musical group ALTIMA

Otakon announced on July, 2011, that the three-member musical group ALTIMA will perform at the August 8-10 convention in Baltimore. The band will hold a concert on Friday, August 8. The group, formed in 2011, consists of former m.o.v.e member Mototaka Segawa (MOTSU) as the rapper, fripSide's Yaginuma Satoshi (SAT) as the sound producer and synthesizer player, and Kurosaki Maon (MAON) as the main vocalist. The group signed to Warner Home Video Entertainment and their debut single "I'll believe" was released on December 7, 2011. ALTIMA's second single "ONE" was released on February 29, 2012. Both song were used as ending theme songs to the 2010/2011 anime series Shakugan no Shana III -Final-.

On July 18, 2012 Kurosaki released her first split single, Yukyu no Uta, with the singer Ray, which contain the theme songs for the PSP game Toki no Kizuna: Sekigahara Kitan. On July 25, 2012, as ALTIMA member, they released their third single, "Burst The Gravity", which was used as second opening theme for the 2012 Accel World anime series. Kurosaki released three more singles in 2012: "HELL:ium" on May 9, "reimei" on August 8, and "UNDER/SHAFT" on October 17. "HELL:ium" which contain the theme songs for the 2012 Real Onigokko 3, 4 and 5 horror movies series , "reimei" was used as the opening theme for the 2012 Hakuouki Reimeiroku anime series, and "UNDER/SHAFT" was used as the opening theme for the 2012 Jormungand: Perfect Order anime series. Kurosaki was a guest at Anime Festival Asia Malaysia in 2012.

Kurosaki Maon promoting VERTICAL HORIZON (2013)

Three consecutive albums released

Her second original studio album, VERTICAL HORIZON, was released on April 10, 2013 containing the song "Distrigger", the theme song for the iPhone/Android game Demons Trigger. The song "FAMIRIA★BOUQUET" was released on July 14, 2013 as a gift to her fans in her official fanclub to download. On July 31, 2013 she released her second split single, Hanayui no Uta, with the singer Ray, which contain the theme songs for the PSP game Toki no Kizuna: Hanamusubi Tsudzuri. Her 10th single "X-encounter", released on November 6, 2013, wich was used as the first opening theme for the 2013 Tokyo Ravens anime series. On August 28, 2013 she collaborates with Kawada Mami in the compilation album Toaru Majustu no TV Songs for the song "Snap out of it!!".

In 2014, as member of ALTIMA group, they released their fourth single, "Fight 4 Real", which was used as second opening theme for the Strike The Blood anime series, followed by their first studio album, TRYANGLE, on March 26, containing the song "Walk This Way", which is a cover of the same title from the American rock band Aerosmith. Album's title doesn't mean the “triangle” shape, but to “try” something from a different “angle”.

At the beginning of 2014 she covered the song "A Whole New World" from the Disney movie of Aladdin for the compilation album Disney Rocks!!! Girl's Power!. Later, she performed "Glorious world" which was used as theme song for the Pachinko game Mashin Eiyuuden Wataru and it was released as digital single on February 12. Kurosaki's third studio album REINCARNATION was released on July 23, 2014, it was a tribute album for Kohei Azano's light novel series Tokyo Ravens and she teams up with Takase Kazuya (I've) who was the composer of "X-encounter", and Iuchi Maiko (I've), the soundtrack composer for the TV anime, for the 10-song album. The first limited edition comes with a newly-produced promotional video featuring the anime characters. Ishihama Masashi, who animated the OP of the TV anime, produces the PV for her. In July 2014, she attended the Bangkok Comic Con. Kurosaki's seventh single "Rakuen no Tsubasa" was released on October 15, 2014 and the song was used as the opening theme for the 2014 Grisaia no Kajitsu anime series.

Kurosaki Maon promoting Mystical Flowers (2015)

5th anniversary, 4th studio album and ALTIMA's hiatus

Her eighth single "Setsuna no Kajitsu" was released on May 13, 2015; the song was used as the opening theme for the 2015 Grisaia no Rakuen anime series. She made an appearance at CharaExpo in Singapore in June 2015. Kurosaki's ninth single "Harmonize Clover / After Glow", and her first double a-side single, was released on August 19, 2015. The both song were used as ending themes for the 2015 anime series Gakkou Gurashi!. Kurosaki released her fourth studio album Mystical Flowers on November 25, 2015. Prior to her fourth studio album she celebrated a special concert for her 5th anniversary at the Maihama Amphitheatre on September 12, 2015. The concert was included in the blu-ray of her tenth single "DEAD OR LIE".

As part of ALTIMA, she collaborated with musician KOTOKO in performing the song "Plasmic Fire", which was used as the theme song to the 2016 anime film Accel World: Infinite Burst. During the Animelo Summer Live event in August 2016, ALTIMA announced a hiatus from music activities. She released her tenth single "DEAD OR LIE" on August 17, 2016 featuring the duo TRUSTRICK; the song was used as the opening theme for the 2016 anime series Danganronpa 3: The End of Kibougamine Gakuen: Mirai-hen. Kurosaki's 11th single "VERMILLION" was released on November 23, 2016; the song was used as the ending theme for the 2016 anime series Drifters.

2017~present: Best album

Her tenth single "Last Desire" was released on March 22, 2017; the title track was used as the fourth opening theme for the 2016/2017 anime television series Rewrite, while the single's B-side track "Ignis Memory" was used as the theme song to the game Rewrite IgnisMemoria. This single was released under Key's record label Key Sounds Label.

On July 20, 2017 a best album was announced in her official website to will be released on September 27. After releasing the album will make a special live on October 24, to promote the new album. On August 7, it was announced that she was selected to sing the ending theme of the anime Saredo Tsumibito wa Ryuu to Odoru; the anime premieres on October 5.

Kurosaki Maon promoting Butterfly Effect (2011)

Kurosaki Maon promoting "HELL:ium" (2012)

Kurosaki Maon promoting "Rakuen no Tsubasa" (2014)

Kurosaki Maon promoting "VERMILLION" (2016)

Discography

Studio Albums

• [2011.11.30] Butterfly Effect
• [2013.04.10] VERTICAL HORIZON
• [2014.07.23] REINCARNATION (Tribute album)
• [2015.11.25] Mystical Flowers

Best Albums

• [2017.09.27] MAON KUROSAKI BEST ALBUM –M.A.O.N-

Image Albums

• [2010.09.22] H.O.T.D.
• [2011.08.10] Goshiki Uta -Immortal Lovers- (五色詠-Immortal Lovers-; Song of Five Colors -Immortal Lovers-)

Singles

• [2010.11.24] Magic∞world
• [2011.03.02] Memories Last (メモリーズ・ラスト)
• [2012.05.09] HELL:ium
• [2012.08.08] reimei (黎鳴-reimei-)
• [2012.10.17] UNDER/SHAFT
• [2013.11.06] X-encounter
• [2014.10.15] Rakuen no Tsubasa (楽園の翼; Wings of Paradise)
• [2015.05.13] Setsuna no Kajitsu (刹那の果実; Fruit of the Moment)
• [2015.08.19] Harmonize Clover / After Glow (ハーモナイズ・クローバー／アフターグロウ)
• [2016.08.17] DEAD OR LIE feat.TRUSTRICK
• [2016.11.23] VERMILLION
• [2017.11.xx] Untitled

Digital Downloads

• [2012.07.18] reimei <TV Size> (黎鳴-reimei-<TVサイズ>)
• [2012.10.11] UNDER/SHAFT <TV Size> (UNDER/SHAFT<TVサイズ>)
• [2013.07.14] FAMIRIA★BOUQUET (Fanclub only)
• [2013.10.16] X-encounter <TV Size> (X-encounter<TVサイズ>)
• [2014.02.12] Glorious world

Split Singles

• [2012.07.18] Yukyu no Uta (悠久ノ謳) (Kurosaki Maon & Ray)
• [2013.07.31] Hanayui no Uta (花結ノ謳) (Kurosaki Maon & Ray)

Other Singles

• [2017.03.22] Last Desire

Compilations / Other

• [2010.07.28] HIGHSCHOOL OF THE DEAD -SPECIAL SAMPLER DISC- (#04 "Kimi to Taiyou ga Shinda Hi (Short Ver.)", #05 "|color me dark (Short Ver.)")
• [2010.09.22] Gakuen Mokushiroku HIGHSCHOOL OF THE DEAD Original Soundtrack (#24 "Kimi to Taiyou ga Shinda Hi (Short Ver.)")
• [2011.01.26] To Aru Majustu no Index II Original Soundtrack 1 (#23 "Magic∞world (TV Size)")
• [2011.05.25] To Aru Majustu no Index II Original Soundtrack 2 (#23 "Memories Last (TV Size)")
• [2013.05.22] The Galaxy Express 999 (Animelo Summer Live 2013 -FLAG NINE-)
• [2013.08.28] To Aru Majustu no TV Songs (#9 "Magic∞world", #10 "Memories Last", #12 "Snap out of it!!")
• [2014.01.22] Disney Rocks!!! Girl's Power! (#14 "A Whole New World")
• [2014.01.29] Tokyo Ravens Original Soundtrack vol.1 (#1 "X-encounter (TV-size)")
• [2014.05.13] Idol Master - "ONENESS" (Animelo Summer Live 2014 -ONENESS-)
• [2014.12.24] master groove circle "NIJIIRO" (#4 "ANSWER -Determination mix-", #9 "Magic∞world - Silver mix-")
• [2015.06.17] Anisama Friends - "Hajimare, THE GATE!!" (ハジマレ、THE GATE!)
• [2016.04.26] Anisama Friends - "PASSION RIDERS"
• [2017.02.22] ROCK IN DISNEY - Princess Songs (#8 "A Whole New World")
• [2017.06.28] Rewrite Animation Original Sound Track (CD4 #8 "Last Desire (TVsize)")
• [2017.07.28] I've GIRL's COMPILATION vol.10 "ALIVE" (CD1 #14 "IgnisMemory -I've Remix-")
• [2017.08.11] Re:Change ~Rewrite EDM Arrange Album~ (#9 "Ignis Memory (MUZIK SERVANT vs Freezer Remix)", #10 "Last Desire (DJ Shimamura Remix)")

Credits

Note: All credits are for "Lyrics" unless otherwise indicated.

• ALTIMA
  • I'll believe (with MOTSU)
  • -Indefinitely- (with MOTSU)
  • ONE (with MOTSU)
  • WISH i WISH (with MOTSU)
  • Burst The Gravity (with MOTSU)
  • CYBER CYBER (with MOTSU)
  • Fight 4 Real (with MOTSU)
  • Backfire (with MOTSU)
  • Mission Dispatch (with MOTSU)
  • Here We Are ~Mountain Explosion~ (with MOTSU)
  • PLASMIC FIRE (with KOTOKO and MOTSU)
  • MAX CAPACITY (with MOTSU)

• Luce Twinkle Wink☆
  • Koi no prologue* (恋のprologue*)

• Ray
  • Chigiri -Kono Hiroi Hiroi, Jikuu wo Koete- (契－この広い広い、時空を越えて－)
  • Uwagoto -Shizumi Yuku Watashi no- (譫言－沈みゆく私の－)
  • Hikari (ひかり)
  • Hajimari no Asa (始まりの朝)
  • You're my jewel

External Links

• NBCUniversal Entertainment Official Profile
• Official Fan Club
• Official Blog
• Official Twitter
• Purchase: iTunes | Recochoku | mora
• VGMdb