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Shiina Hekiru

Shiina Hekiru (2005)

Shiina Hekiru (椎名へきる) is a Japanese pop/rock artist and seiyuu. She made her musical debut in 1992 as part of the Idol group Hummingbird. Slowly over the years Hekiru has been trying to distance herself from her original made-up idol image. With the release of her "Baby blue eyes" album her musical styling switched over to a pop/rock sound.

Profile

  • Stage Name: Shiina Hekiru
  • Date of Birth: March 12th 1974
  • Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
  • Height: 152cm (5')
  • Weight: 38 kg
  • Measurements: 77-58-83
  • Blood Type: A
  • Strength: Tries her best at everything
  • Favorite Artists: White Snake, VOW WOW, Europe, Dream Theater, AC/DC, Andrew W.K.
  • Interesting Fact: Shiina is not a big fan of meat and doesn't eat it very often. She used to really dislike beef.

Information

File:Shiina Hekiru Humming.jpg
Hekiru with Hummingbird (1993)

Shiina Hekiru wanted to grow-up and become an actress. As she grew older she released that she wasn't the right height and lacked the physical appearance to be a stage actress. She then decided to become a seiyuu, where her physical appearance wouldn't matter.

Shiina first put in an application to Arts Vision Production Company before she even graduated from high school. During her sophomore year of high school she auditioned and chosen as a finalist. In her junior year of high school she left home and entered the Arts Vision's associated seiyuu school. Two years later, fresh out of high school Hekiru started her career as a seiyuu.

During this time, Shiina was determined to make a living and do it all on her own. She took on tons of odd end jobs to pay her bills, and didn't rely on her parents for any money. Because of those experiences Shiina learned not to take things for granted and to try her best in everything she does.

Shiina went through some hard times, where she could barely could make enough to eat. While she could have found better paying jobs, she deliberately applied for ones where she would have to speak and use her voice a lot, to help train her voice.

In 1993 Shiina played the voice of Toreishi Mina in the Idol Defense Force Hummingbird anime. After the release of the anime, Shiina with the other seiyuu's from the anime got together and formed the idol pop group Hummingbird.

File:Hekiru Shiina - dakishimete.jpg
Hekiru promoting "Dakishimete" (1998)

In 1994 Shiina released her debut solo album, "Shiena". The album was a flop, only reaching until the lower part of the top 100. Later on that year she played one of her best-known roles as Shidou Hikaru from Magic Knights Rayearth, and her popularity started to increase. The pop group Hummingbird would later call it quits that year.

In early 1995, Shiina released her first single "Setsunai Egao" and followed up a month later with her second album, "Respiration". Since the beginning of her career, she has fought to portray the image she wanted people to see. During these releases she tried hard to shed her overly-made up idol image that she represented while in Hummingbird and on her debut album. Though over the course of her next couple albums she was still considered an idol. Shiina embraced a more natural image with her third album, "No Make Girl". The title itself refering to her being a "no-makeup kind of girl."

On 1998.01.21, Shiina released her ninth single, "Graduater". The song at first wasn't a big deal, but after she made an appearance on Pop Jam and performed the song, it caused it to became a big hit. With her next album she became extremely involved. On "Baby blue eyes" Shiina was allowed to select the songs she wanted for the album, unlike in the past. This album has caused a shift in musical style, moving more into the rock genre.

File:Shiina Hekiru FtF.jpg
Hekiru promoting "Face to Face" (1999)

Shiina has since been putting out her own breed of energetic pop/rock music, releasing a new album almost every year. She often collaborates with DAITA (the former guitarist from SIAM SHADE), who helps give her music that rock edge.

Shiina is also a well established radio personality. Her first radio programs started in October of 1995: "Suppin Smile" and "Shine in Naked", both of which have since ended. In October of 1997, She started-up two more radio shows: "Miracle Browser" which ended in September of 1998, and "Deeper Street" which ended in March of 1998. On one radio show, Shiina mentioned that she would always get very embarrassed while she performed at her concerts, because her male fans in the front rows would start stripping down to their waist. On her radio shows, due to all her experience from the past, she understands many of the experience that her listeners write-in about and can offer her own answers and advice.

On 2004.09.09, all Shiina's old 8cm CD singles were re-released as 12cm CD's.

Shiina will be released a complete singles collection abum on March 12th 2008. The album was originally set for release on 2007.12.19, but was later pushed back.

Discography

Albums

Other Albums

Singles

VHS / DVDs

External Links

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