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Difference between revisions of "ZONE"

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[[Image:ZONE.jpg|thumb|270px|ZONE]]
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<div align="justify">
 
'''ZONE''' (ゾーン) was a four person [[J-Pop|Japanese pop]]/[[J-Rock|rock]] band. The group was formed by [[Studio Runtime|Studio Runtime]] after a series of auditions to form a new type of group called ''bandol'', a combination of ''band'' and ''idol''. After a short indie career the band signed to [[Sony]]. The band became winners of the the [[Japan Gold Disk]] New Artist of the year of 2002 for their famous single, "[[Secret Base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~|secret base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~]]". However in late 2003, [[Okoshi Takayo|Takayo]] announced her graduation from ZONE to pursue her studies and was replaced by [[Nishimura Tomoka|Tomoka]], one of the two original members cut from the band when they scaled from six members to four. The band disbanded in mid 2005.
 
'''ZONE''' (ゾーン) was a four person [[J-Pop|Japanese pop]]/[[J-Rock|rock]] band. The group was formed by [[Studio Runtime|Studio Runtime]] after a series of auditions to form a new type of group called ''bandol'', a combination of ''band'' and ''idol''. After a short indie career the band signed to [[Sony]]. The band became winners of the the [[Japan Gold Disk]] New Artist of the year of 2002 for their famous single, "[[Secret Base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~|secret base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~]]". However in late 2003, [[Okoshi Takayo|Takayo]] announced her graduation from ZONE to pursue her studies and was replaced by [[Nishimura Tomoka|Tomoka]], one of the two original members cut from the band when they scaled from six members to four. The band disbanded in mid 2005.
  
==<span class="mw-headline">Members</span>==
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==Members==
 
 
 
Members at time of disbanding:
 
Members at time of disbanding:
 
 
* [[Nagase Miyu]] (lead vocals, guitar)
 
* [[Nagase Miyu]] (lead vocals, guitar)
* [[Nishimura Tomoka|Nishimura Tomoka]] (lead guitar, vocals)
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* [[Nishimura Tomoka]] (lead guitar, vocals)
 
* [[Saito Mizuho|Saito Mizuho]] (drums, vocals)
 
* [[Saito Mizuho|Saito Mizuho]] (drums, vocals)
 
* [[Sakae Maiko]] (bass, vocals)
 
* [[Sakae Maiko]] (bass, vocals)
  
===<span class="mw-headline">Graduated</span>===
+
===Graduated===
 
 
 
* [[Okoshi Takayo]] (lead guitar, vocals) - ''left at end of 2003''
 
* [[Okoshi Takayo]] (lead guitar, vocals) - ''left at end of 2003''
  
==<span class="mw-headline">Information</span>==
+
==Information==
 
+
<div align="justify">
===<span class="mw-headline">Early Days</span>===
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===Early Days===
 
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It all started out in 1999 when [[Studio Runtime]] ran auditions to form a new type a group, a ''bandol''. The word ''bandol'' being a combination of the words ''band'' and ''idol''. The all the group would have to sing, dance, and play an instrument. The bands name refers to their initial goal, starting out at the bottom ('''Z''', the last letter of the alphabet) and going all the way to number one ('''ONE''').
<div class="thumb tright"><div class="thumbinner" style="width: 302px">[[Image:ZONE - Debut.jpg|[[Image:300px-ZONE_-_Debut.jpg|300px|ZONE around their debut (1999)]]]]<div class="thumbcaption"><div class="magnify" style="float: right">[[Image:ZONE - Debut.jpg|[[Image:magnify-clip.png]]]]</div>ZONE around their debut (1999)</div></div></div>
 
 
 
It all started out in 1999 when [[Studio Runtime|Studio Runtime]] ran adutitions to form a new type a group, a ''bandol''. The word ''bandol'' being a combination of the words ''band'' and ''idol''. The all the group would have to sing, dance, and play an instrument. The bands name refers to their initail goal, starting out at the bottom ('''Z''', the last letter of the alphebet) and going all the way to number one ('''ONE''').
 
  
 
Initially ZONE started off with eight members in 1997, then was reduced down to six members and finally four. In 1999 the group released their first single, "[[Believe In Love|believe in love]]" on the indie label [[Knockers Records|Knockers Records]]. The single featured a normal pop idol sound, and only featured the girls singing and dancing. Though the single failed to chart on the [[Oricon]] charts, it did well on the indie charts.
 
Initially ZONE started off with eight members in 1997, then was reduced down to six members and finally four. In 1999 the group released their first single, "[[Believe In Love|believe in love]]" on the indie label [[Knockers Records|Knockers Records]]. The single featured a normal pop idol sound, and only featured the girls singing and dancing. Though the single failed to chart on the [[Oricon]] charts, it did well on the indie charts.
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Over the next year the girls were all given an instrument and trained on them. The bands re-emerged in 2001 with their second single, "[[Good Days|GOOD DAYS]]". The single marked their major label debut under [[Sony]].
 
Over the next year the girls were all given an instrument and trained on them. The bands re-emerged in 2001 with their second single, "[[Good Days|GOOD DAYS]]". The single marked their major label debut under [[Sony]].
  
===<span class="mw-headline">Success - Takayo's Graduation</span>===
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===Success - Takayo's Graduation===
 
 
<div class="thumb tright"><div class="thumbinner" style="width: 302px">[[Image:ZONE - SummerLive.jpg|[[Image:300px-ZONE_-_SummerLive.jpg|300px|ZONE during their first Summer Live (2002)]]]]<div class="thumbcaption"><div class="magnify" style="float: right">[[Image:ZONE - SummerLive.jpg|[[Image:magnify-clip.png]]]]</div>ZONE during their first Summer Live (2002)</div></div></div>
 
 
 
 
The bands breakthrough hit came as their fourth single, "[[Secret Base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~|secret base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~]]". The song was about sad goodbye to a good friend. The song was an instant hit reaching #2 on the [[Oricon]] and selling 744,000 copies. After another single the group released their debut album, "[[Z]]" just a year after their major label debut. On the same day ZONE also released thier sixth single, "[[Yume no Kakera...]]".
 
The bands breakthrough hit came as their fourth single, "[[Secret Base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~|secret base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~]]". The song was about sad goodbye to a good friend. The song was an instant hit reaching #2 on the [[Oricon]] and selling 744,000 copies. After another single the group released their debut album, "[[Z]]" just a year after their major label debut. On the same day ZONE also released thier sixth single, "[[Yume no Kakera...]]".
  
The bands next two singles share similar success. "[[Hitoshizuku]]" (which was used as the theme to the Japanese release of [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_Age_(film) Ice Age]) and "[[Akashi]]" reached #3 and sold over 100,000 copies. The band then assembled their second album, "[[O (ZONE)|O]]". The album was release less then nine months after their [[Z|debut album]].
+
The bands next two singles share similar success. "[[Hitoshizuku]]" (which was used as the theme to the Japanese release of [[wikipedia:Ice Age (film)|Ice Age]]) and "[[Akashi]]" reached #3 and sold over 100,000 copies. The band then assembled their second album, "[[O (ZONE)|O]]". The album was release less then nine months after their [[Z|debut album]].
  
Much like with with their first album the band released a single ("[[Shiroi Hana]]") on the same day of their second albums release. The bands next two singles ("[[True Blue / Renren...|true blue / Renren...]]" and "[[HANABI - Kimi ga Ita Natsu|H・A・N・A・B・I ~Kimi ga Ita Natsu~]]") both reached #3 on the [[Oricon]]. The track "[[True Blue / Renren...|true blue]]" was used as the ending theme to the [[Astro Boy|Astro Boy]] [[anime]]. The single sold well, and became the groups best selling since "[[Secret Base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~|secert base]]". Because of this ZONE even collabrated with the [[Run Time All Stars|Run Time All Stars]] to create an [[Astro Boy|Astro Boy]] themed album.
+
Much like with with their first album the band released a single ("[[Shiroi Hana]]") on the same day of their second albums release. The bands next two singles ("[[True Blue / Renren...|true blue / Renren...]]" and "[[HANABI - Kimi ga Ita Natsu|H・A・N・A・B・I ~Kimi ga Ita Natsu~]]") both reached #3 on the [[Oricon]]. The track "[[True Blue / Renren...|true blue]]" was used as the ending theme to the [[Astro Boy|Astro Boy]] [[anime]]. The single sold well, and became the groups best selling since "[[Secret Base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~|secert base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~]]". Because of this ZONE even collabrated with the [[Run Time All Stars|Run Time All Stars]] to create an [[Astro Boy]] themed album.
 
 
<div class="thumb tright"><div class="thumbinner" style="width: 302px">[[Image:ZONE - Tomo.jpg|[[Image:300px-ZONE_-_Tomo.jpg|300px|ZONE with Tomoka (2004)]]]]<div class="thumbcaption"><div class="magnify" style="float: right">[[Image:ZONE - Tomo.jpg|[[Image:magnify-clip.png]]]]</div>ZONE with [[Nishimura Tomoka|Tomoka]] (2004)</div></div></div>
 
  
 
[[Okoshi Takayo|Takayo]] then announced that she would be leaving the group to further pursue her studies. Her last single with the group was "[[Boku no Tegami]]". The single reached #2, and [[Okoshi Takayo|Takayo]] then gracefully graduated from the group.
 
[[Okoshi Takayo|Takayo]] then announced that she would be leaving the group to further pursue her studies. Her last single with the group was "[[Boku no Tegami]]". The single reached #2, and [[Okoshi Takayo|Takayo]] then gracefully graduated from the group.
  
===<span class="mw-headline">Tomoka Joins - Disbandment</span>===
+
===Tomoka Joins - Disbandment===
 
+
After a four month absence the band returned in early 2004 with their new guitarist, [[Nishimura Tomoka]]. [[Nishimura Tomoka|Tomoka]] was one of the original six girls in the group before the cut-down. The first single featuring [[Nishimura Tomoka|Tomoka]] was "[[Sotsugyou (ZONE)|Sotsugyou]]". The band released three more singles, each of which started selling less and ranking lower than one another.
After a four month absence the band returned in early 2004 with their new guitarist, [[Nishimura Tomoka|Nishimura Tomoka]]. [[Nishimura Tomoka|Tomoka]] was one of the original six girls in the group before the cut-down. The first single featuring [[Nishimura Tomoka|Tomoka]] was "[[Sotsugyou (ZONE)|Sotsugyou]]". The band released three more singles, each of which started selling less and ranking lower than one another.
 
  
In February of 2005 it was announced that ZONE would be disbanding at the end of their Spring Tour. It was initially [[Saito Mizuho|Saito Mizuho]]'s idea to leave, however, they did not want to replace her and didn't want to continue the band on as a three piece band.
+
In February of 2005 it was announced that ZONE would be disbanding at the end of their Spring Tour. It was initially [[Saito Mizuho]]'s idea to leave, however, they did not want to replace her and didn't want to continue the band on as a three piece band.
  
 
On April 1st ZONE played their final live concert at Nihon Budokan. It was then on April 1st, 2005 that they disbanded. The last song they played at the concert was their initial hit, "[[Secret Base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~|secret base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~]]".
 
On April 1st ZONE played their final live concert at Nihon Budokan. It was then on April 1st, 2005 that they disbanded. The last song they played at the concert was their initial hit, "[[Secret Base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~|secret base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~]]".
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[[Nagase Miyu|Miyu]] and [[Okoshi Takayo|Takayo]] are now pursuing a solo careers. While [[Sakae Maiko|Maiko]] now fronts the all-girl band [[MARIA (band)|MARIA]].
 
[[Nagase Miyu|Miyu]] and [[Okoshi Takayo|Takayo]] are now pursuing a solo careers. While [[Sakae Maiko|Maiko]] now fronts the all-girl band [[MARIA (band)|MARIA]].
  
The band has been given an homage in the anime [[The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya|The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya]] by featuring a band named '''ENOZ''' (ZONE reversed).
+
The band has been given an homage in the [[Anime|anime]] [[Wikipedia:Haruhi Suzumiya#Anime|The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi]] by featuring a band named '''ENOZ''' (ZONE reversed).
 
 
==<span class="mw-headline">Discography</span>==
 
 
 
<div class="thumb tright"><div class="thumbinner" style="width: 252px">[[Image:Jbn zone16.jpg|[[Image:250px-Jbn_zone16.jpg|250px|ZONE]]]]<div class="thumbcaption"><div class="magnify" style="float: right">[[Image:Jbn zone16.jpg|[[Image:magnify-clip.png]]]]</div>ZONE</div></div></div>
 
 
 
===<span class="mw-headline">Albums</span>===
 
  
 +
==Discography==
 +
===Albums===
 
* [2002.02.14] [[Z]]
 
* [2002.02.14] [[Z]]
 
* [2002.11.27] [[O (ZONE)|O]]
 
* [2002.11.27] [[O (ZONE)|O]]
* [2003.07.16] [[ASTRO Girlz & Boyz]] ('''ZONE with Girlz & Boyz''' ([[Run Time All Stars|Run Time All Stars]]))
+
* [2003.07.16] [[ASTRO Girlz & Boyz]] ('''ZONE with Girlz & Boyz''' ([[Run Time All Stars]]))
 
* [2004.02.18] [[N]]
 
* [2004.02.18] [[N]]
* [2005.04.13] [[E - Complete A side Singles -]]
+
* [2005.04.13] [[E ~Complete A side Singles~]]
* [2006.04.19] [[Ura E -Complete B-side Melodies-|Ura E -Complete B-side Melodies-]]
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* [2006.04.19] [[Ura E ~Complete B-side Melodies~]]
  
===<span class="mw-headline">Singles</span>===
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===Singles===
  
 
* [1999.12.18] [[Believe In Love|believe in love]]
 
* [1999.12.18] [[Believe In Love|believe in love]]
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* [2005.03.09] [[Egao Biyori]] (笑顔日和)
 
* [2005.03.09] [[Egao Biyori]] (笑顔日和)
  
===<span class="mw-headline">DVD</span>===
+
===DVD===
 
 
 
* [2003.10.29] [[ZONE Clips 01 ~Sunny Side~|ZONE CLIPS 01 ~Sunny Side~]]
 
* [2003.10.29] [[ZONE Clips 01 ~Sunny Side~|ZONE CLIPS 01 ~Sunny Side~]]
 
* [2004.03.17] [[ZONE Clips 02 ~Forever Side~|ZONE CLIPS 02 ~Forever Side~]]
 
* [2004.03.17] [[ZONE Clips 02 ~Forever Side~|ZONE CLIPS 02 ~Forever Side~]]
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* [2005.06.22] [[ZONE Final in Nippon Budokan ~Thank You from the Bottom of My Heart~|ZONE Final in Nippon Budokan ~Thank You from the Bottom of My Heart~]]
 
* [2005.06.22] [[ZONE Final in Nippon Budokan ~Thank You from the Bottom of My Heart~|ZONE Final in Nippon Budokan ~Thank You from the Bottom of My Heart~]]
  
==<span class="mw-headline">External Links</span>==
+
==External Links==
 
 
 
* [http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/Info/ZONE/ Official Site]
 
* [http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/Info/ZONE/ Official Site]
 
* [http://www.runtime.co.jp/ Runtime Official Website]
 
* [http://www.runtime.co.jp/ Runtime Official Website]

Revision as of 16:37, 27 May 2009

ZONE

ZONE (ゾーン) was a four person Japanese pop/rock band. The group was formed by Studio Runtime after a series of auditions to form a new type of group called bandol, a combination of band and idol. After a short indie career the band signed to Sony. The band became winners of the the Japan Gold Disk New Artist of the year of 2002 for their famous single, "secret base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~". However in late 2003, Takayo announced her graduation from ZONE to pursue her studies and was replaced by Tomoka, one of the two original members cut from the band when they scaled from six members to four. The band disbanded in mid 2005.

Members

Members at time of disbanding:

Graduated

Information

Early Days

It all started out in 1999 when Studio Runtime ran auditions to form a new type a group, a bandol. The word bandol being a combination of the words band and idol. The all the group would have to sing, dance, and play an instrument. The bands name refers to their initial goal, starting out at the bottom (Z, the last letter of the alphabet) and going all the way to number one (ONE).

Initially ZONE started off with eight members in 1997, then was reduced down to six members and finally four. In 1999 the group released their first single, "believe in love" on the indie label Knockers Records. The single featured a normal pop idol sound, and only featured the girls singing and dancing. Though the single failed to chart on the Oricon charts, it did well on the indie charts.

Over the next year the girls were all given an instrument and trained on them. The bands re-emerged in 2001 with their second single, "GOOD DAYS". The single marked their major label debut under Sony.

Success - Takayo's Graduation

The bands breakthrough hit came as their fourth single, "secret base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~". The song was about sad goodbye to a good friend. The song was an instant hit reaching #2 on the Oricon and selling 744,000 copies. After another single the group released their debut album, "Z" just a year after their major label debut. On the same day ZONE also released thier sixth single, "Yume no Kakera...".

The bands next two singles share similar success. "Hitoshizuku" (which was used as the theme to the Japanese release of Ice Age) and "Akashi" reached #3 and sold over 100,000 copies. The band then assembled their second album, "O". The album was release less then nine months after their debut album.

Much like with with their first album the band released a single ("Shiroi Hana") on the same day of their second albums release. The bands next two singles ("true blue / Renren..." and "H・A・N・A・B・I ~Kimi ga Ita Natsu~") both reached #3 on the Oricon. The track "true blue" was used as the ending theme to the Astro Boy anime. The single sold well, and became the groups best selling since "secert base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~". Because of this ZONE even collabrated with the Run Time All Stars to create an Astro Boy themed album.

Takayo then announced that she would be leaving the group to further pursue her studies. Her last single with the group was "Boku no Tegami". The single reached #2, and Takayo then gracefully graduated from the group.

Tomoka Joins - Disbandment

After a four month absence the band returned in early 2004 with their new guitarist, Nishimura Tomoka. Tomoka was one of the original six girls in the group before the cut-down. The first single featuring Tomoka was "Sotsugyou". The band released three more singles, each of which started selling less and ranking lower than one another.

In February of 2005 it was announced that ZONE would be disbanding at the end of their Spring Tour. It was initially Saito Mizuho's idea to leave, however, they did not want to replace her and didn't want to continue the band on as a three piece band.

On April 1st ZONE played their final live concert at Nihon Budokan. It was then on April 1st, 2005 that they disbanded. The last song they played at the concert was their initial hit, "secret base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~".

Miyu and Takayo are now pursuing a solo careers. While Maiko now fronts the all-girl band MARIA.

The band has been given an homage in the anime The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi by featuring a band named ENOZ (ZONE reversed).

Discography

Albums

Singles

DVD

External Links