misono
Kōda Misono (神田美苑 - こうだみその) is a Japanese singer-songwriter from Kyoto and younger sister to Koda Kumi. Misono was the lead singer of pop band Day After Tomorrow, until the group disbanded in 2005. In 2006, Misono made her debut as a solo artist, remaining under the Avex Trax label. Misono is also an aspiring actress, and debuted in the film Obachan Chips in 2007. Since her debut as a solo artist she has released thirteen singles and two studio albums.
Contents
Biography
Despite originating from Kyoto in Japan, Misono went to study at the prestigeous Okinawa Actors School in the southern islands of Japan. While at the school, she was a member in a popular group entitled B.B.WAVES. After being signed to the avex label, Misono would debut in 2002 as the lead vocalist of a new band; "day after tomorrow". Their self titled debut EP reached up to #10 on Oricon charts, and a following EP in November (day after tomorrow II) reached even further (up to #3).
Despite this success, it would not be until 2003 when Day After Tomorrow would reach their peak in popularity. Their single moon gate, being used as the theme song to the Namco game Tales of Symphonia, brought them their first #2 single. Six months after the debut of day after tomorrow, misono began to gain weight. Her chubby face was the critical reason for diminishing popularity and disbandment of day after tomorrow.
Two years later in 2005, the band would disband, but by this time they had achieved a total of two singles at #2 and two albums at #2 on Oricon charts.
However, in late March 2006 Misono would return to the music scene as a solo artist with the single VS (versus). Interestingly enough, this single was released on the same day as fellow labelmate and ex-Do As Infinity member Van Tomiko's debut solo album. By the end of the week, Misono reached #4 on the charts (with her sister's album Best ~Second Session~ also charting at #4 in the very same week, but on the album chart).
The VS single would be quickly followed in a month's time by a second (Kojin Jugyou), a third two months after that (Speedrive). In September 2006, she joined a dieting program (MTV Girls Meets Beauty supported by Takano Yuri) on October 5 2006 through MTV Japan.During this time she put out her fourth single (Lovely♥Cat's Eye). These singles were not as successful as VS, but still charted within the top #20.
After 5 singles, misono released her debut album, titled never+land. Unfortunately, the album flopped and debuted with low sales. The low sales have been thought to be from the lack of number of new songs on the album (only 4 songs out of 12 were new) and lack of promotion from Avex. This in turn caused Avex to cancel a previously mentioned mini cover album.
Misono released her sixth single called (Pochi) in May of 2007 which charted at a low number 36 on the Oricon Single Charts. In September of the same year Misono began the “Rock Singles Project” which would be rock themed singles produced by some of Japan's best rock acts. The first single in the project (Zasetsu Chiten) was produced by STRAIGHTENER bassist Hinata Hidekazu. In November of 2007, Misono released the second single (Junin Toiro) which was produced by Go!Go!7188. Two months later Misono finished her project with a single produced by Onsoku Line titled “Mugen Kigen.” None of the Rock Project singles entered the top twent on Oricon's single Charts. It had been announced Misono will have her second album in early 2008, but it was unexpectedly pulled. It was later announced that in June of 2006, Misono would be releasing the main theme song for the game Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World titled “Ninin Sankyaku.” The single had moderate success, charting at number 10 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. Her second album, Sei -say- was released in June 2006, but failed to make an impact much like her debut album due to lack of promotion.
In October 2008, Misono released her 11th single, Kazoku No Hi. In November 2008, Misono collaborated with Mai Satoda and Goda Kyodai on a Christmas single called, Mou Sugu Christmas, the single was very well received and went to number 3 on the Oricon Single Charts. In January 2009, Misono, Mai Satoda, and Goda Kyodai released a second single together called, Bye Bye, the single was also well received and went number 4 on the Oricon Single Charts. In February 2009 she released her 12th single (Kyuukon~Yaruki.Genki.Sonokinonekko~ / ?cm) and collaborated with her sister, Koda Kumi on a joint "Koda Kumi x misono" single titled “It's All Love!” on March 31st of 2009.
Discography
Albums
100px 1. Never+land (Y2007.02.28)
100px 2. Sei: Say (2008.07.16)
Singles
100px 2. Kojin Jugyō (2006.05.10)
100px 3. Speedrive (2006.07.12)
100px 4. Lovely♡Cat's Eye (2006.11.01)
100px 5. Hot Time/A.______~Answer~ (2007.02.07)
100px 7. Zasetsu Chiten (2007.09.12)
100px 8. Jūnin Toiro (2007.11.14)
100px 9. Mugen Kigen (2008.01.30)
100px 10. Ninin Sankyaku (2008.06.25)
100px 11. Kazoku no Hi (2008.10.29)
100px 12. Kyūkon: Yaruki.Genki.Sono ki no nekko/?cm (2009.02.25)
100px 12. It's All Love! (Kumi Koda x Misono) (2009.03.31)
Filmgraphy
1. Obachan Chips (2007)
100px 2. The Harimaya Bridge (2009)
