Galileo Galilei (band)
| Company type | Indie rock group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2007 in Wakkanai, Hokkaido, Japan |
| Headquarters | Wakkanai, Hokkaido , Japan |
Area served | Japan |
Key people | Yūki Ozaki (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), Kazuki Ozaki (drums, percussion, backing vocals), Fumito Iwai (guitar, backing vocals, keyboards), Masaki Okazaki (bass guitar), DAIKI (guitar) |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Number of employees | 5 (band members) |
is an indie rock group originating from Wakkanai, Hokkaido, Japan. They debuted in 2008 after securing victory at the youth audition event "Senkou Riot." The following year, they signed with SME Records and launched their first single, "Hamanasu no Hana," in 2010, which surpassed one million downloads. Their initial album, Parade (2011), climbed into the top five on the Oricon weekly rankings, followed by their sophomore release, Portal (2012).
Their tracks have been selected as theme songs for various anime series, including "Aoi Shiori" for Anohana, "Asu e" for Mobile Suit Gundam AGE, "Natsuzora" for Big Windup! Season 2, and "Climber" for the second season of Haikyu!!.
History
Galileo Galilei was established in 2007 by vocalist and guitarist Yūki Ozaki, guitarist Sōhei Funaya, bassist Hitoshi Sakō, and drummer Kazuki Ozaki. After winning the “Senkou Riot” competition in 2008, they secured a contract with SME Records in 2009. That same year, guitarist and backing vocalist Fumito Iwai joined the lineup, with keyboardist Kazumasa Noguchi becoming part of the group in 2011. Their albums Parade (2011) and Portal (2012) achieved peak positions of No. 5 and No. 10 on Japanese music charts respectively. In 2012, Iwai and Noguchi departed to create the band Folks.
The 2011 movie Control Tower, directed by Takahiro Miki, was inspired by their song sharing the same title and premiered at Japan Cuts. That year also saw them perform "Asu e" as the opening theme for the science fiction anime Mobile Suit Gundam AGE. Additionally, they provided "Aoi Shiori" as the opening track for Anohana.
On June 27, 2013, Galileo Galilei released "Circle Game," which served as the theme for the anime film adaptation of Anohana.
Their fifth studio album, Sea and The Darkness, came out in January 2016 before they announced their disbandment following a concluding tour in April. The song "Climber" from this album was used as the ending theme for the second season of Haikyu!!.
In 2018, former members formed a new ensemble called Bird Bear Hare and Fish, featuring support guitarist DAIKI.
After a six-year hiatus, Galileo Galilei reunited during warbear's "re:bear" concert on October 11, 2022. They unveiled their sixth album, Bee And The Whales, on May 31, 2023—their first release in seven years—and embarked on a Zepp venue tour.
On September 25, 2024, the band simultaneously issued two albums titled Manster and Mantral, each containing fourteen tracks.
Members
- Yūki Ozaki (尾崎雄貴) – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards (2007–2016, 2022–present)
- Kazuki Ozaki (尾崎和樹) – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2007–2016, 2022–present)
- Fumito Iwai (岩井郁人) – guitar, backing vocals, keyboards (2009–2012, 2022–present)
- Masaki Okazaki (岡崎真輝) – bass guitar (2022–present)
- DAIKI – guitar (2025-present)
Former members
- Hitoshi Sakō (佐孝仁司) – bass guitar, guitar (2007–2016)
- Sōhei Funaya (船谷創平) – guitar (2007–2009)
- Kazumasa Noguchi (野口一雅) – keyboards (2011–2012)
Live support members
- Chima – backing vocals, keyboards, percussion (2013–2016; session vocalist from 2009 to 2016)
Formation
During middle school years, Yuuki Ozaki found an electric guitar that sparked his ambition to start a band alongside his younger brother Kazuki. Early on, childhood friend Hitoshi Sakou joined after purchasing an entry-level guitar set. Initially unfamiliar with bass guitars, they adopted a dual-guitar approach influenced by acts like ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION and the pillows.
Once introduced to bass guitars, Hitoshi obtained one to complete their sound. Kazuki secretly honed his drumming skills on an inherited drum set before being invited to join as a supporting member. With guitarist Souhei Funaya added to the lineup, they began composing original material and officially formed Galileo Galilei in Wakkanai, Hokkaido in 2007.
On August 10, 2008, they won first place at the youth audition festival "Senkou Riot," returning as opening performers in 2009. They also opened at Young Flag 09 held at Zepp Sapporo. Following Souhei Funaya’s departure on August 31 to pursue other interests, Guild vocalist Fumito Iwai—whom they met during Senkou Riot auditions in 2008—joined the ensemble.
Major Debut
In 2010, the lead track from their major debut mini-album Hamasu no Hana (ハマスの花, meaning "Japanese Rose Flower") received widespread rotation on specialized music channels and FM radio stations nationwide. They earned the distinction of being the youngest group to perform the commercial jingle for au by KDDI's "LISMO." That year also marked their participation in prominent festivals such as "ROCK IN JAPAN FES" and "RUSH BALL."
March featured the "LISMO! Galileo Galilei Special Life" event at KDDI Designing Studio in Harajuku, which drew approximately 10,000 applicants competing for just 100 spots, with an audience of around 500 present on the day.
Their initial single "Natsuzora" (夏空, "Summer Sky") was released in June, followed by the second single "Yotsuba Sagashi no Tabibito" (四ツ葉さがしの旅人, "Four Leaf Searcher") in September. November saw the ringtone "Boku Kara Kimi E" (僕から君へ, "From Me to You") attain the top position on the RecoChoku Rock Song daily chart. This song was later included in their third single, which came out on January 19 of the next year.
The band's debut album Parade (パレード) was launched on February 16, 2011, accompanied by a solo tour. Later singles comprised "Aoi Shiori" (青い栞, "Blue Bookmark") released June 15, "Sayonara Frontier" (さよならフロンティア, "Goodbye Frontier") on September 7, and "Asu e" (明日へ, "To Tomorrow") on December 7. In December, they revealed plans for their second album PORTAL and officially welcomed Kazumasa Noguchi as a permanent member.
PORTAL was unveiled on January 25, 2012, alongside another solo tour. The band-score for this album and their inaugural artist book were published in February.
On September 13 of that year, it was announced that members Fumito Iwai and Kazumasa Noguchi would be leaving the group.
Their mini album Baby, It's Cold Outside dropped on October 31 and was featured alongside their first Ustream broadcast titled "'Baby, It's Cold Outside' so 'Ouchi Daisuki Club'" streamed live from Wanwan Studio.
In February 2013, they sought support members and launched a second Ustream broadcast called "Galileo Galilei Special Web Program." The seventh single "Circle Game" (サークルゲーム) was released on August 21, followed by their third album ALARMS in October and a corresponding solo tour.
February 2014 marked their first solo concert at Shibuya Public Hall, during which they released an updated version of "Hellogoodbye," a reimagining of their indie song "Hello Goodbye" (ハローグッバイ).
Their mini album See More Glass came out on October 1, coinciding with the nationwide "Galileo Galilei 'landing balloon tour' 2014."
On March 11, 2015, they issued their eighth single "Koi no Jumyō" (恋の寿命, translated as "Limit of Love"), followed by the ninth single "Arashi no Ato de" (嵐のあとで, meaning "After the Storm") on June 10.
The nationwide tour titled "Galileo Galilei 'broken tower tour' 2015" commenced on October 17 with their debut public performance in Sapporo. Their tenth single "Climber" (クライマー) was released on December 9.
Disbandment
In January 2016, Galileo Galilei declared their intention to conclude activities following a nationwide solo live series named "Galileo Galilei 'Sea and The Darkness' Tour 2016," scheduled from March through April. Their final studio album as a band, Sea and The Darkness, was released on January 27.
On June 15, they issued their first compilation album titled Sharin no Jiku (車輪の軸, or "Wheel's Axis"). The group’s farewell concert took place at Nippon Budokan on October 11 under the name "Galileo Galilei Last Live ~Sharin no Jiku~ at Nippon Budokan," with partial streaming via the internet platform AbemaTV. Exclusive vinyl editions of Sea and The Darkness were sold only at this event and through Sony Music Shop’s online store.
Their sole live DVD release arrived on January 25, 2017: "Galileo Galilei lastlive ~Sharin no Jiku~ at Nippon Budokan." In 2018, former members established a new band called Bird Bear Hare and Fish.
Restart of Operations
On October 11, 2022, members Yuuki Ozaki, Kazuki Ozaki, Masaki Okazaki, and Fumito Iwai declared the revival of Galileo Galilei in a renewed formation.
Their inaugural box set, Tsunagari Daisuki Box, was launched on March 29, 2023. Beginning in May, they initiated the nationwide "Bee and The Whales Tour 2023," with performances at Zepp venues spanning five different cities. At their concluding concert held at Zepp Haneda (TOKYO), they revealed plans for the forthcoming "Galileo Galilei Tour 2023 'WINTER HARVEST' -Fuyu no Shuukakusai-," scheduled for November with stops in Sapporo, Osaka, and Tokyo. Due to overwhelming demand and quick ticket sales, this additional tour was arranged for the Autumn season.
Their debut cinematic project, Our Galileo Galilei ~Aetane~: The Movie, debuted on November 3, 2023. The theme track "Aetane" (会えたね, meaning "We Met") was released earlier on October 11.
Studio albums
| Album Title | Release Information | Highest Chart Positions | Sales Figures (Japan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oricon (JPN) | |||
| 1tas2 |
|
— | |
| Parade |
|
5 | 28,000 |
| Portal |
|
10 | 20,000 |
| Alarms |
|
15 | 6,000 |
| Sea and the Darkness |
|
19 | 7,000 |
| Bee and the Whales |
|
||
| MANSTER |
|
||
| MANTRAL |
|
Extended plays
| EP Title | Release Details | Peak Chart Positions | Sales (Japan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPN | |||
| Ame Nochi Galileo (雨のちガリレオ, "Rain Followed by Galileo") |
|
38 | 8,000 |
| Hamanasu no Hana (ハマナスの花, "Japanese Rose Flower") |
|
14 | 19,000 |
| Baby, It's Cold Outside |
|
19 | 5,000 |
| See More Glass |
|
23 | 5,000 |
Compilation albums
| Title | Album information | Highest chart position |
|---|---|---|
| JPN | ||
| Sharin no Jiku (車輪の軸, Sharin no Jiku) |
|
15 |
Singles
| Title | Year released | Peak chart rankings | Sales (Japan) | Certifications | Associated album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oricon Singles Chart | Billboard Japan Hot 100 | |||||
| "Natsuzora" (夏空; "Summer Sky") | 2010 | 14 | 9 | 18,000 |
|
Parade |
| "Yotsuba Sagashi no Tabibito" (四ツ葉さがしの旅人; "Four Leaf Searcher") | 20 | 19 | 5,000 | |||
| "Boku Kara Kimi e" (僕から君へ; "From Me to You") | 2011 | 15 | 13 | 8,000 | ||
| "Aoi Shiori" (青い栞; "Blue Bookmark") | 9 | 20 | 28,000 |
|
Portal | |
| "Sayonara Frontier" (さよならフロンティア; "Goodbye Frontier") | 25 | 53 | 6,000 | |||
| "Asu e" (明日へ; "To Tomorrow") | 17 | 23 | 10,000 | |||
| "Circle Game" (サークルゲーム; Sākurugēmu) | 2013 | 18 | 19 | 26,000 |
Alarms | |
|- ! scope="row" | | rowspan="3" | 2015 | 25 || 48 | 3,000 | |rowspan="3"|Sea and the Darkness |- ! scope="row" | | 45 || 94 | 1,000 | |- ! scope="row" | | 29 || 77 | 5,000 | |}
Promotional singles
| Title | Year issued | Highest chart rank achieved | Related album |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard Japan Hot 100 | |||
| "Hamanasu no Hana" | 2010 | 6 | Hamanasu no Hana |
| "Lizzy" (リジー, Rijī) | 2012 | — | Baby, It's Cold Outside |
| "Pilot Girl" (パイロットガール, Pairotto Gāru) | 2013 | — | Alarms |
| "Hellogoodbye" | 2014 | — | Non-album single |
| "Mrs. Summer" | 2014 | — | See More Glass |
| "Bananafish no Hamabe to Kuroi Niji" (バナナフィッシュの浜辺と黒い虹; "Bananafish Beach and a Black Rainbow") (featuring Aimer) |
2014 | — | See More Glass |
| "Aoi Chi" (青い血; "Blue Blood") | 2016 | \u2014Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
|
Sea and the Darkness |