Hikaru Genji (band)
| Company type | Pop idol group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Founder | Johnny & Associates (management) |
| Defunct | 1995 |
| Fate | Disbanded |
| Headquarters | Japan , Japan |
Area served | Japan |
| Products | Music recordings, singles, albums |
| Parent | Johnny & Associates |
was a Japanese pop idol ensemble whose name was inspired by the character Hikaru Genji from The Tale of Genji. Under the management of Johnny & Associates between 1987 and 1995, they played a pivotal role in Japan's pop music industry.
History
Hikaru Genji held the distinction of being the youngest male group to reach number one on the Oricon singles charts until 2007, when they were overtaken by another Johnny & Associates act, Hey! Say! 7. In 1988, they achieved the rare feat of occupying the top three positions on the Oricon singles chart simultaneously, becoming only the second artist to do so, and were also the third to claim both first and second places at once. That same year, they earned the Japan Record Award for "Paradise Ginga," marking them as the second artist from Johnny & Associates to receive this accolade prior to the agency's decision to decline future award nominations.
Following the departure of members Mikio Osawa and Hiroyuki Sato in 1994, the remaining members formed Hikaru Genji Super 5, which disbanded a year later in 1995. Subsequently, Kazumi Morohoshi and Junichi Yamamoto exited Johnny & Associates, whereas Atsuhiro Sato and Kohji Uchiumi continue their affiliation with the agency. Akira Akasaka was removed from the group after his 2007 arrest related to methamphetamine possession.
Members
Hikaru
- Leader
- Vocalist
Genji
- Center
- Vocalist
- Lead Vocalist
- Vocalist
- Vocalist
Singles
- "Star Light"
- "Little Birthday"
- "Co Co Ro"
- "Winning Run"
- "Growing Up"
- "Take Off"
- "Meet Me"
- "Boys in August"
- "Try to Remember"
Albums
- Hi!
- Hey! Say!
- Hello... I Love You
- Cool Summer
- 333 Thank You
- Victory
- Best Friends
- Dream Passport
- Speedy Age
- Welcome
- Heart'n Hearts
- Forever Yours
- Super Best Try to Remember
- See You Again
Singles
- "Melody Five"
- "Bye-Bye"
Album
- Someone Special
Japan Record Awards
|- | 1988 | "Paradise Ginga" | Japan Record Award | |- }}
Japan Gold Disc Awards
Throughout their career, Hikaru Genji received fifteen accolades at the annual Japan Gold Disc Award hosted by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
|- |- | rowspan="5" |1988 |- | rowspan="2" |Hikaru Genji |- | New Artist Award |- | Best 5 New Artist Award |- | rowspan="2" |"Glass no Jūdai" |- | Singles Award |- | "Starlight" |- | Singles Award |- | Hikaru Genji |- | Album Award |- | rowspan="6" |1989 |- | Hikaru Genji |- | Best 5 Artists |- | rowspan="2" |"Paradise Ginga" |- | Grand Prix Singles Award |- | rowspan="3" |Best 5 Singles Award |- | "Diamond Hurricane" |- | "Tsurugi no Mai" |- | Hi! |- | Album Award |- | 1990 |- | "Taiyō ga Ippai" |- | Best 5 Singles Award |- | 1991 |- | Furikaette Tomorrow |- | Album Award |- | 1992 |- | 333 Thank You |- | Album Award |- | 1993 |- | Best Friends |- | Album Award |}