Ikimonogakari
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | February 1, 1999 in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan |
| Headquarters | Kanagawa Prefecture , Japan |
Key people | Yoshiki Mizuno, Kiyoe Yoshioka |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
| Parent | Sony Music Entertainment Japan (Epic Records) |
Ikimonogakari is a Japanese pop rock duo originating from Kanagawa Prefecture, composed of members Yoshiki Mizuno and Kiyoe Yoshioka. The band initially formed in February 1999 with childhood friends Hotaka Yamashita and Yoshiki Mizuno, who had known each other since the age of six, and later welcomed vocalist Kiyoe Yoshioka in November that same year. Their name is inspired by the term used for children assigned to care for plants and animals in Japanese elementary schools.
The group made their debut in 2006 with a single released under Sony Music Entertainment Japan’s Epic Records label. They have since produced multiple albums that reached the top position on the Oricon weekly charts. Their music has been widely utilized across various media platforms, including television commercials, anime series such as Naruto Shippuden, Japanese television dramas, live-action movies, the theme for NHK’s 2012 Olympic broadcast, and as a highlight in a nationwide junior high school music contest.
Their official fan club goes by the name .
Origins and early challenges, 1999–2003
Yoshiki Mizuno and Hotaka Yamashita first crossed paths in 1989 as first graders and formally established their band on February 1, 1999. Initially, they performed street covers of Masayoshi Yamazaki’s songs. On November 3, 1999, Kiyoe Yoshioka joined as the female lead vocalist, completing the trio’s lineup. During this period, they also covered Yuzu’s track "Natsuiro."
In September 2000, the group temporarily halted activities to concentrate on university entrance examinations. By March 2003, after overcoming personal difficulties, Yoshioka reunited with the band as they shifted their focus towards creating original acoustic compositions and expanding their live performances beyond street venues.
Breakthrough and ascent, 2003–2008
The band resumed street performances near Hon-Atsugi Station in April 2003. Their breakthrough came in June when a manager spotted them at a live event, leading to an extensive tour across Japan. On August 25, they released their first independent album titled Makoto ni Senetsu Nagara First Album wo Koshirae Mashita.... Their inaugural solo concert at a dedicated hall took place on March 26, 2005.
Their major label debut single "SAKURA" was launched on March 15, 2006, through Epic Records Japan (Sony). This was followed by "Hanabi," which climbed to number five on the Oricon charts. The band embarked on their first live tour between November 10 and 30 of that year. Their debut studio album Sakura Saku Machi Monogatari was released on March 7, 2007, entering the Oricon charts at number four. A supporting tour spanned from May to June.
The second studio album Life Album came out on February 13, 2008, debuting at number two on Oricon. The accompanying tour extended from March through May. On July 7, their tenth single "Bluebird" was released; it served as an opening theme for Naruto Shippuden and became their first single to reach the Top 3 on Oricon charts. Their third album My Song Your Song debuted at number one in December of the same year. The band achieved nationwide recognition by performing for the first time at the 59th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen on December 31.
Additionally, their track "Seishun no Tobira" was featured in the Japanese dubbed version of the animated movie Monster House (2007).
Acclaim and continued achievements, 2009–2017
On March 4, 2009, Ikimonogakari unveiled their inaugural video compilation titled Tottemo Ēzō. That same year, Mizuno composed "Yell" specifically for the junior high category of the 76th NHK Nationwide School Music Contest. Their 15th single, "Yell / Joyful," released on September 23, achieved the No. 1 position on the Oricon daily charts and climbed to No. 2 on the weekly charts—marking their highest rankings for a single to date. The band earned a Gold Artist accolade at the 2009 Best Hit Song Festival, which was their first award at that event. Their fourth studio album, Hajimari no Uta, launched on December 23, debuted at No. 1 on Oricon's weekly rankings. Additionally, they performed at the 60th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen held on New Year's Eve.
On June 9, 2012, NHK revealed that Ikimonogakari would provide the theme song for its Olympic coverage, titled "Kaze ga fuiteiru" (Wind is blowing). The group crafted this piece to motivate Japanese athletes. During the Olympic Games, they made live appearances on NHK broadcasts from Great Britain. Commemorating their 10th anniversary on March 15, 2016, they released Cho-Ikimonogakari~Temnenkinen Members' Best Selection~, which secured the top spot on music charts.
On January 5, 2017, Ikimonogakari declared a suspension of their collective activities, referring to it as a "grazing period," designed to allow members to focus on personal development at an individual pace. This indefinite pause left room for potential future reunions.
Resumption of activities, 2018–2021
Following a break during which members engaged in solo endeavors, the band announced their comeback with a tour slated for early 2019. Officially resuming activities on November 3, 2018—their 19th anniversary—they embarked on an exclusive fan club tour across eleven locations in Japan from March through May, marking their first such event in eight years. Subsequent appearances included television programs and music festivals. Despite the hiatus, Ikimonogakari retained significant popularity, ranking twelfth among Japanese music groups in 2019. A planned hall and arena tour celebrating their twentieth anniversary and eighth album We Do was ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak. In early 2021, they released their ninth studio album WHO?, featuring "Baku," which served as the eighth opening theme for the anime series Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. In June of that year, Hotaka Yamashita exited the band, leaving Ikimonogakari to continue as a duo.
Working as a duo, 2021 - present
In 2023, Ikimonogakari performed the ending theme for Pretty Cure All Stars F, as well as the opening theme for Power of Hope: PreCure Full Bloom. That year also saw the release of their tenth studio album titled 〇 (Maru). Early in 2024, they introduced the collaborative album "Ikimonogakari meets" and launched a nationwide hall tour. On November 2, 2024, they commemorated their 25th anniversary with a one-day concert at Nippon Budokan, featuring a street live-style show. The new track "Aitai" debuted and was streamed simultaneously. Alongside this event, they announced their eleventh original album Asobi, symbolizing a fresh chapter for Ikimonogakari as a duo.
Kiyoe Yoshioka
Kiyoe Yoshioka serves as the lead vocalist. Originating from Shizuoka and raised in Atsugi, Kanagawa, she is an alumna of Showa University College of Music. Her brother attended high school alongside Mizuno and Yamashita. Between 2009 and 2010, Yoshioka was the host of All Night Nippon. She made her voice acting debut portraying Eevee in Pokémon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened, which featured their track "Egao" as the closing theme. Additionally, she has penned lyrics and composed music for several A-side tracks such as Kimi ga Iru and GOLDEN GIRL.
In April 2018, Yoshioka launched her first solo single, followed by her inaugural solo album Utairo in October of the same year. She gained international recognition in September 2018 when chosen to perform "World in Union", the official anthem for the 2019 Rugby World Cup hosted in Japan.
On August 1, 2020, Yoshioka publicly announced her marriage to a man outside the entertainment industry.
Yoshiki Mizuno (composer)
Yoshiki Mizuno (水野 良樹), born December 17, 1982, is proficient in guitar and piano. Originally from Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, he relocated early on to Ebina in Kanagawa Prefecture. His education includes Otani Sugikubo Junior High and Atsugi Prefectural High School in Ebina. After leaving his studies in Economics and Politics at Meiji University, he completed a degree in Sociology at Hitotsubashi University. Mizuno registered his marriage on August 17, 2013, to a woman not involved in media; he has chosen to keep her identity confidential.
Hotaka Yamashita
Hotaka Yamashita (山下 穂尊), born August 27, 1982, contributed as a guitarist, harmonica player, and pianist. He was born in Ebina City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and attended Otani Junior High School and Atsugi High School before pursuing Sociology at Hosei University. Yamashita retired from the entertainment field following the group's performances at Yokohama Arena on June 10–11, 2021.
Supporting musicians
- Takashi Adachi – bass guitar
- Akimitsu Honma – keyboard
- Naoki Hayashibe – guitar
- Tomu Tamada – drums
Discography
- Studio albums
- 2007: Sakura Saku Machi Monogatari
- 2008: Life Album
- 2008: My Song Your Song
- 2009: Hajimari no Uta
- 2012: Newtral
- 2013: I
- 2014: Fun! Fun! Fanfare!
- 2019: We Do
- 2021: Who?
- 2023: "〇" (Maru)
- 2025: Asobi
- Compilation albums
- 2010: Ikimonobakari: Members Best Selection
- 2012: Barādon
- 2016: Chō Ikimonobakari: Ten-nen Kinen Members Best Selection
- Collaboration album
- 2024: Ikimonogakari Meets
Japan Record Awards
The Japan Record Awards, organized yearly by the Japan Composer's Association, honor exceptional accomplishments within the Japanese music industry. |- | 2010 | Hajimari no Uta | Best Album Award |