Mrs. Green Apple
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2013 in Tokyo, Japan |
| Headquarters | Tokyo , Japan |
Area served | Japan |
Key people | Motoki Ohmori (lead vocalist), Hiroto Wakai, Ryoka Fujisawa, Ayaka Yamanaka (former), Kiyokazu Takano (former) |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
| Owner | EMI Records (label) |
Mrs. Green Apple (stylized as Mrs. GREEN APPLE; ) is a rock group originating from Tokyo, Japan, that made their debut in 2015 under the EMI Records label. They rose to prominence after performing the fourth ending song for the anime Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V and releasing their debut full-length album, Twelve, which peaked at number 10 on Japan's national Oricon charts. Additionally, their track "Inferno" was selected as the opening theme for the anime Fire Force.
2013–2016: Formation and Early Releases
Motoki Ohmori, the lead vocalist, began composing music during his sixth-grade year and went on to establish Mrs. Green Apple in early 2013 alongside Hiroto Wakai, Ayaka Yamanaka, and an initial bassist. The lineup was finalized with the addition of Ryoka Fujisawa, forming a five-member ensemble.
On February 4, 2014, the band distributed their demo CD titled 1st Demo at live performances, featuring two tracks: "リスキーゲーム (Risky Game)" and "恋と吟(うた) (Koi to Uta)." Their debut mini album, Introduction, was launched on July 5 during a sold-out self-organized concert at Shibuya LUSH, where the original bassist announced his exit from the group.
In 2015, Mrs. Green Apple issued their first CD with nationwide distribution, Progressive, on February 18. They revealed plans for their major label debut at another sold-out show held on March 26. Subsequently, their mini album Variety was released through EMI Records on July 8. That summer, the band appeared at prominent festivals such as Rock in Japan Festival, Rising Sun Rock Festival, and Rush Ball. December saw the release of their inaugural single "Speaking," which was used as the fifth ending theme for Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V. Their first full studio album, Twelve, arrived on January 13, 2016, followed by numerous television performances and their initial nationwide tour spanning from March 1 to April 10.
2020–2022: Hiatus Period
Following completion of their first arena tour, Mrs. Green Apple unveiled a compilation titled Best Album "5," which included remastered selections alongside three new compositions. This collection was released globally on July 8, 2020, coinciding with the premiere of the music video for "Theater."
Shortly thereafter, the group declared the conclusion of "Phase 1" and deactivated individual Twitter profiles of its members. They issued an announcement confirming a pause intended as preparation for their forthcoming chapter and disclosed their departure from their previous management:
Effective July 8, 2020, Mrs. Green Apple announces "the end of Phase 1" along with a temporary hiatus. This break is not negative but rather a step toward preparing for Phase 2. The band has become independent from its former management company.
Alongside this transition, they initiated "Project-MGA," designed to recruit creative professionals and project personnel for Phase 2. On February 18, 2021, vocalist Motoki Ohmori launched his solo career with a digital EP titled "French," released on February 24.
On December 29, 2021, founding members drummer Ayaka Yamanaka and bassist Kiyokazu Takano announced their departure from the band. The remaining members—Fujisawa, Wakai, and Ohmori—prepared to commence Phase 2, planned for spring 2022 as revealed in a December 30 YouTube broadcast.
2024
On January 20, 2024, Ohmori revealed via the official website that he had been diagnosed with sudden hearing loss affecting his left ear, after experiencing hearing difficulties the day before. He confirmed that the band would continue with their planned concerts while closely monitoring his health and undergoing ongoing medical care.
"Columbus" music video controversy
In June 2024, Mrs. Green Apple encountered intense criticism following the release of the music video for their track "Columbus". Debuting on June 12, the video depicted band members portraying historical figures such as Christopher Columbus, Napoleon, and Beethoven, interacting with ape-like characters under their dominance. This visual content sparked widespread accusations of racial insensitivity and reinforcement of damaging stereotypes.
The backlash quickly spread across social media platforms, with many condemning the portrayal—particularly its connection to Columbus’s colonial history and the use of ape-like imagery reminiscent of racist tropes.
In response, Mrs. Green Apple issued a formal apology and promptly removed the video from their official YouTube channel the next day. They explained that their goal was to create a playful "fun house party" atmosphere featuring historical icons and expressed remorse for any offense caused. The group admitted that their artistic intent had been misunderstood and pledged to approach cultural matters with greater awareness.
Despite the apology, various media outlets including the BBC reported on the incident, emphasizing wider conversations about cultural representation and artistic accountability. Universal Music Japan also apologized, acknowledging insufficient consideration of historical and cultural context in the video. Furthermore, Coca-Cola Japan pulled all advertisements using the song amid the controversy.
2025
From July 2 to September 15, a partnership with Tokyo Disney Resort titled "Summer Cool-Off at Tokyo Disney Resort" was held. This campaign included a theme song partially released on the resort’s official YouTube channel. A television commercial featuring Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s song aired regionally in June before expanding nationwide. The commercial footage was accessible on both the resort’s YouTube channel and dedicated website starting June 6.
Band members
- Current lineup
- – vocals, guitar (2013–present)
- – guitar (2013–present)
- – keyboards (2013–present)
- Past members
- – bass guitar (2013–2014)
- – drums (2013–2021)
- – bass guitar (2014–2021)
Studio albums
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales | Certifications | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPN | JPN Cmb. |
JPN Hot | ||||
| Twelve |
|
10 | — | 10 |
|
|
| Mrs. Green Apple |
|
9 | — | 7 |
|
|
| Ensemble |
|
3 | — | 3 |
|
|
| Attitude |
|
4 | 3 | 1 |
|
|
| Antenna |
|
2 | 1 | 1 |
|
|
| "—" indicates a release that did not chart. | ||||||
Compilation albums
| Title | Information | Highest chart positions | Sales | Certifications | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPN |
JPN Cmb. |
JPN Hot | ||||
| 5 |
|
2 | 1 | 1 |
|
|
| Inferno & More Hits |
|
— | — | — | ||
| 10 |
|
1 | 1 | 1 |
|
|
| "—" indicates the album did not enter the charts. | ||||||
Soundtrack albums
| Title | Details | Highest chart rankings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPN Cmb. |
JPN Hot | ||
| The White Lounge in Cinema: Original Soundtrack |
|
9 | 9 |
Extended plays
| Title | Details | Peak chart rankings | Sales numbers | Certifications received | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPN | JPN Cmb. |
JPN Hot | ||||
| Introduction |
|
— | — | — | ||
| Progressive |
|
125 | — | 30 | ||
| Variety |
|
38 | — | 32 | ||
| Unity |
|
3 | 2 | 2 |
|
|
| "—" signifies that the record did not chart. | ||||||
Singles
| Title | Year | Highest Chart Positions | Certifications | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPN | JPN Cmb. |
JPN Hot |
WW | ||||
| "Speaking" | 2015 | 22 | — | 20 | — |
|
Twelve |
| "Samama Festival!" (サママ・フェスティバル!) | 2016 | 9 | — | 23 | — |
|
Mrs. Green Apple |
| "In the Morning" | 24 | — | 35 | — |
| ||
| "Dokoka de Hi wa Noboru" (どこかで日は昇る) | 2017 | 13 | — | 37 | — | Ensemble | |
| "Wanted! Wanted!" | 13 | — | 7 | — |
| ||
| "Whoo Whoo Whoo" | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Love Me, Love You" | 2018 | 19 | — | 18 | — |
|
Ensemble |
| "Ao to Natsu" (青と夏) | 14 | 3 | 7 | — |
|
Attitude | |
| "Boku no Koto" (僕のこと) | 2019 | 4 | 4 | 7 | — |
| |
| "Romanticism" (ロマンチシズム) | 9 | 7 | 11 | — |
| ||
| "Inferno" (インフェルノ) | — | 17 | 17 | — |
* RIAJ: ** Platinum (digital) ** Diamond (streaming) |
Unity | |
| "Present (English Version)" | 2020 | — | 45 | 47 | — | 5 | |
| "New My Normal" (ニュー・マイ・ノーマル) | 2022 | — | 38 | 23 | — |
* RIAJ: Platinum (streaming) |
Unity |
| "Soranji" | 6 | 5 | 7 | — |
* RIAJ: ** Gold (digital) ** Diamond (streaming) |
Antenna | |
| "Boku no Koto" (僕のこと) (Orchestra Version) | 2023 | — | — | 93 | — |
5 | |
| "Que Sera Sera" (ケセラセラ) | — | 5 | 3 | — |
* RIAJ: Diamond (streaming) |
Antenna | |
| "Nachtmusik" (ナハトムジーク) | 2024 | — | 8 | 3 | — |
* RIAJ: Platinum (streaming) |
rowspan=11|'10' |
| "Lilac" (ライラック) | — | 1 | 1 | 73 |
* RIAJ: ** Platinum (digital) ** Diamond (streaming) | ||
| "Dear" | — | 12 | 8 | — |
* RIAJ: Platinum (streaming) | ||
| "Columbus" (コロンブス) | — | 7 | 4 | — |
* RIAJ: 2× Platinum (streaming) | ||
| "Apollodorus" (アポロドロス) | — | 20 | 16 | — |
* RIAJ: Gold (streaming) | ||
| "Familie" | — | 8 | 3 | — |
* RIAJ: 2× Platinum (streaming) | ||
| "Bitter Vacances" (ビターバカンス) | — | 6 | 1 | 184 |
* RIAJ: Platinum (streaming) | ||
| "Darling" (ダーリン) | 2025 | — | 1 | 2 | 79 |
* RIAJ: 2× Platinum (streaming) | |
| "Kusushiki" (クスシキ) | — | 2 | 1 | 88 |
* RIAJ: ** Gold (digital) ** Platinum (streaming) | ||
| "Heaven" (天国) | — | 4 | 1 | 143 |
* RIAJ: Gold (streaming) | ||
| "Breakfast" | — | 6 | 1 | 173 |
* RIAJ: Gold (streaming) | ||
| "Carrying Happiness" | — | 13 | 4 | — |
Summer Cool-Off at Tokyo Disney Resort | ||
| "Summer Shadow" (夏の影) | — | 5 | 2 | — | |||
| "Good Day" | |||||||
Additional Charted and Certified Tracks
| Track Title | Release Year | Highest Chart Positions | Certification | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan Combined [upper-alpha 1] |
Japan Hot 100 | ||||
| "Gahōjin" (我逢人) | 2015 | — | — |
|
Progressive |
| "Start" | 48 | 45 |
|
Variety | |
| "Hug" | 2016 | — | — |
|
Twelve |
| "Shoki no Uta" (庶幾の唄) | — | — |
| ||
| "Kujira no Uta" (鯨の唄) | 2017 | — | 53 |
|
Mrs. Green Apple |
| "Shunshū" (春愁) | 2018 | — | 89 |
|
"Love Me, Love You" |
| "Party" | — | 99 | Ensemble | ||
| "Aufheben" (アウフヘーベン) | — | — |
| ||
| "Tenbyō no Uta" (点描の唄) (featuring Sonoko Inoue) |
— | 13 |
|
"Ao to Natsu" | |
| "Attitude" | 2019 | — | 66 |
|
Attitude |
| "Cheers" | — | 26 |
|
||
| "Lovin'" | — | 93 |
|
||
| "Uso Ja Nai yo" (嘘じゃないよ) | — | — |
|
||
| "Avoid Note" (アボイドノート) | 2020 | — | 51 | 5 | |
| "Present" (Japanese Version) | — | 64 | |||
| "Stardom" (スターダム) | — | 92 | |||
| "Dance Hall" (ダンスホール) | 2022 | 6 | 8 |
|
|
| "Blue Ambience" (ブルーアンビエンス) (featuring Asmi) |
— | 42 |
|
||
| "I'm Invincible" (私は最強) | — | 16 |
|
| |
| "Magic" | 2023 | 9 | 3 |
| |
| "Antenna" | 31 | 15 |
| ||
| "Loneliness" | — | — |
| ||
| "Darling" (18Fes version; live) | 2025 | — | 44 | "Darling" | |
| "Seeds of Delight" (慶びの種) | 17 | 11 | '10' | ||
| "Kyōshinshō" (狭心症) | 5 | 4 | 'Dear Jubilee: Radwimps Tribute' | ||
Awards and nominations
| Award ceremony | Year | Award category | Nominee(s)/Work(s) | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GQ Japan Men of the Year Awards | 2023 | Best Artist | Mrs. Green Apple | Template:Won |
| Japan Gold Disc Awards | 2025 | Artist of the Year (Japan) | Template:Won | |
| Best 5 Songs by Streaming | "Lilac" | Template:Won | ||
| Japan Record Awards | 2022 | Grand Prix | "Dance Hall" | Template:Nominated |
| Excellent Work Award (Songs of the Year) | Template:Won | |||
| 2023 | Grand Prix | "Que Sera Sera" | Template:Won | |
| Excellent Work Award (Songs of the Year) | Template:Won | |||
| 2024 | Grand Prix | "Lilac" | Template:Won | |
| MTV Video Music Awards Japan | 2023 | Video of the Year | "Que Sera Sera" | Template:Won |
| Best Visual Effects | Template:Won | |||
| Best Alternative Video | "Magic" | Template:Won | ||
| Artist of the Year | Mrs. Green Apple | Template:Won | ||
| 2025 | Best Group Video (Japan) | "Lilac" | Template:Won | |
| Best Art Direction Video | Template:Won | |||
| Best Cinematography | Template:Won |
External links
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