Otokogumi
| Industry | Music |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1987 |
| Founder | Johnny & Associates |
| Defunct | 1993 (initial hiatus) |
| Fate | Hiatus in 1993; resumed activities in 2022; final live tour in 2023 |
| Successor | Rockon Social Club (related band formed by members in 2022) |
| Headquarters | Japan , Japan |
Area served | Japan |
Key people | Narita, Okamoto, Takahashi, Morita, Maeda |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
| Owner | Johnny & Associates (management) |
Number of employees | 4 (members) (1988–1993, 2022–2023) |
| Parent | Johnny & Associates |
| Website | www |
was a Japanese pop idol ensemble under the management of Johnny & Associates from 1988 through 1993. They were the agency's pioneering act to debut as musicians who actively played instruments. In 2022, they resumed their musical pursuits for a limited one-year period.
History
Narita, Okamoto, and Takahashi became members of Johnny's in 1984, initially participating in a junior unit. By 1986, they served as hosts for the variety program "Idol Hanagumi Otokogumi" broadcast on NTV.
Prior to their official debut in early 1988, they performed alongside Shounen Ninja and Shonentai under the name "" at Nippon Budokan. Their debut single "Daybreak," released in August through BMG Victor, immediately reached the top spot during its first week and secured the fourth position on the annual singles chart for 1988. On December 31, 1988, they received the "Best New Artist" accolade at the 30th Japan Record Awards and performed on the widely viewed national show Kōhaku Uta Gassen. Their sixth single "Angel," released in 1991, marked the beginning of their efforts in songwriting and composition. Following Takahashi’s exit in 1993, the group entered a hiatus. Narita and Maeda subsequently departed from the agency, leaving only Morita affiliated until 2021.
In 2022, Otokogumi announced their return to music coinciding with their participation in TBS’s "Ongaku no Hi." The members had started reconnecting even before Johnny Kitagawa’s passing in 2019, which reignited their desire to collaborate. That same year, they formed a rock band named "Rockon Social Club" including bassist Yohito Teraoka from Jun Sky Walker(s).
Their concluding live tour titled "Otokogumi 2023 The Last Live" took place in 2023, revisiting venues originally planned before their break.
January 2024 saw an announcement from the group pledging a donation of 40 million yen from earnings of their final concert to aid those affected by the 2024 Noto earthquake.
Members
- Vocalist, Lead Guitar
- Vocalist, Bass Guitar
- Vocalist, Rhythm Guitar
- Leader, Vocalist, Keyboardist, Drummer
Former members
- Bassist
- Keyboardist
- Keyboardist
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak Chart Position (JP) |
Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | "Daybreak" | 1 | BMG Victor |
| "Aki" (秋) | |||
| 1989 | "Time Zone" | ||
| "Cross to You/Rockin' My Soul" | |||
| 1990 | "Don't Sleep" | 2 | |
| 1991 | "Angel" | ||
| 1992 | "Nemuritsuku Mae Ni" (眠りにつく前に) | 24 | |
| "Thursday Morning" | 25 | ||
| "The Front" | 35 | ||
| 1993 | "Tokyo Plastic Shonen" (TOKYOプラスティック少年) | 68 |
Studio albums
| Title | Release Details | Highest Chart Position | JPN Oricon |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Otokogumi" (男闘呼組) |
|
2 | |
| "Otokogumi Nimaime" (男闘呼組 二枚目) |
|
2 | |
| "San" (参) |
|
1 | |
| I'm Waiting 4 You |
|
3 | |
| "5-1 Higenjitsu" (5-1…非現実…) |
|
9 | |
| "5-2 Saininshiki" (5-2…再認識…) |
|
12 | |
| "5-3 Mugenjitsu" (5-3…無現実…) |
|
11 | |
| "Rokudenashi" (ロクデナシ) |
|
35 |
Compilation albums
| Album Title | Release Information | Highest Chart Rankings |
|---|---|---|
| Japan Oricon | ||
| Best of Ballads |
|
– |
| New Best Otokogumi (男闘呼組) |
|
– |
| Hit Collection |
|
– |
Videography
| No. | Release Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1987.8.3 | Made in U.S.A. |
| 2 | 1987.12.16 | Best Friend |
| 3 | 1988.2.18 | Xing point |
| 4 | 1989.9.6 | Endless Trip |
| 5 | 1989.11.21 | Otokogumi Big Tour ’89 in Dome |
| 6 | 1990.8.24 | Otokogumi 2,050,000 Byo no Kiseki |
| 7 | 1991.7.21 | Otokogumi Live in Yokohama 1991 vol.1 |
| 8 | Otokogumi Live in Yokohama 1991 vol.2 | |
| 9 | 1992.11.1 | Kara to Boku、Watasi to Jibun wa Minna Nakayoshi |
| 10 | 2024.3.15 | Otokogumi Last Forever |