Raphael (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | March 1997 |
| Defunct | January 2001 (initial disbandment) |
| Fate | Disbanded following guitarist Kazuki's death; reunited for concerts in 2012 and tour in 2016 |
| Headquarters | Japan |
| Products | Music albums, singles, live performances |
| Website | www |
Raphael was a Japanese visual kei rock ensemble established in March 1997, when all members were just 15 years old. They rapidly rose to prominence, performing as headliners at the Nippon Budokan and securing positions within the top 20 on the Oricon charts. However, following the death of guitarist Kazuki at age 19, the band dissolved in January 2001. The trio regrouped for two concerts in 2012 and embarked on a tour in 2016.
Career
In 1995, guitarist Kazuki and bassist Yukito collaborated in a cover band. After composing original songs, vocalist Yuki and drummer Hiro joined them, officially forming Raphael in March 1997. Their debut performance took place on December 10, 1997, where they headlined for an audience of 150. Following five additional shows, their inaugural solo live event occurred at Ebisu Guilty in April 1998, coinciding with the release of their first album, Lilac. The track "Yume Yori Suteki na" was featured on a TBS television program, marking their initial appearance on the Oricon charts. Two singles launched simultaneously reached positions 37 and 38 respectively.
Their major label debut in 1999, "Hanasaku Inochi Aru Kagiri," climbed to number 25 on Oricon. Many of their releases explored themes related to graduation, mirroring their choice to leave high school to dedicate themselves fully to music. In March 2000, they performed at the prestigious Nippon Budokan. On October 31, 2000, Kazuki passed away due to a sedative overdose. Raphael officially disbanded in January 2001 after completing a nationwide tour. Subsequently, Yuki and Hiro formed Rice, while Yukito established Black Love.
Raphael's legacy endured beyond their disbandment; notably, their song "Yume Yori Suteki na" was covered by Dog in the Parallel World Orchestra on the compilation album Crush! -90's V-Rock Best Hit Cover Songs- released in 2011.
In April 2012, the surviving members Yuki, Yukito, and Hiro reunited for two concerts held at Zepp Tokyo during October and November. The decision to reunite came after Yuki’s visit to Kazuki’s grave in 2010. Guest guitarists featured included Anchang (Sex Machineguns), Lida (Dacco, Psycho le Cému), Sakito (Nightmare), and Yumehito (Ayabie). Under the name "Raphael -Starring Kazuki-," they issued a single containing a re-recorded version of "Eternal Wish (Todokanu Kimi e)" alongside previously unreleased tracks. This was followed by a two-disc live album and DVDs documenting the reunion performances.
In November 2015, Raphael revealed plans for a nationwide tour titled Iyashikoya set for 2016—their first tour after a fifteen-year hiatus. A memorial concert honoring Kazuki took place on April 7, during which it was announced that this tour would mark the band's final activities due to Yukito’s retirement from the music industry. The tour spanned from May through July. On May 18, they released Never -1997040719990429-, an album featuring re-recordings of songs from their indie period. Subsequent releases included albums revisiting their major label material: Ending -1999072319991201- and Love Story -2000020220161101-. Raphael performed at Toyosu Pit in August before concluding with final shows at Zepp Tokyo on October 31 and November 1, 2016.
Members
- Yuki Sakurai (櫻井有紀) – lead vocals (1997–2001, 2012, 2016)
- Yukito Honda (本田之人) – bass guitar, contrabass, backing vocals (1997–2001, 2012, 2016)
- Kazuhiro "Hiro" Murato (村田一弘) – drums (1997–2001, 2012, 2016)
- Kazuki Watanabe (渡辺和樹) – guitar, backing vocals, principal songwriter, band leader (1997–2000)
Discography
- Albums and Mini-Albums
- Lilac (Released April 7, 1998)
- Mind Soap (December 1, 1999) Reached number 30 on the Oricon Album Chart
- 50
- 17
- Raphael Singles (Compilation, August 1, 2001) Peaked at 25
- Tenshi no Hinoki Butai (Live album, December 26, 2012) Charted at 133
- Never -1997040719990429- (Self-cover album, May 18, 2016) Achieved rank 57
- Ending -1999072319991201- (Self-cover album, August 3, 2016) Reached position 42
- Love Story -2000020220161101- (Self-cover album, October 26, 2016) Peaked at number 36
- Singles
- "White Love Story" (November 1, 1998)
- "Sweet Romance" (April 29, 1999) Attained number 38 on Oricon Singles Chart
- 37
- 25
- 28
- "Promise" (November 20, 1999) Reached position 32
- "Lost Graduation" (February 2, 2000) Peaked at number 40
- "Evergreen" (August 23, 2000) Charted at position 28
- 24
- "Eternal Wish (Todokanu Kimi e)" (Re-recording released October 31, 2012) Reached number 24
- Demo Tape
- "Eternal Wish (Todokanu no Kimi e)" (December 24, 1997)
Home Videos
- VHS Releases
- Lilac: Vision of Extremes (August 1, 1998)
- Lilac: Vision of Extremes II (September 20, 1999)
- Pictorial Poem (March 24, 2000)
- Raphael Special Live "Graduation" -2000.3.4 Nippon Budokan- (August 23, 2000)
- Forever and Ever (April 25, 2001)
- Pictorial Poem 2 (September 19, 2001)
- Last (September 19, 2001)
- First (September 19, 2001)
- DVD Releases
- Forever and Ever (April 25, 2001)
- Raphael Clips (September 19, 2001)
- Last (September 21, 2001)
- First (September 21, 2001)
- Tenshi no Hinoki Butai Dai Ichi Ya "Hakuchumu" (December 26, 2012) Oricon DVD Chart Peak: 45
- Tenshi no Hinoki Butai Dai Ni Ya "Kokuchumu" (January 30, 2013) Reached position 26