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Template:Japanese name

Eir Aoi
Eir Aoi at Hyper Japan Festival 2015, London.
Eir Aoi at Hyper Japan Festival 2015, London.
Background information
Born (1988-11-30) November 30, 1988 (age 35)
Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
Genres
OccupationSinger
Years active2011–2016, 2018–present
Labels
Websitewww.aoieir.com

Eir Aoi (藍井 エイル, Aoi Eiru, born November 30, 1988)[1][2] is a Japanese singer from Sapporo, Hokkaido, signed to Sacra Music. After being discovered through the Japanese video sharing website Niconico, Aoi made her major debut in 2011 with the release of her first single "Memoria",[3] whose title track was used as the first ending theme to the 2011 anime television series Fate/Zero.

Aoi's music has been featured in various anime television series such as Sword Art Online, Kill la Kill, and The Heroic Legend of Arslan, as well as other television programs such as Rank Okoku. She has performed at various anime conventions in Asia, Europe, North and South America.[4] She has cited her interest in anime, as well as artists such as Evanescence, Slipknot, and Do As Infinity, as influences in her career. In October 2016, following prolonged bouts of poor health, she announced an indefinite hiatus from musical activities following a two-day concert at the Nippon Budokan in November 2016.[5] In February 2018, it was announced that she would resume her activities later that year.[6][7]

Biography

Early life and career

Aoi was born in Sapporo on November 30, 1988.[2][8] She had an interest in music since her childhood,[9] and learned to play the guitar while in junior high school.[10] As part of pursuing a career as a musician, she formed a band during her high school years.[11][12] At one point, as she felt that her dream of becoming a musician was fading away, she considered pursuing a career as a nurse.[13][10] As she did not want to give up on her dreams, she decided to upload videos of her singing online.[10] Her music break came after being discovered through the Japanese video sharing site Niconico.[14] She first released the song "Frozen Eyez", which was included in a 2011 issue of the magazine LisAni!.[2][14]

Major debut

Aoi made her major debut under SME Records with the release of the single "Memoria" on October 19, 2011, the title track of which was used as the first ending theme song to the 2011 anime series Fate/Zero.[15] Her second single "Aurora", which was released on September 5, 2012, is used as the fourth opening theme song to the 2011 anime series Mobile Suit Gundam AGE.[16] She released the mini-album Prayer on April 11, 2012; the album includes seven image songs for Fate/Zero.[17] Her third single "Innocence", which was released on November 21, 2012, was used as the second opening theme song to the 2012 anime series Sword Art Online.[18] Her first full album, Blau, was released on January 30, 2013;[10] the album peaked at #4 on Oricon's weekly charted and charted for seven weeks.[19] She made an appearance at Seattle's Sakura-Con anime convention in March 2013, performing her first three singles.[18]

Aoi's fourth single "Cobalt Sky", was released on June 26, 2013.[20] Her fifth single, "Sirius", was released on November 13, 2013, and was used as the first opening theme to the 2013 anime series Kill la Kill.[21][22] Her song "Sanbika", released on the same single as "Sirius", was used as an insert song throughout the series. Her sixth single, "Niji no Oto" (虹の音, Sound of the Rainbow), which was released on January 1, 2014, was used as the opening theme to the special Sword Art Online: Extra Edition.[23] She released her second album Aube on January 29, 2014; the album peaked at #6 on the Oricon weekly charts and charted for eight weeks.[24] Her seventh single "Ignite", released on August 20, 2014, was used as the first opening theme to the 2014 anime series Sword Art Online II. Her eighth single "Tsunagaru Omoi", released on November 12, 2014, was used as the opening theme for the TBS show Rank Okoku.[25]

Aoi in Saint Petersburg, Russia in 2014

Aoi's ninth single, "Genesis", released on February 18, 2015, is used as the ending theme to the 2015 anime series Aldnoah Zero:2nd Season.[26] Her tenth single "Lapis Lazuli", released on April 22, 2015, was used as the ending theme to the 2015 anime series The Heroic Legend of Arslan.[27] She released the digital single "Cynthia no Hikari" (シンシアの光, Cynthia's Light) on March 25, 2015; the title track is used as the opening theme of the 2015 video game Sword Art Online: Lost Song.[28] Her third album D'Azur was released on June 24, 2015; the album peaked at #4 on the Oricon weekly charts and charted for fifteen weeks.[29] Due to a sudden illness, she cancelled a scheduled appearance at Animelo Summer Live in August 2015,[30] although she pushed through with appearances in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore later that year.[31] Her eleventh single, "Shoegazer", was released on October 28, 2015.[32]

Aoi released her twelfth single "Accentier", was released on March 2, 2016 and is used as the opening theme for the PlayStation Vita/PlayStation 4 game Digimon World: Next Order.[33] Her thirteenth single "Tsubasa" (翼, Wings) was released on July 20, 2016, and was used as the opening theme for the second season of The Heroic Legend of Arslan anime.[34] Her first and second greatest hits albums titled Best -E- and Best -A-, were released on October 19, 2016 in commemoration of the 5th anniversary of her career.[35] Best -E- includes "Tsubasa", "Innocence", "Genesis", "Memoria", and "Cynthia no Hikari";[36] Best -A- includes "Lapis Lazuli", "Aurora", "Ignite", "Accentier", "Sirius", "Cobalt Sky", "Niji no Oto", and "Frozen Eyez".[37]

Hiatus and return

On August 17, 2016, it was announced on her official Facebook page that she would put her career on hiatus due to poor health. Her remaining appearances for 2016 and a scheduled performance at Animax Musix 2017 in Osaka in January 2017 were cancelled.[38][39] On October 14, 2016, her management announced that she would put her musical career on indefinite hiatus following a final two concerts at Nippon Budokan on November 4 and 5, 2016.[5]

On February 1, 2018, her website updated with an image of a flashing blue light.[40][41] This was followed by an announcement on February 8 that she would resume her activities with the release of the music video "Yakusoku" (約束, Promise) on YouTube. Her management also announced that she had transferred to the music label Sacra Music.[6][7] It was confirmed on March 7, 2018 that her next release would be the opening theme to anime Sword Art Online Alternative Gun Gale Online, titled "Ryūsei" (流星, Meteor).[42] The song "Ryūsei" was released digitally on April 22, 2018,[43] and received physical release together with song "Yakusoku" on June 13, 2018 as her fourteenth single.[44] Her fifteenth single "Iris" (アイリス) was released on October 24, 2018; the song is used as the first ending theme to the anime series Sword Art Online: Alicization.[45]

Musical style and influences

Aoi's musical style has been influenced by her love of anime, as well as artists such as Evanescence, Slipknot, and Tomiko Van of Do As Infinity.[12][46] She initially did not show her mouth on physical release images, only revealing her full appearance during a Niconico livestream in June 2012.[47] According to her, this was to give her a "mysterious aura" and because she wanted to emphasize her eyes, which she described as "powerful".[13] Speaking to the website J-Pop Go before her London concert in 2015, she explained how she believed she would have never been discovered had it not been for the internet, and how she believes that it can be used as a tool for her to "connect the world" and "make dreams come true".[12]

Aoi's songwriting style is that, when producing a song that would be used in an anime, she would first read the original source material or the anime script, and for songs that would be used in games, she would first play the game or discuss the story with a producer. After this, she would write song lyrics that would take into account the feelings of the characters.[48]

Aoi related the development of her singles "Memoria" and "Innocence" in an interview with Animate Times. She detailed how she always wanted to perform "light-conscious songs" even before she made her major debut, and that the theme of her early songs would be about "letting the light shine through your heart, even when times are difficult". "Memoria" was released at a time when she did not perform live as she still hid part of her face, and taking this into account, she wanted to make a song where emotions could be expressed through her singing as opposed to her mouth. For "Innocence", she wanted to produce a song that could express the growth and experiences that Sword Art Online's main characters Kirito and Asuna were encountering.[13]

For her first album Blau, Aoi wanted to express varying emotions such as "real sadness" or "fun expressions", as opposed to her previous releases, which described as mainly focusing on "singing with strength or sorrow". For example, with the song "Yume no Owari" (夢の終わり, End of Dream), she sang it with a thick voice to "allow her to sound like an adult".[10]

For her single "Accentier", Aoi wanted to produce a song that had a theme of "seeking the light, no matter how dark it gets". The title of the single comes from the word "accent", as she wanted the song to be a song to "cheer people on" and give people "an 'accent' of happiness". Aoi had been a long time fan of the Digimon franchise and was very happy to be chosen to perform a song for it.[48]

Discography

Eir's autograph, written at 14th (2013) Comic Exhibition

Studio and mini albums

Title Album details Peak position Sales
JPN[49]
Prayer 12 —
Blau
  • Released: January 30, 2013
  • Label: SME Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 4 —
Aube
  • Released: January 29, 2014
  • Label: SME Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 6 —
D'azur
  • Released: June 24, 2015
  • Label: SME Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 4 48,870[50]

Best albums

Title Album details Peak position
JPN[49]
Best -E- 3
Best -A-
  • Released: October 19, 2016
  • Label: SME Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 4

Singles

Title Year Peak positions Sales Certifications Album
JPN
Oricon
[51] 		JPN
Billboard
[52]
"Memoria" 2011 8 19
  • JPN: 100,000+
 Blau
"Aurora" 2012 22 71[54] —
"Innocence" 6 8[55]
  • JPN: 100,000+
"Cobalt Sky" 2013 19 — — Aube
"Sirius" 21 32[57]
  • JPN: 100,000+
"Niji no Oto"
(虹の音 Sound of the Rainbow) 		2014 12 18[59] —
"Ignite" 9 1[60]
  • JPN: 100,000+
 D'Azur
"Tsunagaru Omoi"
(ツナガルオモイ) 		20 51[62] —
"Genesis" 2015 17 19[63] —
"Lapis Lazuri"
(ラピスラズリ) 		13 7[64]
  • JPN: 100,000+
"Shoegazer" 26 36[66] — Best -A-
"Accentier" 2016 14 40[67] —
"Tsubasa"
( 翼 Wings) 		9 5[68]
  • JPN: 100,000+
 Best -E-
"Ryūsei / Yakusoku"
(流星 / 約束 Meteor / Promise) 		2018 8 10
"Iris"
(アイリス) 		11 8[70]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominee/work Result
2014 Newtype Anime Awards Best Theme Song "Sirius"
(from anime Kill la Kill) 		Runner-up[71]
2018 Newtype Anime Awards Best Theme Song "Ryūsei"
(from anime Sword Art Online Alternative Gun Gale Online) 		6th place[72]

References

  1. ^ "Biography". 藍井エイル（Aoi Eir）Official Website. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c "藍井エイル｜アニソン新曲・ライブ情報一覧" (in Japanese). Animate. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  3. ^ "藍井エイル の記事まとめ" [Eir Aoi overview]. Rockin'On Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  4. ^ "Eir Aoi, Queen of Smash-hit Anime Songs!". Hyper Japan. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Singer Eir Aoi Goes on Indefinite Hiatus After Budōkan Concerts on November 4–5". Anime News Network. October 14, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
  6. ^ a b "Singer Eir Aoi Returns From Hiatus". Anime News Network. February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  7. ^ a b ">藍井エイル、活動再開のお知らせ" (in Japanese). Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  8. ^ Aoi, Eir (October 29, 2010). "Eirです" (in Japanese). Nifty Corporation. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  9. ^ "EIR AOI INTERVIEW AND HER TRANSFORMATION TO ANIME ROCKSTAR AT J-POP SUMMIT 2015". Fafafoo.com. August 20, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
  10. ^ a b c d e Sayaka (January 30, 2013). "藍井エイル「BLAU」インタビュー" [Eir Aoi "Blau" Interview]. Natalie (in Japanese). Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  11. ^ "J!-ENT's Dennis A. Amith & Michelle Tymon interviews Aoi Eir & Luna Haruna + Press Q&A (June 2013 J!-ENT Interview)". J!-ENT Online. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  12. ^ a b c "EIR AOI Interview". J-Pop Go. July 29, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
  13. ^ a b c "アニメ『ソードアート・オンライン～フェアリィ・ダンス編～』オープニングテーマ『INNOCENCE』歌う藍井エイルさんにインタビュー" (in Japanese). Animate. December 6, 2012. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
  14. ^ a b "Sakuracon 2013 - Luna Haruna and Eir Aoi Panel". Japan-A-Radio. March 30, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  15. ^ "Memoria" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
  16. ^ "Aurora" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
  17. ^ "Prayer" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  18. ^ a b "Eir Aoi, Luna Haruna to Perform at Seattle's Sakura-Con (Updated)". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
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  20. ^ "Cobalt Sky" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  21. ^ ">5th Single「シリウス」2013/11/13 OUT!!!～TVアニメ『キルラキル』オープニングテーマ～". Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
  22. ^ "Staff". Trigger (company). Archived from the original on August 8, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ "Eir Aoi Sings Sword Art Online: Extra Edition's Theme Song". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
  24. ^ "AUBE" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  25. ^ "Aoi Eir Announces "Tsunagaru Omoi" Single". Ohayo Seoul. Archived from the original on November 12, 2014. Retrieved September 30, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ "2nd Aldnoah.Zero Season's 1st TV Ad Previews Eir Aoi's Song". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  27. ^ "6th The Heroic Legend of Arslan TV Spot Previews Eir Aoi Theme Song". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  28. ^ てけおん (January 28, 2015). "『SAO ロスト・ソング』は藍井エイルさん＆春奈るなさんのW主題歌！ この主題歌が聞ける動画も公開" (in Japanese). Dengeki Online. Retrieved September 24, 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  29. ^ "D'AZUR" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
  30. ^ "Eir Aoi Cancels Animelo Summer Concert Performance Due to Sudden Illness". Anime News Network. August 29, 2015. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  31. ^ "Eir Aoi Will Finish Her 'Rock the World 2015 Tour' in Mexico City". Anime News Network. November 25, 2015. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  32. ^ "Eir Aoi new single Shoegazer release details revealed". Comtrya Sugoi. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  33. ^ "Aoi Eir is a Huge Digimon World Nerd". Tamer Union. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  34. ^ "Heroic Legend of Arslan 2nd Season's TV Ad Previews Eir Aoi's Opening Theme". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  35. ^ ">藍井エイル Eir Aoi 5th Anniversary" (in Japanese). Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  36. ^ "BEST -E-" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  37. ^ "BEST -A-" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  38. ^ "IMPORTANT NOTICE". Facebook. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  39. ^ "Singer Eir Aoi Goes on Hiatus Due to Poor Health". Anime News Network. August 17, 2016. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  40. ^ "Singer Eir Aoi's Site Reopens". Anime News Network. February 2, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  41. ^ "Anison Singer Eir Aoi's Official Website Teases Her Possible Return?". Crunchyroll. February 1, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  42. ^ "Eir Aoi Performs Opening Theme for Sword Art Online: Alternative Gun Gale Online Anime". Anime News Network. March 7, 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  43. ^ "藍井エイル、新ビジュアルを公開！　さらに新曲「流星」、4月22日（日）配信決定！" (in Japanese). Sony Music Entertainment Japan. April 6, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  44. ^ "藍井エイル、14thシングル「流星 / 約束」6月13日（水）に発売決定！" (in Japanese). Sony Music Entertainment Japan. March 26, 2018. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  45. ^ "LiSA, Eir Aoi Perform Sword Art Online: Alicization Anime's Theme Songs". Anime News Network. August 16, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  46. ^ "An Interview with Eir Aoi on Her First American Solo Concert in New York City". Nihongogo. June 20, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
  47. ^ "藍井エイル「顔出し解禁」　ニコニコ生放送で配信決定" (in Japanese). IID, Inc. June 25, 2012. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
  48. ^ a b "[Exclusive] JpopAsia Interviews Aoi Eir". JpopAsia. May 20, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
  49. ^ a b "藍井エイルのアルバム作品" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  50. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (December 23, 2015). "Love Live!'s μ's Puts 6 CDs in Japan's Top 100 Best-Selling Albums/Singles of 2015". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 14, 2018.
  51. ^ Oricon (in Japanese). Eir Aoi singles ranking
  52. ^ Billboard. Eir Aoi | Billboard Chart History
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  63. ^ "Japan Hot 100". Billboard. March 2, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
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  70. ^ "Japan Hot 100". Billboard. November 3, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  71. ^ Cardine, Kyle (October 12, 2014). "Kill la Kill, Idolm@ster Movie win Top Prizes in Newtype Awards". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  72. ^ Loo, Egan (October 7, 2018). "Idolm@ster SideM, Bungo Stray Dogs film win Top Newtype Anime Awards". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 14, 2018.
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