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Supercell (band)

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Supercell
OriginJapan
GenresJ-pop
Years active2007–present
LabelsSony Music
TamStar Records
MembersRyo
Shirow Miwa
Huke
Redjuice
Suga
Maque
Yoshiki Usa
Hei8ro
Guitar
Crow
Golv
Past members119
Websitewww.supercell.jp

Supercell is a Japanese 11-member music group led by composer and lyricist Ryo which formed in 2007 as a dōjin music group. Supercell started out by making use of the Hatsune Miku singing synthesizer to produce vocals for songs submitted to the Nico Nico Douga video sharing website. The popularity of the songs led the group to release the independent self-titled album Supercell at Comiket 74 in August 2008. Supercell made their major debut with Sony Music Entertainment Japan with the professional release of their Supercell album in March 2009, which was updated with more songs and a DVD. Supercell released their first single, "Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari", in August 2009 with vocals by Nagi Yanagi, herself a vocalist primarily known for her uploads to Nico Nico Douga under the name Gazelle.[1] "Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari" was the first release by Supercell not to use Hatsune Miku for the vocals and was used as the ending theme song for the 2009 Bakemonogatari anime series. Supercell released three more singles in 2010, one being a split single with fellow dōjin musician Kz of Livetune. Supercell released their second album Today Is A Beautiful Day in March 2011.

Members

Supercell is made up of 11 members led by Ryo, who produces the music and writes the lyrics. The other 10 members provide illustrations, animation, design, and photography in album booklets, cases and music videos.[2]

  • Ryo (music, lyrics)
  • Shirow Miwa (illustration)
  • Huke (illustration)
  • Redjuice (illustration)
  • Suga (illustration)
  • Maque (illustration and animation)
  • Yoshiki Usa at Wooserdesign (design)
  • Hei8ro (Heihachiro) (support in illustration and photography)
  • Guitar (support in illustration)
  • Crow (support)
  • Golv (support)
Former members
  • 119 (Hikeshi) (illustration)

History

2007–2008: Formation and indie releases

On December 7, 2007, Ryo submitted the song "Melt" (メルト, Meruto) to the Nico Nico Douga video sharing website using the Vocaloid singing synthesizer software, Hatsune Miku, for the vocals; since then, the video has been viewed over 5 million times.[3] Ryo used an illustration of Miku without permission by an illustrator named 119 (pronounced Hikeshi). After Ryo contacted 119 with an apology, 119 responded with great interest in "Melt" and began to work together with Ryo, thus forming Supercell.[4][5] More members joined Supercell since its forming leading to 11 members by the time the group made its major debut.[4] In an article in The Japan Times, Ryo admitted that he did not have any "big intentions" in uploading "Melt" to Nico Nico Douga and was not someone who "set out to find success" as he put it.[3]

Ryo chose to distribute his music on Nico Nico Douga since he liked the website along with its response system. Ryo did not originally intend to use Hatsune Miku as the vocalist for his songs, and most members of Supercell did not even know of Miku until after "Melt" gained popularity.[4] Since Ryo did not know any singers, he was recommended by his friends to use Miku, which he thought was a good idea since videos using Miku were already widely being distributed on Nico Nico Douga at the time.[4]

In 2008, Supercell continued to release songs which quickly became popular. Supercell's releases of "Koi wa Sensō" (恋は戦争) on February 22, "World is Mine" (ワールドイズマイン, Wārudo izu Main) on May 31, and "Black Rock Shooter" (ブラック★ロックシューター, Burakku Rokku Shūtā) on June 13 all received over 1 million views.[6] On Nico Nico Douga, "World is Mine" and "Black Rock Shooter" both achieved the No. 1 spot on the daily My List Rankings. Ryo composed the song "Kibō no Neiro" (キボウノネイロ), released as a limited edition image song CD with the fifth volume of Shū Shirase's light novel series Oto × Maho on July 15, 2008; the CD was only sold at Animate and Comic Toranoana. The CD sold at Animate had the song sung by Hatsune Miku, but the Toranoana version had it sung by the human singer Sari.[7]

At Comiket 74 in August 2008, Supercell released the independent self-titled album Supercell containing their most popular songs in addition to several previously unreleased songs.[8] On December 12, 2008, Supercell released "Hajimete no Koi ga Owaru Toki" (初めての恋が終わる時) on Nico Nico Douga which stayed at No. 1 on the daily My List Rankings for three days in a row, and has received over 1 million views; this was the last song Supercell posted on Nico Nico Douga.

2009–2011: Major debut and vocalist Nagi Yanagi

Supercell made their major debut with Sony Music Entertainment Japan with the professional release of their Supercell album on March 4, 2009. The updated release included the art book originally bundled with the indie version, contained more songs than the original, and included a DVD with music videos for four songs. The album obtained a No. 4 ranking on Oricon's weekly albums chart,[9] and in June 2009 was awarded the Gold Disc by the Recording Industry Association of Japan for having exceeded 100,000 copies shipped in a single year.[10] Supercell released their first major single "Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari" (君の知らない物語) on August 12, 2009, which ranked No. 5 on Oricon's weekly singles chart.[11] The song "Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari" was used as the ending theme song for the 2009 Bakemonogatari anime series,[12] and the single also included two tracks featured in the 2009 animated film Cencoroll. The single marked the first time Supercell did not use Hatsune Miku as the vocalist, but instead having the singer Nagi Yanagi provide the vocals. Supercell was chosen as one of the best five new Japanese artists of 2009 during the 2010 Japan Gold Disc Award competition.[13]

A second single, "Sayonara Memories" (さよならメモリーズ), was released on February 10, 2010.[14] Supercell's third single, "Utakata Hanabi / Hoshi ga Matataku Konna Yoru ni" (うたかた花火 / 星が瞬くこんな夜に), is a double A-side and was released on August 25, 2010. "Utakata Hanabi" was used as the 14th ending theme for the Naruto: Shippuden anime series and "Hoshi ga Matataku Konna Yoru ni" was used as the ending theme for Type-Moon's visual novel Mahōtsukai no Yoru. Supercell released a split single in collaboration with Kz of Livetune called "Kotchi Muite Baby / Yellow" (こっち向いて Baby / Yellow), which is the theme song of Hatsune Miku: Project Diva 2nd. Ryo composed "Kotchi Muite Baby", while Livetune composed "Yellow". The single was released by Sony Music Direct on July 14, 2010 in Japan,[15] and is the first release by Supercell to feature Hatsune Miku as the vocalist since their debut album. Supercell produced the song "Hero" (ヒーロー) as a theme song to Shueisha's manga magazine Aoharu, a special edition version of Young Jump, which had its first issue on November 30, 2010.[16] The full version of the song was released by Sony Music on their website on November 30, 2010 for trial listening.

A 50-minute original video animation project entitled Black Rock Shooter was released on July 24, 2010 based on the song "Black Rock Shooter" and its original music video featuring illustrations by Huke. A "Pilot Edition" of the anime was released on DVD and Blu-ray Disc on September 30, 2009.[17] Ryo and Huke collaborated on the project with supervisor Yutaka Yamamoto and his animation studio Ordet; Shinobu Yoshioka directed the project.[18] Black Rock Shooter is Ordet's first solo production as the main animation studio. Some footage of the anime was shown at Anime Expo on July 4, 2010.[19]

In late 2010, Shibuya, Tokyo-based company INCS toenter established the major record label TamStar Records for musicians and artists who originally made their debut as dōjin music artists online. Supercell joined the label as one of the inaugural members, including others such as Livetune, Gom, Rapbit, and Nagi Yanagi.[20] Supercell collaborated on a compilation album titled TamStar Records Collection Vol. 0 released as a limited edition at Comiket 79 in December 2010;[20] on the album is Supercell's "Kibō no Neiro" sung by Hatsune Miku and "Ashita e" (アシタヘ) sung by Rapbit and Clear. TamStar Records released a remix album of Supercell's debut album Supercell as a tribute to the band titled Stowaways at Comiket 79. Supercell released their second studio album Today Is A Beautiful Day on March 16, 2011.

2011–present: Vocalists Koeda and Chelly

Supercell held auditions from May 25 to June 19, 2011 for a guest vocalist on the band's third album. The main criteria for the vocalist was his or her voice, as Supercell was not concerned with the singer's gender or age.[21] Out of about 2,000 candidates, two girls were chosen: a 15-year-old named Koeda and a 17-year-old named Chelly.[22][23] Supercell collaborated with the dōjin musician Dixie Flatline to produce the split single "Sekiranun Graffiti (積乱雲グラフィティ) / Fallin' Fallin' Fallin'" released on August 31, 2011 by Sony Music Direct; the single features Hatsune Miku as the vocalist.[24] Ryo composed "Sekiranun Graffiti", while Dixie Flatline composed "Fallin' Fallin' Fallin'". "Sekiranun Graffiti" is used as the opening theme to Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Extend.

The theme songs for the 2011 anime series Guilty Crown were produced by Supercell.[25] The anime's first opening theme is "My Dearest" and is performed by Koeda. The single for "My Dearest" was released on November 23, 2011 as Supercell's fourth single. The anime's first ending theme is "Departures (Anata ni Okuru Ai no Uta)" (Departures ～あなたにおくるアイの歌～) and is sung by Chelly, who also sings insert songs featured in Guilty Crown.[23] The single for "Departures (Anata ni Okuru Ai no Uta)" was released on November 30, 2011 as the first single under the band name Egoist, after the fictional band in Guilty Crown. Included on the single is a remix of the title song by Boom Boom Satellites. The anime's second opening theme is "The Everlasting Guilty Crown" by Chelly, and the second ending theme is "Kokuhaku" (告白) by Koeda. The single for "The Everlasting Guilty Crown" will be released on March 7, 2012 as the second single under the name Egoist. "Kokuhaku" will be released on March 7, 2012 on the double A-side "Kokuhaku / Bokura no Ashiato" (告白 / 僕らのあしあと) as Supercell's fifth single. "Bokura no Ashiato" is used as the ending theme to the 2012 anime series Black Rock Shooter. Ryo wrote the song "Light My Fire" sung by Kotoko, which is used as the first opening theme to the 2011 anime series Shakugan no Shana Final.

Discography

Albums

Year Album details Peak Oricon
chart positions 		Certifications
(sales thresholds)
2009 Supercell
  • Released: March 4, 2009
  • Label: Sony Music (MHCL-1493—1495 (CD+DVD+Image collection), MHCL-1496—1497 (CD+DVD))
  • Format: CD+DVD+Image collection, CD+DVD
 4[9] JP: Gold[26]
2011 Today Is A Beautiful Day
  • Released: March 16, 2011
  • Label: SME (SRCL-7486—7487 (CD+DVD), SRCL-7488 (CD))
  • Format: CD, CD+DVD
 3[27] JP: Gold[28]

Singles

Year Song Peak Oricon
chart positions 		Certifications Album
2009 "Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari" 5[11] JP: Gold[29] Today Is A Beautiful Day
2010 "Sayonara Memories" 7[30]
"Utakata Hanabi / Hoshi ga Matataku Konna Yoru ni" 9[31]
2011 "My Dearest" 10[32]
"Departures (Anata ni Okuru Ai no Uta)" (as Egoist) 8[33]
2012 "Kokuhaku / Bokura no Ashiato"
"The Everlasting Guilty Crown" (as Egoist)

Collaborations

Year Song Peak Oricon
chart positions
2010 "Kotchi Muite Baby / Yellow" (with Kz of Livetune) 9[34]
2011 "Sekiranun Graffiti / Fallin' Fallin' Fallin'" (with Dixie Flatline) 19[35]

Music videos

Year Song Director(s)
2009 "Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari" Hirohisa Sasaki
2010 "Sayonara Memories" Takahiro Miki[36]
Taiki Ueda[36]
"Kotchi Muite Baby" Takuya Imamura
"Utakata Hanabi" Kazuto Nakazawa[37]
2011 "Perfect Day" Ryōsuke Nakamura[38]
"Sekiranun Graffiti" Yûichi Takahashi[39]
"My Dearest" Ryūji Seki[40]
"Departures (Anata ni Okuru Ai no Uta)"

Various artist compilation albums

Year Song(s) Album Ref.
2009 "Black Rock Shooter" Nico Nico Douga Selection: Sainō no Mudazukai [41]
"Melt"
"World is Mine" 		Hatsune Miku Best: Memories [42]
"Black Rock Shooter"
"Koi wa Sensō" 		Hatsune Miku Best: Impacts [43]
2010 "Hajimete no Koi ga Owaru Toki"
"Kotchi Muite Baby"
"Melt" 		Hatsune Miku: Project Diva 2nd Nonstop Mix Collection [44]
"Ashita e"
"Kibō no Neiro" 		TamStar Records Collection Vol. 0
2011 "Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari" Bakemonogatari Ongaku Zenshū Songs & Soundtracks [45]

Other video album appearances

Year Song(s) Video album Artist(s) Notes Ref.
2010 "Black Rock Shooter"
"World is Mine" 		Hatsune Miku DVD: Memories Various artists A collection of music videos related to Hatsune Miku. [46]
"Koi wa Sensō" Hatsune Miku DVD: Impacts [47]
"Melt"
"World is Mine" 		Miku no Hi Kanshasai 39's Giving Day Project Diva Presents Hatsune Miku Solo Concert: Konban wa, Hatsune Miku desu. [48]

References

  1. ^ "Supercell 1st single 「君の知らない物語｣" (in Japanese). Supercell. Retrieved February 4, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "About Supercell" (in Japanese). Supercell. Retrieved September 10, 2009.
  3. ^ a b Robson, Daniel (February 5, 2010). "Supercell's synthetic pop wins real fans". The Japan Times. Retrieved February 6, 2010.
  4. ^ a b c d "『流行りモノ調査隊　第54回　話題のネットスター PART2』 - RANKING NEWS" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 10, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ Ryo (August 12, 2008). "オリコン!ヤフー!" (in Japanese). Supercell. Retrieved September 10, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ "そばにいるね、キセキを凌ぐネットで最も再生された曲発売" (in Japanese). meVIEWsa radio. December 25, 2008. Retrieved September 10, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ "GA文庫「おと×まほ 5」にイメージソングCD付き限定版が2種類登場" (in Japanese). GA Bunko. June 24, 2008. Retrieved December 8, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ "コミックマーケットC74 頒布物について" (in Japanese). Supercell. August 7, 2008. Retrieved September 10, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ a b "Supercell" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 10, 2009.
  10. ^ "初音ミクのアルバムがゴールドディスク認定" (in Japanese). IT media. July 13, 2009. Retrieved September 10, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ a b "君の知らない物語" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 10, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ "Supercell 1st single 「君の知らない物語｣" (in Japanese). Supercell. Retrieved September 10, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ "K-On! Wins DVD of the Year, Gold Disc of the Year Awards". Anime News Network. February 26, 2010. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
  14. ^ "Supercellの2ndシングルリリースが決定しました!!" (in Japanese). Supercell. December 2, 2009. Retrieved December 21, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ "『初音ミク -Project DIVA- 2nd』テーマソングが7月14日に発売" (in Japanese). ASCII Media Works. April 28, 2010. Retrieved May 1, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ "ヤングジャンプ新増刊アオハルの" (in Japanese). Supercell. November 18, 2010. Retrieved November 18, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ "Black Rock Shooter Anime with Yutaka Yamamoto Confirmed for Spring". Anime News Network. August 22, 2009. Retrieved September 10, 2009.
  18. ^ "Black Rock Shooter Project" (in Japanese). Ordet. Retrieved September 10, 2009.
  19. ^ "Black Rock Shooter Footage to Premiere at Anime Expo". Anime News Network. June 9, 2010. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
  20. ^ a b "動画投稿サイトの人気者が集結した新レーベル"TamStar Records"とは?" (in Japanese). Yahoo! Japan. December 8, 2010. Retrieved December 8, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ "Music Group supercell Holds Auditions for Next Album". Anime News Network. May 25, 2011. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  22. ^ "17-Year-Old Wins Supercell Audition to Sing Guilty Crown Songs". Anime News Network. September 8, 2011. Retrieved September 8, 2011.
  23. ^ a b "Supercell Selects 15-Year-Old Singer for Next Album". Anime News Network. September 9, 2011. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
  24. ^ "積乱雲グラフィティ/Fallin' Fallin' Fallin'" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved July 30, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ "Guilty Crown Anime's 1st Promo Video Streamed". Anime News Network. July 8, 2011. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
  26. ^ "ゴールド等認定作品一覧　2009年6月" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved October 4, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ "Today Is A Beautiful Day" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  28. ^ "ゴールド等認定作品一覧　2011年7月" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved November 23, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ "ゴールド等認定作品一覧　2010年2月" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved May 19, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ "さよならメモリーズ" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved February 26, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  31. ^ "うたかた花火 / 星が瞬くこんな夜に" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 6, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ "My Dearest" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
  33. ^ "Departures －あなたにおくるアイの歌－" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved December 23, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  34. ^ "こっち向いて　Baby / Yellow" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved July 23, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  35. ^ "積乱雲グラフィティ / Fallin' Fallin' Fallin'" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved November 23, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  36. ^ a b "さよならメモリーズ" (in Japanese). Space Shower Networks. Retrieved February 6, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  37. ^ "うたかた花火" (in Japanese). Space Shower Networks. Retrieved August 24, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  38. ^ "supercell ロングヒット曲から「NARUTO」EDまで1枚に凝縮" (in Japanese). Hotexpress Music Magazine. February 18, 2011. Retrieved February 26, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  39. ^ "Ryo, Hatsune Miku's Latest to Be Sold in U.S., Asia on Same Day". Anime News Network. August 29, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  40. ^ "My Dearest" (in Japanese). Space Shower Networks. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  41. ^ "ニコニコ動画せれくちょん～才能の無駄遣い" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved December 3, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  42. ^ "初音ミク　ベスト～memories～" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved December 3, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  43. ^ "初音ミク　ベスト～impacts～" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved December 3, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  44. ^ "初音ミク –Project DIVA– 2nd NONSTOP MIX COLLECTION" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved July 31, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  45. ^ "「化物語」音楽全集 Songs&Soundtracks" (in Japanese). Neowing. Retrieved December 23, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  46. ^ "初音ミクDVD～memories～" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved March 23, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  47. ^ "初音ミクDVD～impacts～" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved March 23, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  48. ^ "ミクの日感謝祭　39's Giving Day Project DIVA Presents　初音ミク・ソロコンサート～こんばんは、初音ミクです。～" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved July 30, 2011.

Further reading

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