UK Project (stylized as UK.PROJECT ) is a Japanese independent record label and an artist management company which runs various music labels, artist management agencies and concert venues under its umbrella company.
38-658: UK Project was founded in September 1987 with the theme of "discovering unknown ones" and has been operating under this concept ever since. The company is not registered with the Recording Industry Association of Japan, and as such is still regarded as an independent "indie" music company. In April 1989, the first record under UK Project was released. The company itself, UK Project Co., Ltd. was established in December 1991. UK Project initially signed
76-708: A contract with Toshiba EMI (currently, Universal EMI R/EMI Records ) in 1994 but the contract was dissolved in 1997. UK Project operates under the model of dividing its artist management arm and its record production arm through the creation of fully owned private limited record labels under the umbrella of UK.Project. Artists signed to UK Project are usually managed by UK Project or one of its artist management companies, and/or have their records released under UK Project or one of its labels, or both. Some notable UK Project-owned labels include RX-Records and Daizawa Records . Other than these two labels, UK Project continues to actively release records under their other brands, such as
114-407: A music video for the song on Toy's Factory's YouTube channel on September 14, 2010, which surpassed 200,000 views in two days. On December 15, 2010, they released their sixth studio album, Cosmonaut , but it did not feature the song " Merry Christmas ". In 2011, Bump of Chicken announced that they wrote the song " Tomodachi no Uta " as the theme song for the animated 3D movie Doraemon: Nobita and
152-531: A popular group in Japan; every release since their third single, " Tentai Kansoku ", has charted in the top ten on the Oricon Weekly Charts . Their music has been used in various video games and as theme songs for movies, television shows and anime in Japan. The members first met in kindergarten and were classmates throughout their primary and secondary education. Bump of Chicken's first performance
190-419: A rich family's son. He uses a Sonic Bass, Fender Jazz Bass 65. On September 18, 2020, an article was published detailing an affair he had in 2016 and 2017 while hiding the fact that he was married and a father. Later the same day, he published an apology for his behavior, and announced that he would be taking a break from music. On June 6, 2021, he published yet another, longer apology for the same incident, at
228-659: A slew of re-releases. " Arue ", from their album Flame Vein , was released as a single in March. They re-released their first two albums in April. Flame Vein received an extra song and was re-released as Flame Vein +1 . The Living Dead received no modifications. In July, the group released " Only Lonely Glory ", which became their first single to chart at number one on the Oricon Weekly Charts. A month later, they released their fourth album, Yggdrasil , which
266-466: A solo album entitled Song for Tales of the Abyss , which included "Karma" and instrumental versions of songs from the game Tales of the Abyss . He uses a Gibson 1960 Les Paul Special Single Cutaway, Sonic fender, Gibson J-45. In August 2020, Fujiwara got married. Hiroaki Masukawa ( 増川弘明 ) is the guitarist of the group, and also writes most of the hidden joke tracks for albums. His nicknames within
304-471: A sublabel under the name EMI Records Japan . The company was founded on October 1, 1960, as Toshiba Musical Industries ( 東芝音楽工業株式会社 , Tōshiba Ongaku Kōgyō Kabushiki Kaisha ) . From 1962, it licensed Columbia (UK) titles for release in Japan. After an injection of capital by Capitol EMI, EMI acquired 50% of the company in October 1973, and the name was changed to Toshiba EMI Limited . On October 3, 1994,
342-486: Is a concert venue with a capacity of 280 people and is a bar after hours. Fuchi Kuchi ( 風知空知 , Fuuchukuchi ) (September 2006 - ) Fuchi Kuchi is a small intimate casual dining restaurant located in Shimokitazawa. It has an indoor eating space, a terrance as well as an event space. As such, it sometimes hosts live acoustic performances. Since 2011, UK Project has held an annual summer event named "UKFC on
380-638: Is a fixture in Tokyo's Shimokitazawa and is one of the more prominent live venues in the city. The venue hosts a variety of live performances of bands from all genres, although it is more geared towards rock acts. The club also hosts DJ and club events after hours. Club Que has a capacity of 280 people. Zher the Zoo Yoyogi (opened February 2005) Zher the Zoo is located in Yoyogi in Tokyo's Shibuya district. It
418-474: Is an honor to be chosen to sing for the new Doraemon movie. The song "Hello, World!" from their "Hello World! / Colony" single is used as the opening song of the TV anime adaptation of the manga Blood Blockade Battlefront . The song is also available as a playable song in the rhythm game Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage! , where it is performed by Leo/need , a fictional band featured in the game. Their song "Zero"
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#1732775862290456-657: The Pokémon YouTube channel to celebrate the release of the Crown Tundra DLC in Pokémon Sword and Shield for the Nintendo Switch . Motoo Fujiwara ( 藤原基央 ) is the composer , lyricist , rhythm guitarist , and main vocalist of the group. He has written most of the music, and has also drawn the artwork for their albums The Living Dead and Yggdrasil . In March 2006, he released
494-551: The New Steel Troops: ~Angel Wings~ , and "Tomodachi no Uta" was released as the single on February 23, 2011. They also released two singles, " Smile " on May 11, 2011, and " Zero " on October 19, 2011. "Zero" was used as the theme song for video game by Square Enix , Final Fantasy Type-0 . Also in 2012, they released two more singles " Good Luck " and " Firefly ", in January and September 2012, respectively. "Good Luck"
532-826: The Rice Records and Benten labels. UK.Project also owns and operates a few music venues and restaurants in Tokyo, including Club Que in Tokyo's Shimokitazawa and Zher the Zoo in Tokyo's Yoyogi . UK Project is based in Daizawa, Setagaya , Tokyo . In spite of its "indie" label, UK Project is a prolific music company that has signed many Japanese indie-rock bands which later went on to commercial success. Many UK Project bands have appeared in major TV programs, as well as major music festivals including Rock in Japan Festival , Countdown Japan and Fuji Rock Festival . Shimokitazawa Club QUE (born October 1994) Club Que
570-617: The Road 2014 In 2014, UKFC on the Road grew into a massive event with a tour, a two-day festival at Studio Coast and additional performances at the Monster Bash music festival. The event in 2014 also had live performances by UK Project bands past and present, DJ sets and foreign bands. UKFC on the Road 2015 The event in 2015 was smaller than the previous year. It was again held as a two-day event at Studio Coast in Shin Kiba. Instead,
608-482: The Road", which started as a nationwide tour but has since evolved into a two-day music festival with current and previous UK Project bands, as well as foreign and affiliated bands. UKFC on the Road 2011 UKFC on the Road 2012 UKFC on the Road 2013 2013 was the first year the annual tour became a music festival event held at Studio Coast in Shin Kiba , Tokyo with live performances and DJ sets. UKFC on
646-766: The animated film One Piece The Movie: Dead End no Bōken . The same song is also featured in the Guitar Freaks and Drummania series of arcade games. The songs "Tentai Kansoku", "K", "Sailing Day", "Karma" and "Mayday" were later used in the musical arcade game by Bemani in GuitarFreaks , DrumMania , Jubeat , Reflec Beat Limelight and Pop'n Music . "Tentai Kansoku" was also featured in Metcha! Taiko no Tatsujin DS: Nanatsu no Shima no Daibouken . "Tentai Kansoku" and "Karma" were also featured as covers by
684-596: The band Afterglow in the mobile game for BanG Dream! . The song "Karma" from their "Supernova / Karma" single is the main theme for Namco's Tales of the Abyss video game. It also is used on the anime adaptation of the game as the opening theme. The movie Doraemon: Nobita and the New Steel Troops—Winged Angels released on March 5, 2011, uses BUMP OF CHICKEN's song "Tomodachi no Uta" as its ending song. All 4 members have loved Doraemon for its unique and loving characters and story and have said that it
722-461: The band are "Hiro", "Hose", (meaning "very thin"), and "Nikke". He uses a Gibson Les Paul Standard, Fender Stratocaster. Yoshifumi Naoi ( 直井由文 ) is the bassist of the group, and is referred to as the "crowd pleaser". He has released an artbook containing his works, and helped with some album artwork. His nickname within the band is "Chama", a play on the Japanese phrase "Obotchama" referring to
760-414: The equity ratio of the company was changed, in which EMI obtained 55% with Toshiba owning the remaining 45%. On June 30, 2007, Toshiba Corporation sold the remaining 45% stake in the company to EMI, giving EMI full ownership of the company. The name was then changed to EMI Music Japan , reflecting Toshiba's divestiture from the business. In 2012, EMI Music Japan and Universal Music Group 's Japanese branch
798-482: The event this year became more of a music festival, with three stages. Two stages located in the main hall had live performances, while a stage in the building foyer had DJ sets. As with past years, current and past UK Project bands and affiliated bands, as well as a foreign band, performed in the event on both days. Highline Record was an indie record store and record label located in Shimokitazawa , Tokyo . It
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#1732775862290836-399: The following week, another single, " Mahō no Ryōri (Kimi kara Kimi e) ". These two singles also reached number one consecutively for two weeks on the Oricon Weekly Charts, the first time a band achieved this since Orange Range 's "Love Parade" and "Onegai! Señorita" in 2005. They released a fourth double A-side single " Uchūhikōshi e no Tegami/Motorcycle " on October 13, 2010, and they released
874-633: The group switched to Toy's Factory , releasing their first single on the label, " Diamond ", in September. Bump of Chicken's first big success occurred when their single, " Tentai Kansoku ", appeared on the Oricon Weekly Charts in 2001. They held two live tours, "Star Porking Tours ( スターポーキングツアーズ , Sutaa Pookingu Tsuaazu ) 2001" beginning in March and "Surf Porkin'" beginning in July. In October, they released " Harujion ". They released their first album on Toy's Factory, Jupiter , in February 2002 and it
912-646: The group's second number one single. In 2007, they released the singles " Hana no Na " and " Mayday " on the same day. The two singles reached number one and two respectively on the Oricon Weekly Charts. Bump of Chicken released their fifth studio album, Orbital Period , on December 19, 2007. They released their first compilation album present from you on June 18, 2008. This album contains b-sides from singles and other non-album tracks. On November 25, 2009, Bump of Chicken released its third double A-side single " R.I.P./Merry Christmas ", their first single in two years. On April 14, 2010, they released " Happy " and then in
950-399: The group's song "Tentai Kansoku" as the second ending theme music for Teasing Master Takagi-san: The Movie (2022) during its second week of release. Their song "Souvenir" was featured as the opening song for the 2022 anime adaptation of the manga Spy × Family . Specifically, it was the opening song for the 2nd cour of the series' first season. Their song "Sleep Walking Orchestra"
988-549: The merger, and became non-executive chairman by the beginning of 2014. He was replaced by Naoshi Fujikura. EMI Music Japan's present slogan is "Music for all, All for music" . Bump of Chicken Bump of Chicken ( バンプ・オブ・チキン , Banpu Obu Chikin ) is a Japanese alternative rock group from Sakura, Chiba . The band members are Motoo Fujiwara ( vocals , rhythm ), Hiroaki Masukawa ( guitar ), Yoshifumi Naoi ( bass ) and Hideo Masu ( drums ). Since their conception in 1994, they have released 28 singles and 10 albums. They are
1026-403: The same time announcing his return to the band. Hideo Masu ( 升秀夫 ) is the drummer for the band. He uses a Canopus Maple Shell. Their single "Arue" is a song dedicated to the fictional character Rei Ayanami , from the anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion . The song is listed as R.A., the initials of the aforementioned character. Their song "Sailing Day" is used at the end credits of
1064-437: Was also featured as the opening song for Final Fantasy Type-0 . Their songs are used as the opening and closing themes for episodes 1-11 of the anime , March Comes in like a Lion (３月のライオン). The opening is "Answer", while the closing is "Fighter". Around 2014, before the manga was adapted into an anime, they and the manga's author, Chika Umino, collaborated to make a CGI music video set to their single, "Fighter". The video
1102-546: Was established in 1997 by a subsidiary of Space Shower TV . The record store at that time was managed by UK Project. In 2002, Highline Records became a fully owned subsidiary of UK.Project. Notable Highline Record artists were Bump of Chicken , Good Dog Happy Man and Nananine. Highline Record was dissolved in July 2006. EMI Music Japan EMI Music Japan Inc. ( Japanese : 株式会社EMIミュージック・ジャパン , Hepburn : Kabushiki-gaisha EMI Music Japan ) , formerly Toshiba EMI ( 東芝イーエムアイ株式会社 , Tōshiba EMI Kabushiki-gaisha ) ,
1140-498: Was featured as the end theme to the Japanese film Always Sanchōme no Yūhi '64 . On March 6, 2013, Bump of Chicken released their first live video and album Bump of Chicken Gold Glider Tour 2012 , recorded live at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium , Tokyo, Japan , on July 3, 2012. On September 29, 2020, Bump of Chicken released the single "Acacia", which was featured in a music video named "GOTCHA!" uploaded on
1178-609: Was in 1994, during their ninth grade cultural festival, playing a cover of The Beatles ' version of " Twist and Shout ". In 1996, their song "Danny" won an award on 96TFM. The band's name translates literally from Japanese as "counterattack from the weak man." In 1999, Bump of Chicken released their first album, Flame Vein , on High Line Records. Later that year, they released their first single, " Lamp ". In 2000, they released The Living Dead , their final release on High Line. They also held their first live tour, "Tsuaa Pokiiru ( ツアーポキール ) ", during March and April. Later in 2000,
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1216-580: Was made into a stand-alone story promoting the original manga , called March Comes in Like a Lion Meets Bump of Chicken . In early April 2017 they posted a long form music video for Answer to YouTube. Their song "GO" was featured as the opening song for the 2017 anime adaptation of the Japanese mobile game, Granblue Fantasy . Their songs "Sirius" and "Spica" are the opening and closing theme songs respectively for Satelight's (Shoji Kawamori) anime Juushinki Pandora , released in 2018. Their song "Gekkou"
1254-432: Was one of Japan's leading music companies. It became a wholly owned subsidiary of British music company EMI Group Ltd. on June 30, 2007, after Toshiba sold off its previous 45% stake. Its CEO and president was Kazuhiko Koike. When EMI Music Japan was trading as Toshiba-EMI, it was involved with the production of anime. On April 1, 2013, the company became defunct, following its absorption into Universal Music Japan as
1292-532: Was scheduled to hold a corporate swap in response to the merger by January 15, 2013, with Kazuhiko Koike serving as EMIJ's president. On April 1, 2013, EMI Music Japan was officially absorbed into Universal Music Japan, became defunct as a company and was renamed to EMI Records Japan . The label continued to use the TOCT catalog code until October 2013, when it started to use the TYCT catalog code. The official website
1330-430: Was shut down as of October 23, 2013. After the dissolution and absorption, some of the former EMI staff and executives have been into different companies away from Universal Music. Then-executive producer San-e Ichii was named the managing director of Japan Content Expansion Department. Kazuhiko Koike (also former CEO of Universal Music Japan) has stepped down from his position as CEO by the end of 2013, nine months after
1368-515: Was their first number one on the Oricon Weekly Charts. In the summer of 2002, their music was featured on the Japanese TV drama Tentai Kansoku , giving them more exposure. At the end of 2002, the group released the single " Snow Smile ". 2003 saw the release of their first double A-side single " Lost Man/Sailing day ". " Sailing Day " was used as the ending theme to the animated movie One Piece: Dead End Adventure . The beginning of 2004 saw
1406-439: Was their second album to reach number one on the Oricon Weekly Charts. Shortly after, they released " Sharin no Uta ", from Yggdrasil , as a single. In 2005, Bump of Chicken released two singles, " Planetarium " and second double A-side single " Supernova/Karma ". Karma was used as the theme song for Namco's " Tales of the Abyss ". The band's next single, " Namida no Furusato " was used in a commercial for Lotte Airs . It became
1444-525: Was used as the opening song for the 2018 TV anime adaptation of the manga Karakuri Circus . Their song "Acacia" was used in a music video collaboration with the Pokémon franchise. Their song "Chronostasis" was used for Detective Conan: The Bride of Halloween (Meitantei Conan: Halloween no Hanayome), the 25th anime film in the Detective Conan franchise. Rie Takahashi performed a cover of
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