Profile and Popular Songs of YOASOBI’s ikura

ikura, a member of the unit YOASOBI, is also active under the solo name Ikuta Lilas. In addition to singing, she has showcased her multifaceted talent by working as a voice actress, making her one of the important figures of the Reiwa era.

Her performance of the global hit song “Idol” at the NHK Red and White Song Battle broadcast on New Year’s Eve 2023 became a major topic of conversation in Japan.

This article will delve into ikura’s career and popular songs.

ikura is one of Japan’s leading vocalists, known for her role as the singer of the unit YOASOBI. She has gained significant popularity for her powerful singing voice. The concept of YOASOBI is to express the charm of novels through music.

“Into the Night,” YOASOBI’s debut song, garnered immense attention immediately after its release. It topped various Japanese domestic digital charts and also made its mark on international viral charts.

The limited edition of their first EP THE BOOK released in 2021, features a unique package that embodies the unit’s concept. Past albums and CD singles have included items such as album-themed plastic toys.

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ikura belonged to a musical theater troupe during her elementary school years. Being engaged with music since her early childhood, she aspired to become a singer-songwriter. By the time she was in the sixth grade, she had already begun composing and writing songs with the guitar.

Here are some of ikura’s career highlights as a singer-songwriter.

Plasonica was formed by graduates of LESSON, which is an artist training program established in Japan by Sony Music Group. ikura joined the group in July 2017 as its youngest member.

In Plasonica, ikura was responsible for vocals, guitar, trumpet, and keyboards. She was still a high school student at the time. Her exceptional talent, which led to her selection as the youngest member, had already garnered attention by the time she joined Plasonica.

After forming YOASOBI, ikura left Plasonica.

YOASOBI was formed by ikura in collaboration with the composer Ayase.Their debut song “Into the Night” was released in November 2019 and has surpassed one billion streams.

YOASOBI have engaged in various projects, including selling T-shirts in collaboration with a global apparel manufacturer and a project that musically interprets the works of four female novelists.

Their performance at an outdoor festival in Taiwan in December 2023 also received high acclaim.

In addition to releasing songs as a member of YOASOBI, ikura is also active as a solo artist under her real name, Ikuta Lilas.

Her original song released in December 2020 was used in a television commercial for a cosmetics manufacturer. She has been praised for her high caliber solo work, and released many cover songs as well.

Ikuta Lilas is also energetically involved in activities beyond music. She participated as a voice actress for the role of the protagonist’s best friend in an animated film.

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YOASOBI has been involved in numerous collaborations. The song “At the Mercy of the Sea,” released in 2022, is a collaboration with the novelist Mizuki Tsujimura, and was specifically written for the project. Their 2023 release “Blessing” was used as the opening theme for a popular television anime.

YOASOBI has also collaborated with theme parks. The song “Adventure,” released in 2023, was created based on episodes from the school days of theme park visitors.

YOASOBI have many works and projects under their belts. Here are some of their popular songs.

The debut song “Into the Night” was released on December 5, 2019. It’s a track that embodies the concept of YOASOBI, based on the novel “Temptation of Thanatos” by Mayo Hoshino.

The charm of “Into the Night” lies in the juxtaposition of the cheerful atmosphere created by ikura’s sweet voice and upbeat melody against the unsettling content of the lyrics. The lyrics, evoking themes of life and death, possess a dark impression that contrasts starkly with the song’s brightness. Despite its fantastical title, the song is filled with sorrow.

The discordant relationship between the melody and the lyrics has captivated listeners, ultimately making it a beloved track.

“Idol” is a song that was released on April 12, 2023. An English version of the song was released on May 26, 2023, and has become popular worldwide. “Idol” was created as the opening theme for the TV anime “Oshi no Ko.” The special website for the work features a novel written exclusively by the original author, Aka Akasaka.

The collaboration between the TV anime and the popular artist has garnered widespread attention and is beloved by fans of all ages. YOASOBI performed “Idol” at the 74th NHK Red and White Song Battle broadcast in December 2023. The song “Idol” is a popular track that energizes crowds even at live performances abroad.

YOASOBI’s “Monster” is a song that was released on music streaming platforms on January 6, 2021, followed by the release of its CD single on March 24, 2021.

“Monster” was selected as the opening theme for the TV anime BEASTARS. The song is based on a novel written specifically for the anime by its original creator.

Since its release on music streaming sites, “Monster” has been a long-lasting hit. It was ranked 5th in the top 10 best songs of 2021 by an American magazine.

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ikura has released many original songs under her real name Ikuta Lilas. The song “Romance no Yakusoku,” released in 2021, was featured as the theme song for the TV drama Kyo, Suki ni Narimashita. Her 2023 release “With” was showcased as an inspired song for the movie Analog, which was released on October 6.

Here, we introduce some popular songs released under the name Ikuta Lilas.

“Sparkle” is a song that was chosen as the theme song for the TV drama Kyo, Suki ni Narimashita. It was released on January 17, 2022. Ikuta Lilas also created the theme song for the first season of Kyo, Suki ni Narimashita. continuing her involvement with the series.

The lyrics, aimed at people experiencing unrequited love, combined with Ikuta Lilas’s gentle vocals, perfectly complement the drama’s storyline. She performed the song when she appeared on the popular YouTube channel THE FIRST TAKE.

“Answer” is a song released by Ikuta Lilas on March 9, 2021. It has been used in a TV commercial for an insurance company, and a special website features the making of the video.

To encapsulate the essence of an insurance company’s commercial song, Ikuta Lilas based the song on her own feelings of uncertainty and conflict about the future. The sentiment she infused into “Answer” was a desire to encourage and support the listeners. Her gentle voice and the melody resonate, offering listeners who feel anxious or conflicted about something a sense of solace and companionship.

Ikuta Lilas’s ballad “Lens” was released on June 14, 2022. It has been featured as the theme song for the TV drama Is Love Sustainable?

“Lens” was also performed on YouTube’s THE FIRST TAKE. It achieved first place on the iTunes song rankings, highlighting its popularity.

Ikuta Lilas’s narrative singing style complements the poignant lyrics of the ballad. The lyrics, reflecting the feelings of a character experiencing unrequited love, resonate with the drama’s themes of marriage and separation, prompting deep reflection.

ikura is a member of the music unit “YOASOBI” and is globally recognized as one of Japan’s leading singers. She also performs under her real name Ikuta Lilas, where she is active not only as a singer but also as a voice actress, likely continuing to attract significant attention into the future.

As a member of YOASOBI, she has continued to produce numerous hits, including their debut song “Racing into the Night” and the blockbuster “Idol.” YOASOBI’s music can be listened to on their official YouTube channel, so if you’re interested, be sure to check it out.

*This article is based on information available as of March 2024.