:Kenshi Yonezu

Born in Tokushima,{{cite web | url=http://www.universal-music.co.jp/yonezu-kenshi/biogrphy/ | title=Profile |publisher=Universal Music Japan | language=ja |year=2013| access-date=September 25, 2013}} Yonezu found it difficult to communicate with other people, especially his father. Yonezu typically felt that his mother understood him.{{Cite web |title=Kenshi Yonezu/Hachi Interview: Bremen - vgperson's Interview Translations |url=https://vgperson.com/vocalinterview.php?view=hachirockinbremen |access-date=November 7, 2023 |website=vgperson.com}} He was diagnosed with high-functioning autism at the age of 20.{{cite web |author1=米津玄師 |date=December 30, 2015 |title=怪獣として育った少年が、神様に選ばれるまで。 |trans-title=The boy who was raised like a monster, until he was chosen by the gods. |url=https://cakes.mu/posts/11823 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418130529/https://cakes.mu/posts/11823 |archive-date=April 18, 2021 |access-date=April 18, 2021 |website=cakes |language=Japanese}}{{cite web |title=Until the Boy Raised As A Monster Is Chosen By God. |url=https://vgperson.com/vocalinterview.php?view=hachicakes |website=vgperson.com |access-date=April 18, 2021 |date=December 30, 2015 |quote=But I was confirmed to have [autism] after the age of 20. I was in a strange mental state, went to the hospital, and that's what they diagnosed.}}

His first foray into music was in 2006 during his second year of junior high school. Yonezu and Hiroshi Nakajima formed a band Late Rabbit Edda, while attending the school culture festival.{{cite web|url=http://dengekionline.com/elem/000/000/229/229821/index-2.html |title=若手ボカロP・ハチさんのインタビューを掲載！ プレゼントも |trans-title=Here's an interview with young Vocaloid creator Hachi! Presents included |publisher=Dengeki Online |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927080625/http://dengekionline.com/elem/000/000/229/229821/index-2.html |date=January 21, 2010 |archive-date=September 27, 2013 |access-date=September 22, 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web | url=http://natalie.mu/music/pp/yonezukenshi | title=米津玄師1stアルバム「diorama」インタビュー |trans-title=Kenshi Yonezu 1st album Diorama interview |publisher=Natalie |work=Ryu Fuku | language=ja |date=May 16, 2012 | access-date=September 25, 2013}}{{cite web | url=http://www.muzie.co.jp/artist/a059699/ | title=アーティスト late rabbit edda |publisher=Kenshi Yonezu | language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209011504/http://www.muzie.co.jp/artist/a059699/ |archive-date=February 9, 2009 | access-date=November 9, 2013}}{{cite web | url=https://www.myspace.com/1004306476 | title=Late Rabbit Edda |publisher=MySpace | language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091010054928/https://www.myspace.com/1004306476 |archive-date=October 10, 2009 | access-date=November 9, 2013}} He worked as the vocalist, songwriter, and occasional guitarist, while Nakajima was the guitarist. In late 2007, he made a website for the band, posting song lyrics and short novels.{{cite web | url=http://16.xmbs.jp/hachi/ | title=Late Rabbit Edda |publisher=Kenshi Yonezu | language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091107021339/http://16.xmbs.jp/hachi/ |archive-date=November 7, 2009 | access-date=November 9, 2013}} Yonezu wrote songs for the band, and uploaded 24 original songs to video sharing website Nico Nico Douga between April 2008 and March 2009.{{cite news|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/international/7890238/kenshi-yonezu-profile-popularity-japan|title=How Kenshi Yonezu rose from online prodigy to hitmaker in Japan|magazine=Billboard|date=August 7, 2017|access-date=May 2, 2018}} None of the songs were viewed, with the greatest, "Beelzebub", receiving only 23,000 views.{{cite web |title=ゆん's Public My Lists. よねづけんし |trans-title=Yun's Public My Lists. Yonezuke Kenshi. |url=http://www.nicovideo.jp/mylist/30963915 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109124656/http://www.nicovideo.jp/mylist/30963915 |archive-date=November 9, 2013 |access-date=November 9, 2013 |publisher=Yun |language=ja}} Yonezu created his blog in this period, and called it {{nihongo|Tekitō Edda|適当EDDA}}.{{cite web | url=http://pr.cgiboy.com/10855686/ | script-title=ja:よね |publisher=Kenshi Yonezu | language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208164417/http://pr.cgiboy.com/10855686/ |archive-date=February 8, 2009 | url-status=usurped | access-date=November 9, 2013}}{{cite web | url=http://yakari.blog17.fc2.com/page-4.html | script-title=ja:カメラ |trans-title=Camera |publisher=Kenshi Yonezu | language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812100610/http://yakari.blog17.fc2.com/page-4.html |date=July 9, 2009 |archive-date=August 12, 2009 | access-date=November 9, 2013}}

Yonezu moved to Osaka after high school and attended a fine arts school.{{cite web|url=http://www.tfm.co.jp/lock/staff/onair/2012/0613/ |title=『 夢の職業★3DAYS 』ーDAY2ー 米津玄師先生、初来校!!! |trans-title=Dream jobs 3 Days – Day 2: Mr. Kenshi Yonezu, first time at school |publisher=School of Lock! |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031121323/http://www.tfm.co.jp/lock/staff/onair/2012/0613/ |date=June 13, 2012 |archive-date=October 31, 2013 |access-date=September 27, 2013 |url-status=dead }} He started uploading songs using Vocaloid software Hatsune Miku, which were increasingly popular. His 2009 song {{nihongo|"Musunde Hiraite Rasetsu to Mukuro"|結ンデ開イテ羅刹ト骸}} was his first song to receive over one million views on the site.{{cite web|url=http://dengekionline.com/elem/000/000/229/229821/ |title=若手ボカロP・ハチさんのインタビューを掲載！ プレゼントも |trans-title=Here's an interview with young Vocaloid creator Hachi! Presents included |publisher=Dengeki Online |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927080537/http://dengekionline.com/elem/000/000/229/229821/ |date=January 21, 2010 |archive-date=September 27, 2013 |access-date=September 22, 2013 |url-status=dead }} Yonezu uploaded over thirty songs, but he deleted them when his Vocaloid songs became popular. He renamed his blog {{nihongo|Denshi-chō Hachibangai|電子帖八番||"Electronic Notebook 8th Avenue"}}, and it was one of five blogs awarded the Diamond Award at the 2009 WebMoney Awards.{{cite web|url=http://www.webmoney.jp/award2009/enjoy/award/yakari.html |title=enjoy.Award 2009 |publisher=WebMoney |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130717045837/http://www.webmoney.jp/award2009/enjoy/award/yakari.html |archive-date=July 17, 2013 |access-date=November 9, 2013 |url-status=dead }}

In December 2009, Yonezu's song "Clock Lock Works" was featured on an Exit Tunes compilation album, Supernova, the first time a song of his appeared on the album. In January 2010, "Musunde Hiraite Rasetsu to Mukuro" was featured on Vocalolegend feat. Hatsune Miku, Exit Tunes' second Oricon top 10 compilation album.{{cite web |title= |script-title=ja:EXIT TUNES PRESENTS Vocalolegend feat.初音ミク |url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/52027/products/music/850222/1/ |access-date=September 25, 2013 |publisher=Oricon |language=ja}} Yonezu released two self-produced albums in 2010: Hanataba to Suisō in February, and Official Orange in November. Between 2010 and 2011, his songs were featured on many Exit Tunes albums, including Vocalonexus feat. Hatsune Miku, which was the second Vocaloid album to reach number one on Oricon's albums chart.{{cite web | url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/rankmusic/84159/full/ | script-title=ja:初音ミク"ボーカロイド"アルバムが史上2作目首位 |trans-title=Hatsune Miku "Vocaloid" album second number one album in history |publisher=Oricon | language=ja |date=January 25, 2011 | access-date=September 25, 2013}} His songs were featured on the games Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Extend (2011) and Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA F (2012), and in the Hatsune Miku concert Miku no Hi Dankanshasai (2012), which became the first number one DVD/Blu-ray for a virtual singer.{{cite web | url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/rankmusic/2016494/full/ | title=初音ミク、バーチャルシンガー初のBD総合首位 |trans-title=Hatsune Miku, first Blu-ray/DVD combined number one for a virtual singer |publisher=Oricon | language=ja |date=September 5, 2012 | access-date=September 25, 2013}} On Hachi's Nico Nico account, seven of his songs have been viewed over one million times,{{cite web|url=http://www.nicovideo.jp/mylist/12682175 |title=ハチ's Public My Lists. ボーカロイド作品 |trans-title=Hachi's Public Lists. Vocaloid Works |publisher=Nico Nico Douga |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927191840/http://www.nicovideo.jp/mylist/12682175 |year=2013 |archive-date=September 27, 2013 |access-date=September 25, 2013 |url-status=dead }} including the song "Matryoshka", which had reached 5,000,000 views by 2012.{{cite web |url=http://natalie.mu/music/news/68569 |title=ハチ＝米津玄師、1stアルバム「diorama」発表 |trans-title=Hachi=Kenshi Yonezu, releasing 1st album Diorama |publisher=Natalie.mu |date=April 27, 2012 |access-date=September 22, 2013}}

In April 2010, Yonezu joined the animation collective {{nihongo|[http://minaken.net/about.html Minakata Kenkyūjo]|南方研究所||"Minakata Laboratory"}}, a group that he had worked with since his "Clock Lock Works" video in November 2009.{{cite web|url=http://minaken.net/about.html |title=About"南方研究所" |publisher=Minakata Kenkyūjo |language=ja |access-date=September 25, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121228013405/http://minaken.net/about.html |archive-date=December 28, 2012 }} On January 23, 2011, Yonezu uploaded his final Hachi Vocaloid video for approximately three years.

Late Rabbit Edda remained active until 2010. They were renamed Ernst Eckman and added a drummer called Sumimoto to their lineup. As Ernst Eckman, they released a single song on MySpace, {{nihongo|"Oborozuki to Sono Kōsatsu"|オボロヅキとその考察||"Crescent Moon and that Consideration"}}.{{cite web | url=https://www.myspace.com/1004306476 | title=Ernst Eckman |publisher=MySpace | language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130326065446/https://www.myspace.com/1004306476 |archive-date=March 26, 2013 | access-date=November 9, 2013}} Yonezu felt that he did not work well with other people, and decided to work alone on Vocaloid songs exclusively, giving up on being a part of a band.{{cite web|url=http://www.allnightnippon.com/mcplus/info.php?yyyy=2013&mm=6&dd=3 |title=米津玄師さん登場！来週は『AKB48スペシャル』 |trans-title=Kenshi Yonezu makes an appearance! Next week, AKB48 special |publisher=All Night Nippon |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109125438/http://www.allnightnippon.com/mcplus/info.php?yyyy=2013&mm=6&dd=3 |date=June 3, 2013 |archive-date=November 9, 2013 |access-date=November 9, 2013 |url-status=dead }}

In March 2011, Yonezu and seven other musicians created Balloom, an independent music label for Internet musicians to widen their musical opportunities.{{cite web | url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/music/85426/full/ | script-title=ja:人気クリエイター8組が音楽レーベル設立！ |trans-title=8 popular creators form a music label! |publisher=Oricon | language=ja |date=March 4, 2011 | access-date=September 25, 2013}} His first album, Diorama, was released on May 16, 2012. It debuted at number 6 and sold over 45,000 copies,{{cite web | script-title=ja:オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」 |trans-title=Oricon Ranking Information Service 'You Big Tree' | url=http://ranking.oricon.co.jp | work=Oricon |url-access=subscription | access-date=September 13, 2015}} becoming the biggest release on the label to date. The album was one of the winners of the 5th CD Shop Awards, an award voted on by music store personnel.{{cite web | url=http://natalie.mu/music/news/84260 | title=CDショップ大賞入賞7作品決定、過去受賞者登場ライブも |trans-title=CD Shop Awards announces seven winners, past winners' live at event |publisher=Natalie | language=ja |date=February 4, 2013 | access-date=September 25, 2013}} Yonezu was picked up as a major label artist under Universal Sigma and debuted in May 2013 with the single "Santa Maria".{{cite web | url=http://natalie.mu/music/news/87938 | script-title=ja:米津玄師、ユニバーサルシグマより5月にメジャーデビュー |trans-title=Kenshi Yonezu, major debut in May under Universal Sigma |publisher=Natalie | language=ja |date=April 3, 2013 | access-date=September 25, 2013}} He made the shift in order to work with musicians doing similar things as him.{{cite web | url=http://natalie.mu/music/pp/yonezukenshi02 | script-title=ja:米津玄師「サンタマリア」インタビュー |trans-title=Kenshi Yonezu 1st Santa Maria interview |publisher=Natalie |work=Minako Ito | language=ja |date=May 24, 2013 | access-date=September 25, 2013}} On October 28, 2013, Yonezu released his first Vocaloid song in two and a half years, {{nihongo|"Donut Hole"|ドーナツホール|Dōnatsu Hōru}}, using a live band and the vocal Gumi.{{cite web |date=October 28, 2013 |title= |script-title=ja:米津玄師、2年9カ月ぶり「ハチ」名義でボカロ楽曲公開 |trans-title=Kenshi Yonezu unveils first Vocaloid song as Hachi in two years and nine months |url=http://natalie.mu/music/news/102376 |access-date=October 30, 2013 |publisher=Natalie |language=ja}} Yonezu released his second album, Yankee, on April 23, 2014,{{cite web | url=http://natalie.mu/music/news/110695 | script-title=ja:米津玄師、新作アルバムに"ハチ"曲「ドーナツホール」も |trans-title=Kenshi Yonezu, new album features "Hachi" song Donut Hole too. |publisher=Natalie | language=ja | date=February 27, 2014 | access-date=February 27, 2014}} followed by the first concert in his career on June 27.{{cite web | url=http://natalie.mu/music/news/112141 | title=米津玄師アルバムより新曲PV公開、初ワンマンはUNITで |trans-title=Kenshi Yonezu, new song from album's music video unveiled, first one man live at Unit. |publisher=Natalie | language=ja | date=March 15, 2014 | access-date=March 16, 2014}} His song, "Eine Kleine", was written for Tokyo Metro to be used in its the commercial campaign.{{cite web | url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/18949 | title=米津玄師 東京メトロの新CMソング書き下ろし |trans-title=Kenshi Yonezu wrote new Tokyo Metro CM song |publisher=Billboard Japan | language=ja | date=March 27, 2014 | access-date=March 27, 2014}}

Yonezu continued to rise in popularity with the release of albums, Bremen and Bootleg. Driven by hit singles: "Uchiage Hanabi", "Loser", "Orion", and "Peace Sign", Bootleg won Album of the Year at the 60th Japan Record Awards.{{cite web | url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/308176 | title=「日本レコード大賞」候補にTWICEやDA PUMP、最優秀アルバム賞は米津玄師 |trans-title="Japan Record Awards" Nominees TWICE and DA PUMP, Best Album Award Goes to Kenshi Yonezu |publisher=natalie | language=ja | date=November 16, 2018 | access-date=August 30, 2019}} In November 2017, his 22-show "fogbound" tour began. On December 31, 2018, Yonezu made his live television debut on the 69th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, an annual year-end extravaganza and one of Japan's most prestigious music programs. He performed his 2018 hit "Lemon" live from Tokushima, marking the first time a segment of the Kōhaku Uta Gassen was broadcast from Tokushima Prefecture.{{cite magazine |title=Kenshi Yonezu Will Make TV Debut on Prestigious New Year's Eve Music Program |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/international/8491664/kenshi-yonezu-japan-tv-debut-new-years-eve-Kohaku-Uta-Gassen |magazine=Billboard |access-date=January 7, 2019 |date=December 27, 2018}} The songs "Uchiage Hanabi" and "Paprika", both produced by Yonezu, were also performed at the event.{{cite web | url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/314092 | title=「紅白」で米津玄師プロデュース「パプリカ」をFoorinが歌唱、DJ KOOはけん玉再挑戦 |trans-title=Foordin to Sing Kenshi Yonezu-Produced "Paprika" at "Kohaku", DJ KOO to Rechallenge Kendama|publisher=natalie | language=ja | date=December 27, 2018 | access-date=August 30, 2019}} Yonezu wrote the lyrics for Masaki Suda's song, "Machigaisagashi". It won Best Pop Video at the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards Japan. When Billboard Japan published its year-end charts, "Uma to Shika" and "Machigaisagashi" ranked fifth and sixth respectively.{{cite web|title=Billboard Japan Year End Charts for 2019 |url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100_year&year=2019}} In January 2019, Yonezu embarked on his first arena tour, 16-show "When the Spine Becomes Opal".{{Cite web |date=2018-12-26 |title=米津玄師 2019 TOUR / 脊椎がオパールになる頃 |url=https://reissuerecords.net/2018/12/26/%E7%B1%B3%E6%B4%A5%E7%8E%84%E5%B8%AB-2019-tour-%E8%84%8A%E6%A4%8E%E3%81%8C%E3%82%AA%E3%83%91%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB%E3%81%AB%E3%81%AA%E3%82%8B%E9%A0%83/ |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=米津玄師 official site「REISSUE RECORDS」 |language=ja}} The tour included his first overseas concerts in China and Taiwan.{{cite web |date=January 9, 2019 |title=Yonezu Kenshi to hold first overseas concerts in China and Taiwan |url=https://www.tokyohive.com/article/2019/01/yonezu-kenshi-to-hold-first-overseas-concerts-in-china-and-taiwan |website=Tokyo Hive}} Yonezu won the Special Award at the 61st Japan Record Awards held on December 30, and "Paprika" won the Grand Prix. Yonezu co-wrote the song "Kite" for Japanese boy band Arashi, which served as the theme song for NHK's coverage of the 2020 Summer Olympics. In February 2020, he was forced to cancel his 20-show "HYPE" tour due to the Covid-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CDTKA6qh1Va/?igsh=Z2hlanYyZGMzdXc2 |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=www.instagram.com}} On August 7, 2020, he performed during Fortnite's Party Royale, singing songs from his latest album Stray Sheep (2020), which had been released two days prior.{{cite web |title=KENSHI YONEZU AT PARTY ROYALE |url=https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite/en-US/news/kenshi-yonezu-at-party-royale}} In December, he became one of five recipients of the Special Achievement Award at the 62nd Japan Record Awards.{{cite web |author=Ryusenkai |date=November 19, 2020 |title=Winners and Nominees for the 62nd Japan Record Awards Announced |url=https://getrich.uk.com |access-date=May 13, 2021 |website=getrich.uk.com}} Yonezu released "Daydream" as the theme song for NTV's "news zero" in January of 2021, and "Pale Blue" as the theme song for the TBS drama "Rikokatsu" in April.{{Cite web |title=PROFILE |url=https://reissuerecords.net/profile/ |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=米津玄師 official site「REISSUE RECORDS」 |language=ja}}

In 2022, Yonezu released "Kick Back", which was used as the opening theme song for the anime series Chainsaw Man.{{Cite web|last=Leung|first=Hilary|date=October 13, 2022|title='Chainsaw Man': Get To Know Every Artist Singing the Opening & Ending Themes|url=https://www.cbr.com/chainsaw-man-anime-opening-ending-song-artsits/|access-date=October 13, 2022|website=CBR}} His 10-show arena tour "HENSHIN" began in September that year.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-09 |title=米津玄師 2022 TOUR / 変身 |url=https://reissuerecords.net/2022/08/09/tour_henshin/ |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=米津玄師 official site「REISSUE RECORDS」 |language=ja}} In 2023, Yonezu released his single "Tsuki wo miteita - Moongazing" as the theme song for the video game Final Fantasy XVI, and released "Spinning Globe" as the theme song for Hayao Miyazaki's film The Boy and the Heron.{{Cite web|last=Pineda|first=Rafael Antonio|date=July 13, 2023|title=Kenshi Yonezu Performs Theme Song for Hayao Miyazaki's How Do You Live? Film|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-07-13/kenshi-yonezu-performs-theme-song-for-hayao-miyazaki-how-do-you-live-film/.200278|access-date=July 13, 2023|website=Anime News Network}} Miyazaki had requested him after hearing children singing Yonezu's song "Paprika" at a Ghibli-run nursery school. When Miyazaki heard the completed song, he cried.{{Cite web |last=Lipshutz |first=Jason |date=2023-12-14 |title=Inside the Creation of ‘The Boy and The Heron’ Theme Song, Which Moved Miyazaki to Tears |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/features/the-boy-and-the-heron-theme-song-miyazaki-kenshi-yonezu-1235556832/ |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}} Yonezu said the experience was the biggest honor in his life.{{Cite web |last=Lipshutz |first=Jason |date=2023-12-14 |title=Inside the Creation of ‘The Boy and The Heron’ Theme Song, Which Moved Miyazaki to Tears |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/features/the-boy-and-the-heron-theme-song-miyazaki-kenshi-yonezu-1235556832/ |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}} His 2023 "Fantasy" tour, with 24 concerts, began in April.

His sixth studio album, Lost Corner, was released on August 21, 2024.{{cite news |date=June 21, 2024 |title=米津玄師、6thアルバム『LOST CORNER』発売決定 |trans-title=Kenshi Yonezu announces the release of his 6th album "LOST CORNER." |url=https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000248409 |access-date=June 21, 2024 |work=Barks |language=ja}} It is his longest album, with 20 songs. On December 31, 2024, Yonezu did a special performance at the 75th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, singing "Sayonara, Mata Itsuka!", which he wrote for the TV program The Tiger and Her Wings. In January 2025, Yonezu embarked on his biggest tour yet, 26-show "JUNK", with 350,000 people attending his domestic concerts, and 440,000 overall.{{Cite web |title=【ライブレポート】米津玄師、史上最大規模のワールドツアー完遂！国内外で44万人を動員 |trans-title=[Live Report] Kenshi Yonezu completes the largest world tour in history! 440,000 people attended both domestically and internationally. |url=https://www.thefirsttimes.jp/report/0000600830/ |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=THE FIRST TIMES |language=ja}} "JUNK" included his first world tour, with shows in Shanghai, Taipei, Seoul, Paris, London, Los Angeles, and New York City. Yonezu said he was "profoundly moved to have been so passionately welcomed by them".{{Cite web |last=Sirikul |first=Laura |title=Kenshi Yonezu Talks World Tour, Music Styles And The Future Of A.I. |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurasirikul/2025/04/16/kenshi-yonezu-talks-world-tour-music-styles-and-the-future-of-ai/ |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=Forbes |language=en}} On March 5, 2025, Yonezu collaborated with two-time Olympic figure skating champion Yuzuru Hanyu, who performed a skating program for the music video of his song "Bow and Arrow", which was used as the opening theme for the anime Medalist.{{cite news |date=March 6, 2025 |title=羽生結弦さん＆米津玄師の神コラボが大反響！　ＭＶ２５０万超再生、コメント１万件　米津のＸは２５００万回表示 |trans-title=Yuzuru Hanyu and Kenshi Yonezu's divine collaboration receives a huge response! The music video has over 2.5 million views, with 10,000 comments, and Yonezu's X (Twitter) post has 25 million views. |url=https://hochi.news/articles/20250306-OHT1T51133.html?page=1 |access-date=March 6, 2025 |work=Sports Hochi |language=ja}} On 21 April, NetEase Cloud Music named Yonezu as the most streamed Japanese artist in the platform's 12-year history with more than 5.5 billion streams.{{cite web |url=https://m.weibo.cn/status/5158193384131880 |website=Weibo |title=网易云音乐官方微博: #网易云音乐12周年# |trans-title=NetEase Cloud Music Official Weibo Account: #NetEase Cloud Music 12th Anniversary# |language=zh |date=21 April 2025}}

Yonezu writes and composes all of his music. In his Vocaloid songs and his independent album Diorama, he also arranged, programmed, mixed and performed all of the instruments by himself. When he moved to Universal, Yonezu began working with a band to perform his music. Yonezu considers Japanese bands Bump of Chicken, Asian Kung-Fu Generation and Radwimps big influences on his work, and Japanese authors Kenji Miyazawa and Yukio Mishima on his lyrics. As an illustrator, he feels inspired by Edward Gorey's illustrations. Yonezu generally composes songs on the guitar, but also occasionally uses drums to work out a melody.{{cite web | url=http://music.emtg.jp/special/20140403791690bb3 | title=米津玄師、居場所をなくした全ての人に贈る2ndアルバム『YANKEE』インタビュー |trans-title=Kenshi Yonezu 2nd album Yankee interview, dedicated to everyone who has lost their way. |author=Tomoko Imai |publisher=EMTG | language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424013136/http://music.emtg.jp/special/20140403791690bb3 |date=April 22, 2014 |archive-date=April 24, 2014 | access-date=April 24, 2014}}

Yonezu separates his musical career in two, releasing music using Vocaloids as Hachi, and music using his own voice as Kenshi Yonezu. He feels that music made as Hachi was created for the Nico Nico Douga community, while songs under his real name do not have such a strong tie.{{cite web | url=http://realsound.jp/2014/04/post-443_2.html | script-title=ja:「最近はネットコミュニティを俯瞰で見ている」米津玄師が振り返る、ネットと作り手の関わり方 |trans-title="I lurk a lot on net communities recently" says Kenshi Yonezu, explaining the link between the Internet and creation. |author=Koichi Kamiya |publisher=RealSound | language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424025725/http://realsound.jp/2014/04/post-444.html |date=April 23, 2014 |archive-date=April 24, 2014 | access-date=April 24, 2014}} While he did not want to record covers of his Vocaloid songs during sessions for Diorama (2012), he felt the difference between Kenshi Yonezu songs and Hachi songs blur during sessions for Yankee (2014) and recorded a self-cover of "Donut Hole".{{cite web | url=http://natalie.mu/music/pp/yonezukenshi04/page/2 | title=゛呪い゛を解く鍵「YANKEE」に込めた思い

|trans-title=Thoughts put into Yankee, the key to removing a curse. |author=Tomonori Shiba |publisher=Natalie | language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424033953/http://natalie.mu/music/pp/yonezukenshi04/page/2 |date=April 23, 2014 |archive-date=April 24, 2014 | access-date=April 24, 2014}}

{{nihongo|"Suna no Wakusei"|砂の惑星}} (officially "DUNE" in English) is a song composed and arranged by Hachi after his long absence in VOCALOID music scene since his previous work, "Donut Hole".{{Cite web|url=http://magicalmirai.com/2017/index_en.html|title=Hatsune Miku Magical Mirai 2017}} This is a theme song for Hatsune Miku Magical Mirai 2017 and featured on "Magical Mirai 2017 Official Album".{{Cite web|url=http://www.mikufan.com/hatsune-miku-magical-mirai-2017-official-album-announced-preorders-now-open/|title=Hatsune Miku: Magical Mirai 2017 Official Album Announced, Preorders Now Open!|date=May 26, 2017}} It has entered the Hall of Legend on Niconico and rapidly surpassed 1 million views on YouTube shortly after its upload.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm31606995|title = Hachi MV「Sand Planet feat. Hatsune Miku」|date = July 21, 2017}}

He has worked as a producer for other musicians several times. The first song he composed and arranged was Internet singer Lasah's {{nihongo|"Nilgiri"|ニルギリ}} in 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm11225397 |script-title=ja:「ニルギリ」 |trans-title=Nilgiri |publisher=Lasah |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100703021245/http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm11225397 |date=June 29, 2010 |archive-date=July 3, 2010 |access-date=November 9, 2013 |url-status=dead }} He composed and produced the song {{nihongo|"Escape Game"|エスケープゲーム}} for anime singer LiSA on her mini-album Letters to U (2011).{{cite web | url=http://tower.jp/item/2844235/Letters-to-U | title=Letters to U |publisher=Tower Records | language=ja | access-date=November 9, 2013}} He also worked on a remix for the ending theme song of the anime Anohana, "Secret Base (Kimi ga Kureta Mono) (Those Dizzy Days Ver.)", which was released in 2013.{{cite web | url=http://natalie.mu/music/news/98169 | title=劇場版「あの花」公開記念、「secret base」がLPサイズで |trans-title=Secret Base released in LP size to commemorate the film version of Anohana's release |publisher=Natalie | language=ja |date=August 2, 2008 | access-date=November 9, 2013}}

Despite debuting his solo career in 2012, he did not hold any live performances for two years.{{cite web | url=http://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000095414 | title=自分勝手な愛。米津玄師が語る2ndシングル「MAD HEAD LOVE / ポッピンアパシー」 |trans-title=Selfish love. Kenshi Yonezu talks about his second single "Mad Head Love / Poppin' Apathy" |publisher=Barks |work=Mucomi+Plus, Hisanori Yoshida | language=ja |date=October 16, 2013 | access-date=November 7, 2013}} His first concert was planned for June 27, 2014, two months after the release of Yankee.

Yonezu illustrated all of his early Nico Nico Douga videos, using a scanner or a pen tablet to draw imagery. When his parents bought a computer when he was 10, Yonezu made and uploaded flash animation videos for Bump of Chicken songs on the Internet. He continued to illustrate for his album Diorama, creating the music videos and the cover artwork by himself, and with the help of fellow members of Minakata Kenkyūjo. His Universal releases have also featured his own artwork. Yonezu primarily uses Adobe Photoshop Elements, Adobe After Effects and Corel Painter Essentials for animation. Yonezu's illustrations became a feature in music magazine Rockin' On Japan starting in the August 2013 issue. His piece, called {{nihongo|Kaijū Zukan|かいじゅうずかん||"Monster Picture Index"}}, features fictional creatures Yonezu has drawn.{{cite web | url=http://ro69.jp/news/detail/84312 | title=米津玄師、「ROCKIN'ON JAPAN」にて新連載スタート！ 架空の生物を紹介する「かいじゅうずかん」 |trans-title=Kenshi Yonezu, new column in Rockin' On Japan starting! Kaijū Zukan, introducing fictional creatures |work=Rockin' On Japan | language=ja | date=June 26, 2013 | access-date=November 8, 2013}}

To create songs, Yonezu uses music software Cakewalk Sonar. When he started to create Vocaloid music, he used Vocaloid 2 software, and Hatsune Miku vocals exclusively. However, in 2010, Yonezu began using Megurine Luka and Gumi in his songs as well. His album Hanataba to Suisō features Hatsune Miku only, whereas Official Orange features Hatsune Miku, Megurine Luka, Gumi, as well as his own vocals on the song {{nihongo|"Yūen Shigai|遊園市街||"Amusement City Streets"}}.

He answered on a radio program that Susumu Hirasawa's "MOTHER", which he listened to before he was 18 years old when he started his music career, was "one of the songs that changed my life", and said, "All of Susumu Hirasawa's songs have a musicality that I had never heard before, and I was very influenced by them."{{Cite web|title=ARCHIVE|url=https://www.j-wave.co.jp/original/otoajito/|access-date=2021-08-16|website=SAPPORO BEER OTOAJITO {{!}} J-WAVE 81.3 FM RADIO|language=ja}}

{{Main|Kenshi Yonezu discography}}

• Diorama (2012)
• Yankee (2014)
• Bremen (2015)
• Bootleg (2017)
• Stray Sheep (2020)
• Lost Corner (2024)

{{Reflist}}

{{Portal|Biography}}

• {{Official website}}

{{Kenshi Yonezu}}

{{Vocaloid musicians}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Yonezu, Kenshi}}

Category:1991 births

Category:Living people

Category:Autistic musicians

Category:Crunchyroll Anime Awards winners

Category:Japanese illustrators

Category:Japanese male pop singers

Category:Japanese male rock singers

Category:Japanese people with disabilities

Category:People with Marfan syndrome

Category:Singers from Tokushima Prefecture

Category:Sony Music Entertainment Japan artists

Category:Universal Music Japan artists

Category:Vocaloid musicians

Category:21st-century Japanese male singers