:Supercell (band)
{{Short description|Japanese band}}
{{About|a Japanese band|3=Supercell (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Supercell
| image =
| caption =
| image_size =
| background = group_or_band
| origin = Japan
| instrument =
| genre = {{flat list|
| years_active = 2007–present
| label = {{flat list|
- Sony Music Records (2009–present)
- TamStar Records}}
| associated_acts = {{flat list|
| website = {{URL|www.supercell.jp}}
| current_members =
Supercell
{{unbulleted list|Ryo|Shirow Miwa|Huke|Redjuice|Suga|Maque|Yoshiki Usa|Hei8ro|Guitar|Crow|Golv}}
Guest vocalists
{{unbulleted list|Ann|Gaku}}
| past_members =
Supercell
Guest vocalists
{{unbulleted list|Nagi Yanagi|Koeda}}
}}
Supercell (stylized as supercell) is an 11-member Japanese pop rock band led by musician and songwriter Ryo, which formed in 2007 as a dōjin music band. The other 10 members are artists and designers who provide illustrations in album booklets and music videos. Supercell started out by making use of the Hatsune Miku Vocaloid singing synthesizer to produce vocals for songs submitted to the Nico Nico Douga video sharing website. The popularity of the songs led the band to release their independent self-titled album Supercell (2008). Supercell later signed to Sony Music Entertainment Japan and had a professional release of their Supercell album in March 2009, which was updated with more songs.
Supercell made a transition to vocalist Nagi Yanagi with their debut single "Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari" (2009). Two more singles featuring Yanagi were released in 2010, followed by Supercell's second album Today Is A Beautiful Day (2011), which was Yanagi's last contribution with Supercell. Following Yanagi's departure, Supercell held auditions for vocalists, and 15-year-old female singer Koeda was chosen out of about 2,000 candidates. Koeda's first single with Supercell is "My Dearest" (2011), and four more singles featuring Koeda were released between 2012 and 2013, followed by Supercell's third album Zigaexperientia (2013), which was Koeda's last contribution with Supercell. In 2019, Supercell chose the singers Ann and Gaku to be their new vocalists.
Supercell and Today Is A Beautiful Day were awarded a Gold Disc by the Recording Industry Association of Japan for having exceeded 100,000 copies shipped in a single year, and Supercell was chosen as one of the best five new Japanese artists of 2009 during the 2010 Japan Gold Disc Award competition.
History
=2007–2008: Formation and indie releases=
On December 7, 2007, Ryo submitted the song {{Nihongo|"Melt"|メルト|Meruto}} to the Nico Nico Douga video sharing website, and since then the video has been viewed over 14 million times.{{Cite web|last=Robson|first=Daniel|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fm20100205a1.html|title=Supercell's synthetic pop wins real fans|publisher=The Japan Times|date=February 5, 2010|access-date=February 6, 2010|archive-date=October 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007074652/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fm20100205a1.html|url-status=dead}} For the song's vocals, Ryo used the Vocaloid singing synthesizer software Hatsune Miku, and he used an illustration of Miku by an artist named 119 (pronounced Hikeshi) on the video without his permission. After Ryo contacted 119 with an apology, 119 responded with great interest in "Melt" and began to work together with Ryo, thus forming Supercell.{{Cite web|url= http://rn.oricon.co.jp/special/20080805_02.html|title=『流行りモノ調査隊 第54回 話題のネットスター PART2』 - RANKING NEWS|trans-title=Craze Investigation Party Chapter 54 Net Star Subject Part 2 - Ranking News|publisher=Oricon|access-date=September 10, 2009|language=ja}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.supercell.sc/archives/2008/08/post-4.html|script-title=ja:オリコン!ヤフー!|trans-title=Oricon! Yahoo!|author=Ryo|publisher=Supercell|date=August 12, 2008|access-date=September 10, 2009|language=ja|archive-date=February 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227015438/http://www.supercell.sc/archives/2008/08/post-4.html|url-status=dead}} More members joined Supercell since its formation, which led to 11 members by the time the group made its major debut. 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.
Ryo chose to distribute his music on Nico Nico Douga because he liked the website along with its response system, which enables user's comments to appear overlaid on the video screen. 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. 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.
In 2008, Supercell continued to release songs on Nico Nico Douga which quickly became popular. Supercell's releases of {{Nihongo|"Koi wa Sensō"|恋は戦争}} on February 22, {{Nihongo|"World is Mine"|ワールドイズマイン|Wārudo izu Main}} on May 31, and {{Nihongo|"Black Rock Shooter"|ブラック★ロックシューター|Burakku Rokku Shūtā}} on June 13; all have received over 4 million views.{{Cite web|url=http://fmvs.jp/news/music/log/eid2003.html|script-title=ja: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|trans-title=The Most Viewed Songs Over "Soba ni Iru ne" and "Kiseki" on the Internet Are Released|publisher=meVIEWsa radio|date=December 25, 2008|access-date=September 10, 2009|language=ja|title=FMVS.jp }} Ryo composed the song {{Nihongo|"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.{{Cite web|url=http://ga.sbcr.jp/mgabunko/010378/|title=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|trans-title=Two Kinds of Image Song CDs to be Included at Limited Editions with GA Bunko's Oto × Maho 5|publisher=GA Bunko|date=June 24, 2008|access-date=December 8, 2010|language=ja|archive-date=October 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010025810/http://ga.sbcr.jp/mgabunko/010378/|url-status=dead}} The song was released in two versions: one sung by Hatsune Miku sold at Animate and one sung by the human singer Sari sold at Comic Toranoana. 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 tracks.{{Cite web|url=http://www.supercell.sc/archives/2008/08/c74.html|title=コミックマーケットC74 頒布物について|trans-title=Concerning Comic Market 74 Goods to be Distributed|publisher=Supercell|date=August 7, 2008|access-date=September 10, 2009|language=ja|archive-date=February 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227015443/http://www.supercell.sc/archives/2008/08/c74.html|url-status=dead}} On December 12, 2008, Supercell released {{Nihongo|"Hajimete no Koi ga Owaru Toki"|初めての恋が終わる時}} on Nico Nico Douga, which has since received over 3 million views.{{Cite web|url=http://supercell.sc/hko/|script-title=ja:初めての恋が終わる時|trans-title=Hajimete no Koi ga Owaru Toki|publisher=Supercell|access-date=March 6, 2012|language=ja|archive-date=February 28, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228122314/http://www.supercell.sc/hko/|url-status=dead}}
=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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/music/release/d/804088/1/|title=Supercell|publisher=Oricon|access-date=September 10, 2009|language=ja}} 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, 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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/0907/13/news032.html|script-title=ja:初音ミクのアルバムがゴールドディスク認定|trans-title=Hatsune Miku Album Gets Gold Disc|publisher=IT media|date=July 13, 2009|access-date=September 10, 2009|language=ja}} Ryo approached singer Nagi Yanagi to be the vocalist for Supercell's debut single {{Nihongo|"Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari"|君の知らない物語}},{{Cite web|url=http://www.hotexpress.co.jp/interview/supercell_090812/page2.html|title=supercell インタビュー|trans-title=Supercell Interview (page 2)|publisher=Hotexpress|date=August 12, 2009|access-date=November 27, 2011|language=ja|archive-date=May 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518183055/http://www.hotexpress.co.jp/interview/supercell_090812/page2.html|url-status=dead}} who was known for her uploads to Nico Nico Douga under the name Gazelle. The single was released on August 12, 2009 and ranked No. 5 on Oricon's weekly singles chart.{{Cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/music/release/d/826538/1/|script-title=ja:君の知らない物語|trans-title=Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari|publisher=Oricon|access-date=September 10, 2009|language=ja}} The song "Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari" was used as the ending theme song for the 2009 Bakemonogatari anime series,{{Cite web|url=http://supercell.sc/single01/|title=Supercell 1st single 「君の知らない物語｣|trans-title=Supercell 1st single "Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari"|publisher=Supercell|access-date=September 10, 2009|language=ja|archive-date=November 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103131518/http://supercell.sc/single01/|url-status=dead}} and the single also included two tracks featured in the 2009 animated film Cencoroll. Supercell was chosen as one of the best five new Japanese artists of 2009 during the 2010 Japan Gold Disc Award competition.{{Cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-02-26/k-on-wins-dvd-of-the-year-gold-disc-of-the-year-awards|title=K-On! Wins DVD of the Year, Gold Disc of the Year Awards|publisher=Anime News Network|date=February 26, 2010|access-date=February 26, 2010}}
A second single, {{Nihongo|"Sayonara Memories"|さよならメモリーズ}}, was released on February 10, 2010.{{Cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/473727/products/music/853194/1/|script-title=ja:さよならメモリーズ|trans-title=Sayonara Memories|publisher=Oricon|access-date=February 26, 2010|language=ja}} Supercell's third single, {{Nihongo|"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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/473727/products/music/879918/1/|script-title=ja:うたかた花火 / 星が瞬くこんな夜に|trans-title=Utakata Hanabi / Hoshi ga Matataku Konna Yoru ni|publisher=Oricon|access-date=September 6, 2010|language=ja}} "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.{{Cite web|url=http://mantan-web.jp/2010/06/21/20100621dog00m200008000c.html|title=supercell ：新曲「うたかた花火」がナルトのエンディング曲に|trans-title=Supercell: New Song "Utakata Hanabi" Used as Naruto Ending Theme|publisher=Mainichi Shimbun|date=June 21, 2010|access-date=November 28, 2011|language=ja|archive-date=June 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100623001935/http://mantan-web.jp/2010/06/21/20100621dog00m200008000c.html|url-status=dead}} Supercell released a split single in collaboration with Kz of Livetune called {{Nihongo|"Kotchi Muite Baby / Yellow"|こっち向いて Baby / Yellow}} on July 14, 2010 by Sony Music Direct, which is the theme song of Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA 2nd.{{Cite web|url=http://news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/258/258445/|title=『初音ミク -Project DIVA- 2nd』テーマソングが7月14日に発売|trans-title=Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA 2nd Theme Song to be Sold on July 14|publisher=ASCII Media Works|date=April 28, 2010|access-date=May 1, 2010|language=ja}} Ryo composed "Kotchi Muite Baby" and Livetune composed "Yellow"; both songs are sung by Hatsune Miku. Supercell produced the song {{Nihongo|"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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.supercell.sc/archives/2010/11/post-69.html|script-title=ja:ヤングジャンプ新増刊アオハルの|trans-title=Young Jump New Special Edition Aoharu|publisher=Supercell|date=November 18, 2010|access-date=November 18, 2010|language=ja|archive-date=March 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312045920/http://www.supercell.sc/archives/2010/11/post-69.html|url-status=dead}}
A 50-minute original video animation project titled 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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-08-22/hatsune-miku-anime-with-yutaka-yamamoto-confirmed-for-spring|title=Black Rock Shooter Anime with Yutaka Yamamoto Confirmed for Spring|publisher=Anime News Network|date=August 22, 2009|access-date=September 10, 2009}} Ryo and Huke collaborated on the project with supervisor Yutaka Yamamoto and his animation studio Ordet; Shinobu Yoshioka directed the project.{{Cite web|url=http://www.blackrockshooter.jp/|title=Black Rock Shooter Project|publisher=Ordet|access-date=September 10, 2009|language=ja}} 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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-06-09/black-rock-shooter-footage-to-premiere-at-anime-expo|title=Black Rock Shooter Footage to Premiere at Anime Expo|publisher=Anime News Network|date=June 9, 2010|access-date=June 9, 2010}}
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.{{Cite web|url=http://listen.jp/store/musicnews_31517_all.htm|title=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?|trans-title=What is the "TamaStar Records" New Label That Has Amassed Popular Artists from Video Sharing Websites?|publisher=Listen Japan|date=December 8, 2010|access-date=December 8, 2010|language=ja|archive-date=December 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101211095314/http://listen.jp/store/musicnews_31517_all.htm|url-status=dead}} Supercell collaborated on a compilation album titled TamStar Records Collection Vol. 0 released as a limited edition at Comiket 79 in December 2010; on the album is Ryo's "Kibō no Neiro" sung by Hatsune Miku and {{Nihongo|"Ashita e"|アシタヘ}} sung by Rapbit and Clear.{{Cite web|url=http://www.tamstarrecords.jp/release/2010_tamstar.html|title=TamStar Records Collection vol.0|publisher=TamStar Records|access-date=February 8, 2013|language=ja}} TamStar Records released a remix album of Supercell's debut album Supercell as a tribute to the band titled Stowaways on January 17, 2011.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sonymusicshop.jp/m/item/itemShw.php?site=S&ima=1600&cd=DYCX000001747|title=Supercell tribute ～Stowaways～|publisher=Sony Music Entertainment Japan|access-date=March 6, 2012|language=ja}} Supercell released their second studio album Today Is A Beautiful Day on March 16, 2011,{{Cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/473727/products/music/903358/1/|title=Today Is A Beautiful Day|publisher=Oricon|access-date=May 25, 2011|language=ja}} which was Yanagi's last contribution with Supercell.
=2011–2013: Vocalist Koeda=
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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-05-25/music-group-supercell-holds-auditions-for-next-album|title=Music Group supercell Holds Auditions for Next Album|publisher=Anime News Network|date=May 25, 2011|access-date=May 25, 2011}} Out of about 2,000 candidates, then 15-year-old female singer Koeda was chosen.{{Cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-09-09/supercell-selects-15-year-old-singer-for-next-album|title=Supercell Selects 15-Year-Old Singer for Next Album|publisher=Anime News Network|date=September 9, 2011|access-date=September 10, 2011}} Also, then 17-year-old female singer Chelly was selected to be the vocalist for Ryo's separate music act Egoist.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-09-08/17-year-old-wins-supercell-audition-to-sing-guilty-crown-songs|title=17-Year-Old Wins Supercell Audition to Sing Guilty Crown Songs|publisher=Anime News Network|date=September 8, 2011|access-date=December 4, 2013}} Supercell collaborated with the dōjin musician Dixie Flatline to produce the split single "{{Nihongo|Sekiranun Graffiti|積乱雲グラフィティ}} / Fallin' Fallin' Fallin'" released on August 31, 2011 by Sony Music Direct.{{Cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/543695/products/music/927147/1/|title=積乱雲グラフィティ/Fallin' Fallin' Fallin'|trans-title=Sekiranun Graffiti / Fallin' Fallin' Fallin'|publisher=Oricon|access-date=July 30, 2011|language=ja}} Ryo composed "Sekiranun Graffiti" and Dixie Flatline composed "Fallin' Fallin' Fallin'"; both songs are sung by Hatsune Miku.{{Cite web|author=Santos, Carlo|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/sekiranun-graffiti/ryo-supercell-feat-hatsune-miku|title=Sekiranun Graffiti Ryo (supercell) feat. Hatsune Miku|publisher=Anime News Network|date=October 4, 2011|access-date=March 4, 2012}} "Sekiranun Graffiti" is used as the opening theme to Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Extend.{{Cite web|url=http://news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/391/391361/|title=『初音ミク extend』主題歌『積乱雲グラフィティ』のCDが発売!|trans-title="Hatsune Miku Extend" Theme Song "Sekiranun Graffiti" CD to be Sold!|publisher=ASCII Media Works|date=August 3, 2011|access-date=March 6, 2012|language=ja}} The theme songs for the 2011 anime series Guilty Crown were produced by Ryo.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-07-08/guilty-crown-anime-1st-promo-video-streamed|title=Guilty Crown Anime's 1st Promo Video Streamed|publisher=Anime News Network|date=July 8, 2011|access-date=September 26, 2011}} The band's fourth single "My Dearest" and was released on November 23, 2011; the song was used as the anime's first opening theme.{{Cite news|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/473727/products/music/939934/1/|title=My Dearest|newspaper=Oricon News |publisher=Oricon|access-date=December 12, 2011|language=ja}}
Supercell's fifth single, also released on March 7, 2012, is the double A-side {{Nihongo|"Kokuhaku / Bokura no Ashiato"|告白 / 僕らのあしあと}}.{{Cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/473727/products/music/951952/1/|script-title=ja:告白 / 僕らのあしあと|trans-title=Kokuhaku / Bokura no Ashiato|publisher=Oricon|access-date=March 6, 2012|language=ja}} "Kokuhaku" was used as Guilty Crown{{'}}s second ending theme, and "Bokura no Ashiato" was used as the ending theme to the 2012 anime series Black Rock Shooter.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sonymusicshop.jp/m/item/itemShw.php?site=S&cd=SRCL000007881|script-title=ja:告白 / 僕らのあしあと|trans-title=Kokuhaku / Bokura no Ashiato|publisher=Sony Music Entertainment Japan|access-date=March 6, 2012|language=ja|title=SonyMusicShop }} Ryo wrote the song "Light My Fire" sung by Kotoko,{{Cite web|url=http://www.whv-amusic.com/kotoko/contents/hp0007/index00060000.html|title=17th Single「Light My Fire」|publisher=Warner Home Video|access-date=March 6, 2012|language=ja}} which was used as the first opening theme to the 2011 anime series Shakugan no Shana Final.{{Cite web|url=http://www.shakugan.com/contents/hp0022/index02850000.html|title=「Light My Fire」 Kotoko|publisher=J.C.Staff|access-date=March 6, 2012|language=ja}} Ryo also wrote the song "Naisho no Hanashi" sung by ClariS, which was used as the ending theme to the 2012 anime series Nisemonogatari.{{Cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-11-26/nisemonogatari-anime-ad-with-claris/ryo-theme-posted|title=Nisemonogatari Anime's Ad with ClariS/Ryo Theme Posted|publisher=Anime News Network|date=November 26, 2011|access-date=November 27, 2011}} Ryo collaborated with the dōjin musician Jin to produce the split single "Odds & Ends / Sky of Beginning" released on August 29, 2012 by Sony Music Direct. Ryo composed "Odds & Ends" and Jin composed "Sky of Beginning"; both songs are sung by Hatsune Miku. "Odds & Ends" is the opening theme song to Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA F.{{Cite web|url=http://news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/500/500566/|title=『初音ミク -Project DIVA- f』のオープニングテーマはryo(supercell) feat. 初音ミクの『ODDS＆ENDS』|trans-title=Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA F's Opening Theme is Ryo (Supercell) feat. Hatsune Miku's "Odds & Ends"|publisher=ASCII Media Works|date=June 25, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2012|language=ja}}
In 2012, designer Yoshika Usa collaborated with illustrator Tomoko Fujinoko to create the manga Wooser's Hand-to-Mouth Life, which was adapted into a CG anime series by Sanzigen in 2012.{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004012016/http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/wooser/onair/index.html|url=http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/wooser/onair/index.html|script-title=ja:放送局情報|trans-title=Broadcasting Information|publisher=TV Tokyo|archive-date=October 4, 2012|url-status=live|access-date=October 3, 2012|language=ja}} The anime's ending theme song {{nihongo|"Love Me Gimme"|ラブミーギミー|Rabu Mī Gimī}} by Tia is written by Ryo,{{Cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-08-24/wooser-hand-to-mouth-life-manga-gets-tv-anime-by-supercell-members|title=Wooser's Hand-to-Mouth Life Manga Gets TV Anime by Supercell Members|publisher=Anime News Network|date=August 24, 2012|access-date=October 3, 2012}} who has continued to produce music for the singer.{{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/577816/products/music/1057465/1/|script-title=ja:ハートリアライズ|trans-title=Heart Realize|publisher=Oricon|access-date=April 27, 2014|language=ja}}{{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/577816/products/music/1088445/1/|title=The Glory Days|publisher=Oricon|access-date=October 9, 2014|language=ja}} Supercell's sixth single {{Nihongo|"Gin'iro Hikōsen"|銀色飛行船}} was released on December 19, 2012; the song is used as the opening theme to the 2012 anime film Nerawareta Gakuen.{{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/473727/products/music/993248/1/|script-title=ja:銀色飛行船|trans-title=Gin'iro Hikōsen|publisher=Oricon|access-date=October 9, 2012|language=ja}} Supercell's seventh single "The Bravery" was released on March 13, 2013; the song is used as the second ending theme to the 2012 anime series Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic.{{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/473727/products/music/1005690/1/|title=The Bravery|publisher=Oricon|access-date=December 27, 2012|language=ja}} Supercell's eighth single {{Nihongo|"Hakushukassai Utaawase"|拍手喝采歌合}} was released on June 12, 2013; the song is used as the opening theme for the 2013 rebroadcast of the 2010 anime series Katanagatari.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-03-14/katanagatari-rerun-teaser-reveals-new-theme-song-artists|title=Katanagatari Rerun's Teaser Reveals New Theme Song Artists|publisher=Anime News Network|date=March 14, 2013|access-date=March 14, 2013}} Supercell released their third studio album Zigaexperientia on November 27, 2013,{{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/473727/products/music/1047337/1/|title=Zigaexperientia|publisher=Oricon|access-date=October 13, 2013|language=ja}} which was Koeda's last contribution with Supercell.
=2015–present: Vocalists Ann and Gaku=
Ryo composed the music for the 2015 video game Bravely Second: End Layer.{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2014/07/29/supercells-ryo-charge-music-bravely-second/|title=Supercell's ryo In Charge Of Music For Bravely Second|publisher=Siliconera|date=July 29, 2014|access-date=July 29, 2014}} Ryo produced the single "Great Distance" featuring Chelly released on May 20, 2015; this song is used as the opening theme song to Bravely Second.{{cite web|url=http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/egoist/info/452395|title=5/20 ryo (supecell) feat.chelly「Great Distance」発売決定!!ヴォーカルを務めるのはchelly!|publisher=Sony Music Entertainment Japan|date=April 2, 2015|access-date=April 2, 2015|language=ja}} Also included on the single is "Last Song", which is used as the ending theme to Bravely Second.{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/27079/2|title=supercell ryo『ブレイブリーセカンド』OP/EDリリース決定 ボーカルにはEGOIST chelly|publisher=Billboard Japan|access-date=April 2, 2015|language=ja}} Ryo released the digital single {{Nihongo|"Tsumi no Namae"|罪の名前}} featuring Hatsune Miku on June 8, 2016. Supercell took applications for a new vocalist from July 11 to August 31, 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.supercell.jp/news/archive/?470334|title=【公式HP OPEN】supercell ボーカル募集のお知らせ|publisher=Supercell|date=July 11, 2016|access-date=November 9, 2018|language=ja}} Supercell announced they had chosen Ann and Gaku as their new vocalists on July 29, 2019, and they also released a music video of their new single "#Love" featuring both vocalists.{{cite web|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/08/04/19/japanese-band-supercell-welcomes-filipina-vocalist|title=Japanese band Supercell welcomes Filipina vocalist|publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer|date=August 4, 2019|access-date=October 31, 2019}} Supercell's ninth single "#Love feat. Ann, Gaku" was released on September 11, 2019; the song was used as the theme song for the 2019 film Cencoroll Connect.{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/473727/products/1332441/1/|title=#Love feat.Ann,gaku(完全生産限定盤)|publisher=Oricon|access-date=January 5, 2020|language=ja}}
Musical style and influences
Daniel Robson of The Japan Times described Supercell's music as "sentimental J-pop...[that] also explores the genre's jazzier, spunkier and dancier elements." Their sound has been compared to pop singers Aiko and Yui, and Ryo has stated himself that he likes expressing human emotions in his music.{{Cite web |url=http://www.iloud.jp/interview/supercell_2nd_album/2.php |title=supercell『Today Is A Beautiful Day』インタビュー |trans-title=Supercell Today Is A Beautiful Day Interview, p. 2 |publisher=X-tra |work=iLoud |date=9 March 2011 |access-date=November 28, 2011 |language=ja |archive-date=7 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110907085203/http://www.iloud.jp/interview/supercell_2nd_album/2.php |url-status=dead }} When creating a song, Ryo has often hummed a tune into a digital recorder, or starts by playing the piano.{{Cite web|author=Santos, Carlo|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2011-06-21/interview-ryo-from-supercell|title=Interview: Ryo from supercell|publisher=Anime News Network|date=June 21, 2011|access-date=March 5, 2012}} While it depends on the song, Ryo has stated he generally "play[s] the piano and take[s] notes of the chord progression" and then writes the lyrics.{{Cite web|author=Mak, Theodore|url=http://www.t-ono.net/Interview/Exclusive-supercell-Interview-1st-Ever-English-Interview.html|title=Supercell Exclusive Interview (1st Ever English Interview!)|publisher=The-O Network Online|date=February 23, 2010|access-date=March 5, 2012|archive-date=March 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308192145/http://www.t-ono.net/Interview/Exclusive-supercell-Interview-1st-Ever-English-Interview.html|url-status=dead}} Ryo has cited "artists that blend rock and hip-hop styles with today's latest technology" as influencing his music, including: Massive Attack, Boom Boom Satellites, Portishead, Tricky, and Unkle.
Ryo found it difficult at first to write "tenderhearted" lyrics for songs meant to be sung by young women. When describing the lyrics for his songs using Hatsune Miku as the vocalist, Ryo felt that writing without hesitation based on his initial ideas with minimal editing was best, because the singer, as a computer program, would not feel embarrassed about singing the lyrics. He admitted that his friends would laugh when he played the songs, but he thought that "if a 16-year-old girl is supposed to be singing...it is best if she sings about romance." When writing lyrics for human singers, Ryo takes more care in writing lyrics that singers would not be embarrassed to sing. When Ryo receives an offer to compose theme music, he writes lyrics that tie in with the theme and mood of the given work, such as the ending themes "Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari" for the anime Bakemonogatari, and "Hoshi ga Matataku Konna Yoru ni" for the visual novel Mahōtsukai no Yoru.{{Cite web|url=http://www.iloud.jp/interview/supercell/|title=supercell インターネットから飛び出した新世代スター|trans-title=Supercell: The New Generation Star That Suddenly Appeared Out of the Internet|publisher=X-tra|work=iLoud|date=21 July 2009|access-date=November 28, 2011|language=ja|archive-date=2 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102232559/http://www.iloud.jp/interview/supercell/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.iloud.jp/interview/supercell_2nd_album/3.php |title=supercell『Today Is A Beautiful Day』インタビュー |trans-title=Supercell Today Is A Beautiful Day Interview, p. 3 |publisher=X-tra |work=iLoud |date=9 March 2011 |access-date=November 28, 2011 |language=ja |archive-date=7 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110907075432/http://www.iloud.jp/interview/supercell_2nd_album/3.php |url-status=dead }}
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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.supercell.jp/about.html|title=About Supercell|publisher=Supercell|access-date=September 10, 2009|language=ja}}
- 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)
;Guest vocalists
- Nagi Yanagi (2009–2011)
- Koeda (2011–2013)
- Ann (2019–present)
- Gaku (2019–present)
Discography
=Studio albums=
=Singles=
==Other singles==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of singles, with selected chart positions |
| scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;" | Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:2em;" | Year ! scope="col" colspan="4" | Peak chart positions |
|---|
| style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|JPN Oricon {{efn|group=upper-alpha|Additional collaboration references: "Kotchi Muite Baby / Yellow",{{Cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/518448/products/music/871192/1/|title=こっち向いて Baby / Yellow|trans-title=Kotchi Muite Baby / Yellow|publisher=Oricon|access-date=July 23, 2010|language=ja}} "Sekiranun Graffiti / Fallin' Fallin' Fallin'", "Odds & Ends / Sky of Beginning".{{Cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/571508/products/music/978657/1/|title=Odds & Ends / Sky of Beginning|publisher=Oricon|access-date=August 14, 2012|language=ja}}}} !style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|JPN Hot 100 ! style="width:2.5em;"|TWN !style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|TWN East Asian |
| scope="row" | "Kotchi Muite Baby"{{nihongo|こっち向いて Baby||"Face This Way Baby"}} (by Ryo feat. Hatsune Miku / Split with "Yellow" by Livetune)
| 2010 | 9 || 63 || 13 || 5 | 23,000 |
| scope="row" | "Sekiranun Graffiti"{{nihongo|積乱雲グラフィティ||"Cumulonimbus Graffiti"}} (by Ryo feat. Hatsune Miku / Split with "Fallin' Fallin' Fallin'" by Dixie Flatline)
| 2011 | 19 || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Charted at number 16 on the Hot Singles Sales chart.{{cite magazine | title=Japan Billboard Hot Singles Sales | url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=sales&year=2011&month=09&day=12 | magazine=Billboard |language=ja | date=September 7, 2011 | access-date=October 14, 2014}}}} || — || 4 | 9,000 |
| scope="row" | "Odds&Ends" (by Ryo feat. Hatsune Miku / Split with "Sky of Beginning" by Jin)
| 2012 | 14 || 20 || — || 3 | 23,000 |
| scope="row"| "Great Distance" (by Ryo feat. Chelly)
| 2015 | 18 || 33 || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "Tsumi no Namae"{{nihongo|罪の名前||"Name of the Sin"}}{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Released exclusively as a digital single.{{cite web|url=http://www.supercell.sc/archives/2016/06/post-103.html|script-title=ja:罪の名前|publisher=Supercell|date=June 10, 2016|access-date=November 19, 2016|language=ja|archive-date=June 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613080609/http://www.supercell.sc/archives/2016/06/post-103.html|url-status=dead}}}} (by Ryo feat. Hatsune Miku)
|2016 | — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "Takt" (by Ryo feat. Mafumafu, Gaku)
| 2021 | 50 || — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "waraunijuujinnkaku" (by Ryo feat. yoei)
| 2023 | — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "fate and struggle / I promise you" (by Ryo feat. Hiro (My First Story)
| 2024 | — || — || — || — | |
==Other charted songs==
=Music videos=
=Other album appearances=
=Other video album appearances=
Notes
{{notelist-ua|2}}
{{reflist|group=Jp|2}}
References
{{reflist|2}}
Further reading
- {{Cite web|author=Mak, Theodore|url=http://t-ono.net/interview/supercell-exclusive-interview-1st-ever-english-interview.html|title=Supercell Exclusive Interview (1st Ever English Interview!)|publisher=The-O Network Online|date=February 23, 2010|access-date=October 21, 2011}}
- {{Cite web|url=http://www.jpopasia.com/news/ryo-of-supercells-interview-with-jpopasia::7440.html|title=Ryo Of Supercell's Interview With JpopAsia|publisher=JpopAsia|date=June 16, 2011|access-date=October 21, 2011}}
External links
- [http://www.supercell.jp/index.html Supercell's official website] {{in lang|ja}}
{{good article}}
{{Vocaloid musicians}}
{{Authority control|state=collapsed}}
Category:Japanese pop music groups
Category:Musical groups established in 2007