Ali Project
{{Short description|Japanese band}}
{{More citations needed|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Ali Project
| image = Ali-project-usa.jpg
| landscape = yes
| caption = Ali Project performs at their first North American concert in Seattle, Washington
| origin = Japan
| genre = {{flatlist|
}}
| years_active = 1988–present
| label = {{flatlist|
- Mellow Head (2007-present)
- Tokuma Japan Communications (2001–present)
- Flying Dog (2008)
- Atmark Corporation (2003)
- Victor Entertainment (2002–2006)
- Columbia Music Entertainment (1998)
- EMI Music Japan (1992-1994)
- Polydor Records (1988)}}
| website = http://aliproject.jp/
| current_members = Arika Takarano
Mikiya Katakura
}}
Ali Project (typeset as ALI PROJECT) is a Japanese rock band with a strong Japanese aristocrat-style image, consisting of {{Nihongo|Arika Takarano|宝野アリカ|Takarano Arika|vocals & lyrics}} and {{Nihongo|Mikiya Katakura|片倉三起也|Katakura Mikiya|music & arrangement}}.
The band's work is divided into two styles, which lead singer/lyricist Arika Takarano has termed {{Nihongo|White Alice|白アリ|Shiro Ari}} for the band's light, cheerful and/or refreshing songs, and {{Nihongo|Black Alice|黒アリ|Kuro Ari}} for songs that take on a darker and more mysterious tone.{{Citation needed|date=February 2008}}
Career
They made their indie debut in the charts in 1988 as {{Nihongo|Ari (Ant) Project|蟻プロジェクト|Ari Purojekuto}} with their album {{Nihongo|"Fantastic Garden"|幻想庭園|Gensō Teien}}. The album was later included in Tatsumi Takayuki's book {{Nihongo|Philosophy of Progressive Rock|プログレッシヴ・ロックの哲学|Puroguresshivu Rokku no Tetsugaku}}, which led to the band being classified under the progressive rock genre. Takarano later endorsed this description.{{cite web |title=Interview with Arika Takarano from ALI PROJECT |url=https://www.jame-world.com/en/article/142395-interview-with-arika-takarano-from-ali-project.html |website=JaME WORLD |access-date=1 June 2024 |date=19 June 2017}}
Four years later in 1992 they changed their name and made their major debut with their single {{Nihongo|"Fall in love, maiden"|恋せよ乙女|Koi-seyo otome}}. Notably, Japan's phonetic system meant the band's Japanese pronunciation was unchanged, giving {{Nihongo|2=アリ|3=Ali}} the potential to refer to Ant, a shortened Alice, or a shortened Arika.
Most of their records are released by Toshiba-EMI, Victor Entertainment and Tokuma Japan. The band is notable in the anime community for having their songs featured in several anime productions, including Noir, Rozen Maiden, Kamichama Karin, .hack//Roots, Linebarrels of Iron, Code Geass, Phantom -Requiem for the Phantom-, Fate/Extra, Shigofumi, Another, Katanagatari, Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry, and Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut. Additionally, Mikiya Katakura has also provided the soundtrack to several anime series, such as Kaibutsu Oujo and Avenger.
=Overseas Concerts=
Ali Project performed their debut concert in the United States at Sakura-Con 2008 in Seattle, Washington.{{Cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2008-01-23/sakura-con-hosts-us-debut-of-ali-project-and-welcomes-musical-guests-scandal|title = Sakura-Con Hosts US Debut of Ali Project and Welcomes Musical Guests SCANDAL| date=27 May 2023 }} In 2016, the band performed at Anime Boston,{{Cite web|url=http://www.animeboston.com/news/article/550|title=Lantis's nano.RIPE and ALI PROJECT to perform at Anime Boston!|website=www.animeboston.com|access-date=2019-04-28}} and in 2017, they returned to the United States as part of Anisong World Matsuri at Anime Expo in Los Angeles.{{Cite web|url=http://www.anime-expo.org/2017/04/24/ali-project-minori-chihara-join-anisong-world-matsuri-anime-expo-2017/|title=Ali Project & Minori Chihara {{!}} Anime Expo {{!}} Los Angeles Anime Convention|date=2017-04-24|website=Anime Expo|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-28}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2017/04/28-1/anime-expo-anisong-world-matsuri-line-up-announced|title=Anime Expo Anisong World Matsuri Line-up Announced|last=Green|first=Scott|website=Crunchyroll|date=28 April 2017 |language=en-us|access-date=2019-04-28}}
Discography
{{Main|Ali Project discography}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://aliproject.jp/}} {{in lang|ja}}