Genki Rockets

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Genki Rockets

| image =

| caption =

| alias =

| genre = Electronic dance,{{cite web|last1=McWhertor|first1=Michael|title=Is Child of Eden Everything You Want From A Rez Sequel? [Update]|url=https://kotaku.com/5566676/child-of-eden-impressions|website=Kotaku|date=18 June 2010 |publisher=Gizmodo Media Group|accessdate=22 January 2018}} pop, house music{{cite web |title=Yasuda Rei |url=http://jame-world.com/us/articles-112363-yasuda-rei.html |website=JaME U.S.A. |accessdate=18 August 2018 |language=en}}

| years_active = 2006-present

| label = Avex Trax and Q Entertainment (2007-2008)
Sony Records (2010-present)

| website = {{url|http://www.genkirockets.com}}

| current_members = Tetsuya Mizuguchi, Kenji Tamai and Lumi

| past_members =

}}

{{nihongo|Genki Rockets|元気ロケッツ}} is a virtual band created by video game developer Tetsuya Mizuguchi and record producer Kenji Tamai. Rachel Rhodes portrayed the band's frontwoman, a fictional 17-year-old girl named Lumi who was the first human born in outer space on the International Space Station on September 11, 2019.

Biography

=2006-2008: Genki Rockets I: Heavenly Star=

The two producers behind Genki Rockets are renowned digital media creator Tetsuya Mizuguchi of Q Entertainment, and Kenji Tamai, a renowned music producer and CEO of Agehasprings Corporation, who has produced other musicians and acts such as Yuki, Yuna Ito, Base Ball Bear, and TRF. Mizuguchi co-produced and wrote the lyrics for the first song, "Heavenly Star", and directed the music video, which debuted in the video game Lumines II and was later used in the Wii game No More Heroes. An AAC version of the song began selling on the iTunes Store in December 2006{{cite web|title = Genki Rockets Invade iTunes|url = http://music.ign.com/articles/751/751129p1.html|access-date = 2007-09-12|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080103215256/http://music.ign.com/articles/751/751129p1.html|archive-date = 2008-01-03|url-status = dead}} and was eventually accompanied by several different remixes from various artists such as Metalmouse, Headwaters, Techriders, and DJ Sodeyama (the "Count Down", "Glorious", "Love", "Space Walk", "Sunrise", "Aurora", "Floating", and "LnM Projekt" remixes). "Heavenly Star" was nominated for the Best Song category at the 2006 Spike TV Video Game Awards. The original song, seven remixes, and a second song, "Breeze", were released as a maxi single on July 4, 2007. The single peaked at number 24 on the Oricon charts and stayed on the charts for 15 weeks.{{cite web|title="Heavenly Star/Breeze" on the Oricon Weekly Charts |url=http://ranking.oricon.co.jp/free_contents/search/detail.asp?itemcd=714780&samecd=1 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228171956/http://ranking.oricon.co.jp/free_contents/search/detail.asp?itemcd=714780&samecd=1 |archivedate=February 28, 2009 }} In September 2007, "Breeze" received its own standalone single and video and was later remixed several times. In October 2007, a "Heavenly Star" trance remix single was released on 12" vinyl by Avex Trax's sublabel Rhythm Republic; it featured remixes by Overhead Champion, Delaction and DJ Ten.[http://www.cisco-records.co.jp/html/item/004/016/item399739.html Cisco Records Profile (Japanese)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080311132353/http://www.cisco-records.co.jp/html/item/004/016/item399739.html |date=2008-03-11 }} Genki Rockets was also awarded with the Best New Artist (Electronic) Award in 2007 by iTunes.{{cite web|title=Genki Rockets wins Best New Artist Award by itunes |url=http://www.avexnet.or.jp/genki/images/main.jpg |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606072520/http://www.avexnet.or.jp/genki/images/main.jpg |archivedate=June 6, 2011 }}

In 2008, the Genki Rockets released two new songs: the medium-tempo "Smile" was released for download on March 23, and the rock-influenced "Star Line" became downloadable on May 14. A music video for "Star Line" was also released around the same time. "Smile" was used in an advertisement for the Menard Facial Salon and "Star Line" was used in promotions for the annual 4-day sale held by Parco. It was later announced that the two songs, along with three remixes, would be featured on Genki Rockets' second maxi single through Avex Trax, which was released on June 11, 2008. The single was followed a month later on July 2 by the release of the group's debut album, Genki Rockets I: Heavenly Star.[http://www.avexnet.or.jp/genki/info/ Genki Rockets Information Page on Avex ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080602053945/http://www.avexnet.or.jp/genki/info/ |date=June 2, 2008 }} {{in lang|ja}}

On November 24, 2008, Genki Rockets participated in the YouTube Live Tokyo event, playing a non-stop mix of their most popular songs.

=2009-2011: Genki Rockets II - No Border Between Us=

In January 2009, a 15-second clip of a previously unreleased song called "Reaching for the Stars" was used for Parco Japanese department store advertising a 4-day sale. Throughout the year, Genki Rockets did not release any original material, but performed at various live events, such as House Nation. The group remixed two tracks for Japanese artists, Crystal Kay's "Koi ni Ochitara" (included on the album "The Best Remixes of CK"), and Floor on the Intelligence's "Fade" (included on the album "Romaholic").

In 2010, Genki Rockets created the world's first 3D and full CG music video, and presented it at Sony's "make.believe" 3D event in Japan.{{cite web|url=http://www.sony.co.jp/united/makedotbelieve/dotpark.html |title=Sony Japan | make.believe |publisher=Sony.co.jp |accessdate=2011-08-13 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110818223047/http://www.sony.co.jp/united/makedotbelieve/dotpark.html |archivedate=August 18, 2011 }} This made Genki Rockets the first to ever host a live 3D concert in the world. In June 2010, a remix of "Star Line" was used in the reveal trailer for the interactive video game Child of Eden. The game was produced by Tetsuya Mizuguchi and Q Entertainment, and published by Ubisoft for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 platforms.{{cite web |url=http://e3.gamespot.com/video/6265343/ |title=Child of Eden E3 2010 Official Trailer (Xbox 360) - GameSpot Video |publisher=E3.gamespot.com |date=2011-06-14 |accessdate=2011-08-13 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712144556/http://e3.gamespot.com/video/6265343/ |archivedate=2010-07-12 }} Lumi is featured heavily in Child of Eden, with the central plot focusing on rescuing "Project Lumi" from a malevolent force. The game's soundtrack is composed entirely of Genki Rockets songs and remixes.

At the 2010 IFA exhibition in Berlin, the group performed daily at Sony's "make.believe" stand.

In January 2011, Genki Rockets performed in the United States for the first time at the CES convention, where a preview of the new song "Curiosity" debuted. Throughout the year, the new songs "Reaching for the Stars" and "Touch Me" were used in Japanese television advertisements. Commercial ringtones of the songs were made available for download through the Japanese ringtone store Chaku-uta. In June 2011, the 3D music video for "Curiosity" was released, showcasing Lumi dancing on a futuristic platform surrounded by holograms. Genki Rockets' second album, Genki Rockets II: No Border Between Us, was released on September 7, 2011.[http://www.genkirockets.com/en/news/], "News | Genki Rockets Official Site" June 29, 2011, accessed June 29, 2011. The album updates the band's biography, Lumi has visited the Earth when she reaches 20 years old in 2039.{{cite web |title=元気ロケッツ - TOWER RECORDS ONLINE |url=http://tower.jp/artist/472753/%E5%85%83%E6%B0%97%E3%83%AD%E3%82%B1%E3%83%83%E3%83%84 |accessdate=19 August 2018}}

Image and artistry

Genki Rockets' music videos are all almost entirely computer-generated, and all feature Lumi (who sometimes appears as a digitization and other times in the flesh). The visual art style for the "Heavenly Star" video was created by Japan's Glamoove Inc., and was inspired by Norwegian band A-ha's music video for their single "Take On Me".{{cite web|title=Genki Rockets's music videos inspired by A-ha's "Take On Me" music video |url=http://genkirockets.spaces.live.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091226151454/http://genkirockets.spaces.live.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 26, 2009 }}{{cite web|title=Live Earth Artist: Genki Rockets |url=http://liveearth.msn.com/artists/genkirockets |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070829113129/http://liveearth.msn.com/artists/genkirockets |archivedate=August 29, 2007 }} During live performances, a DJ (wearing a space suit costume to conceal their identity) controls a DJ mixer to play a DJ mix, while Lumi appears to the audience via bleeding edge electronic visual display.

Singers Rachel Rhodes and Nami Miyahara provide the vocals for the fictional character Lumi.{{cite web|title=Genki Rockets credits section of the album: "元気ロケッツI Heavenly Star" |url=http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/2567/booklet13gv0.jpg |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518004657/http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/2567/booklet13gv0.jpg |archivedate=May 18, 2011 }} Rei also appears as Lumi on the group's album covers, in their music videos, and in the 2011 video game Child of Eden.{{cite web|title=Rachel Rhodes "foursprings homepage" |url=http://www.foursp.jp/rachel/index.html |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080928093642/http://www.foursp.jp/rachel/index.html |archivedate=September 28, 2008 }} Rei noted that at first her voice and appearance are strongly processed, but later the processing effect had become weaker and her identity became more clear.{{cite web |title=安田レイ『Best of my Love』インタビュー {{!}} Special {{!}} Billboard JAPAN |url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/special/detail/621 |website=Billboard JAPAN |accessdate=11 August 2018 |language=ja-JP}}

=Notable Live Performances=

Event ! Location ! Display Technology
class="wikitable"
Live Earth concert, Tokyo	Makuhari Messe	Musion Eyeliner{{cite web\|title=Al Gore Hologram - Live Earth Tokyo - Holographic Projection\|url=https://www.eyeliner3d.com/al_gore_hologram_live_earth_tokyo.html\|website=www.eyeliner3d.com\|publisher=Dimensional Studios\|accessdate=7 January 2018}}
HOUSE NATION Fiesta -"Best Gig" Release Tour Final-{{cite web\|title=ジュリアナの次にavexが仕掛けたイベント＜HOUSE NATION Fiesta＞、大盛況 {{!}} BARKS\|url=https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000044451\|website=BARKS\| date=28 October 2008 \|publisher=JAPAN MUSIC NETWORK, Inc.\|accessdate=22 January 2018\|language=ja-JP}} \| rowspan="2" \| Studio Coast \| rowspan="3" \| See-through LED{{cite web\|title=元気ロケッツがYou Tube Liveに登場 - iLOUD - ロック＆クラブ・ウェブマガジン\|url=https://futuregroove.jp/iloud/hotnews/you_tube_live/\|website=iLOUD - ロック＆クラブ・ウェブマガジン\|publisher=Xtra Inc.\|accessdate=7 January 2018\|language=ja-JP\|date=8 November 2008}}{{cite web\|title=元気ロケッツ、上海万博ライヴ大成功！ - CDJournal ニュース\|url=http://www.cdjournal.com/main/news/genki-rockets/34765\|website=CDJournal\|publisher=ONGAKU SHUPPANSHA Co., Ltd..\|accessdate=21 January 2018\|language=ja}}
YouTube Live, Tokyo
Expo 2010	Japan Pavilion, Shanghai
Sony make.believe dot park{{cite web\|title=Sony Japan {{!}} ニュースリリース {{!}} "make.believe" 好奇心活性化プロジェクト\|url=https://www.sony.co.jp/SonyInfo/News/Press/201005/10-065/\|website=www.sony.co.jp\|publisher=Sony Corporation\|accessdate=21 January 2018\|language=ja}}{{cite web\|title=元気ロケッツ「Sony make believe 〜dot park〜」\|url=http://mfound.jp/report/2010/06/sony-make-believe-dot-park.html\|website=ライヴ・レポート音楽情報サイト mFound\|publisher=mFound entertainment\|accessdate=21 January 2018\|language=ja}}	Roppongi Hills Arena \| rowspan="3" \| 280-inch{{cite web\|last1=Yamamoto\|first1=Atsushi\|title=＜IFA2010＞ソニーブースで連日3Dイベントを開催－ PV上映中の"元気ロケッツ"直撃インタビュー - PHILE WEB\|url=https://www.phileweb.com/news/d-av/201009/06/26764.html\|website=PHILE WEB\|publisher=Ongen Publishing Co., ltd.\|accessdate=22 January 2018\|language=ja}}{{cite web\|title=元気ロケッツ、3DフルCGミュージックビデオが南アフリカで連日上映中 {{!}} BARKS\|url=https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000062175\|website=BARKS\| date=25 June 2010 \|publisher=JAPAN MUSIC NETWORK, Inc.\|accessdate=21 January 2018\|language=ja-JP}} 3D LED Wall{{cite web\|last1=Nozawa\|first1=Tetsuo\|title=Sony Showcases 3D Video Production System, 280-inch 3D LED Display\|url=http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20091119/177768/\|website=Nikkei Technology Online\|accessdate=7 January 2018\|language=en}}
3D world Created by Sony,{{cite web\|title=Sony Global - News Releases - "3D world Created by Sony" 3D Experience Pavilion Opens in South Africa\|url=https://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/201006/10-075E/index.html\|website=www.sony.net\|publisher=Sony Corporation\|accessdate=21 January 2018\|language=en}} 2010 FIFA World Cup{{cite web\|title=Sony Global - News Releases - Sony's 3D Experience Pavilions to Open In Seven Countries during the 2010 FIFA World\|url=https://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/201005/10-068E/index.html\|website=www.sony.net\|publisher=Sony Corporation\|accessdate=21 January 2018\|language=en}}	Nelson Mandela Square
Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin 2010	Messe Berlin
Consumer Electronics Show 2011	Las Vegas Convention Center	1,027-inch{{cite web\|title=元気ロケッツ「GENKI ROCKETS II 〜No border between us〜」インタビュー Page1\|url=http://mfound.jp/interview/genkirockets20110907.html\|website=アーティスト・インタビュー音楽情報サイト mFound\|publisher=mFound entertainment\|accessdate=14 January 2018\|language=ja}} 3D LED Billboard{{cite web\|last1=Tarr\|first1=Greg\|title=CES 2011 Sony Spreads The 3D, IP TV Wealth\|url=https://www.twice.com/news/ces-2011-sony-spreads-3d-ip-tv-wealth-15146\|website=Twice\|date=6 January 2011 \|publisher=NewBay Media\|accessdate=7 January 2018\|language=en-us}}
Genki Rockets 3D Music Video Screening{{cite web\|title=Sony Japan {{!}} ニュースリリース {{!}} 国内初"参加型3Dライブ"開催インタラクティブ 3D エフェクトライブ\|url=https://www.sony.co.jp/SonyInfo/News/Press/201106/11-0606/index.html\|website=www.sony.co.jp\|publisher=Sony Corporation\|accessdate=22 January 2018\|language=ja}}{{cite web\|title=元気ロケッツ最新3Dミュージックビデオ上映\|url=https://www.sme.co.jp/s/SME/pressrelease/detail/NEWS00467?ima=0000&link=ROBO004\|website=Sony Music Group Company Site\|publisher=Sony Music Records Inc.\|accessdate=22 January 2018\|language=ja-JP}}	Communication Zone OPUS, Sony Building (Tokyo)	200-inch 3D screen from Sony SRX-T110 digital cinema projector{{cite web\|title=Sony Building in Tokyo {{!}} Visit A City\|url=https://www.visitacity.com/en/tokyo/attractions/sony-building\|website=www.visitacity.com\|publisher=Visit A City\|accessdate=23 January 2018}}{{cite web\|title=元気ロケッツ、観客参加型「インタラクティブ 3D エフェクトライブ」を実施 {{!}} Musicman-NET\|url=https://www.musicman-net.com/artist/10285\|website=www.musicman-net.com\|publisher=FBCommunications Inc. & Magnet Co., Ltd.\|accessdate=22 January 2018\|language=ja}}{{cite web\|title=元気ロケッツ、最新3Dミュージック・ビデオを一挙上映 {{!}} Musicman-NET\|url=https://www.musicman-net.com/artist/8761\|website=www.musicman-net.com\|publisher=F.B.Communications Inc. & Magnet Co., Ltd.\|accessdate=22 January 2018\|language=ja}}
Splash Live!! in Okinawa{{cite web\|last1=Koda\|first1=Satoru\|title=元気ロケッツ on ウォータースクリーン! 美らSUNビーチで開催!! 12 4/11 {{!}} 沖縄LOVEweb\|url=http://okinawaloveweb.jp/event/31191.html\|website=okinawaloveweb.jp\|publisher=PLANNING OFFICE Coda\|accessdate=14 January 2018\|language=ja}}	Chura Sun Beach	40 x 15 metres water screen projection{{cite web\|title=元気ロケッツ Repack Album「GENKI ROCKETS II -No border between us- Repackage」インタビュー Page1\|url=http://mfound.jp/interview/genki-rockets.html\|website=アーティスト・インタビュー音楽情報サイト mFound\|publisher=mFound entertainment\|accessdate=14 January 2018\|language=ja}}
Genki Rockets Special Night!!	Toho Cinemas, Roppongi Hills and Nagoya Bay City{{cite web\|title=3年半振りとなる2nd Albumのリリースを発表した元気ロケッツが日本発となる観客参加型の「インタラクティブ 3D エフェクトライブ」を7月3日まで開催中!! mFound 音楽情報\|url=http://mfound.jp/news/2011/07/006480.html\|website=mfound.jp\|publisher=mFound entertainment\|accessdate=23 January 2018\|language=ja}}	MI-2100 digital 3D system and MI-1000 dual projection 3D glass filters{{cite press release\|title=TOHO Cinemas Selects MasterImage 3D as Cinema Partner to Bring the Highest Quality 3D Films to Japanese Movie-Goers\|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110628005748/en/TOHO-Cinemas-Selects-MasterImage-3D-Cinema-Partner\|website=BusinessWire.com\|date=28 June 2011 \|publisher=Business Wire, Inc.\|accessdate=23 January 2018\|language=en}}

=Charity=

The "Heavenly Star" pack was available for purchase for Lumines Live! on the Xbox Live Marketplace from June 27, 2007 to July 17, 2007. A remix of the song was available in the "SOS Campaign Charity Pack". A portion of the proceeds were donated to Live Earth.{{cite web|title=Genki Rockets Combats Global Warming with Downloadable Content |url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2007/0626-lumineslivecharitypack.htm |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124003549/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2007/0626-lumineslivecharitypack.htm |archivedate=November 24, 2007 }}

=Other appearances=

"Heavenly Star" first appeared in Lumines II and can also be heard as a background song for a number of cutscenes and shop sections in the Wii game No More Heroes. It is the opening theme of the fictional anime "Pure White Lover Bizarre Jelly" that exists in the No More Heroes universe. The music video can also be viewed on Travis' television in the Japanese and European versions of the game. Mizuguchi's videogame, Child of Eden, features Lumi as the central character, as well as music from Genki Rockets.{{cite web|author=Michael McWhertor |url=http://kotaku.com/5641548/preview-finding-happiness-with-child-of-eden |title=Preview: Finding Happiness With Child of Eden |publisher=Kotaku.com |date=2010-09-28 |accessdate=2011-08-13}}

Japanese electropop singer Mitsuki Aira performed a cover of the song during concerts, and a rare CD copy of it was distributed during the live shows. A Cantonese version of "Heavenly Star" was recently introduced in Hong Kong, featured on pop singer Jill Vidal's new album Jillympics, released on August 8, 2008. It is the first track of the album, titled "Youth We Can Hear" in Chinese.

Rhodes sang Heavenly Star live at 23rd World Scout Jamboree and Count Down TV Special. She also sang Heavenly Star in Christmas Special Live 2014 and Touch Me in 2015. Her first solo debut album also included Heavenly Star (Acoustic Version). She sang Heavenly Star again in her concert "It’s you" at Billboard Live TOKYO 2021.{{cite web |title=NEWS｜REI YASUDA Official Website |url=http://www.yasudarei.net/news/archive/?542806 |website=REI YASUDA Official Website |access-date=10 July 2022 |language=ja}}

On March 7th of 2024, on the Playstation official YouTube Channel, they post a new music video in collaboration with Japanese singer Aimer. The song name [https://x.com/Genki_Rockets/status/1765983285144846738?t=xsWBbijGEQ1p1n1iqDcsQg&s=19 「Play Goes On｣]

Discography

=Albums=

[2008.07.02] Genki Rockets I: Heavenly Star (元気ロケッツ I -Heavenly Star-)
[2011.09.07] Genki Rockets II: No Border Between Us (元気ロケッツ II No Border Between Us)
[2012.08.08] Genki Rockets II: -No border between us- Repackage (元気ロケッツ II -No border between us- Repackage)