angela

Biography

Angela (stylized in lowercase) is a Japanese band, notable for having their music portrayed as theme songs for several anime television shows. The main members are Atsuko and Katsu. Their signature upbeat tunes and rich arrangements combine elements of rock, electronica, jazz and ska. In 2008, they started an alter ego band called Domestic Love Band (ドメスティック・ラヴバンド). They are most well known for providing all opening and ending themes to the Fafner in the Azure anime series.

History

Although both Atsuko and Katsu were born in Okayama Prefecture, they met for the first time in Tokyo at a music school. In 1993 angela was formed and they began as street performers. In 1999 they made their debut with the single memories, however this release went largely unnoticed. However, in 2002 angela signed on with Starchild. Their breakthrough came when they wrote the opening song, "Asu e no brilliant road" (明日へのbrilliant road), along with three different ending themes for the anime Stellvia of the Universe. Their first album, Sora no Koe (ソラノコエ×ソラノコエ3 December 2003 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1over the limits4:482明日へのbrilliant road4:593奇跡のring3:214Pain5:025dear my best friend4:526綺麗な夜空4:077幸せの温度3:428カレイドスコープ4:119How many?3:5110The end of the world4:51) was released by Starchild in 2003. Since then they have provided songs for the show Fafner in the Azure and have released eight more studio albums: I/O in 2004, PRHYTHM×PRHYTHM15 March 2006 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Yell for you4:462未来とゆう名の答え4:393翼5:394ラヴ・ランデヴー4:205DEAD SET4:486Decide4:557Forget everything3:038EMOTION4:189年下未知数脳内HD3:3510果て無きモノローグ5:0611Peace of mind6:0112fly me to the sky4:24 in 2006, Land Ho!×Land Ho!9 September 2009 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Galactic material5:022Spiral4:383Beautiful fighter4:114光、探せなくとも4:295満月オールナイト4:126SONGS5:137Fine!4:168此処に居るよ4:589innocence4:3710Beginning4:4411My story4:2012パノラマ4:47 in 2009, mirror☆ge in 2011, ZERO in 2013, ONE WAY in 2015, LOVE & CARNIVAL in 2016, and Beyond in 2017; as well as two best-of compilations: Takarabako -Treasure Box- (宝箱 - Treasure Box) in 2007, and Takarabako 2 -Treasure Box II- (宝箱2 -Treasure Box II-) in 2014.
In 2004, angela played at the Otakon Convention in Baltimore, Maryland. The following year, 2005, saw live performances at Sakura-Con in Seattle, Washington, and also at Fan Expo Canada (known at the time as CN Anime) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Sora no Koe was released in the United States by the Geneon label as Voice of the Sky in January 2005. Their second album I/O was released under the Geneon label in the U.S. in August 2005. Their next album, PRHYTHM, was released by Geneon in the U.S. in November 2006.
In 2010, for the first time, Angela performed at Southeast Asia's largest anime convention, Anime Festival Asia (AFA), held annually in Singapore. It is also their first time performing in the country.
In 2011, they followed up with another performance organised by jplex in Singapore at Republic Polytechnic. In the same year, they appeared in Singapore again at Anime Festival Asia 2011. In 2012, they were invited for the third time to perform at Anime Festival Asia 2012 in Indonesia. The following year in 2013, they would return to perform in Singapore at the Anime Festival Asia 2013. In 2018, they were invited for the fifth time to perform in Singapore at the Anime Festival Asia 2018.
In July 2013, Angela performed for the first time in Paris, France at the Japanese culture convention, Japan Expo. On 31 October 2013, Angela launched their official YouTube channel. They would make an appearance, at the Anime Expo anime convention in Los Angeles in July 2014. 19th September 2015, Angela performed their first concert in Germany at the anime convention Connichi in Kassel. In 2017, their song "Zenryoku☆Summer!" (全力☆Summer!, "Full Power☆Summer!") was used as the opening theme to the anime series Aho-Girl.
On June 4, 2023, Angela was officially certified by the Guinness World Records for "Most songs sung by the same artist for an animation franchise" in the Fafner in the Azure series. The award was presented at the Fafner in the Azure BEHIND THE LINE special screening event on the same day. It was also announced that a complete album containing all songs from the Fafner in the Azure series is in production.

Members

Current members
Atsuko Yamashita (山下 敦子; born January 23, 1975) – vocals, lyrics, songwriting
Katsunori "Katsu" Hirasato (平里 勝敬; born June 12, 1974) – songwriting, arrangements, keyboards, guitar
Support band members
Yasuhiro "Jimbo-chan" Kojima (小島 億洋) – drums
Yūki Somekawa (染川 裕紀) – bass
Buono – bass
Kanako Yamaguchi (山口 佳名子) – violin
Hazuki (葉月) – trombone
Manami (愛美) – trumpet
Nao (ナオ) – saxophone