amazarashi

amazarashi is a Japanese j-pop and j-rock band from Aomori Prefecture, formed in 2007 and led by vocalist and guitarist Hiromu Akita. Its lineup has included Akita and Manami Toyokawa, who plays keyboard and provides backing vocals. The group began as STAR ISSUE, later used the name あまざらし, and changed its written name to amazarashi in 2009. That same year, it made its indie debut with the mini-album 『光、再考』 and also released the limited mini-album 『0.』. In 2010, 『0.』 was expanded nationally as 『0.6』, and the band made its major debut under Sony Music Entertainment Japan with 『爆弾の作り方』. From its early career onward, amazarashi has kept its members’ faces hidden from the public. Its live concerts are performed behind a screen, with images projected in front of the stage, and its music videos often rely heavily on computer graphics. The video for "Waiting for the Summer" received the Excellence Award at the 14th Japan Media Arts Festival in 2010. The band was also recognized at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival, SIGGRAPH ASIA 2011, and one dot zero 2011 in London. In 2011, amazarashi held its first post-major one-man concert, amazarashi 1st LIVE「この街で生きている」, at Shibuya WWW. Later that year, it released its first full album, 『千年幸福論』. Anime has remained a recurring part of the band’s work. Its songs include the ending theme "Kisetsu wa Tsugitsugi Shindeiku (季節は次々死んでいく)" for Tokyo Ghoul, the opening theme "Speed to Masatsu (スピードと摩擦)" for Ranpo Kitan, the opening theme "Sora ni Utaeba (空に歌えば)" for Boku no Hero Academia, the ending theme "Sayonara Gokko (さよならごっこ)" for Dororo, the opening theme "Kyoukaisen (境界線)" for 86, and the ending theme "Antinomy (アンチノミー)" for NieR. In 2025 amazarashi released an anime music video for the opening song of Blue Exorcist -The Blue Night Saga-, and in 2026 it was featured in the second trailer for Suikoden: The Anime with an opening theme song.