Etsuko Yakushimaru (やくしまるえつこ, born June 3, 1987) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and solo artist known for her work in art pop, indie pop, and indietronica, as well as for fronting the band Sōtaisei Riron. Her music combines clear pop sensibility with experimental touches, unusual arrangements, and a voice that stands out immediately in both solo releases and anime themes.
As a solo artist, Etsuko Yakushimaru became especially recognizable through songs that connected her name to anime audiences. Among her best-known contributions are “Kimi ni, Mune Kyun.” for Maria Holic and “Nornir” for Mawaru Penguindrum, both of which helped make her a familiar name for listeners searching for Etsuko Yakushimaru songs and Etsuko Yakushimaru anime songs. Her work shows how naturally her style fits openings and endings that need a strong identity rather than a generic pop sound.
Beyond anime tie-ins, she has built a reputation for treating pop music as something flexible and expressive. Whether working with Sōtaisei Riron or under her own name, she balances immediacy with unusual textures, giving her songs a character that feels precise but unpredictable. That combination has made her one of the more recognizable voices in contemporary Japanese music and a distinctive name in Japanese pop beyond the anime world.
