Ikimonogakari (いきものがかり)

Ikimonogakari is a Japanese J-pop and pop rock group formed on February 1, 1999. The trio consists of Kiyoe Yoshioka, Yoshiki Mizuno, and Hotaka Yamashita, and the group has released music through Epic Records Japan. With Yoshioka’s lead vocals at the center, Ikimonogakari has built a melodic band sound that sits between mainstream J-pop and pop rock, making the group a familiar name for listeners who follow Japanese pop and anime-linked music such as "Blue Bird". In July 2026, coverage marked 20 years since the release of "Sakura," the group’s debut work, and reported on an NHK program that revisited Ikimonogakari’s street-live roots and new interpretations of its songs. The group also released performance footage of "Sayonara Lara" from "tiny desk concerts JAPAN," drew renewed attention for the "Blue Bird" music video, and was covered for writing an original cheering song for Kanto Daiichi High School. These updates show a veteran act that continues to release new material while remaining active in both J-pop and anime-related circles.