Naoya Mori

Naoya Mori (born 22 February 1973), credited as Naoya Mori and in Japanese name order as Mori Naoya, is a Japanese J-pop musician, illustrator, and multi-creator from Oita Prefecture, Japan. Active since 1992, he moved to Tokyo after graduating from a high school design course and made his freelance debut in 1997. That same year, he opened the art stall "七百屋" at Inokashira Park and Omotesando in Tokyo. The original songs he performed there drew attention, leading him into street live performances and, in turn, an expanding music career. By 1999, music had become his main activity, and before his major debut he gave solo concerts at Inokashira Park and Nakano Sunplaza. Beginning in 2000, he worked under the name モリナオヤ. He made his major debut with the single "エジソン" on 21 April 2000. He became more widely known when "Yuuzora no Kamihikouki" was used as the ending theme of "Hajime no Ippo", and he later also performed the series' ending theme "360°". After the 2001 single "360°/ Kitchen", he expanded his work across film, illustration, design, and live performance. This included the documentary short "絆", acting roles in "神様の言うとおり" and "IRODORI", and the establishment of 株式会社「遊園地化計画」 in 2012, where he serves as representative director. On 3 April 2020, he launched "モリナドットメディア", adopted "morina" as the collective name for his creative activities, and independently released the album "ストーリー" and the film "世界を救う3秒前".