Porno Graffitti

Porno Graffitti (ポルノグラフィティ), also known as Porno (ポルノ), is a Japanese male rock band from Innoshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. Known for its melodic rock sound and strong ties to anime music, the group has remained a recognizable name in Japanese rock and anison. It records under Sony Music Entertainment Japan Records (SME Records), and its name was taken from the album Pornograffitti by the band Extreme. The band began when Haruichi Shindō formed a project with his cousin during high school under the name "No Score." After that first stage, Haruichi invited Akihito Okano and Masami "Tama" Shiratama to join. The name reflected the fact that none of them could actually read a score when they first started. Haruichi originally served as vocalist, but after realizing that Akihito could sing better, he stepped down from vocals, moved to guitar, and left Okano as the lead singer. That lineup became the foundation of Porno Graffitti. Porno Graffitti debuted with "Apollo" in 1999, and their next two CD singles, "Saudade" and "Agehachō," each sold over a million copies in Japan. Those early releases established the band as a major act in the Japanese rock scene and helped define its reputation for memorable hooks and wide mainstream appeal. Over time, the group became known for songs that worked well both as standalone singles and as music suited to television and anime tie-ins. The band is especially well known among anime fans for "Melissa," which was used as the opening theme of Fullmetal Alchemist in 2003. It also performed "Hitori no Yoru," the opening theme of GTO in 2000, and "Winding Road," the ending theme of Ayakashi Ayashi in 2006. Beyond television anime, a cover of its 2000 single "Music Hour" was featured in a stage of the Nintendo DS rhythm game Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2, and "Koyoi, Tsuki ga, Miezu Tomo" was featured in the third Bleach film.