Ai Otsuka
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese pop
singer-songwriter
, composer
, pianist
and actress from Suminoe-ku
, Osaka City
, Osaka Prefecture
, Japan
. She is a popular artist on the Avex Trax
label and is best known for her 2003 hit "Sakuranbo
," which stayed in the Top 200 Oricon Weekly Singles Chart for 103 weeks.
A piano player since age 4, Otsuka composes and co-produces her own songs, as well as writes her own lyrics. Her music ranges from upbeat catchy pop/rock music that can be heard in tracks like "Happy Days
" and "Sakuranbo
" to touching ballads like "Kingyo Hanabi
", "Daisuki da yo.
", "Planetarium
" and "Kurage, Nagareboshi
".
Every year Otsuka also has her own Love is Born tour to mark the anniversary of being in the music industry and her birthday in September. All of the Love is Born concerts take place in Japan, ending in her hometown of Osaka. On Love is Born 5th Anniversary in 2008, Otsuka held a leg of the concert in Taiwan
, where she performed a Chinese version of her song "Planetarium". In 2009, Otsuka held 3 Love is Born 6th Anniversary concerts in Japan, as well as 2 concerts in Taiwan.
", was a minor hit, peaking at #24 on the Oricon
weekly singles top 100, but stayed on the charts for 21 weeks.
Her next single, "Sakuranbo
", released in December 2003, became the twelfth best selling single of 2004. Gradually climbing the charts to top 5, the single stayed on the chart for 101 weeks (almost two years), and a special "encore press" version was commissioned, which peaked at #4.
In early March 2004, Otsuka released her last single before her first album. "Amaenbo
" was used in a television advertisement for Sato Healthcare's cold relief tablets . "Amaenbo
" peaked only at the sixth position, while at the same time "Sakuranbo" was fifth. This was the first time in Japanese music history a female artist was able to have two singles in the top ten in the same week, until 2005 Kumi Koda
was able to beat Otsuka with three singles within the same week.
By end of March 2004, her first album "Love Punch
" was released, which peaked third on the Oricon charts and sold 190,265 copies in its first week. She continued to release singles and gradually built a diverse and devoted following.
, Love Jam
, was released, which met even greater popular success. Along with three single released before her second studio album was released. First, "Happy Days (song)
" sold 163,433 units and reached third on the Oricon weekly chart.
Love Jam Tour 2005, her first tour, began on April 24, 2005. It was completed in June 2005 and a live DVD with footage was released on July 27, 2005. Love Cook
, her third album was released on December 14, 2005.
"Kingyo Hanabi
" was the second single to be released after her first album. "Kingyo Hanabi" also landed in third on the Oricon weekly chart but was able to sell 148,121 units, about 20,000 copies less than her "Happy Days" single.
Two months later, Otsuka released another single, "Daisuki da Yo." Like the previous two singles it landed third on the Oricon weekly chart and sold 156,844 units.
Otsuka released her second studio album a month later in November 2004. Love Jam
debuted at the number one position and sold 224,381 units in its first week. In total, 656,700 units were sold. Love Jam
became her first album to top the chart, but at the same time it was her lowest selling studio album. Love Jam
was released in two different versions including a CD and a CD+DVD version.
Following the release of Love Jam, Ai Otsuka released the recut single "Kuroge Wagyu Joshio Tan Yaki 680 Yen
" in February 2005. It is a different version of the "Kuroge Wagyu Joshio Tan Yaki 735 Yen" track on Love Jam. "Kuroge Wagyu Joshio Tan Yaki 680 Yen" is arranged differently in terms of music and vocals. This single sold 149,134 units and debuted third on the Oricon weekly chart and was the sixty-eighth single of 2005. It was the first ending theme song for the anime Black Jack
.
It was during this time, in June 2005, that Otsuka made her acting debut with the drama Tokyo Friends
. Unlike most dramas, the series was directly released on DVD and never aired on TV. The drama used three songs as its theme song, Boo Bee Benz's "To Me" and "Kimi to Iu Hana," as well the coupling song to her sixth single, "Friends: Sabakan Ver." All three tracks would eventually be included in the soundtrack for the drama's movie sequel.
Otsuka released her tenth single in 2005, "Neko ni Fūsen
" in middle of the year in July. "Neko ni Fūsen
" was her lowest single that year, only reaching third on the chart and selling 111,324 copies. It placed ninety-second on the 2005 yearly charts.
Otsuka's single "Planetarium
", was released on September 20, 2005. This was her last single of that year. "Planetarium" sales of 315,669 was her second highest single second only to "Sakuranbo," before her third studio album was released. "Planetarium" was used as the insert song for the live action version of the drama Hana Yori Dango.
Love Cook
, her third studio album, came out on December 14, 2005. In its first week, it sold 335,000 copies. The promotional videos for this album were filmed as mini-dramas. She also hosts a radio show on JOQR Recomen!! AM1134hHz called Otsuka Ai no ai-r jack.
" (a portmanteau of the words Friend and Stranger). The promotional video was shot in Taiwan and was used as the commercial song for the Toshiba W41T 4 GB MP3 mobile phone.
She also composed a song for fellow J-Pop Singer Ami Suzuki
, which was released July 26, 2006. "Like a Love?
" was speculated that because Otsuka had composed the song, it would sell well, however it turned out to be a flop due to lack of promotion.
Soon after the release of "Frienger," Otsuka reprised her role as an actress for Tokyo Friends: The Movie
, which hit theaters in Japan on August 12, 2006. The movie is a direct sequel to the DVD drama released the previous year. Otsuka also sang the opening theme for Tokyo Friends, "Yumekui
", which was released as a new single on August 2, 2006. It debuted fifth on the weekly chart, selling 63,428 copies in the first week and a total of 145,281 copies.
Two months after "Yumekui", Otsuka released another single entitled "Renai Shashin
" on October 25, 2006, which was used as the opening theme song for the movie Tada, Kimi o Aishiteru. The song was based on events from the film and its original novel, also called Renai Shashin. "Renai Shashin" debuted at number 2 and sold 129,855 copies, making it the 75th best-selling single of the year. At the end of 2006, Otsuka had released a total of three singles and charted on Oricon's 2006 yearly chart with "Frienger" at number 60, "Yumekui" at number 66, and "Renai Shashin" at number 75.
Otsuka released her fourteenth single, "Chu-Lip
," on February 21, 2007. The single was used as the theme song for the TBS drama Kirakira Kenshui, starring Manami Konishi
and Wentz Eiji of WaT
and managed to claim the third position on the Oricon charts.
on March 28, 2007, which features 13 pre-2006 songs and their respective promotional videos. There are 11 songs that span her singles in chronological order, one song from Love Cook
and one song from a Nana sound track: "Love for Nana: Only 1 Tribute".
Ai am Best sold 64,396 copies on the first day and topped the Oricon charts, making it Otsuka's best selling album. It sold over 350,000 copies in its first week. "Ai am Best" also features two bonus tracks—one for the DVD, "Best of Babashi", and one for the CD, "Babashi". First Press "Ai am Best" includes an Ai stamp and Ai wallet calendar. Some also include an Ai pin in yellow or white.
Otsuka went on a tour entitled Ai am Best Tour that featured songs from Ai am Best and more. The tour started on May 18 and ended on July 7, 2007.
," as the self-created bunny rabbit character "Love-chan
". "Love no Theme" was sung on her Jam Punch Tour 2005. Before its release, it was titled I canChu♥ before it was changed to "Love no Theme". The "Love no Theme" single included a preview of a new single featuring Love, titled "White Choco
." This song could only be found previously on the promotional CD released before "Momo no Hanabira". "Love no Theme" unfortunately did not sell as well as Otsuka's normal singles.
Otsuka released her first single after Ai am Best, "Peach/Heart" on July 25, 2007. The first A-side "Peach" is an up-beat summer song and was used as the end theme for the summer drama Hanazakari no Kimitachi E
(starring Maki Horikita
and Shun Oguri
), while the second "Heart" is a mid-tempo track. The single also includes a rearranged version of "Renai Shashin", titled .
On September 26, 2007, Otsuka released two CDs and a DVD. The first CD was Otsuka's fourth original album, titled Love Piece
. This included all of her singles from "Frienger" to "Peach/Heart", with five new songs on an 11-track album. The album was released in CD+DVD and CD-only formats, with the DVD including a music video of "Heart" and , a song from the album. The first-press of the DVD also includes the PV of "U-Boat," while the first-press of the CD-only version comes with a 40-page color photobook. The second CD was a limited pressing re-release of the best album "Ai am Best
" in CD-only format.
Also on September 26, Otsuka released a DVD of her Ai am Best Tour 2007, recorded at the Tokyo International Forum Hall A on 9 July 2007. The DVD is available in a single-disc edition, as well as a special two-disc edition with offshots of the tour. The first-press of the special edition comes with a 40-page photobook.
Otsuka performed at Makuhari Messe
on July 7, 2007, for one of Japan's two Live Earth
concerts, alongside contemporaries Kumi Koda
and Ayaka
.
Love's second single "White Choco
" was released two weeks after the release of "Pocket" on November 21, 2007. Similarly to "Love no Theme", the single charted badly and sold even less than its predecessor. During that year, Otsuka embarked on her Love Piece Tour 2008, her fourth solo tour, from February to May 2008.
Otsuka’s 17th single, "Rocket Sneaker/One x Time", was released on May 21, six months after the release of "Pocket." Otsuka's 18th single, "Kurage, Nagareboshi
", was released on September 10, 2008.
On December 17, 2008, she released her fifth studio album, Love Letter
, which peaked third on the weekly Oricon charts. It contains all of her singles since Love Piece including "Pocket," the third track on the album.Love Letter was her lowest-selling album.
On February 25, 2009, "Bye Bye
" was released as her second re-cut single. "Bye Bye" was used in a commercial for the Asahi Breweries
beverage, Asahi Slat.
It was announced on her official site that a new best album, Love Is Best
, was released on November 11, 2009. The album features a collection of "love songs," ranging from singles to album tracks and b-sides, and will feature re-recorded versions of some tracks including a duet with SU from hip-hop band RIP Slyme on the song "Aisu x Time." On its first day of release the album charted at number one with a sales total of 22,895.
A new mini-album under the rabbit character Love
entitled Love It
was released on November 18, 2009. Love It was released only a week after Love Is Best and like previous Love singles, it did not chart well.
, titled "Lucky Star
". In February it was announced that "Lucky Star" would be released as a cellphone-only digital single, but later was announced to have a physical release as a double A-side single, "Zokkondition/Lucky Star", which released on April 7, 2010. is a promo song for Asahi Beer
, similar to her 19th single "Bye Bye."
On September 8, 2010 she released her new single I ♥ ×××.
In 2011, she has not been sing other songs not by herself. But she has been sing Platinum Smile
.
, who she collaborated with in October 2009 for her song "Aisu×Time". Both of the artists agencies chose not to comment on the matter.
On June 26, 2010, Otsuka announced via a message on her official Web site that she and Su had gotten married on the previous day. Su also posted an announcement on Rip Slyme's website, confirming what Otsuka wrote on her website.
It was announced during her Love is Born concert on September 11, 2010 that Otsuka was pregnant and due to give birth in Spring 2011.
Her daughter was born on 24 March 2011.
Best Hits Kayousai
Japan Gold Disc Award
MTV Video Music Awards Japan
J-pop
, an abbreviation for Japanese pop, is a musical genre that entered the musical mainstream of Japan in the 1990s. Modern J-pop has its roots in 1960s music, such as The Beatles, and replaced kayōkyoku in the Japanese music scene...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
and actress from Suminoe-ku
Suminoe-ku, Osaka
is one of 24 wards of Osaka, Japan. Stretching along the south-west border of Osaka, it is adjacent to Minato-ku, Taisho-ku and Nishinari-ku to the north and Sumiyoshi-ku to the east...
, Osaka City
Osaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
, Osaka Prefecture
Osaka Prefecture
is a prefecture located in the Kansai region on Honshū, the main island of Japan. The capital is the city of Osaka. It is the center of Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto area.- History :...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. She is a popular artist on the Avex Trax
Avex Trax
, listed in the Tokyo Stock Exchange as 7860 and abbreviated as AGHD, is the holding company for a group of entertainment-related subsidiaries based in Japan...
label and is best known for her 2003 hit "Sakuranbo
Sakuranbo
-References:#avex network inc. , #Oricon Style ,...
," which stayed in the Top 200 Oricon Weekly Singles Chart for 103 weeks.
A piano player since age 4, Otsuka composes and co-produces her own songs, as well as writes her own lyrics. Her music ranges from upbeat catchy pop/rock music that can be heard in tracks like "Happy Days
Happy Days (song)
"Happy Days" is Ai Otsuka's fourth single. The title track was used as background music in the Morinaga ICE BOX CM, which starred Otsuka, and as the theme of Koukousei Quiz 2004 on Nihon TV. It also contained a new b-side song and instrumental versions of both songs. Number three Oricon...
" and "Sakuranbo
Sakuranbo
-References:#avex network inc. , #Oricon Style ,...
" to touching ballads like "Kingyo Hanabi
Kingyo Hanabi
"Kingyo Hanabi" is Ai Otsuka's fifth single. It was released by avex trax on August 18, 2004. The DVD version was sold simultaneously. It became the theme song of the Japanese television program "Super TV". 50,000 limited edition copies were sold which included a picture book drawn by Otsuka...
", "Daisuki da yo.
Daisuki da yo.
"Daisuki da yo." is Ai Otsuka's sixth single, which was released on October 20, 2004 under the avex trax label. It peaked at number three on the Oricon chart in Japan."Daisuki da yo." is available as a CD or CD+DVD combination...
", "Planetarium
Planetarium (song)
"Planetarium" is Ai Otsuka's tenth single, which was released on 21 September 2005. The single had great success and became Otsuka's second #1 hit on the Oricon charts, selling 316,425 copies. In 2005, Planetarium sold 215,114 copies, making it the #41 best-selling single of the year...
" and "Kurage, Nagareboshi
Kurage, Nagareboshi
"Kurage, Nagareboshi" is a ballad to mark the end of the summer. "H2O" is an upbeat pop/rock song, as an upbeat song is often released with a ballad single to equalize the mood [the same vice versa—i.e. "Happy Days" had "Hoshikuzu" and "Rocket Sneaker / One × Time" had "One x Time"]...
".
Every year Otsuka also has her own Love is Born tour to mark the anniversary of being in the music industry and her birthday in September. All of the Love is Born concerts take place in Japan, ending in her hometown of Osaka. On Love is Born 5th Anniversary in 2008, Otsuka held a leg of the concert in Taiwan
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
, where she performed a Chinese version of her song "Planetarium". In 2009, Otsuka held 3 Love is Born 6th Anniversary concerts in Japan, as well as 2 concerts in Taiwan.
2003: Debut and Love Punch
Her first single, 2003's "Momo no HanabiraMomo no hanabira
-Sales:*Initial week : 6,848 ; 760 *Total : 31,091 ; 13,731 ; 44,822...
", was a minor hit, peaking at #24 on the Oricon
Oricon
, established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc...
weekly singles top 100, but stayed on the charts for 21 weeks.
Her next single, "Sakuranbo
Sakuranbo
-References:#avex network inc. , #Oricon Style ,...
", released in December 2003, became the twelfth best selling single of 2004. Gradually climbing the charts to top 5, the single stayed on the chart for 101 weeks (almost two years), and a special "encore press" version was commissioned, which peaked at #4.
In early March 2004, Otsuka released her last single before her first album. "Amaenbo
Amaenbo
is Ai Otsuka's third single. The title track was used in an television advertisement for Sato Healthcare's cold relief tablets . The single also contains a new version of and a new song, .-Track list:-References:*avex online ,...
" was used in a television advertisement for Sato Healthcare's cold relief tablets . "Amaenbo
Amaenbo
is Ai Otsuka's third single. The title track was used in an television advertisement for Sato Healthcare's cold relief tablets . The single also contains a new version of and a new song, .-Track list:-References:*avex online ,...
" peaked only at the sixth position, while at the same time "Sakuranbo" was fifth. This was the first time in Japanese music history a female artist was able to have two singles in the top ten in the same week, until 2005 Kumi Koda
Kumi Koda
, better known by her stage name , is a Japanese singer and songwriter from Kyoto, known for her urban and R&B songs. Having debuted in 2000 with the single "Take Back", Koda gained fame for her seventh single, "Real Emotion/1000 no Kotoba", the songs of which were used as themes for the video game...
was able to beat Otsuka with three singles within the same week.
By end of March 2004, her first album "Love Punch
LOVE PUNCH
Love Punch is the debut album by Ai Otsuka released on 31 March 2004 under the Avex Trax record label. This album was released in two formats: a CD Only version and a CD+DVD version. The CD+DVD edition comes with a DVD containing promo clips and interviews. Initial pressings contained a limited...
" was released, which peaked third on the Oricon charts and sold 190,265 copies in its first week. She continued to release singles and gradually built a diverse and devoted following.
Love Jam
In November 2004, the follow-up to Love PunchLOVE PUNCH
Love Punch is the debut album by Ai Otsuka released on 31 March 2004 under the Avex Trax record label. This album was released in two formats: a CD Only version and a CD+DVD version. The CD+DVD edition comes with a DVD containing promo clips and interviews. Initial pressings contained a limited...
, Love Jam
LOVE JAM
Love Jam is the second album by Ai Otsuka, released on 17 November 2004 under the Avex Trax record label. This album was available in CD and CD+DVD editions. The first-press of the CD Only edition came with an 80 page illustration book drawn by Ai Otsuka herself . The album hit #30 in 2005,...
, was released, which met even greater popular success. Along with three single released before her second studio album was released. First, "Happy Days (song)
Happy Days (song)
"Happy Days" is Ai Otsuka's fourth single. The title track was used as background music in the Morinaga ICE BOX CM, which starred Otsuka, and as the theme of Koukousei Quiz 2004 on Nihon TV. It also contained a new b-side song and instrumental versions of both songs. Number three Oricon...
" sold 163,433 units and reached third on the Oricon weekly chart.
Love Jam Tour 2005, her first tour, began on April 24, 2005. It was completed in June 2005 and a live DVD with footage was released on July 27, 2005. Love Cook
LOVE COOK
Love Cook is Ai Otsuka's third album released on 14 December 2005 under the Avex Trax record label. It was released in four formats: CD only, CD+DVD, CD+Photobook and CD+Picture Book. The latter two are limited to 150,000 copies each, and feature different sleeve case covers...
, her third album was released on December 14, 2005.
"Kingyo Hanabi
Kingyo Hanabi
"Kingyo Hanabi" is Ai Otsuka's fifth single. It was released by avex trax on August 18, 2004. The DVD version was sold simultaneously. It became the theme song of the Japanese television program "Super TV". 50,000 limited edition copies were sold which included a picture book drawn by Otsuka...
" was the second single to be released after her first album. "Kingyo Hanabi" also landed in third on the Oricon weekly chart but was able to sell 148,121 units, about 20,000 copies less than her "Happy Days" single.
Two months later, Otsuka released another single, "Daisuki da Yo." Like the previous two singles it landed third on the Oricon weekly chart and sold 156,844 units.
Otsuka released her second studio album a month later in November 2004. Love Jam
LOVE JAM
Love Jam is the second album by Ai Otsuka, released on 17 November 2004 under the Avex Trax record label. This album was available in CD and CD+DVD editions. The first-press of the CD Only edition came with an 80 page illustration book drawn by Ai Otsuka herself . The album hit #30 in 2005,...
debuted at the number one position and sold 224,381 units in its first week. In total, 656,700 units were sold. Love Jam
LOVE JAM
Love Jam is the second album by Ai Otsuka, released on 17 November 2004 under the Avex Trax record label. This album was available in CD and CD+DVD editions. The first-press of the CD Only edition came with an 80 page illustration book drawn by Ai Otsuka herself . The album hit #30 in 2005,...
became her first album to top the chart, but at the same time it was her lowest selling studio album. Love Jam
LOVE JAM
Love Jam is the second album by Ai Otsuka, released on 17 November 2004 under the Avex Trax record label. This album was available in CD and CD+DVD editions. The first-press of the CD Only edition came with an 80 page illustration book drawn by Ai Otsuka herself . The album hit #30 in 2005,...
was released in two different versions including a CD and a CD+DVD version.
Following the release of Love Jam, Ai Otsuka released the recut single "Kuroge Wagyu Joshio Tan Yaki 680 Yen
Kuroge Wagyu Joshio Tan Yaki 680 Yen
"Kuroge Wagyuu Joshio Tanyaki 680 Yen" is Ai Otsuka's seventh single, which was released on 9 February 2005. It contains a different version of the Kuroge Wagyuu Joshio Tanyaki 735 Yen track on the Love Jam album. Kuroge Wagyu Joshio Tanyaki 680 Yen is arranged differently in terms of music and...
" in February 2005. It is a different version of the "Kuroge Wagyu Joshio Tan Yaki 735 Yen" track on Love Jam. "Kuroge Wagyu Joshio Tan Yaki 680 Yen" is arranged differently in terms of music and vocals. This single sold 149,134 units and debuted third on the Oricon weekly chart and was the sixty-eighth single of 2005. It was the first ending theme song for the anime Black Jack
Black Jack (manga)
is a manga written and illustrated by Osamu Tezuka in the 1970s, dealing with the medical adventures of the title character, doctor Black Jack....
.
Love Cook
"Smily/Biidama" was her first single to be released after Love Jam. Both songs from the single were used for commercials. "Smily/Biidama" sold 110,512 copies during its debut week and charted at first place. "Smily/Biidama" sold a total of 308,338 copies in 2005, placing it as the twenty-sixth single of that year.It was during this time, in June 2005, that Otsuka made her acting debut with the drama Tokyo Friends
Tokyo Friends
is a Japanese television drama released on June 3, 2005. Unlike many other dramas, it was never aired on TV but released as a set of 3 DVDs. Volumes one and two contain the first 4 episodes while volume three contains the last episode. Each episode is approximately 70 minutes.The Tokyo Friends...
. Unlike most dramas, the series was directly released on DVD and never aired on TV. The drama used three songs as its theme song, Boo Bee Benz's "To Me" and "Kimi to Iu Hana," as well the coupling song to her sixth single, "Friends: Sabakan Ver." All three tracks would eventually be included in the soundtrack for the drama's movie sequel.
Otsuka released her tenth single in 2005, "Neko ni Fūsen
Neko ni Fusen
"Neko ni Fūsen" is Ai Otsuka's 9th single, which was released on 13 July 2005. This single sold 111,324 units and reached #92 on the 2005 Oricon yearly charts.-Track list:-References:*avex network inc. ,...
" in middle of the year in July. "Neko ni Fūsen
Neko ni Fusen
"Neko ni Fūsen" is Ai Otsuka's 9th single, which was released on 13 July 2005. This single sold 111,324 units and reached #92 on the 2005 Oricon yearly charts.-Track list:-References:*avex network inc. ,...
" was her lowest single that year, only reaching third on the chart and selling 111,324 copies. It placed ninety-second on the 2005 yearly charts.
Otsuka's single "Planetarium
Planetarium (song)
"Planetarium" is Ai Otsuka's tenth single, which was released on 21 September 2005. The single had great success and became Otsuka's second #1 hit on the Oricon charts, selling 316,425 copies. In 2005, Planetarium sold 215,114 copies, making it the #41 best-selling single of the year...
", was released on September 20, 2005. This was her last single of that year. "Planetarium" sales of 315,669 was her second highest single second only to "Sakuranbo," before her third studio album was released. "Planetarium" was used as the insert song for the live action version of the drama Hana Yori Dango.
Love Cook
LOVE COOK
Love Cook is Ai Otsuka's third album released on 14 December 2005 under the Avex Trax record label. It was released in four formats: CD only, CD+DVD, CD+Photobook and CD+Picture Book. The latter two are limited to 150,000 copies each, and feature different sleeve case covers...
, her third studio album, came out on December 14, 2005. In its first week, it sold 335,000 copies. The promotional videos for this album were filmed as mini-dramas. She also hosts a radio show on JOQR Recomen!! AM1134hHz called Otsuka Ai no ai-r jack.
Love Piece
In April 2006, Otsuka released "FriengerFrienger
"Frienger" is Ai Otsuka's 11th single under the avex trax label and her first of three singles in 2006."Frienger" is a catchy, upbeat song. The title is actually a portmanteau of the words "Friend" and "Ranger". The song was used in the CM for au mobile service and was the theme song for the...
" (a portmanteau of the words Friend and Stranger). The promotional video was shot in Taiwan and was used as the commercial song for the Toshiba W41T 4 GB MP3 mobile phone.
She also composed a song for fellow J-Pop Singer Ami Suzuki
Ami Suzuki
is a female singer, songwriter, actress and DJ from Zama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.Having been discovered at the talent TV show Asayan, Suzuki was one of the most popular female singers as an idol in the late 1990s....
, which was released July 26, 2006. "Like a Love?
Like a Love?
"Like a Love?" is the eighth single released by Japanese singer Ami Suzuki under label Avex Trax. It was released in July 2006.-Information:On June 28, 2006, it was announced that "Like a Love?" would be composed by Ai Otsuka, a popular J-pop singer...
" was speculated that because Otsuka had composed the song, it would sell well, however it turned out to be a flop due to lack of promotion.
Soon after the release of "Frienger," Otsuka reprised her role as an actress for Tokyo Friends: The Movie
Tokyo Friends: The Movie
Tokyo Friends: The Movie is a late 2006 Japanese film directed by Kozo Nagayama. The film is an extension to the original drama series Tokyo Friends with the same cast and plot. This movie was noted for Ai Otsuka's debut on theatre.-Plot:...
, which hit theaters in Japan on August 12, 2006. The movie is a direct sequel to the DVD drama released the previous year. Otsuka also sang the opening theme for Tokyo Friends, "Yumekui
Yumekui
"Yumekui" is Ai Otsuka's 12th single under the avex trax label."Yumekui" was used as the theme song to the movie "Tokyo Friends the Movie", which Otsuka starred in. The b-side, which is a ballad named "tears", was also used in the movie....
", which was released as a new single on August 2, 2006. It debuted fifth on the weekly chart, selling 63,428 copies in the first week and a total of 145,281 copies.
Two months after "Yumekui", Otsuka released another single entitled "Renai Shashin
Renai Shashin
is the 13th single by Japanese singer Ai Otsuka, released on the Avex Trax label. It is also her third and final single released in 2006.The ballad was used as the theme song of the movie Tada, Kimi o Aishiteru...
" on October 25, 2006, which was used as the opening theme song for the movie Tada, Kimi o Aishiteru. The song was based on events from the film and its original novel, also called Renai Shashin. "Renai Shashin" debuted at number 2 and sold 129,855 copies, making it the 75th best-selling single of the year. At the end of 2006, Otsuka had released a total of three singles and charted on Oricon's 2006 yearly chart with "Frienger" at number 60, "Yumekui" at number 66, and "Renai Shashin" at number 75.
Otsuka released her fourteenth single, "Chu-Lip
Chu-Lip
"Chu-Lip" is Ai Otsuka's 14th single under the avex trax label. It is also her first single released in 2007."Chu-Lip", marks the first time that Otsuka has released more than 3 singles before the release of an album...
," on February 21, 2007. The single was used as the theme song for the TBS drama Kirakira Kenshui, starring Manami Konishi
Manami Konishi
is a Japanese actress and singer from Satsumasendai, Kagoshima, Japan. She is a part of Sony Music Japan.-Biography:Born in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, in 1978, Manami Konishi joined Kohei Tsuka's Theatre Company in 1999, and made her stage debut in Tsuka's play "Netorare Sosuke." She established...
and Wentz Eiji of WaT
WaT
WaT is a Japanese pop duo composed of singers/songwriters Eiji Wentz and Teppei Koike. They met each other in 2002 and formed WaT, playing live street performances with their guitars. Their debut single, "Boku no Kimochi", was released in 2005. Wentz, who is half German-American and half Japanese,...
and managed to claim the third position on the Oricon charts.
Ai Am Best
Otsuka released her first best hits compilation album entitled Ai am BestAi am Best
"Ai am Best" is the first 'Best of' compilation album since Ai Otsuka's music career started. The album contains 13 pre-2006 tracks with the respective music video for each. "Ai am Best" was released on March 28, 2007...
on March 28, 2007, which features 13 pre-2006 songs and their respective promotional videos. There are 11 songs that span her singles in chronological order, one song from Love Cook
LOVE COOK
Love Cook is Ai Otsuka's third album released on 14 December 2005 under the Avex Trax record label. It was released in four formats: CD only, CD+DVD, CD+Photobook and CD+Picture Book. The latter two are limited to 150,000 copies each, and feature different sleeve case covers...
and one song from a Nana sound track: "Love for Nana: Only 1 Tribute".
Ai am Best sold 64,396 copies on the first day and topped the Oricon charts, making it Otsuka's best selling album. It sold over 350,000 copies in its first week. "Ai am Best" also features two bonus tracks—one for the DVD, "Best of Babashi", and one for the CD, "Babashi". First Press "Ai am Best" includes an Ai stamp and Ai wallet calendar. Some also include an Ai pin in yellow or white.
Otsuka went on a tour entitled Ai am Best Tour that featured songs from Ai am Best and more. The tour started on May 18 and ended on July 7, 2007.
2007–2008: Love debut and Love Piece
On April 11, 2007 Otsuka released a new single, "Love no ThemeLove no Theme
"Love no Theme" is Ai Otsuka's first single under the avex trax label under her pen name Love. It is also her second single released in 2007....
," as the self-created bunny rabbit character "Love-chan
Love-chan
is a fictional female bunny character and singer created by Japanese singer Ai Otsuka. Love was to star in an album originally titled I canChu♥ and a promotional music video from I canChu♥, but the release was changed to a single and titled "Love no Theme" before it was released on April 11, 2007...
". "Love no Theme" was sung on her Jam Punch Tour 2005. Before its release, it was titled I canChu♥ before it was changed to "Love no Theme". The "Love no Theme" single included a preview of a new single featuring Love, titled "White Choco
White Choco
"White choco" is Ai Otsuka's second single under the avex trax label under her pen name Love, which was released on November 21, 2007."White Choco" is the second single that Ai has released about a bunny named Love and under her pen name Love...
." This song could only be found previously on the promotional CD released before "Momo no Hanabira". "Love no Theme" unfortunately did not sell as well as Otsuka's normal singles.
Otsuka released her first single after Ai am Best, "Peach/Heart" on July 25, 2007. The first A-side "Peach" is an up-beat summer song and was used as the end theme for the summer drama Hanazakari no Kimitachi E
Hanazakari no Kimitachi e
, also known as Ike-para, is a Japanese drama produced by Fuji Television and first aired on July 3, 2007. It is based on the comic by Hisaya Nakajo, published in English as Hana-Kimi. Filming locations include the Ryutsu Keizai University....
(starring Maki Horikita
Maki Horikita
is a Japanese actress and endorser. She debuted in 2003 as a U-15 idol and has since starred in Japanese television dramas, television and magazine advertisements, and movies.- Childhood:...
and Shun Oguri
Shun Oguri
is a Japanese actor, director and voice actor.-Career:Born to a theater director father, Tetsuya Oguri, and having an actor brother, Ryo Oguri, Shun Oguri started his acting career quite early in his life...
), while the second "Heart" is a mid-tempo track. The single also includes a rearranged version of "Renai Shashin", titled .
On September 26, 2007, Otsuka released two CDs and a DVD. The first CD was Otsuka's fourth original album, titled Love Piece
Love Piece
Love Piece is Ai Otsuka's fourth album. It was released in two formats: CD Only and CD + DVD.The first press of the CD+DVD version includes a special music video of the song U-Boat from Otsuka's LOVE COOK album, while the first press of the CD Only version includes a 40-page original photo book.The...
. This included all of her singles from "Frienger" to "Peach/Heart", with five new songs on an 11-track album. The album was released in CD+DVD and CD-only formats, with the DVD including a music video of "Heart" and , a song from the album. The first-press of the DVD also includes the PV of "U-Boat," while the first-press of the CD-only version comes with a 40-page color photobook. The second CD was a limited pressing re-release of the best album "Ai am Best
Ai am Best
"Ai am Best" is the first 'Best of' compilation album since Ai Otsuka's music career started. The album contains 13 pre-2006 tracks with the respective music video for each. "Ai am Best" was released on March 28, 2007...
" in CD-only format.
Also on September 26, Otsuka released a DVD of her Ai am Best Tour 2007, recorded at the Tokyo International Forum Hall A on 9 July 2007. The DVD is available in a single-disc edition, as well as a special two-disc edition with offshots of the tour. The first-press of the special edition comes with a 40-page photobook.
Otsuka performed at Makuhari Messe
Makuhari Messe
is a Japanese convention center outside Tokyo, located in the Mihama-ku ward of Chiba city, in the northwest corner of Chiba prefecture. Designed by Fumihiko Maki, it is easily accessible by Tokyo's commuter rail system. Makuhari is the name of the area, and Messe is a German word meaning "trade...
on July 7, 2007, for one of Japan's two Live Earth
Live Earth
-Background:Founded by Emmy-winning producer Kevin Wall, in partnership with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, Live Earth was built upon the belief that entertainment has the power to transcend social and cultural barriers to move the world community to action...
concerts, alongside contemporaries Kumi Koda
Kumi Koda
, better known by her stage name , is a Japanese singer and songwriter from Kyoto, known for her urban and R&B songs. Having debuted in 2000 with the single "Take Back", Koda gained fame for her seventh single, "Real Emotion/1000 no Kotoba", the songs of which were used as themes for the video game...
and Ayaka
Ayaka
is a Japanese female singer formerly signed to Warner Music Japan. Born in Osaka, she moved to Tokyo to pursue a singing career. She married actor Hiro Mizushima on February 22, 2009.-2006:...
.
2009: Love Letter and Love is Best
Two months after the triple-release of Love Piece, CD version of Ai am Best and Ai am Best Tour 2007, Otsuka released her next single on November 7, 2007 including two B-sides: "Ticket" and "Life - Love Circle." "Pocket" had Otsuka's lowest first week sales for a single and lowest sales since "Momo no Hanabira".Love's second single "White Choco
White Choco
"White choco" is Ai Otsuka's second single under the avex trax label under her pen name Love, which was released on November 21, 2007."White Choco" is the second single that Ai has released about a bunny named Love and under her pen name Love...
" was released two weeks after the release of "Pocket" on November 21, 2007. Similarly to "Love no Theme", the single charted badly and sold even less than its predecessor. During that year, Otsuka embarked on her Love Piece Tour 2008, her fourth solo tour, from February to May 2008.
Otsuka’s 17th single, "Rocket Sneaker/One x Time", was released on May 21, six months after the release of "Pocket." Otsuka's 18th single, "Kurage, Nagareboshi
Kurage, Nagareboshi
"Kurage, Nagareboshi" is a ballad to mark the end of the summer. "H2O" is an upbeat pop/rock song, as an upbeat song is often released with a ballad single to equalize the mood [the same vice versa—i.e. "Happy Days" had "Hoshikuzu" and "Rocket Sneaker / One × Time" had "One x Time"]...
", was released on September 10, 2008.
On December 17, 2008, she released her fifth studio album, Love Letter
Love Letter (Ai Otsuka album)
Love Letter is the fifth studio album released by Ai Otsuka on 17 December 2008. It come in a CD-only format and CD + DVD format. Thirteen songs are included; four from her singles Pocket, Rocket Sneaker / One × Time and Kurage, Nagareboshi.On 16 November 2008, the full album - minus Ningyou -...
, which peaked third on the weekly Oricon charts. It contains all of her singles since Love Piece including "Pocket," the third track on the album.Love Letter was her lowest-selling album.
On February 25, 2009, "Bye Bye
Bye Bye (Ai Otsuka song)
"Bye Bye" is the 19th single from Japanese singer Ai Otsuka, and the fourth single to be released from her Love Letter album. It is her second re-cut single, and it will be the CM song for the Asahi Breweries LTD new low-alcohol beverage, The Asahi Slat....
" was released as her second re-cut single. "Bye Bye" was used in a commercial for the Asahi Breweries
Asahi Breweries
Asahi Breweries, Ltd. is a leading brewery and soft drink company based in Tokyo, Japan. The company has a 40% share of the Japanese beer market....
beverage, Asahi Slat.
It was announced on her official site that a new best album, Love Is Best
Love Is Best
Love Is Best is the second 'Best of' compilation album to be released by Ai Otsuka on 11 November 2009. Its theme is love. It will come in both a CD-only format and a CD+DVD format. Fifteen songs are included...
, was released on November 11, 2009. The album features a collection of "love songs," ranging from singles to album tracks and b-sides, and will feature re-recorded versions of some tracks including a duet with SU from hip-hop band RIP Slyme on the song "Aisu x Time." On its first day of release the album charted at number one with a sales total of 22,895.
A new mini-album under the rabbit character Love
Love-chan
is a fictional female bunny character and singer created by Japanese singer Ai Otsuka. Love was to star in an album originally titled I canChu♥ and a promotional music video from I canChu♥, but the release was changed to a single and titled "Love no Theme" before it was released on April 11, 2007...
entitled Love It
Love It
Love It is the debut mini-album of Ai Otsuka under her pen name Love. It was released on November 18, 2009 under the label Avex Trax, and was released only one week after the release of Otsuka's compilation album Love Is Best.-CD:# "Magic"# "Starlight"# "Moonlight"# "Red Eye"# "White Choco"# "Love...
was released on November 18, 2009. Love It was released only a week after Love Is Best and like previous Love singles, it did not chart well.
2010-present
In January 2010, Otsuka performed a song for the 2010 Winter Olympics2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
, titled "Lucky Star
Zokkondition/Lucky Star
is the twentieth single by Japanese singer Ai Otsuka under the label Avex Trax. It was released on April 7, 2010, more than a year after her last single "Bye Bye". The single reached the sixth position on the Oricon weekly singles chart and charted for five weeks...
". In February it was announced that "Lucky Star" would be released as a cellphone-only digital single, but later was announced to have a physical release as a double A-side single, "Zokkondition/Lucky Star", which released on April 7, 2010. is a promo song for Asahi Beer
Asahi Breweries
Asahi Breweries, Ltd. is a leading brewery and soft drink company based in Tokyo, Japan. The company has a 40% share of the Japanese beer market....
, similar to her 19th single "Bye Bye."
On September 8, 2010 she released her new single I ♥ ×××.
In 2011, she has not been sing other songs not by herself. But she has been sing Platinum Smile
Platinum Smile
"Platinum Smile" is Riyu Kosaka's fourth single with Avex and her fifth single overall. It was released on October 24, 2007 as both a single CD and in a CD+DVD edition...
.
Personal life
In February 2010, it was reported by Josei Seven Otsuka was dating rapper Su of Rip SlymeRip Slyme
Rip Slyme is a Japanese hip hop group. It is composed of four MCs; Ryo-Z, Ilmari, Pes & Su, and a DJ, Fumiya...
, who she collaborated with in October 2009 for her song "Aisu×Time". Both of the artists agencies chose not to comment on the matter.
On June 26, 2010, Otsuka announced via a message on her official Web site that she and Su had gotten married on the previous day. Su also posted an announcement on Rip Slyme's website, confirming what Otsuka wrote on her website.
It was announced during her Love is Born concert on September 11, 2010 that Otsuka was pregnant and due to give birth in Spring 2011.
Her daughter was born on 24 March 2011.
Studio albums
- 2004: Love PunchLOVE PUNCHLove Punch is the debut album by Ai Otsuka released on 31 March 2004 under the Avex Trax record label. This album was released in two formats: a CD Only version and a CD+DVD version. The CD+DVD edition comes with a DVD containing promo clips and interviews. Initial pressings contained a limited...
- 2004: Love JamLOVE JAMLove Jam is the second album by Ai Otsuka, released on 17 November 2004 under the Avex Trax record label. This album was available in CD and CD+DVD editions. The first-press of the CD Only edition came with an 80 page illustration book drawn by Ai Otsuka herself . The album hit #30 in 2005,...
- 2005: Love CookLOVE COOKLove Cook is Ai Otsuka's third album released on 14 December 2005 under the Avex Trax record label. It was released in four formats: CD only, CD+DVD, CD+Photobook and CD+Picture Book. The latter two are limited to 150,000 copies each, and feature different sleeve case covers...
- 2007: Love PieceLove PieceLove Piece is Ai Otsuka's fourth album. It was released in two formats: CD Only and CD + DVD.The first press of the CD+DVD version includes a special music video of the song U-Boat from Otsuka's LOVE COOK album, while the first press of the CD Only version includes a 40-page original photo book.The...
- 2008: Love LetterLove Letter (Ai Otsuka album)Love Letter is the fifth studio album released by Ai Otsuka on 17 December 2008. It come in a CD-only format and CD + DVD format. Thirteen songs are included; four from her singles Pocket, Rocket Sneaker / One × Time and Kurage, Nagareboshi.On 16 November 2008, the full album - minus Ningyou -...
Radio shows
- Nippon Cultural BroadcastingNippon Cultural Broadcastingis a Japanese radio station in Tokyo which broadcasts to the Kanto area. It is one of the two flagship radio stations of National Radio Network and also has a relationship with JOLF and Fuji Television....
Otsuka Ai ai-r Jack Official Site - Tokyo FMTokyo FMTokyo FM Broadcasting Co., Ltd. is a radio station in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. It is the flagship station of the Japan FM Network .-Program:*Countdown Station** DHC Countdown jp** cosmo Pops Best 10...
COROLLA presents LIFE-LOVE CiRCLE ～うれしいこと 全力で。～ Official WebSite
Awards
Nihon Yusen Taisho- 2004: Best new artist
Best Hits Kayousai
- 2004: Meilleure nouvelle artiste
- 2005: Gold Artist Prize – "Planetarium"
- 2006: Gold Artist Prize – "Renai Shashin"
- 2007: Gold Artist Prize – "Pocket"
Japan Gold Disc Award
Japan Gold Disc Award
The Japan Gold Disc Awards for Music sales in the Recording Industry Association of Japan, is major music awards held annually in Japan also released as a CD.- List of the Artists of the Year :************...
- 2005: Rock & Pop Album of the Year – Love Punch
- 2005: Rock & Pop Album of the Year – Love Jam
- 2006: Rock & Pop Album of the Year – Love Cook
- 2007: The Best 10 Albums - Ai Am Best
MTV Video Music Awards Japan
MTV Video Music Awards Japan
The MTV Video Music Awards Japan are the Japanese version of the MTV Video Music Awards.Like the MTV Video Music Awards in the United States, in this event artists are awarded for their songs and videos through online voting from the same channel viewers...
- 2007: Best pop video - Renai Shashin
- 2007: Best video from a movie - Renai Shashin (Tada, Kimi wo Aishiteru)