Chara (singer)
Encyclopedia
better known by her stage name
Chara, is a Japanese singer-songwriter, actress and video jockey. She debuted in 1991 with the single Heaven. She is most well known for her song "Swallowtail Butterfly (Ai no Uta)
", the theme song for the 1996 Shunji Iwai
film Swallowtail Butterfly
(in which she starred), her 1997 hit single "Yasashii Kimochi
", and her collaboration with Judy and Mary
vocalist Yuki
, "Ai no Hi Mittsu Orange
". Chara later formed a band with Yuki, called Mean Machine
. She is known for her unique whisper voice
vocal technique while singing.
, Saitama
. She started learning the piano from age four, and starting composing songs in elementary school. In her first year of elementary school, she performed a song she had written, , at a school piano recital.
She originally received her nickname Chara in junior high. Her nickname started as , a type of sausage that rhymes with her maiden name, Watabiki. This was later changed to Charabiki, adding in (an onomatopoeic word for someone who doesn't stop talking), before settling on Chara (after a teacher called her this). She was so well known by this name that not even some of her friends knew her real name. She continues to use this name as she believes it brings out the inner child in her.
After finishing high school, Chara went to Tokyo to a vocational school, majoring in music specialising in piano. However, she dropped out one year into her two year degree.
From 1984 onwards, she worked as a keyboardist in several different unsigned bands. During this time, she found part-time work as a roller-skating waitress. In 1988, to get a chance to sing her own compositions, she decided to become a band vocalist instead. Her first live performance was at the Shinjuku Ruido live house in 1990.
music show Video Jam,
and later in November released her debut album Sweet
. The album was not very successful, only reaching #64 on Oricon
's album charts.
Chara's career gained more momentum after her first tour, Chara Live "Sweet" in May 1992. She became a radio personality for the FM Yokohama
, with her own radio show , and her second album, Soul Kiss
, won the 1992 Japan Record Award
for best rock/pop album from a new artist. The album reached #14 on the album charts.
In 1993, she starred in many different commercials (or had her songs featured in them), including commercials for Suntory
, Shiseido
, Marui
and Snow Brand ice creams. Her single , the song used in the Shiseido campaign, was her first top 100 charting single, reaching #66. The resulting album, Violet Blue
, debuted at #4 on the charts. Her 1994 album, Happy Toy
, riding on the success of her first top 50 single , also debuting at #4.
In spring 1994, she filmed the Shunji Iwai
film Picnic
, in which she played a mental patient. The film would not be released for another two years. She starred aside Tadanobu Asano
, who she married in 1995. Chara took a short break from music, releasing Chara the Best Baby Baby Baby XXX
and giving birth to her first child, a girl named .
. She played , a slum prostitute with musical aspirations. Chara recorded the soundtrack for the movie, collaborating with Mr. Children
music producer Takeshi Kobayashi to create a Beatles
-esque sound. The music was released under the name Yen Town Band, the name of the band Glico forms in the film.
Before the movie's release, the theme song "Swallowtail Butterfly (Ai no Uta)
" was released, along with Chara's first film with Iwai, Picnic, finding a proper cinema release. The film was a massive hit, propelling Chara to stardom. Both the concept album, Montage
, and the theme song reached #1 on Oricon charts. Her performance awarded her a Japan Academy Prize for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
nomination. The film won the Most Popular Film award.
Chara's fame soared, as shown by her next album Junior Sweet
. The main single from the album, "Yasashii Kimochi
" (the Shiseido
'Tessera J' CM song), was a big hit, selling over 520,000 copies and became her second biggest hit after Swallowtail Butterfly (Ai no Uta). The album was certified by the RIAJ as selling over 1,000,000 copies.
Her 1999 album, Strange Fruits
, saw some success, debuting at #3 and selling over 300,000 copies. Chara teamed up with Judy and Mary
vocalist Yuki
to release a special single called "Ai no Hi Mittsu Orange
". This song is Chara's third biggest hit, selling over 230,000 copies.
In 2000, Chara released her second best-of collection, Caramel Milk: The Best of Chara
, and 2001 released her 8th album, Madrigal
. Madrigal featured two tracks co-written with American guitarist James Iha
.
, alongside Yuki
, Swallowtail actress Ayumi Ito
, 1980s musician Mayumi Chiwaki and former funk/rock band Jagatara
dancer Yukarie. The band was conceived in 1998, when Chiwaki mentioned to Chara that she thought it would be good to start up a girls rock band. One of the tenants of the band was that all members would have to do something they'd never tried before, landing Chara on drums. The band first practiced in 1999, and continued to sporadically practice throughout 2000, despite different members' schedules.
In 2001, the band debuted with the song , which was written by Chara during her second pregnancy, inspired by the breathing sounds of the Lamaze technique
. Soon after, the band released their debut album Cream.
In 2003, Chara released her 9th solo album, Yoake Mae
, and in 2004 released an album of re-recordings of songs from her early albums, A Scenery Like Me
. This heralded the end of Chara's Sony contract. Chara self-released her music after this point, recording songs from her own home and self-producing her work. These recordings resulted in a limited 2,000 copy album, Something Blue, and a digital single (used as the theme song for the Japanese release of the movie March of the Penguins
).
During this period, Chara created several bands. One, Cold Sugar was a collaboration with Arai Akino.
". Her single "Fantasy" (used as the Kanebo T'estimo eye-makeup range, featuring Chara in the commercials) was a minor hit, reaching #13 on Oricon charts. It was written in collaboration with Seiji Kameda
, producer for artists such as Do As Infinity
and bassist for the band Tokyo Jihen
. The following album, Union
, also fared well. It reached the top 5 in Oricon's album charts, and outsold her former two Sony released albums.
On the back of Chara's returned success, Sony released the compilation album, Sugar Hunter: The Best Love Songs of Chara
.
Chara's Universal singles have fared better on digital charts. "Trophy", a single from Chara's second Universal album Honey
, did well digitally, despite the physical release only reaching #37.
. She met Asano on the set of the 1994 film Picnic
, in which they were both starring actors. Chara gave birth to a daughter, , on July 4, 1995. Chara had a second child with Asano, giving birth to a son on December 19, 1999, and naming him .
The pair attended the 2008 80th Academy Awards
in Los Angeles, due to the film Mongol
(starring Asano) being nominated for the best foreign film category after the film was submitted as the Kazakhstan
entry.
On July 25, 2009, Chara announced her amicable divorce from husband Asano Tadanobu, after fourteen years of marriage.
Chara has two tattoos: a blue bird on her back, and a on her neck.
Chara's children feature in her music. Sumire features on the cover of her album Honey (which also has a track named after her). Both of her children appear in the music video for .
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
Chara, is a Japanese singer-songwriter, actress and video jockey. She debuted in 1991 with the single Heaven. She is most well known for her song "Swallowtail Butterfly (Ai no Uta)
Swallowtail Butterfly (Ai no Uta)
is a song by Chara, released under the name Yen Town Band. It was the lead single from Montage, a concept album released for the Shunji Iwai film Swallowtail Butterfly that also starred Chara. This song was used as the theme song for the film....
", the theme song for the 1996 Shunji Iwai
Shunji Iwai
is a Japanese film director/video artist, writer and documentarian.-Life and career:Iwai was born in Sendai, Japan, Miyagi prefecture. He attended Yokohama National University, graduating in 1987....
film Swallowtail Butterfly
Swallowtail Butterfly (film)
Swallowtail , also known as Swallowtail Butterfly or Yentown, is a 1996 movie by Japanese film director Shunji Iwai, starring Hiroshi Mikami, pop-singer Chara, and Ayumi Ito....
(in which she starred), her 1997 hit single "Yasashii Kimochi
Yasashii Kimochi
is a song by Chara, released as the first single from her 1997 album Junior Sweet. The song was used in a Shiseido commercial for their 'Tessera J' range. The B-side of this single, Junior Sweet, was also used in these commercials....
", and her collaboration with Judy and Mary
Judy and Mary
Judy and Mary was a Japanese multi-genre band formed in 1991 in Hakodate, Hokkaido by bassist and vocalist , with drummer and guitarist completing the lineup in 1992. Guitarist replaced Taiji the following year...
vocalist Yuki
Yuki Isoya
is a Japanese musician who performs under the name Yuki . She debuted in the music industry in 1991 as the lead vocalist for the rock band Judy and Mary, and as a solo artist in 2002...
, "Ai no Hi Mittsu Orange
Ai no Hi Mittsu Orange
is a special collaboration song between solo artist Chara and Judy and Mary vocalist Yuki. The song was used in a Sapporo Beer commercial for their campaign....
". Chara later formed a band with Yuki, called Mean Machine
Mean Machine (band)
Mean Machine is an all-girl Japanese rock band. In 1998, Mean Machine was started by Chara and Chiwaki on a whim, choosing the themes "have fun", "cute with pheromones", and "play an instrument you never have before" to guide their band, and friends to join as members...
. She is known for her unique whisper voice
Whispering
Whispering is an unvoiced mode of phonation in which the vocal cords do not vibrate normally but are instead adducted sufficiently to create audible turbulence as the speaker exhales during speech. This is a somewhat greater adduction than that found in breathy voice...
vocal technique while singing.
Early life
Chara grew up in KawaguchiKawaguchi, Saitama
is a city located in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. The city was founded on April 1, 1933.As of January 1, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 517,171, the second largest in Saitama Prefecture after Saitama, and a population density of 9,276.61 persons per km². The total area is 55.75 km²...
, Saitama
Saitama Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region of the island of Honshu. The capital is the city of Saitama.This prefecture is part of the Greater Tokyo Area, and most of Saitama's cities can be described as suburbs of Tokyo, to which a large amount of residents commute each day.- History...
. She started learning the piano from age four, and starting composing songs in elementary school. In her first year of elementary school, she performed a song she had written, , at a school piano recital.
She originally received her nickname Chara in junior high. Her nickname started as , a type of sausage that rhymes with her maiden name, Watabiki. This was later changed to Charabiki, adding in (an onomatopoeic word for someone who doesn't stop talking), before settling on Chara (after a teacher called her this). She was so well known by this name that not even some of her friends knew her real name. She continues to use this name as she believes it brings out the inner child in her.
After finishing high school, Chara went to Tokyo to a vocational school, majoring in music specialising in piano. However, she dropped out one year into her two year degree.
From 1984 onwards, she worked as a keyboardist in several different unsigned bands. During this time, she found part-time work as a roller-skating waitress. In 1988, to get a chance to sing her own compositions, she decided to become a band vocalist instead. Her first live performance was at the Shinjuku Ruido live house in 1990.
(1991–1995) Early releases
Chara sent a demo tape to Sony Music in 1990, which caught the attention of Masahiro Ohara and landed her a deal with Epic Records Japan She recorded her debut album in early 1991 in Tokyo and London, and debuted in September with a performance at the Shibuya Club Quattro and the release of her debut single Heaven. In October, Chara became a personality on the ANNAll-Nippon News Network
, or ANN, is a commercial television news network in Japan run by TV Asahi Corporation.-All-Nippon News Network stations:-Remote Controller Buttons of Digital TV:*1: Kyushu Asahi Broadcasting*3: TV Miyazaki*5: 20 ANN stations...
music show Video Jam,
and later in November released her debut album Sweet
Sweet (Chara album)
-Japan Sales Rankings:...
. The album was not very successful, only reaching #64 on 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...
's album charts.
Chara's career gained more momentum after her first tour, Chara Live "Sweet" in May 1992. She became a radio personality for the FM Yokohama
FM Yokohama
FM Yokohama 84.7 is a radio station based in Yokohama, Japan owned by the Yokohama FM Broadcasting Company, a joint venture of Nippon Broadcasting System, Kanagawa Prefectural Government and Bank of Yokohama. This station was featured in the Xbox game Project Gotham Racing 2....
, with her own radio show , and her second album, Soul Kiss
Soul Kiss (Chara album)
-Japan Sales Rankings:...
, won the 1992 Japan Record Award
Japan Record Award
for outstanding achievements in the Japan Composer's Association, is major music awards show held annually in Japan.- Categories :The Japan Record Award are four awards which are not restricted by genre....
for best rock/pop album from a new artist. The album reached #14 on the album charts.
In 1993, she starred in many different commercials (or had her songs featured in them), including commercials for Suntory
Suntory
is a Japanese brewing and distilling company group. Established in 1899, it is one of the oldest companies in the distribution of alcoholic beverages in Japan. Its business has expanded to other fields, and the company now offers everything from soft drinks to sandwich chains...
, Shiseido
Shiseido
is a major Japanese hair care and cosmetics producer. It is the oldest cosmetics company in the world and the fourth largest cosmetics company in the world.-History:...
, Marui
Marui
is a Japanese retail company which operates a chain of department stores in Tokyo as well in other major Japanese cities. They are best known for their women's fashion and accessories, which are aimed at the 25–35 age range....
and Snow Brand ice creams. Her single , the song used in the Shiseido campaign, was her first top 100 charting single, reaching #66. The resulting album, Violet Blue
Violet Blue (album)
-Singles:-Japan Sales Rankings:...
, debuted at #4 on the charts. Her 1994 album, Happy Toy
Happy Toy
-Singles:-Japan Sales Rankings:...
, riding on the success of her first top 50 single , also debuting at #4.
In spring 1994, she filmed the Shunji Iwai
Shunji Iwai
is a Japanese film director/video artist, writer and documentarian.-Life and career:Iwai was born in Sendai, Japan, Miyagi prefecture. He attended Yokohama National University, graduating in 1987....
film Picnic
Picnic (1994 film)
Picnic is a 1996 Japanese film directed by Shunji Iwai. The film was shot in 1994, but not released until 1996.Coco, Tsumuji and Satoru, three mental asylum patients want to see the world, being not allowed behind the border of the asylum. Therefore they start to explore the world by walking on the...
, in which she played a mental patient. The film would not be released for another two years. She starred aside Tadanobu Asano
Tadanobu Asano
, born is a Japanese actor. He is known for his roles as Dragon Eye Morrison in Electric Dragon 80.000 V, Kakihara in Ichi the Killer, Mamoru Arita in Bright Future, Hattori Genosuke in Zatoichi, Kenji in Last Life in the Universe, Aman in Survive Style 5+, Ayano in The Taste of Tea, and Temudjin...
, who she married in 1995. Chara took a short break from music, releasing Chara the Best Baby Baby Baby XXX
Chara the Best Baby Baby Baby XXX
- Singles :- Japan Sales Rankings :...
and giving birth to her first child, a girl named .
(1996–2001) Mainstream success, acting
In February 1996, Chara began filming her second film for Iwai, titled Swallowtail ButterflySwallowtail Butterfly (film)
Swallowtail , also known as Swallowtail Butterfly or Yentown, is a 1996 movie by Japanese film director Shunji Iwai, starring Hiroshi Mikami, pop-singer Chara, and Ayumi Ito....
. She played , a slum prostitute with musical aspirations. Chara recorded the soundtrack for the movie, collaborating with Mr. Children
Mr. Children
, commonly called , is a Japanese rock band formed in 1988 by Kazutoshi Sakurai, Kenichi Tahara, Keisuke Nakagawa, and Hideya Suzuki. As a group, they are one of the most successful Japanese rock artists, having sold over 50 million records and creating the in the mid 1990s in Japan...
music producer Takeshi Kobayashi to create a Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
-esque sound. The music was released under the name Yen Town Band, the name of the band Glico forms in the film.
Before the movie's release, the theme song "Swallowtail Butterfly (Ai no Uta)
Swallowtail Butterfly (Ai no Uta)
is a song by Chara, released under the name Yen Town Band. It was the lead single from Montage, a concept album released for the Shunji Iwai film Swallowtail Butterfly that also starred Chara. This song was used as the theme song for the film....
" was released, along with Chara's first film with Iwai, Picnic, finding a proper cinema release. The film was a massive hit, propelling Chara to stardom. Both the concept album, Montage
Montage (Yen Town Band album)
-Singles:-Japan Sales Rankings:-Chart procession and succession:...
, and the theme song reached #1 on Oricon charts. Her performance awarded her a Japan Academy Prize for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Japan Academy Prize for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
The of the Japan Academy Prize is one of the annual Awards given by the Nippon Academy-sho association .-List of winners:-External links:* - **...
nomination. The film won the Most Popular Film award.
Chara's fame soared, as shown by her next album Junior Sweet
Junior Sweet
-Singles:-Japan Sales Rankings:-Chart procession and succession:...
. The main single from the album, "Yasashii Kimochi
Yasashii Kimochi
is a song by Chara, released as the first single from her 1997 album Junior Sweet. The song was used in a Shiseido commercial for their 'Tessera J' range. The B-side of this single, Junior Sweet, was also used in these commercials....
" (the Shiseido
Shiseido
is a major Japanese hair care and cosmetics producer. It is the oldest cosmetics company in the world and the fourth largest cosmetics company in the world.-History:...
'Tessera J' CM song), was a big hit, selling over 520,000 copies and became her second biggest hit after Swallowtail Butterfly (Ai no Uta). The album was certified by the RIAJ as selling over 1,000,000 copies.
Her 1999 album, Strange Fruits
Strange Fruits
-Singles:-Japan Sales Rankings:...
, saw some success, debuting at #3 and selling over 300,000 copies. Chara teamed up with Judy and Mary
Judy and Mary
Judy and Mary was a Japanese multi-genre band formed in 1991 in Hakodate, Hokkaido by bassist and vocalist , with drummer and guitarist completing the lineup in 1992. Guitarist replaced Taiji the following year...
vocalist Yuki
Yuki Isoya
is a Japanese musician who performs under the name Yuki . She debuted in the music industry in 1991 as the lead vocalist for the rock band Judy and Mary, and as a solo artist in 2002...
to release a special single called "Ai no Hi Mittsu Orange
Ai no Hi Mittsu Orange
is a special collaboration song between solo artist Chara and Judy and Mary vocalist Yuki. The song was used in a Sapporo Beer commercial for their campaign....
". This song is Chara's third biggest hit, selling over 230,000 copies.
In 2000, Chara released her second best-of collection, Caramel Milk: The Best of Chara
Caramel Milk: The Best of Chara
-Singles:-Japan Sales Rankings:...
, and 2001 released her 8th album, Madrigal
Madrigal (album)
-Singles:-Japan Sales Rankings:-Various charts:...
. Madrigal featured two tracks co-written with American guitarist James Iha
James Iha
James Yoshinobu Iha b. March 26, 1968 in Chicago, Illinois) is a Japanese American rock musician. He is best known as having been a guitarist and co-founder of the alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins and for his eclectic musical projects of recent years, most notably being a permanent...
.
(2001–2005) Mean Machine
In late 2001, Chara released music as the drummer of the twin-drum all-girl rock band, Mean MachineMean Machine (band)
Mean Machine is an all-girl Japanese rock band. In 1998, Mean Machine was started by Chara and Chiwaki on a whim, choosing the themes "have fun", "cute with pheromones", and "play an instrument you never have before" to guide their band, and friends to join as members...
, alongside Yuki
Yuki Isoya
is a Japanese musician who performs under the name Yuki . She debuted in the music industry in 1991 as the lead vocalist for the rock band Judy and Mary, and as a solo artist in 2002...
, Swallowtail actress Ayumi Ito
Ayumi Ito
Ayumi Itō is a Japanese actress who received her big break in 1996, when she was cast as the central character of Ageha in Shunji Iwai's hit movie, Swallowtail Butterfly. The following year, she won her first Japanese Academy Award for 'Rookie of the Year'...
, 1980s musician Mayumi Chiwaki and former funk/rock band Jagatara
JAGATARA
Jagatara was a Japanese band centered around Edo Akemi. They are renowned for their unique sound, which has been described as a mixture of rock, especially punk, funk and reggae....
dancer Yukarie. The band was conceived in 1998, when Chiwaki mentioned to Chara that she thought it would be good to start up a girls rock band. One of the tenants of the band was that all members would have to do something they'd never tried before, landing Chara on drums. The band first practiced in 1999, and continued to sporadically practice throughout 2000, despite different members' schedules.
In 2001, the band debuted with the song , which was written by Chara during her second pregnancy, inspired by the breathing sounds of the Lamaze technique
Lamaze technique
The Lamaze Technique, often referred to as Lamaze, is a prepared childbirth technique developed in the 1940s by French obstetrician Dr. Fernand Lamaze as an alternative to the use of medical intervention during childbirth...
. Soon after, the band released their debut album Cream.
In 2003, Chara released her 9th solo album, Yoake Mae
Yoake Mae
-Singles:-Japan Sales Rankings:...
, and in 2004 released an album of re-recordings of songs from her early albums, A Scenery Like Me
A Scenery Like Me
-Japan Sales Rankings:...
. This heralded the end of Chara's Sony contract. Chara self-released her music after this point, recording songs from her own home and self-producing her work. These recordings resulted in a limited 2,000 copy album, Something Blue, and a digital single (used as the theme song for the Japanese release of the movie March of the Penguins
March of the Penguins
March of the Penguins is a 2005 French nature documentary film. It was directed and co-written by Luc Jacquet, and co-produced by Bonne Pioche and the National Geographic Society. The film depicts the yearly journey of the emperor penguins of Antarctica...
).
During this period, Chara created several bands. One, Cold Sugar was a collaboration with Arai Akino.
(2006–present) Universal
Chara re-debuted as a major label artist in 2006, with the release of the single "SekaiSekai
is a song by Chara. It was released as the first single from her album Union on . It debuted at #24 on the Japanese Oricon album charts, and charted for five weeks. The song was used in commercials for the NEC brand 'Foma N702iS' cellphone....
". Her single "Fantasy" (used as the Kanebo T'estimo eye-makeup range, featuring Chara in the commercials) was a minor hit, reaching #13 on Oricon charts. It was written in collaboration with Seiji Kameda
Seiji Kameda
is a Japanese music producer, arranger and bass guitarist.He is currently the bassist in Ringo Shiina's band, "Tokyo Jihen".- Biography :He was born in New York city, and went back to Japan at one year after birth....
, producer for artists such as Do As Infinity
Do As Infinity
Do As Infinity is a Japanese pop and rock band that formed in 1999 with three members: vocalist Tomiko Van, guitarist Ryo Owatari, and guitarist and composer Dai Nagao. The band's name is sometimes abbreviated as D.A.I., alluding to the fact that Do As Infinity was named after Dai Nagao...
and bassist for the band Tokyo Jihen
Tokyo Jihen
is a Japanese band started by , after leaving her solo career. The band's debut single Gunjo Biyori was released in September 2004.- Origins:...
. The following album, Union
Union (Chara album)
-DVD Track listing:-Singles:-Japan Sales Rankings:- Various charts :...
, also fared well. It reached the top 5 in Oricon's album charts, and outsold her former two Sony released albums.
On the back of Chara's returned success, Sony released the compilation album, Sugar Hunter: The Best Love Songs of Chara
Sugar Hunter: The Best Love Songs of Chara
-Japan Sales Rankings:- Various charts :-References:...
.
Chara's Universal singles have fared better on digital charts. "Trophy", a single from Chara's second Universal album Honey
Honey (Chara album)
-DVD Track listing:-Singles:-Japan Sales Rankings:...
, did well digitally, despite the physical release only reaching #37.
Personal life
In 1994, Chara married actor Tadanobu AsanoTadanobu Asano
, born is a Japanese actor. He is known for his roles as Dragon Eye Morrison in Electric Dragon 80.000 V, Kakihara in Ichi the Killer, Mamoru Arita in Bright Future, Hattori Genosuke in Zatoichi, Kenji in Last Life in the Universe, Aman in Survive Style 5+, Ayano in The Taste of Tea, and Temudjin...
. She met Asano on the set of the 1994 film Picnic
Picnic (1994 film)
Picnic is a 1996 Japanese film directed by Shunji Iwai. The film was shot in 1994, but not released until 1996.Coco, Tsumuji and Satoru, three mental asylum patients want to see the world, being not allowed behind the border of the asylum. Therefore they start to explore the world by walking on the...
, in which they were both starring actors. Chara gave birth to a daughter, , on July 4, 1995. Chara had a second child with Asano, giving birth to a son on December 19, 1999, and naming him .
The pair attended the 2008 80th Academy Awards
80th Academy Awards
The 80th Academy Awards ceremony honored the best films in 2007 and was broadcast from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California on ABC beginning at 5:30 p.m. PST/8:30 p.m. EST, February 24, 2008 . During the ceremony, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented Academy Awards in 24...
in Los Angeles, due to the film Mongol
Mongol (film)
Mongol is a 2007 semi-historical film directed by Sergei Bodrov. The storyline was conceived from a screenplay written by Bodrov and Arif Aliev. Producers for the film comprised Bodrov, Sergei Selyanov and Anton Melnik. The film is based on the early life of Temüjin, who later came to be known as...
(starring Asano) being nominated for the best foreign film category after the film was submitted as the Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe...
entry.
On July 25, 2009, Chara announced her amicable divorce from husband Asano Tadanobu, after fourteen years of marriage.
Chara has two tattoos: a blue bird on her back, and a on her neck.
Chara's children feature in her music. Sumire features on the cover of her album Honey (which also has a track named after her). Both of her children appear in the music video for .
Studio albums
- 1991: SweetSweet (Chara album)-Japan Sales Rankings:...
- 1992: Soul KissSoul Kiss (Chara album)-Japan Sales Rankings:...
- 1993: Violet BlueViolet Blue (album)-Singles:-Japan Sales Rankings:...
- 1994: Happy ToyHappy Toy-Singles:-Japan Sales Rankings:...
- 1996: MontageMontage (Yen Town Band album)-Singles:-Japan Sales Rankings:-Chart procession and succession:...
(Yen Town Band) - 1997: Junior SweetJunior Sweet-Singles:-Japan Sales Rankings:-Chart procession and succession:...
- 1999: Strange FruitsStrange Fruits-Singles:-Japan Sales Rankings:...
- 2001: MadrigalMadrigal (album)-Singles:-Japan Sales Rankings:-Various charts:...
- 2003: Yoake MaeYoake Mae-Singles:-Japan Sales Rankings:...
- 2005: Something Blue
- 2007: UnionUnion (Chara album)-DVD Track listing:-Singles:-Japan Sales Rankings:- Various charts :...
- 2008: HoneyHoney (Chara album)-DVD Track listing:-Singles:-Japan Sales Rankings:...
- 2009: Carol
- 2011: Dark Candy
Compilation albums
- 1995: Chara the Best Baby Baby Baby XXXChara the Best Baby Baby Baby XXX- Singles :- Japan Sales Rankings :...
- 2000: Caramel Milk: The Best of CharaCaramel Milk: The Best of Chara-Singles:-Japan Sales Rankings:...
- 2007: Sugar Hunter: The Best Love Songs of CharaSugar Hunter: The Best Love Songs of Chara-Japan Sales Rankings:- Various charts :-References:...
- 2011: Very Special
Other albums
- 2000: Live 97-99 Mood (2CD live album)
- 2004: A Scenery Like MeA Scenery Like Me-Japan Sales Rankings:...
(self-cover album) - 2008: Kiss (EP)
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 1996 in film Major releases this year included Scream, Independence Day, Fargo, Trainspotting, The English Patient, Twister, Mars Attacks!, Jerry Maguire and a version of Evita starring Madonna.-Events:... |
Picnic Picnic (1994 film) Picnic is a 1996 Japanese film directed by Shunji Iwai. The film was shot in 1994, but not released until 1996.Coco, Tsumuji and Satoru, three mental asylum patients want to see the world, being not allowed behind the border of the asylum. Therefore they start to explore the world by walking on the... |
Filmed in 1994 Won - Yokohama Film Festival Best New Talent |
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| 1996 1996 in film Major releases this year included Scream, Independence Day, Fargo, Trainspotting, The English Patient, Twister, Mars Attacks!, Jerry Maguire and a version of Evita starring Madonna.-Events:... |
Swallowtail Butterfly Swallowtail Butterfly (film) Swallowtail , also known as Swallowtail Butterfly or Yentown, is a 1996 movie by Japanese film director Shunji Iwai, starring Hiroshi Mikami, pop-singer Chara, and Ayumi Ito.... |
Won - Yokohama Film Festival Best New Talent Nominated — Japan Academy Prize for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role Japan Academy Prize for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role The of the Japan Academy Prize is one of the annual Awards given by the Nippon Academy-sho association .-List of winners:-External links:* - **... |
TV music shows
| Year | Title | Role | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Video Jam | Co-presenter | 1991-? |
| 2008 | Co-presenter | 2008–present |