Mihimaru GT
Encyclopedia
Mihimaru GT is an urban
and pop
group signed to Universal Music Japan and managed by Tearbridge Productions, a subsidiary of Stardust Promotion
and Avex.
To remind each other that the success of the group comes from the hard work and contributions of both members, the name Mihimaru GT was created for the band, taking the first two letters in each members' first name and adding "maru", or "perfection", to the end of it, as well as the initials for Miyake's favorite video game—Gran Turismo
.
Unlike many other groups, Mihimaru GT will often record songs featuring only one of their members, though because of each members' background, they are both involved with every song in some way. Hiroko is usually responsible for the main melody of the song, whereas Miyake is featured in the rap that may appear in a song. The band is known for its urban and pop-oriented songs, as well as slow ballad oriented songs. They are currently signed to one of the largest independent music labels in the world.
Prior to 2006, they have had an average career, with their singles ranking no higher than #16 on the Oricon
charts. In 2006, however, their single, "Kibun Jojo" became the commercial song for Dariya's "Palty" and music.jp's commercial theme, as well as the ending theme for the variety program "Sukibara". The triple tie-up gave them considerable media exposure, and more people began to take notice of them. On May 5, 2006, they performed on the popular music show Music Station
and was featured on the "Young Guns" corner. The appearance on the show boosted their popularity and made "Kibun Jojo" onto the #7 spot on the Oricon charts.
From then on, their sales peaked and eventually bottomed out, though "Itsumademo Hibiku Kono Melody/Magical Speaker" managed to reach as high as #3 on the Oricon charts.
The song "H.P.S.J." was featured as the third ending song for the anime Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo
; "Kibun Jojo" itself has been covered in rhythm action games such as Taiko: Drum Master
, Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2
and you can dance to the song in Happy Dance collection for Nintendo Wii.
On November 7, Mihimaru GT released a hip-hop re-arrangement/cover of Kylie Minogue
's "I Should Be So Lucky
" as a double A-side single (the other A-side being Ai Kotoba.) Since Oct 16, "I Should Be So Lucky" became the ending theme for the Japanese drama "Abarenbou Mama" (Wild Mama) which stars Aya Ueto
.
ギリギリHero is featured in the movie Shaoulin Shojou.
Switch was used for the 2009 World Table Tennis Championship in Japan.
The duo's most recent single, "Masterpiece" is currently being used as main theme for the TV Animation Yu Gi Oh! ZEXAL
In April 2011, the duo perform with Korean singer Park Jung Min
at an UN Charity Concert in Yokohama
, Japan to aid vitims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
.
}
Released: April 21, 2010
Format: CD5"
Oricon Top 200 Weekly Peak: #18
!align="left"|6,620
|-
!align="left"|25th
|align="left"|
!align="left"|5,428
|-
!align="left"|26th
|align="left"|
!align="left"|2,998
|}
Urban contemporary
Urban contemporary is a music radio format. The term was coined by the late New York DJ Frankie Crocker in the mid 1970s. Urban contemporary radio stations feature a playlist made up entirely of hip hop/rap, contemporary R&B, pop, electronica such as dubstep and drum and bass and Caribbean music...
and pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
group signed to Universal Music Japan and managed by Tearbridge Productions, a subsidiary of Stardust Promotion
Stardust Promotion
is one of the leading talent management firms in Japan. Its headquarters are located in Shibuya, Tokyo Stardust also operates its own record label, Stardust Music, and its own production company, Stardust Studio is one of the leading talent management firms in Japan. Its headquarters are located...
and Avex.
History
Mihimaru GT is a Japanese duet made up of composer, lyricist and vocalist, Miyake as well as vocalist and lyricist Hiroko. The group was formed due to the joint management of the two members during their solo careers. Before forming Mihimaru GT, each member had a relatively quiet career, with little to no major hits.To remind each other that the success of the group comes from the hard work and contributions of both members, the name Mihimaru GT was created for the band, taking the first two letters in each members' first name and adding "maru", or "perfection", to the end of it, as well as the initials for Miyake's favorite video game—Gran Turismo
Gran Turismo (series)
is a popular and critically acclaimed series of racing simulation video games developed by Polyphony Digital.Developed exclusively for PlayStation systems, Gran Turismo games are intended to simulate the appearance and performance of a large selection of vehicles, nearly all of which are licensed...
.
Unlike many other groups, Mihimaru GT will often record songs featuring only one of their members, though because of each members' background, they are both involved with every song in some way. Hiroko is usually responsible for the main melody of the song, whereas Miyake is featured in the rap that may appear in a song. The band is known for its urban and pop-oriented songs, as well as slow ballad oriented songs. They are currently signed to one of the largest independent music labels in the world.
Prior to 2006, they have had an average career, with their singles ranking no higher than #16 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...
charts. In 2006, however, their single, "Kibun Jojo" became the commercial song for Dariya's "Palty" and music.jp's commercial theme, as well as the ending theme for the variety program "Sukibara". The triple tie-up gave them considerable media exposure, and more people began to take notice of them. On May 5, 2006, they performed on the popular music show Music Station
Music Station
is a Japanese music television program. It began broadcasting on October 24, 1986 and continues to be broadcast weekly in High-definition from 8PM-9PM on tv asahi...
and was featured on the "Young Guns" corner. The appearance on the show boosted their popularity and made "Kibun Jojo" onto the #7 spot on the Oricon charts.
From then on, their sales peaked and eventually bottomed out, though "Itsumademo Hibiku Kono Melody/Magical Speaker" managed to reach as high as #3 on the Oricon charts.
The song "H.P.S.J." was featured as the third ending song for the anime Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo
Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo
is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yoshio Sawai, published by Shueisha, and serialized in the Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine...
; "Kibun Jojo" itself has been covered in rhythm action games such as Taiko: Drum Master
Taiko: Drum Master
"Taiko: Drum Master" , also known as "Taiko no Tatsujin" is a drumming game for the Sony PlayStation 2 based on the popular Japanese arcade game. A drum simulating the taiko is played in time with music. It is made by Namco. The home version can be played with a TaTaCon, a special controller which...
, Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2
Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2
is a rhythm video game developed by iNiS and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS handheld video game console. It is the third game to use its gameplay, and is the sequel to Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan while incorporating many of the improvements in gameplay made in Elite Beat Agents...
and you can dance to the song in Happy Dance collection for Nintendo Wii.
On November 7, Mihimaru GT released a hip-hop re-arrangement/cover of Kylie Minogue
Kylie Minogue
Kylie Ann Minogue, OBE - often known simply as Kylie - is an Australian singer, recording artist, songwriter, and actress. After beginning her career as a child actress on Australian television, she achieved recognition through her role in the television soap opera Neighbours, before commencing...
's "I Should Be So Lucky
I Should Be So Lucky
"I Should Be So Lucky" is a pop-dance song performed by Australian singer Kylie Minogue. The song was written and produced by Stock Aitken Waterman for Minogue's debut album Kylie .The song was released as the album's second single in December 1987...
" as a double A-side single (the other A-side being Ai Kotoba.) Since Oct 16, "I Should Be So Lucky" became the ending theme for the Japanese drama "Abarenbou Mama" (Wild Mama) which stars Aya Ueto
Aya Ueto
is a Japanese actress, singer, model, tarento, and occasional radio personality. Born in Nerima, Tokyo, Ueto was discovered when she participated in the 7th Japan Bishōjo Contest, where she won the special jury prize...
.
ギリギリHero is featured in the movie Shaoulin Shojou.
Switch was used for the 2009 World Table Tennis Championship in Japan.
The duo's most recent single, "Masterpiece" is currently being used as main theme for the TV Animation Yu Gi Oh! ZEXAL
In April 2011, the duo perform with Korean singer Park Jung Min
Park Jung Min
Park Jung Min was born on 3 April 1987. He is a South Korean entertainer and member of boyband SS501. He made his musical debut in Grease and was the first SS501 members to debut as a solo artist with mini album Not Alone....
at an UN Charity Concert in Yokohama
Yokohama
is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second largest city in Japan by population after Tokyo and most populous municipality of Japan. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshu...
, Japan to aid vitims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
The 2011 earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tohoku, also known as the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, or the Great East Japan Earthquake, was a magnitude 9.0 undersea megathrust earthquake off the coast of Japan that occurred at 14:46 JST on Friday, 11 March 2011, with the epicenter approximately east...
.
Singles
| # | Information | Copies sold |
|---|---|---|
| 1st / Debut Single |
|
1,972 |
| 2nd |
|
38,597 |
| 3rd |
|
9,486 |
| 4th | H.P.S.J.: Mihimaru Ball Mix/So Merry Christmas
|
4,707 |
| 5th |
|
6,686 |
| 6th | Love is…
|
8,504 |
| 7th |
|
34,420 |
| 8th |
|
6,187 |
| 9th | Kibun Jōjō (気分上々↑↑)
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... charts |
130,631 |
| 10th |
|
16,760 |
| 11th |
|
58,018 |
| 12th |
|
57,934 |
| 13th |
|
26,428 |
| 14th |
|
38,963 |
| 15th |
|
44,000+ |
| 16th | diverge
|
20,450 |
| 17th |
|
32,269 |
| 18th, collaboration with Soffett |
|
15,574 |
| 19th |
|
22,524 |
| 20th | Switch
|
19,374 |
| 21st |
|
11,771 |
| 22nd |
|
11,024 |
| 23rd | Love Letter
|
8,146 |
| 24th |
- Released in two versions: CD+DVD and CD-only
!align="left"|6,620
|-
!align="left"|25th
|align="left"|
- Released: June 8, 2011
- Format: CD5"
- Released in three versions: CD-only, Limited Edition A(CD+DVD), Limited Edition B
- Oricon Top 200 Weekly Peak: #20
!align="left"|5,428
|-
!align="left"|26th
|align="left"|
- Released: August 3, 2011
- Format: CD5"
- Released in three versions: CD+DVD and CD-only
- Oricon Top 200 Weekly Peak: #36
!align="left"|2,998
|}
Albums
| # | Information | Copies sold |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Mihimarhythm
|
46,054 |
| 2nd | Mihimalife
|
58,430 |
| 3rd | Mihimagic
|
279,892 |
| Compilation | Mihimania: Collection Album (Mihimania ～コレクション アルバム～)
|
49,249 |
| Best | The Best of Mihimaru GT
|
383,220 |
| 4th | Mihimarise
|
133,344 |
| 2nd Compilation | MihimaniaII: Collection Album (MihimaniaII ～コレクション アルバム～)
|
13,291 |
| 2nd Best | The Best of Asia
|
15,782 |
| 5th | Mihimalogy
|
28,090 |
| 3rd Best | Mihimaballads
|
26,931 |
| 6th | Mihimalight
|
12,480 |