Z-1 (band)
Encyclopedia
Z-1 was a Japanese
idol
quartet signed under Toshiba EMI from 1999 to 2002. The name Z-1 signifies the last (Z) super stars of the 20th century and the first (1) of the 21st.
., born on October 25, 1985, in Tokyo., born on May 26, 1983, in Kanagawa Prefecture
., born on October 20, 1984, in Saitama Prefecture
to form Z-1.
In 1999, the four landed a regular spot on the Fuji TV variety program "Kaishingeki TV Utaemon". They made one of their first appearances at a PR event for the Japanese dub of Pixar
's "A Bug's Life
". They debuted in July of the same year with the single "Vibe!", released in four versions, each carrying a different remix of the title track.
In 2000, the song "Bakka Mitai!!" ((It's) So Stupid) was banned from airing on NHK
due to its mildly vulgar title.
In 2002, after five singles the group disbanded. Ueto went on to pursue a solo career, as well as becoming one of Japan's most prolific young actresses. Nejiki debuted as a solo artist in 2004 while Fujiya enjoyed a short-lived modeling career. Nishikawa is currently a member of the indies rock band "Tarock".
In 2003, Ueto's success as a solo artist prompted Toshiba EMI to release compilation album of all the Z-1 material.
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
idol
Japanese idol
In Japanese culture, are media personalities in their teens and early twenties who are considered particularly attractive or cute and who will, for a period ranging from several months to a few years, regularly appear in the mass media, e.g...
quartet signed under Toshiba EMI from 1999 to 2002. The name Z-1 signifies the last (Z) super stars of the 20th century and the first (1) of the 21st.
Members
, born on September 14, 1985 in TokyoTokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
., born on October 25, 1985, in Tokyo., born on May 26, 1983, in Kanagawa Prefecture
Kanagawa Prefecture
is a prefecture located in the southern Kantō region of Japan. The capital is Yokohama. Kanagawa is part of the Greater Tokyo Area.-History:The prefecture has some archaeological sites going back to the Jōmon period...
., born on October 20, 1984, in Saitama Prefecture
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...
Biography
In July 1998, Ueto (special prize winner), Nejiki (musical prize winner), Nishikawa and Fujiya were selected out of the participants of the talent agency Oscar Promotion's 7th All-Japan National Young Beauty contestJapan Bishojo Contest
The is a beauty contest and audition contest name that has been held every year since 1987 in Oscar Promotion, and is the sister pageant of the Japan Beautiful Girl Contest. When a bishōjo wins the Japanese Girl pageant, the first runner-up becomes Japan Bishojo Contest...
to form Z-1.
In 1999, the four landed a regular spot on the Fuji TV variety program "Kaishingeki TV Utaemon". They made one of their first appearances at a PR event for the Japanese dub of Pixar
Pixar
Pixar Animation Studios, pronounced , is an American computer animation film studio based in Emeryville, California. The studio has earned 26 Academy Awards, seven Golden Globes, and three Grammy Awards, among many other awards and acknowledgments. Its films have made over $6.3 billion worldwide...
's "A Bug's Life
A Bug's Life
A Bug's Life is a 1998 American computer animated adventure comedy film produced by Pixar and released by Walt Disney Pictures in the United States on November 25, 1998. A Bug's Life was the second Disney·Pixar feature film after Toy Story, and the third American computer-animated film after Toy...
". They debuted in July of the same year with the single "Vibe!", released in four versions, each carrying a different remix of the title track.
In 2000, the song "Bakka Mitai!!" ((It's) So Stupid) was banned from airing on NHK
NHK
NHK is Japan's national public broadcasting organization. NHK, which has always identified itself to its audiences by the English pronunciation of its initials, is a publicly owned corporation funded by viewers' payments of a television license fee....
due to its mildly vulgar title.
In 2002, after five singles the group disbanded. Ueto went on to pursue a solo career, as well as becoming one of Japan's most prolific young actresses. Nejiki debuted as a solo artist in 2004 while Fujiya enjoyed a short-lived modeling career. Nishikawa is currently a member of the indies rock band "Tarock".
In 2003, Ueto's success as a solo artist prompted Toshiba EMI to release compilation album of all the Z-1 material.
Singles
| Release | Title | Weekly Oricon singles chart peak positions and sales | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Sales | |||
| 1999/07/16 | 1st Single "Vibe!" |
uncharted | uncharted | All About Z-1 |
| 1999/12/08 | 2nd Single "You Your You" |
95 | 2,250 | |
| 2000/05/10 | 3rd Single "Bakka Mitai!!" |
90 | 2,310 | |
| 2000/08/09 | 4th Single "Kimete Yaru Summer Love" |
92 | 2,240 | |
| 2000/11/19 | 5th Single "Be My Love" |
90 | 2,130 | |
Albums
| Release | Title | Weekly Oricon singles chart peak positions and sales | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Sales | ||||
| 2003/03/29 | 1st Album "All About Z-1" |
uncharted | uncharted | ||
TV
- Kaishingeki TV Utaemon (Fuji TV, 1999)
- The Yoru mo Hit Parade (NTVNippon Televisionis a television network based in the Shiodome area of Minato, Tokyo, Japan and is controlled by the Yomiuri Shimbun publishing company. Broadcasting terrestrially across Japan, the network is commonly known as , contracted to , and abbreviated as "NTV" or "AX".-Offices:*The Headquarters : 6-1,...
, 1999)
External links
- Yappa Z-1 Desho! (fansite)