Tokio (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = TOKIO


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Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = flagicon|Japan Japan
Genre = Hard rock
Power pop
Years_active = 1994–present
Label = Sony Records (1994–2001)
Universal Music Japan (2001–present)
Associated_acts =
URL =
Current_members = Tomoya Nagase
Masahiro Matsuoka
Taichi Kokubun
Tatsuya Yamaguchi
Shigeru Joshima
Past_members =

TOKIO is a popular Japanese pop/rock boy band formed by Johnny & Associates in 1994. It is made up of five men who were signed with Sony Records, but now switched to Universal Music Japan. "TOKIO" is the old English romanization for Japan's capital, Tokyo, and remains the current transliteration in several European languages.

History

They started as a band in 1994 with their debut single, "Love You Only." Since then, they have produced 14 albums and 41 singles including "Get Your Dream!" which was Japan's theme song for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. "Ambitious Japan," released in 2003, was the theme song for the JR Nozomi bullet train. Masahiro Matsuoka has directed Tokio’s music promotion videos since their December 2002 single "Ding-Dong."

TOKIO also performed the song "19 O'Clock News," used as the first opening theme for the anime series "Kodomo no Omocha". But due to licensing issues, the song does not appear in the North American release of the series. A theme from later in the series was substituted, the Japanese soundtrack on the DVD release was silenced whenever the song played (it was replaced with other music on the English soundtrack), and even a reference to the band in the show's first episode was removed.

TOKIO's single, "Sorafune", has sold over 400,000 copies and was still charted in the Top 50 four and a half months after its release.

In addition to their activities as a band, Tokio also act in dramas and host variety programmes, both as a group and individually. In TOKIO were the hosts of Johnny's Countdown 2005-2006

Lineup

* – vocals
* Masahiro Matsuoka (松岡 昌宏 "Matsuoka Masahiro") – drums
* Taichi Kokubun (国分 太一 "Kokubun Taichi") – keyboards
* Tatsuya Yamaguchi (山口 達也 "Yamaguchi Tatsuya") – bass
* Shigeru Joshima (城島 茂 "Jōshima Shigeru") – guitar

Discography

Albums

* Tokio (21 November 1994)
* Tokio Remix
* Bad Boys Bound (3 July 1995)
* Blowing (25 March 1996)
* Best E.P Selection of Tokio (26 August 1996)
* Wild & Mild (26 March 1997)
* Graffiti (1 April 1998)
* Yesterday & Today (2 February 2000)
* Best EP Selection OF Tokio II (9 May 2001)
* 5 Ahead (5 December 2001)
* glider (19 February 2003)
* Tok10 (1 September 2004)
* Act II (2 February 2005)
* Harvest (18 October 2006)
* sugar (20 February 2008)

ingles

* Soriddo Sutēto Sukautā/Solid State Scouter (1 October 1990)
* Love You Only (21 September 1994)
* Ashita no Kimi o Mamoritai ~ Yamato2520 (明日の君を守りたい～Yamato2520) (12 December 1994)
* Uwasa no Kissu (うわさのキッス) (12 April 1995)
* Heart o Migakukkyanai (ハートを磨くっきゃない) (21 June 1995)
* SoKo Nashi Love (SokoナシLove) (21 August 1995)
* Sukisa ~Ticket To Love~ (好きさ～Ticket　To　Love～) (21 October 1995)
* Kaze Ni Natte (風になって) (02 December 1995)
* Magic Channel (26 February 1996)
* Arigatou... Yuuki (ありがとう…勇気) (22 July 1996)
* Everybody Can Do! (25 November 1996)
* Furarete Genki (フラれて元気) (11 February 1997) – Psychometrer Eiji Theme Song
* Julia (28 May 1997) – Seiji No Mikata Theme Song
* Ko No Yubi Tomare! (この指とまれ!) (04 March 1998)
* Denko Sekka (5 August 1998)
* Love & Peace (20 May 1999) – Love And Peace Theme Song
* Kimi o Omoutoki (君を想うとき) (17 February 1999)
* Nandomo Yume no Naka de Kurikaesu Love Song (何度も夢の中でくり返すラブ・ソング) (30 June 1999)
* Wasureenu Kimi He (忘れえぬ君へ) (25 August 1999)
* Ai no Arashi (愛の嵐) (10 November 1999) – Psychometrer Eiji 2 Theme Song
* Minna de Wahhahha! (みんなでワーッハッハ！) (31 May 2000)
* Koi ni Kizuita Yoru (恋に気づいた夜) (13 September 2000)
* Doitsu Mo Koitsu Mo (どいつもこいつも) (7 March 2001)
* Message (メッセージ) (30 May 2001) – Tengoku Ni Ichiban Chikai Otoko Theme Song
* Kanpai!! (カンパイ！！) (8 August 2001)
* DR (31 October 2001) – Handoku Theme Song
* Hana Uta (花唄) (6 March 2002)
* Green (10 July 2002)
* Ding-Dong (4 December 2002) – Yan Papa Theme Song
* Ambitious Japan! (1 October 2003)
* Love Love Manhattan (ラブラブ　マンハッタン) (3 December 2003) – Manhattan Love Story Theme Song
* Transister G (Glamor) Girl (トランジスタG(グラマー）ガール) (3 March 2004) - Kanojo Ga Shinjatta Theme Song
* Jibun no Tameni (自分のために) (17 November 2004) - Nurseman Ga Yuku Theme Song
* Boku no Renai Jijyou to Daidokoro Jijyou (僕の恋愛事情と台所事情) (16 November 2005) - Mentore G Theme Song
* Ashita o Mezashite! (明日を目指して!) (7 December 2005)
* Mr. Traveling Man (8 February 2006) - YAOH Theme Song - 134,000 copies sold
* Get Your Dream! (21 June 2006) - 66,000 copies sold
* Sorafune (宙船(そらふね)) (23 August 2006) - My Boss My Hero Theme Song - 404,037 copies sold
* Hikari no Machi / Run Free (Swan Dance o Kimi to) (ひかりのまち／ラン・フリー(スワン・ダンスを君と)) (28 March 2007) - Skull Man theme song
* Honjitsu, Mijukumono / Over Drive (本日、未熟者 / Over Drive) (15 August 2007)
* SEI SYuN (青春) (28 November 2007) Theme song for Utahime drama.
* Amagasa / Akirerukurai bokura ha negaou (雨傘/あきれるくらい僕らは願おう) (3 September 2008) - Yasuko to Kenji Theme Song/Mentore G Theme Song

Videography

DVD

* TOKIO 1999 Live In Nihon Budokan (TOKIO 1999 Live In 日本武道館) (29 March 2000)
* TOKIO Video Clips 2000 (29 March 2000)
* 5 Round (22 May 2002)
* TOKIO Live Tour 2002 5 Ahead In Nihon Budokan (TOKIO Live Tour 2002 5 Ahead In 日本武道館) (7 August 2002)
* 5 Round II (19 May 2004)
* TOKIO 10th Anniversary Live 2004 (12 January 2005)
* Boku no Renai Jijo to Daidokoro Jijo (僕の恋愛事情と台所事情) (16 November 2005)
* TOKIO Special GIGs 2006 ~Get Your Dream~ (22 November 2006)
* 5 Round III (31 January 2007)

VHS

* TOKIO First Live Video: Bad Boys Bound 95 (23 November 1995)
* TOKIO Live 1997 + Special Bonus Track 1998 (1 April 1998)
* TOKIO 1999 Live In Nihon Budokan (TOKIO 1999 Live In 日本武道館) (6 October 1999)
* TOKIO Video Clips 2000 (29 March 2000)
* 5 Round (22 May 2002)
* TOKIO Live Tour 2002 5 Ahead In Nihon Budokan (TOKIO Live Tour 2002 5 Ahead In 日本武道館) (7 August 2002)
* 5 Round II (19 May 2004)
* TOKIO 10th Anniversary Live 2004 (17 January 2005)

Performances

Variety

* Mentore G (メントレG) - TOKIO
* The Tetsuwan Dash (鉄腕Dash) - TOKIO
* Ai No Apron (愛のエプロン) - Shigeru Joshima
*oneeMANS（おネエMANS）－tatsuya yamaguchi
* R30 - Taichi Kokubun
* The Shonen Club Premium (ザ少年倶楽部プレミアム) - Taichi Kokubun
* Kaitai-Shin Show (解体新ショー) - Taichi Kokubun
* Aura no Izumi (オーラの泉) - Taichi Kokubun

Drama

;Tomoya Nagase
* Utahime (歌姫)
* My Boss My Hero (マイ★ボス マイ★ヒーロー)
* Tiger & Dragon (タイガー＆ドラゴン)
* Otouto (弟)
* Kanojo Ga Shinjatta (彼女が死んじゃった)
* Mukodono 2003 (ムコ殿 ２００３)
* Yan Papa (やんパパ)
* Handoku (ハンドク)
* Big Money! (ビッグマネー！～浮世の沙汰は株しだい～)
* Mukodono (ムコ殿)
* Ikebukuro West Gate Park (池袋ウエストゲートパーク)
* Suna No Ue No Koibitotachi (砂の上の恋人たち)
* Ring (リング)
* Love & Eros (ラブとエロス)
* Days
* D & D (Dangerous Angel X Death Hunter)
* Fuzoroi No Ringo Tachi 4 (ふぞろいの林檎たち IV)
* Dear Woman (Dearウーマン)
* Hakusen Nagashi (白線流し)
* Koibito Yo (恋人よ)
* Kakeochi No Susume (カケオチのススメ)
* Saikou No Kataomoi (最高の片想い)
* Ari Yo Saraba (アリよさらば);Masahiro Matsuoka
* Yasuko to Kenji (ヤスコとケンジ)
* Yaoh (夜王～Yaoh～)
* Nurseman Ga Yuku (ナースマンがゆく)
* Manhattan Love Story (マンハッタン ラブストーリー)
* Nurseman (ナースマン)
* Tengoku Ni Ichiban Chikai Otoko 2 (天国に一番近い男 - 教師編)
* Shokatsu
* Psychometrer Eiji 2
* Tengoku Ni Ichiban Chikai Otoko (天国に一番近い男)
* Love And Peace (ラブアンドピース)
* Nurse No Oshigoto 2
* Psychometrer Eiji
* Yuzurenai Yoru (ゆずれない夜)
* Nurse No Oshigoto
* Watashi, Mikata Desu
* Ari Yo Saraba (アリよさらば)
* Musashi

;Taichi Kokubun
* Dandori (ダンドリ)
* Hiroshima Showa 20 Nen 8 Gatsu Muika (広島・昭和２０年８月６日)
* Tokio~Chichi E No Dengon~ (トキオ ~父への伝言～)
* Otousan (おとうさん)
* Omae No Yukichi Ga Naiteiru (お前の諭吉が泣いている)
* Bus Stop (バスストップ)
* Shin Oretachi No Tabi
* Yonigeya Honpo (夜逃げ屋本舗)
* Oshigoto Desu!
* Kenshui Nanako
* Kin No Tamago (金のたまご)
* Seiji No Mikata
* Garasu No Kakeratachi
* Chef (ザシェフ)
* Yagamikun No Katei No Jijou
* Otousan Wa Shinpaisho
* Dousoukai (同窓会)

;Tatsuya Yamaguchi
* Juken no Kamisama (受験の神様）
* Ue Wo Muite Arukou~Sakamoto Kyu Monogatari (上を向いて歩こう~坂本九物語)
* Hikari To Tomo Ni (光とともに)
* Friends
* Kizu Darake No Onna (傷だらけの女)
* Bancha Mo Debana (番茶も出花)
* D & D (Dangerous Angel X Death Hunter)
* Speeches
* Chonan No Yome 2 ~ Jikka Tengoku (長男の嫁２~実家天国)
* Natsu! Depart Monogatari (夏！デパート物語)
* Uchi Ni Oideyo (部屋においでよ)
* Yoru Ni Dakarete (夜に抱かれて)
* Chonan No Yome ~ The Daughter-In-Law (長男の嫁)
* Dousoukai (同窓会)

;Shigeru Joshima
* Shin Oretachi No Tabi
* Tenshi No Oshigoto (天使のお仕事)
* Makasete Darling (まかせてダーリン)
* D & D (Dangerous Angel X Death Hunter)

Radio

* TOKIO the Ride - Taichi Kokubun
* TOKIO Walker - Tatsuya Yamaguchi
* Kokubun Taichi Radio Box - Taichi Kokubun
* Gotya・maze! - Shigeru Joshima
* TOKIO Night Club tko.tom - Tomoya Nagase
* TOKIO Night Club mabo - Masahiro Matsuoka

Movies

* Hercules (1997) - Masahiro Matsuoka (dub version)
* Seoul (2002) - Tomoya Nagase
* (2004) - Masahiro Matsuoka
* Fantastipo (2005) - Taichi Kokubun
* Mayonaka no Yaji-san Kita-san (2005) - Tomoya Nagase
* Shaberedomo Shaberedomo (2007) - Taichi Kokubun

References

External links

* [http://www.johnnys-net.jp/j/artists/tokio/index.html Johnny's Entertainment official website]
* [http://www.universal-music.co.jp/Tokio/index.html Universal Music Japan official website]
* [http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/Arch/SR/Tokio Sony Music Japan official site]
* [http://www.ntv.co.jp/dash/ Dash web] (Tetsuwan Dash home page)
* [http://www.fujitv.co.jp/b_hp/mentore Mentore G home page]
* [http://www.ntv.co.jp/boss/ My Boss, My Hero official website]
* [http://wwwz.fujitv.co.jp/dancedrill/index2.html Dance Drill official website]