Ladybaby is a Japanese kawaii metal[1] musical group, which originally consisted of aspiring photographic models Rie Kaneko (the only original member still in the group) and Rei Kuromiya,[2][3] as well as Ladybeard, the bearded crossdressing persona of Australian male professional wrestler Richard Magarey.[4] On August 1, 2016, the group rebranded itself after Ladybeard's withdrawal from the group, going by "The Idol Formerly Known as Ladybaby",[5] until they returned to the original Ladybaby moniker in 2018.
Ladybaby | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | The Idol Formerly Known As LADYBABY (2016–2017) |
| Origin | Japan |
| Genres | |
| Years active |
|
| Labels |
|
| Members | Ei Tsukimachi Sena Kurusaki Mia Kanrei Rem Serizawa |
| Past members | Ladybeard Rei Kuromiya Rie Kaneko Nana Ikeda Emily Arima Fuka Karasawa Sakura Tsubaki |
| Website | ladybaby-fc |
History
Wrestler Richard Magarey, originally from Adelaide, Australia, moved to Hong Kong in 2006 to kickstart his martial arts stunt career in films, later becoming a hit in Hong Kong as a cross-dressing pro wrestler. In October 2013, he moved to Tokyo, Japan, to attempt a similar career there. Ladybeard later formed the band with singers Rie Kaneko and Rei Kuromiya, and released their first track and music video titled "Nippon Manju" (lit. 'Japanese Bun'), which is a song that covers all the things they love about Japan. Released in July 2015, the music video went viral on YouTube, at one point gathering 1 million views in 2 days.[6]
Their second single, released in Japan on 13 January 2016, debuted at number 15 in the daily Oricon charts.[7]
On August 1, 2016, the group re-branded itself after Ladybeard left, by changing the group's name to "The Idol Formerly Known as Ladybaby". The remaining members had a live concert on September 16, 2016, under the new branding.[5] In 2017 they signed to JPU Records to release new single "Pelo" in Europe. They released another single, "Pinky! Pinky!", later that year. On 17 November 2017, Rei Kuromiya left the group, citing disillusionment with idol culture and throat problems caused by the extensive touring schedule. This led to the end of the band's time as "The Idol Formerly Known as Ladybaby.[8]
In January 2018, the group announced a memorial compilation album entitled Beside U, to be released in Japan on 7 March 2018. The international release on CD from JPU Records included an exclusive booklet design with English lyric translations and Romaji lyric transliterations.[9] In February that year, they began teasing a new lineup, with Rie Kaneko being joined by new members Nana Ikeda, Emily Arima and Fuka Karasawa, subsequently announcing a tour through Spring 2018 in a return to the original Ladybaby moniker. They released a music video for their comeback single "Hoshi no Nai Sora" on 10 May 2018, with the single being officially released on 30 May. Ladybeard announced a return to the group to appear on one of the B-sides for the single.[10]
On October 29, 2019, it was announced that Ladybaby would suspend all activities on January 13, 2020, after their final show, with a compilation titled Reburn released the same day.[11]
On January 2, 2023, an announcement appeared on the group's Twitter account, teasing about a new project called "Ladybaby ✕ Heroines" which would be launched on January 8.[12] LADYBABY PROJECT will form a new group in collaboration with the Japanese idol collective "Heroines" that belongs to the talent agency Imaginate. In line with this, auditions for new members will be held.[13]
On November 28, 2023, all new members were announced and the debut of the 4th gen Ladybaby was set to be on December 1, 2023, at the HEROINES FES.
Members
- Ei Tsukimachi
- Sena Kurusaki
- Mia Kanrei
- Rem Serizawa
- The CHAOS
External videos 
"Haten ni Raimei", YouTube video
"The CHAOS" serves as Ladybaby's backing band in live shows, and in the music video to "Haten ni Raimei".
- Hayato Mitsuhashi (三橋隼人) – guitar
- Wu-chy – bass guitar
- HAJIMETAL – keyboards
- YOUTH-K!!! – drums
Former members
- Rei Kuromiya (黒宮れい), born on 29 November 2000, withdrew November 17, 2017
Since developing into a 4-piece, the members have come to have specific roles within the band.
- Rie Kaneko (金子理江) – clean vocals (2015–2020), choreography, direction (2018–2020)
- Nana Ikeda (池田菜々) – clean vocals, rapping, costume design (2018–2020)
- Emily Arima (有馬えみり) – clean vocals, unclean vocals, lyrics (2018–2020)
- Fuka Karasawa (唐沢風花) – clean vocals (2018–2020)
LADYBABY ✕ HEROINES
- Sakura Tsubaki (椿さくら) – clean vocals, unclean vocals; went on hiatus February 18, 2024, withdrew March 2, 2024
Discography
Singles
| No. | Title | Release date | Charts |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP [14] | |||
| 1 | "Nippon Manju" (ニッポン饅頭, "Japan Manju")[A][15] | 29 July 2015 | 109 |
| 2 | "Age-Age Money ~Ochingin Dai Sakusen~ " (アゲアゲマネー ～おちんぎん大作戦～, "Age Age Money – Ochin – sen Daisakusen ~")[B][16] | 13 January 2016 | 31 |
| 3 | "Renge Chance!" (蓮華チャンス！, "Spoon chance!")[C][17] | 13 April 2016 | 32 |
| 4 | "Sanpai! Gosyuin Girl" (参拝!御朱印girl☆, "Worship! Gosyuin Girl☆")[D][18] (The Idol Formerly Known As LADYBABY) | 30 November 2016 | 39 |
| 5 | "Pelo"[E][19] (The Idol Formerly Known As LADYBABY) | 12 April 2017 | 22 |
| 6 | "Pinky! Pinky!"[F] (The Idol Formerly Known As LADYBABY) | 27 September 2017 | 12 |
| "Shibuya Crossing" (渋谷 CROSSING) | 10 October 2017 | — | |
| 7 | "Hoshi no Nai Sora" (ホシノナイソラ)[G] | 30 May 2018 | 27 |
| "Damedame Tono" (ダメダメ殿) | 10 October 2018 | — | |
| "Riot Anthem"[H] | 8 March 2019 | — | |
| 8 | "Haten ni Raimei" (破天ニ雷鳴)[I] | 28 May 2019 | 13 |
Promotional singles
| Year | Title | Release date |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | "Shōnen Yūsha-dan" (少年勇者団, "Boys brave party")[20] | 23 June 2016 |
Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales | Certifications | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP [21] | US World | ||||
| Reburn |
Track listing
| — | — | ||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. | |||||
Live albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales | Certifications | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP [21] | US World | ||||
| The Last Live at Liquid Room, Tokyo - January 13, 2020 |
Track listing
| — | — | ||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. | |||||
Compilation albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales | Certifications | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP [21] | US World | ||||
| ONE YEAR BEST ～2015–2016～ |
Track listing
| — | — | ||
| Beside U |
Track listing
| 49 | — | ||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. | |||||
Video albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP DVD [21] | JP Blu-ray [21] | ||||
| First Japan Oneman Live ～ Sekai no Rule wo Kaechao ～ (ファースト JAPAN ワンマンライブ ～世界のルールを変えちゃおう～, First JAPAN One Man Live ~ Let's change the rules of the world ~) |
Track listing
| — | — | ||
| Tōmei meshi TOUR2019 FINAL in SHIBUYA CLUB QUATTRO (透明飯TOUR2019 FINAL in SHIBUYA CLUB QUATTRO, Transparent rice TOUR2019 FINAL in SHIBUYA CLUB QUATTRO) |
Track listing
| — | — | ||
| The LASTLIVE "Reburn" at LIQUIDROOM 2020.1.13 |
Track listing
| — | — | ||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. | |||||
Music videos
| Title | Director(s) | Originating album | Year | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Nippon manju" | Ryo Shimoda | One Year Best ～2015–2016～ | 2015 | [22] |
| "Age-Age Money" | — | [23] | ||
| "LADYBABY "OVERTURE OVERSEA" ～MEMORIES of 2015 ～" | [24] | |||
| "Renge Chance!" | BOZO&YGQ | 2016 | [25] | |
| "C'est si bon Kibun" | Azuma Kanae | [26] | ||
| "Sanpai！Gosyuin girl" (Short Ver.) | Takuya Tada | Beside U | [27] | |
| "Easter Bunny" | IGGY COEN | 2017 | [28] | |
| "Pelo" | Atsushi Tani | [29] | ||
| "LADY BABY BLUE" | Rie Kaneko | [30] | ||
| "Pinky! Pinky!" | Pink janakute mo | [31] | ||
| "Starless_Sky" | Mami Yamabe | Reburn | 2018 | [32] |
| "Biri Biri Money" (feat. Ladybeard) | Ryuichi Takashiba | Hoshi no Nai Sora | [33] | |
| "bite me" | Rie Kaneko | Reburn | [34] | |
| "damedame tono" | Sari Kodaka | [35] | ||
| "LADYBABY "God's Not" ～Memories of 2018 ～" | Naoto Wakamatsu | [36] | ||
| "Riot Anthem" | Rie Kaneko | 2019 | [37] | |
| "Haten ni Raimei" | Sari Kodaka | [38] | ||
| "endless end Hello" | Sari Kodaka | [39] | ||
| "Misogi island" | Sari Kodaka | 2020 | [40] | |
| "Gotcha NIPPON!" | Shishikaba | TBA | 2023 | [41] |
Notes
Media appearances
TV
| Year | Title | Role | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016–2020 | Nadarezaka Rock | co-MCs | BS Japan[42] | Japanese variety show |
Radio
| Year | Title | Role | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | LADYBABY MUSIC O'CLOCK | MCs | Backstage Café (BSC Radio)[43] | Japanese variety radio show |
References
Bibliography
- Rie Kaneko, Rei Kuromiya, LADYBABY PROJECT (December 1, 2017), Zmagazine (in Japanese) (Large book ed.), Tokyo: CLEARSTONE BOOKS, ISBN 978-4-907-30157-6
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - LADYBABY (March 8, 2019), LBmagazine (in Japanese) (Mook ed.), Tokyo: CLEARSTONE BOOKS, ISBN 978-4-907-30185-9
- LADYBABY, Īda Erika (March 8, 2019), 『Riot Anthem』Lyric Book (in Japanese) (Paperback (soft cover) ed.), Tokyo, Japan: CLEARSTONE BOOKS, ISBN 978-4-909837-07-3
External links
- Official website
- Official page at JPU Records (in English)