The Songbirds of Affection

KOTOKO (ことこ) is a female J-Pop singer who has released 5 albums (3 associated with Geneon and 2 associated with I've Sound), 6 maxi singles and 1 DVD (DVD is scheduled for a US Domestic release), as well as singing, composing and writing lyrics for numerous other song collections. She frequently works with producers I've Sound, and has contributed songs to numerous anime and games including Onegai Teacher, Mahou Shoujo Tai Arusu, Onegai Twins, Ren'ai CHU!, Maria-sama ga Miteru, Hayate the Combat Butler, Colorful Kiss, Kannazuki no Miko, Starship Operators and Shakugan no SHANA.

KOTOKO was born in Sapporo (northern Japan), on January 19. From elementary school, she believed her career would be influenced by her voice and tried to involve herself in as many auditions as possible.

She turned professional in 2000. Her first successful audition was with the I've Sound a team of producers using the talents of various female vocalists for their productions - best recognized for their many dating sim and eroge game soundtracks. Since then, KOTOKO has performed opening & ending themes for a few anime and has gained significant recognition from her two I've Sound related album releases. Her second album, "Glass No Kaze," released in June 2005 has been praised within multiple online communities. On October 13 2005, she released her 4th MAXI SINGLE, which featured a song from the Glass No Kaze (Garasu no Kaze) album, 「421 -a will-」, with a new song called 「Shuusou/Akisou 秋爽 (The Refreshing Autumn Breeze)」. She recently released her 5th MAXI SINGLE on March 23, 2006, which features the 2nd OP to the anime Shakugan no Shana ,「being」.

Although not listed on her official Geneon website, KOTOKO has actually released 5 albums. The first one, Sora wo Tobetara, was released in 2000. Many of the tracks on this album were later re-recorded for her 1st I've Sound album, 羽-hane (and attributed as her 1st album). The second and third albums are listed as I've Girls Compilations albums, which are listed as Lament (Fourth Album) and Collective (Sixth Album).

KOTOKO's first official performance in North America was her highly successful U.S. concert debut at Anime Expo 2005, followed soon after by the KOTOKO LAX Tour. A little-known fact is that KOTOKO's music has been influenced by musicians like Björk. Everyday life, however, speaks volumes in what inspires her writing. Now that her self-composed hybrid of pop & techno beats - sometimes pop - have crossed the Pacific, KOTOKO's lyrics have elevated her presence among thousands of North American J-Pop/anime fans.

According to KOTOKO's panel at Anime Expo 2005, KOTOKO originally performed Chi ni Kaeru at her first live tour in 2004. Interestingly enough, the Geneon production staff were also looking for a theme song for their current production of Starship Operators (SSO) and were informed of KOTOKO's live tour. The Geneon staff attended KOTOKO's concert and immediately requested that KOTOKO allow them to use Chi ni Kaeru as the Ending Theme to SSO.

The version of Chi ni Kaeru used in SSO is an orchestral remix of the original concert version, hence the name "Chi ni Kaeru ~On the Earth~". As people may or may not know, KOTOKO is an excellent lyricist and most of her drafts are accepted on the first try. Her lyrics for Radiance was one such example. Why KOTOKO did not perform Radiance is more of a production/consumer preference issue. Kazuya Takase probably felt that Kawada Mami (MAMI) was better suited to the task and this isn't the first time something similar to this happened. The "I've Girls Compilation Album Vol 4 - Lament" demonstrates this issue with the production of LAMENT. Originally, KOTOKO was tasked with writing the lyrics and MAMI was tasked with singing it but Kazuya requested that KOTOKO give the song a demonstration run. KOTOKO performed the prototype LAMENT and that recording was what Kazuya decided to use in the 4th Album.

Another little known fact is that EIKO (Shimamiya Eiko) was the one who roped KOTOKO into I'veSound.

Song List

I've Solo Work

421 -a will- (硝子の靡風)
absurd (まいにち好きして)
Abyss (ラストオーダー)
agony (2ND MAXI SINGLE「Re-sublimity」 -「Kannazuki no Miko」TV Ending)
allegretto ～そらときみ～ (この青空に約束を－)
amethyst (兄嫁)
amethyst -Remix- (妻みっくす)
Asura (羽 -hane-)
being (5th MAXI SINGLE 「being」-「Shakugan no Shana」 2nd TV Opening)
Boundary Line (Silent Half)
CAVE (DEEP2)
Change my Style ～あなた好みの私に～ (コスって!My Honey)
Close to me… (effect ～悪魔の仔～)
Collective (I've Sound 6th album)
Cream+Mint (ショコラ～maid cafe "curio"～)
Crossed Destiny -Original Arrange- (OnlyYou リ・クルス extra disc)
Crossed Destiny -FISH中坪 Arrange- (OnlyYou リ・クルス extra disc)
cross up (OL姉妹)
Do You Feel Loved? (オレ様ティーチャー～復讐教師のWebカウンセリング～)
Face of Fact (BALDR FORCE -バルドフォース-)
Face of Fact -Remix- (BALDR FORCE -バルドフォース-)
Face of Fact -Resolution Version- (BALDR FORCE EXE Resolution)
Fatally (DUEL SAVIOR)
Feel in tears (Heart of Hearts)
Fusion Star (あねいも～アイとHのステップアップ～)
flow ～水の生まれた場所～ (水素～1/2の奇蹟～)
HALLUCINO (夢幻の迷宮3 TYPE S)
Heart of Hearts (Heart of Hearts)
I can't get over your best smile (おねがい☆ティーチャーイメージソングサウンドトラック)
I deal Forest (無差別恋愛)
Imaginary affair (こなたよりかなたまで)
I pray to stop my cry (凌辱看護婦学院)
I-DOLL ～song for eternity～ (I-DOLL ～アイドル～)
Jumping Note (うたう♪タンブリング・ダイス)
Just as time is running out (ぎりギリLOVE)
Lament (LAMENT)
Leaf ticket (パルフェ～ショコラ　second brew～)
loose (Scarlett)
LOVE A RIDDLE (おねがい☆ティーチャーイメージソングサウンドトラック)
Lupe (陵辱制服女学園～恥蜜に濡れた制服～)
Magical Sweetie (お姫様だっこ～天使にオシオキ～)
Mirabilis (B ～蒼き背徳～)
Mighty Heart ～ある日のケンカ、いつもの恋心～ (つよきす)
Now and heaven -KOTOKO ver.- (淫らな罪～悦楽の終日～)
oblivion (私立レイプ女学院)
Princess Brave! （Princess Brave 雀卓の騎士)
Princess Bride! (Princess Bride)
Re-sublimity (2ND MAXI SINGLE「Re-sublimity」-「Kannazuki no Miko」 TV Opening)
repeat -Remix- (G-Mix)
Resolution of Soul (D+VINE [LUV])
rime (犠母姉妹)
sensitive (犠妹～背徳の契り～)
sensitive -Remix- (犠妹～背徳の契り～)
Shooting Star (おねがい☆ティーチャー)
Short Circuit (SHORT CIRCUIT)
Sledgehammer Romance (Princess Bride)
snow angel (おねがい☆ティーチャー)
Suppuration (1st Album - Hane)
Suppuration -core- (2ND MAXI SINGLE「Re-sublimity」 -「Kannazuki no Miko」)
Time heals all sorrows (Care ～癒すべき不治の狂気～)
Time rolls on... (Deep Fantasy)
Trust You're Truth ～明日を守る約束～ (とらいあんぐるハート's Sound Stage X)
Undying Love (ALMA ～ずっとそばに…～)
Undying Love -Remix- (ALMA SOUND TRACK ～ずっと聴いて♪～)
unsymmetry (ぎりギリLOVE)
We Survive (V.G.NEO)
went away (夏色の砂時計)
wind of memory ～記憶の風～ (巫女舞～ただ一つの願い～)
Wing my Way (ファーランドシンフォニー)
Wing my Way -Album Mix- (disintegration)
YA・KU・SO・KU (水素～1/2の奇蹟～)
秋爽 (4th MAXI SINGLE 421 -a will-)
明日の向こう (Dear Feeling)
あちちな夏の物語り (Ripple ～ブルーシールへようこそっ～)
あの日の君へ (Stokesia)
同じ空の下で (家族計画)
お*ま*ま*ご*と (お保母ごと)
想い出は風の中で… (犠妹～背徳の契り～)
想い出は風の中で… -Remix- (犠妹～背徳の契り～)
遮光 (Coda -棘-)
遮光 -Album Mix- (LAMENT)
原罪のレクイエム (PRISM ARK)
きゅるるんKissでジャンボ♪♪ (カラフルハート～12コのきゅるるん♪～)
君よ、優しい風になれ (とらいあんぐるハート3 リリカルおもちゃ箱)
さくらんぼキッス～爆発だも～ん～ (カラフルキッス～12コの胸キュン!～)
ずっとそばに… (ALMA ～ずっとそばに…～)
↑青春ロケット↑(すぺーす☆とらぶる)
雪華の神話 (5th MAXI SINGLE 「being」)
涙の誓い (とらいあんぐるハート3 ～Sweet Songs Forever～)
涙の誓い -Album Mix- (disintegration)
涙の誓い -the divine pledge of tears- (Mixed up)
ねぇ、…しようよ！ (姉、ちゃんとしようよっ!2)
はじめまして、恋。 (淫妹BABY)
らずべりー (らずべりー)

I've Special Unit

prime (Dear Feeling)
SAVE YOUR HEART (注射器2)
SAVE YOUR HEART -Album Mix- (LAMENT)
Second Flight (おねがい☆ツインズ)
See You ～小さな永遠～ (とらいあんぐるハート3 ～Sweet Songs Forever～)
See You ～小さな永遠～ P.V ver. (I've P.V Collection Vol.3)
You're my treasure (SPOT LIGHT ～欲望と羨望の狭間～)
乙女心＋√ネコミミ＝∞ (王立ネコミミ学園～あなたのための発情期♪～)
君と夢を信じて (I-DOLL ～アイドル～)
空より近い夢 Second Track (Dear Feeling)
夏草の線路 (Railway ～ここにある夢～)
夏草の線路 -Album Mix- (LAMENT)
恋愛CHU！ (恋愛CHU! -彼女のヒミツはオトコのコ?-)
恋愛CHU！パラパラリミックス 1 (もっとLOVEちゅ!)
恋愛CHU！パラパラリミックス 2 (もっとLOVEちゅ!)
恋愛CHU！ -Remix- (SHORT CIRCUIT)

Additional Work

Bright wings (とらいあんぐるハート's Sound Stage 5)
inside of a wilderness (とらいあんぐるハート～Sweet Song Forever～)
inside of a wilderness (Midnight Calling ver) (Starry Crystal Fiasse Crystela COMPILATION ALBUM)
My Gentle Days (とらいあんぐるハート's Sound Stage X)
My Gentle Days (Rhythmic ver) (Starry Crystal Fiasse Crystela COMPILATION ALBUM)
Sweet Songs ever with you (とらいあんぐるハート～Sweet Song Forever～)
ちいさなぼくのうた～Wings version～ (とらいあんぐるハート's Sound Stage 2)
夢を求めて… (コンサドーレ札幌)
ワタシはウタがヘタ (誕生日～通い妻（自称）日記～)
ワタシはウタがヘタだけど (誕生日～通い妻（自称）日記～)

The follower 4 works are labeled under Outer

Synthetic Organism (発情カルテ～緋色の凌辱肉玩具～)
L.A.M -laze and meditation- (懲らしめ～狂育的指導～)
leave me hell alone (DEVOTE2 ～いけない放課後～)
Dirty Boots (diRTY GiFT)

DVD Featuring KOTOKO

From I've

『prime prototype』 (29th Dec. 2000, in C59) in : prime（Promotion Video）/ prime, (Making of)
『I've P.V Collection vol.1』 (29th Dec. 2001, in C61) in : L.A.M -laze and meditation-（Promotion Video）/ repeat （Promotion Video, and also with MELL on stage)
『I've P.V Collection vol.2』 (29th Dec. 2002, in C63) in : 疾風雲 hayategumo (Promotion Video) / 疾風雲 hayategumo, (Making of)
『I've P.V Collection vol.3』 (5th Sep. 2003, with I've Special Unit) in : See You ～小さな永遠～ (chiisana eien) -P.V Mix- (Promotion Video) / See You ～小さな永遠～ (chiisana eien) -P.V Mix-, (Making of)/ AIBU WOOZU (アイブウォーズ)

From Geneon Entertainment

『KOTOKO LIVE TOUR 2004 WINTER ～冬の雫が連れて来た君が聖者だ (fuyu no shizuku ga tsure kita kimi ga seija da) ★Happy White X'mas★～』 (1st Apr. 2005, Geneon Entertainment & I've DVD)

With Disc 1 containing : Suppuration -core-, Re-sublimity, Asura, Lament, 羽(hane), Trust You're Truth ～明日を守る約束～ (ashita wo mamoru yakusoku), snow angel, Imaginary affair, 地に還る (chi ni kaeru), 覚えてていいよ (oboetete iiyo), Face of Fact, I pray to stop my cry, Shooting Star, Just as time is running out, and 冬の雫 (fuyu no shizuku)

And Disc 2 containing : きゅるるんkissでジャンボ♪♪ (kyururun kiss de janbo), らずべりー (rasuberii), Short Circuit, メイキング映像 (meikingu eizou, lit. Making of), and インタビュー映像 (intabyuu eizou, lit. Interview Images)

The『KOTOKO LIVE TOUR 2004 WINTER ～冬の雫が連れて来た君が聖者だ』DVD is scheduled for a US domestic release on July 4th 2006.

DISCOGRAPHY

ALBUMS

「空を飛べたら… / Sora wo Tobetara...」

1st Album; Released 2000

ミルク / Milk
疾風雲 / Hayategumo
PhuLa PhuLa
カナリヤ / KANARIYA
鼓動 / Kodou
もしも… / Moshimo...
ゆうえんち / Yuuenchi
サヨナラ・ジレンマ / Sayonara Dilemma
アスピリン / Aspirin
羽 / Hane
春色 / Haruiro

「羽 / Hane」

1st Album Re-arranged; Released April 21st, 2004

Introduction
Asura
冬の雫 / Fuyu no Shizuku
疾風雲 / Hayategumo
Gratitude ～大きな栗の木の下で～ / Gratitude ~Ooki na Kuri no Ki no Shita de~
幻影 / Gen'ei
痛いよ / Itai yo
ひとりごと / Hitorigoto
声が届くなら / Koe ga Todoku Nara
Lament
足あと / Ashiato
羽 / Hane
カナリヤ - Sorma No.3 Re-mix / Kanariya - Sorma No.3 Re-mix

「Hane Live Tour 2004 Limited Edition Album」

Suppuration
β－粘土の惑星 / β－Nendo no Hoshi
地に還る / Chi ni Kaeru
冬の雫 / Fuyu no Shizuku White Summer Style

「硝子の靡風 / Glass no Kaze」

2nd Album; Released June 8th, 2005

Retrieve
Wing My Way
覚えてていいよ / Oboetete Ii yo
ため息クローバー / Tameiki Clover
Meconopsis
ささくれ / Sasakure
琥珀 / Kohaku
Re-sublimity
硝子の靡風 / Glass no Kaze
421 -a will-
Free Angels
β－粘土の惑星 / β－Nendo no Hoshi
赤い玉、青い玉 / Akai Tama, Aoi Tama

「UZU-MAKI」

3rd Album; Released December 13th, 2006

-Introduction-
UZU-MAKI
サイダー / Cider
春 / Haru
車窓の調べ / Shasou no Shirabe
月夜の舞踏会 / Tsukiyo no Butoukai
海豚 / Iruka
秋爽 / Shuusou/Akisou
縁どりの世界 / Fuchidori no Sekai
楓の道、ギターの奏でる丘で / Kaede no Michi, Guitar no Kanaderu Oka de
being
Goodbye Dear
雪華の神話-in X'mas mix- / Sekka no Shinwa -in X'mas Mix-

I've Girls Compilations

「Lament」

Fourth Album; Released September 5th, 2003

Prey -REMIX- - SHIHO
SNOW -Album mix- - 島宮えい子 (Eiko Shimamiya)
Face of Fact - KOTOKO
SAVE YOUR HEART -Album mix- - KOTOKO & 詩月カオリ (Kaori Utatsuki)
遮光 -Album Mix- / Kageri -Album Mix- - KOTOKO
僕らが見守る未来 / Bokura ga Mimamoru Mirai - 詩月カオリ (Kaori Utatsuki) bg: KOTOKO
GREEDY - MOMO bg: 島宮えい子 (Eiko Shimamiya)
Feel in tears - KOTOKO
夏草の線路 -Album mix- / Natsukusa no Senro -Album mix- - KOTOKO & 詩月カオリ (Kaori Utatsuki)
雨に歌う譚詩曲 / Ame ni Utau Tanshikyoku - Healing Leaf
I pray to stop my cry -little sea style- - 川田まみ (Mami Kawada)
悲しみの花 / Kanashimi no Hana - MELL
Lament - KOTOKO

「Collective」

Sixth Album; Released September 30th, 2005

Automaton - 島宮えい子 (Eiko Shimamiya)
Abyss - KOTOKO
IMMORAL - 川田まみ (Mami Kawada)
Do You Know The Magic? - 詩月カオリ (Kaori Utatsuki)
philosophy - MOMO
We Survive - KOTOKO
Permit - MELL
Lupe - KOTOKO
Kiss the Future - SHIHO
Egen - MELL
Imaginary affair - KOTOKO
Eclipse - 川田まみ (Mami Kawada)
Trust You're Truth ～明日を守る約束～ / Trust You're Truth ~Ashita wo Mamoru Yakusoku~ - KOTOKO
Collective - KOTOKO

MAXI SINGLES

「覚えてていいよ/DuDiDuWa*lalala」

1st Maxi Single; Released August 11th, 2004

覚えてていいよ / Oboetete Ii yo
DuDiDuWa*lalala
覚えてていいよ / Oboetete Iiyo (Karaoke ver.)
DuDiDuWa*lalala (Karaoke ver.)

「Re-sublimity」

2nd Maxi Single; Released November 17th, 2004

Re-sublimity
Agony
Suppuration -core-
Re-sublimity (Karaoke ver.)
Agony (Karaoke ver.)

「radiance/地に還る～on the Earth～」

3rd Maxi Single; Released February 23rd, 2005; Starship Operators Theme Song Maxi Single

Radiance - 川田まみ (Mami Kawada)
地に還る～on the Earth～ / Chi ni Kaeru ~on the Earth~ - KOTOKO
Radiance (Karaoke ver.)
地に還る～on the Earth～ / Chi ni Kaeru ~on the Earth~ (Karaoke ver.)
Radiance (Instrumental ver.)

「421 -a will-」

4th Maxi Single; Released October 13th, 2005

421 -a will
秋爽 / Shuusou/Akisou
421 -a will- (Karaoke ver.)
秋爽 / Shuusou/Akizou (Karaoke ver.)

「being」

5th Maxi Single; Released March 26th, 2006

being
雪華の神話 / Sekka no Shinwa
being (instrumental ver.)
雪華の神話 / Sekka no Shinwa (instrumental ver.)

「Chercher～シャルシェ～」

6th Maxi Single; Released October 25th, 2006

Chercher～シャルシェ～
月夜の舞踏会 / Tsukiyo no butoukai
Chercher～シャルシェ～ (instrumental ver.)
月夜の舞踏会 / Tsukiyo no Butoukai (instrumental ver.)

「きれいな旋律 / Kirei na Senritsu」

7th Maxi Single; Released March 7th, 2007

きれいな旋律 / Kirei na senritsu
rush
きれいな旋律 / Kirei na senritsu (instrumental ver.)
rush (instrumental ver.)

「ハヤテのごとく！ / Hayate no Gotoku!」

8th Maxi Single; Released May 23rd, 2007

ハヤテのごとく / Hayate no Gotoku
泣きたかったんだ / Naki Takattanda
ハヤテのごとく / Hayate no Gotoku (instrumental ver.)
泣きたかったんだ / Naki Takattanda (instrumental ver.)

OTHER SINGLES

「Shooting Star」

Shooting Star - KOTOKO
Sora no Mori de - 川田まみ (Mami Kawada)
Shooting Star (Off Vocal Ver.)
Sora no Mori de (Off Vocal Ver.)

「Second Flight」

Second Flight - KOTOKO & 佐藤裕美 (Hiromi Sato)
明日への涙 / Asu e no Namida - 川田まみ (Mami Kawada)
Second Flight (Off Vocal Ver.)
明日への涙 / Asu e no Namida (Off Vocal Ver.)

「Hitorigoto」

ひとりごと / Hitorigoto
疾風雲 / Hayategumo
ひとりごと / Hitorigoto (Karaoke ver.)
疾風雲 / Hayategumo (Karaoke ver.)
ひとりごと / Hitorigoto (Instrumental ver.)
疾風雲 / Hayategumo (Instrumental ver.)

「Face of Fact RESOLUTION ver./undelete」

Released March 1st, 2006; OVA BALDR FORCE EXE RESOLUTION Theme Song Maxi Single

Face of Fact RESOLUTION version - KOTOKO
undelete - 川田まみ (Mami Kawada)
Face of Fact RESOLUTION version (instrumental)
undelete (instrumental)

The Songbirds of Affection

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Atashi no Subete ~Die For You~

Sunday, July 1, 2007

YouTube Treasure: Kajiura Yuki at Anime Expo 2003 (6 Parts)

Kajiura Yuki at Anime Expo 2003 Part 1

Kajiura Yuki at Anime Expo 2003 Part 2

Kajiura Yuki at Anime Expo 2003 Part 3

Kajiura Yuki at Anime Expo 2003 Part 4

Kajiura Yuki at Anime Expo 2003 Part 5

Kajiura Yuki at Anime Expo 2003 Part 6

Kotoko