Anza Oyama
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese musician
and actress. She is best known as vocalist of the metal group Head Phones President
and for playing Sailor Moon in 13 thirteen separate musical productions. She was born to a Japanese
father and a White South African mother.
Anza is the first actress who played Usagi Tsukino/Sailor Moon and the first actress who played Princess Serenity.
Anza's younger sister Chiho played Makoto Kino
/Sailor Jupiter in the 1998 musical Shin Densestu Kourin (Beginning of the New Legend), after Anza graduated. Chiho was the sixth actress to play the role.
idol
group Sakurakko Club
, and released a number of singles with them. She and Ayako Morino, also of Sakurakko Club fame, were in a spin-off duo called Momo. They released two singles in 1993 and 1994.
With Anza joining the Sailor Moon musicals in 1993, she appeared regularly on the CD releases for the musicals, both in solo and group songs. From her five year period as Sailor Moon, she can be heard on the "La Soldier" single (released prior to the very first musical), the first five Memorial Album of the Musical releases, as well as three of the eight compilation album
s which have been released since Sera Myu's conception.
In 1994, Moon Lips, a group of Sera Myu actresses including Anza, provided vocals for the Sailor Moon theme song "Moonlight Densetsu" which was used for that show's third and fourth seasons (Sailor Moon S and Sailor Moon Super S, respectively).
Shortly following her graduation from the Sailor Moon musicals in 1998, she released a solo single entitled "Dream" under the Sony Music Entertainment Japan
record label. "Dream" was also featured as the ending theme song for the TV show Famitsu Wave. In April 1999, she released "Tobira wo Akete" (under Victor Entertainment
), a single which was used as a theme song for the anime Cardcaptor Sakura
. In September 1999, Anza provided vocals for "Ai wo Shizumeteru", the ending theme song to the PlayStation
game Psychic Force 2. Another of her songs, "Mienai Chizu", was used as an insert song in episode 68 of Cardcaptor Sakura
.
In 1999, Anza went in a completely different direction with her music. She formed Head Phones President
with brothers Hiro and Mar, who previously helped her on her solo work. Their sound can be described as nu metal
, with occasional harsh, screamed vocals interspersed with soft melodic singing. Anza is often introduced as being on "vocals and visuals".
In 2003, Toho recorded four of its Les Misérables musicals live, and they released four double-disc albums (available only by special order directly from Toho). Anza appears on the light blue album with Kazutaka Ishii as Jean Valjean
.
In 2006, Anza was signed onto the Universal Music Japan
and released her debut single with them: "Kanata e". It was used as the second ending theme song for the anime Glass no Kantai.
In late 2008, she joined the rock band Vitamin-Q along with Masami Tsuchiya
, Kazuhiko Kato
, Gota Yashiki
and Rei Ohara . However, after Kato's suicide on October 17, 2009, the fate of the group is uncertain.
Currently, Anza mixes Head Phones President and her solo career.
. She is one of the longest-running cast members to ever perform in the Sailor Moon musicals, and is the longest-running Sailor Moon to date. She held the role for five years performing in thirteen separate productions between 1993 and 1998.
Nearing the end of her stretch as Sailor Moon, she also performed in a musical called 2050-nen no Aoi Shima between 1997 and 1998. Chiruchiru was the name of her character. In 2000, she broke off from the musical scene in a Japanese stage production of Mr. Holland's Opus
. Similarly, in 2002, she was in a Japanese stage production of When Harry Met Sally.
In 2003, Anza returned to doing musicals by taking on the role of Eponine
in several Toho
productions of Les Misérables
through till 2005. In 2004, Anza appeared as Ellen in one production of Miss Saigon
(also produced by Toho) as well as a Japanese adaptation of Anton Chekhov
's Three Sisters
in the role of Irina.
She also appeared in Vamps
' 2009 music video for their cover of Shampoo
's "Trouble".
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
and actress. She is best known as vocalist of the metal group Head Phones President
Head Phones President
Head Phones President is a Japanese metal band formed in 1999. Their sound is a mix between experimental metal, alternative metal, nu metal and hard rock...
and for playing Sailor Moon in 13 thirteen separate musical productions. She was born to a Japanese
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...
father and a White South African mother.
Anza is the first actress who played Usagi Tsukino/Sailor Moon and the first actress who played Princess Serenity.
Anza's younger sister Chiho played Makoto Kino
Sailor Jupiter
is one of the central characters in the Sailor Moon metaseries. Her real name is , a strong schoolgirl who can transform into one of the series' specialized heroines, the Sailor Senshi....
/Sailor Jupiter in the 1998 musical Shin Densestu Kourin (Beginning of the New Legend), after Anza graduated. Chiho was the sixth actress to play the role.
Music career
Anza made her music debut in 1992 as a member of the popPop 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...
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...
group Sakurakko Club
Sakurakko Club
Sakurakko Club is short for "Sakurakko Club Sakura-gumi" and was a Japanese pop idol group in the early '90s...
, and released a number of singles with them. She and Ayako Morino, also of Sakurakko Club fame, were in a spin-off duo called Momo. They released two singles in 1993 and 1994.
With Anza joining the Sailor Moon musicals in 1993, she appeared regularly on the CD releases for the musicals, both in solo and group songs. From her five year period as Sailor Moon, she can be heard on the "La Soldier" single (released prior to the very first musical), the first five Memorial Album of the Musical releases, as well as three of the eight compilation album
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
s which have been released since Sera Myu's conception.
In 1994, Moon Lips, a group of Sera Myu actresses including Anza, provided vocals for the Sailor Moon theme song "Moonlight Densetsu" which was used for that show's third and fourth seasons (Sailor Moon S and Sailor Moon Super S, respectively).
Shortly following her graduation from the Sailor Moon musicals in 1998, she released a solo single entitled "Dream" under the Sony Music Entertainment Japan
Sony Music Entertainment Japan
is Sony's music arm in Japan. SMEJ is directly owned by Sony Corporation and independent from the United States-based Sony Music Entertainment due to its strength in the Japanese music industry....
record label. "Dream" was also featured as the ending theme song for the TV show Famitsu Wave. In April 1999, she released "Tobira wo Akete" (under Victor Entertainment
Victor Entertainment
is a subsidiary of Japan Victor Company that produces and distributes music, movies and other entertainment products such as anime and television shows in Japan. It was formerly known as...
), a single which was used as a theme song for the anime Cardcaptor Sakura
Cardcaptor Sakura
, abbreviated as CCS and also known as Cardcaptors, is a Japanese shōjo manga series written and illustrated by the manga artist group Clamp. The manga was originally serialized monthly in Nakayoshi from the May 1996 until the June 2000 issue, and later published in 12 tankōbon volumes by Kodansha...
. In September 1999, Anza provided vocals for "Ai wo Shizumeteru", the ending theme song to the PlayStation
PlayStation
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...
game Psychic Force 2. Another of her songs, "Mienai Chizu", was used as an insert song in episode 68 of Cardcaptor Sakura
Cardcaptor Sakura
, abbreviated as CCS and also known as Cardcaptors, is a Japanese shōjo manga series written and illustrated by the manga artist group Clamp. The manga was originally serialized monthly in Nakayoshi from the May 1996 until the June 2000 issue, and later published in 12 tankōbon volumes by Kodansha...
.
In 1999, Anza went in a completely different direction with her music. She formed Head Phones President
Head Phones President
Head Phones President is a Japanese metal band formed in 1999. Their sound is a mix between experimental metal, alternative metal, nu metal and hard rock...
with brothers Hiro and Mar, who previously helped her on her solo work. Their sound can be described as nu metal
Nu metal
Nu metal is a subgenre of heavy metal. It is a fusion genre which combines elements of heavy metal with other genres, including grunge and hip hop...
, with occasional harsh, screamed vocals interspersed with soft melodic singing. Anza is often introduced as being on "vocals and visuals".
In 2003, Toho recorded four of its Les Misérables musicals live, and they released four double-disc albums (available only by special order directly from Toho). Anza appears on the light blue album with Kazutaka Ishii as Jean Valjean
Jean Valjean
Jean Valjean is the protagonist of Victor Hugo's 1862 novel Les Misérables...
.
In 2006, Anza was signed onto the Universal Music Japan
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
and released her debut single with them: "Kanata e". It was used as the second ending theme song for the anime Glass no Kantai.
In late 2008, she joined the rock band Vitamin-Q along with Masami Tsuchiya
Masami Tsuchiya
Masami Tsuchiya is a Japanese singer-songwriter and musician. He came to prominence in the late 1970s as the lead vocalist and guitarist in the group Ippu-Do. His subsequent output includes solo work and collaborations...
, Kazuhiko Kato
Kazuhiko Kato (musician)
, nicknamed , was a Japanese record producer, songwriter, and singer. He sometimes used the spelling of "Kazuhiko Katoh".As a member of the Folk Crusaders, Kato launched his recording career in the mid 1960s...
, Gota Yashiki
Gota Yashiki
Gota Yashiki is both an independent acid jazz artist and drum player, as a member of the band Simply Red. He was born in Kyoto, Japan, on 26 February 1962, where at a young age he learned how to play traditional Japanese drums. This interest in drumming propelled him into the music scene, and he...
and Rei Ohara . However, after Kato's suicide on October 17, 2009, the fate of the group is uncertain.
Currently, Anza mixes Head Phones President and her solo career.
Stage career
Anza has performed in a number of stage productions, the majority of which being musicals. Her first major production was as the leading role of Sailor Moon in the Sailor Moon musicals, commonly known as Sera MyuSailor Moon musicals
The , commonly referred to as , are a series of live theatre productions based on Naoko Takeuchi's metaseries Sailor Moon. The series consists of 29 musicals which have had more than 800 performances since the show opened in Summer 1993...
. She is one of the longest-running cast members to ever perform in the Sailor Moon musicals, and is the longest-running Sailor Moon to date. She held the role for five years performing in thirteen separate productions between 1993 and 1998.
Nearing the end of her stretch as Sailor Moon, she also performed in a musical called 2050-nen no Aoi Shima between 1997 and 1998. Chiruchiru was the name of her character. In 2000, she broke off from the musical scene in a Japanese stage production of Mr. Holland's Opus
Mr. Holland's Opus
Mr. Holland's Opus is a 1995 American drama film directed by Stephen Herek, produced by Ted Field, Robert W. Cort, and Michael Nolin, and Executive Produced by Patrick Sheane Duncan. It stars Richard Dreyfuss in the title role, and the cast includes Glenne Headly, Olympia Dukakis, William H. Macy...
. Similarly, in 2002, she was in a Japanese stage production of When Harry Met Sally.
In 2003, Anza returned to doing musicals by taking on the role of Eponine
Éponine
Éponine Thénardier is a fictional character in the 1862 novelLes Misérables by Victor Hugo.- Éponine in the novel :As children, Éponine and her younger sister Azelma are described as pretty, well-dressed, charming and a delight to see. They are pampered and spoiled by their parents the Thénardiers...
in several Toho
Toho
is a Japanese film, theater production, and distribution company. It is headquartered in Yūrakuchō, Chiyoda, Tokyo, and is one of the core companies of the Hankyu Hanshin Toho Group...
productions of Les Misérables
Les Misérables (musical)
Les Misérables , colloquially known as Les Mis or Les Miz , is a musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg, based on the novel of the same name by Victor Hugo....
through till 2005. In 2004, Anza appeared as Ellen in one production of Miss Saigon
Miss Saigon
Miss Saigon is a musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil, with lyrics by Boublil and Richard Maltby, Jr.. It is based on Giacomo Puccini's opera Madame Butterfly, and similarly tells the tragic tale of a doomed romance involving an Asian woman abandoned by her American lover...
(also produced by Toho) as well as a Japanese adaptation of Anton Chekhov
Anton Chekhov
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov was a Russian physician, dramatist and author who is considered to be among the greatest writers of short stories in history. His career as a dramatist produced four classics and his best short stories are held in high esteem by writers and critics...
's Three Sisters
Three Sisters (play)
Three Sisters is a play by Russian author and playwright Anton Chekhov, perhaps partially inspired by the situation of the three Brontë sisters, but most probably by the three Zimmermann sisters in Perm...
in the role of Irina.
She also appeared in Vamps
Vamps
Vamps is a Japanese rock band formed in 2008 by Hyde and K.A.Z, and signed to Hyde's record label Vamprose.- History :...
' 2009 music video for their cover of Shampoo
Shampoo (band)
Shampoo were a British all-girl band in the 1990s, formed by Jacqui Blake and Caroline "Carrie" Askew. They were most famous for their hit song, "Trouble".-History:...
's "Trouble".
Singles
- "Kokoro no Lion/Anza Ohyama" (June 18, 1993)
- "DreamDream (Anza song)"Dream" is Anza's debut single, released on April 18, 1998. The song was used as the ending theme for the television program Famitsu Wave. It is the one and only Anza single released on Sony Records, since her second single was on JVC Records, and her third on Universal Records....
" (April 18, 1998) - "Tobira wo Akete" (扉をあけて, "Open the Door", April 21, 1999) – opening theme song to the Cardcaptor SakuraCardcaptor Sakura, abbreviated as CCS and also known as Cardcaptors, is a Japanese shōjo manga series written and illustrated by the manga artist group Clamp. The manga was originally serialized monthly in Nakayoshi from the May 1996 until the June 2000 issue, and later published in 12 tankōbon volumes by Kodansha...
anime - "Kanata e" (彼方へ, "To the Other Side", August 2, 2008) – second opening theme song to the Glass no Kantai anime