Masaaki Endoh
Encyclopedia
is a Japan
ese singer/songwriter
who is prominent in the area of soundtracks for anime
and tokusatsu
productions. He is one of the founders of the anison supergroup JAM Project
and has been a regular member ever since its inception in 2000. The group recently celebrated their 10th Anniversary with a world tour known as MAXIMIZER -Decade of Evolution-. His nickname is the "Young Lion of Anison."
He is characterized by his powerful tenor voice, with consistent vocal technique that gives him a top-ranked mix register and beyond, as well has his humorous laugh and his ever-graceful white hair. He is not particularly religious, but he is a Christian, like many of his colleagues in JAM Project.
In 2008, he recorded his Enson
cover album. On this album, Masaaki Endoh recorded many covers of opening themes in the late 1990s and early 2000s, including Uninstall by Chiaki Ishikawa
from Bokurano
to Sousei no Aquarion
by Akino. After hearing about an American version of Gosei Sentai Dairanger
(season 2 of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
), he included its theme song "Go Go Power Rangers
" as one of the tracks. He later released Enson2 in July of the same year. Shortly before its release, Lantis organized a concert to promote ENSON.
In late 2010, he recorded his Christmas Acoustic Night ~Present of the Voice~ where he performed acoustic versions of many of his songs from his albums, in addition to a Metal Brothers song, and two covers.
gathered four artists to form JAM Project. These included Masaaki Endoh, Eizo Sakamoto
, Rica Matsumoto
, and Hironobu Kageyama
. The group released their debut studio album "First Process" in 2001. After the group's second live concert, Ichirou Mizuki announced he would no longer be a regular in the group. At this time, Hironobu Kageyama took position as the group's new leader. As a member who can sing very high notes, alongside Kitadani
and Fukuyama
, he is known to be active in handling tough notes that the other members cannot sing, and also to usually sing second in a track, after the leader.
Although being a very versatile vocalist and is considered a core member, Masaaki Endoh has rarely participated in writing songs for the group. He has shown a particular favor to a special outfit he wears to every performance, a jacket that is cut at the shoulders, revealing his arms. His hair in performances is also usually styled to the back of his head.
, for which he gained much popularity. After its success, he had halted singing opening themes to focus more on JAM Project and his personal life.
By 2006, he released his second album "M.e." and followed by a concert organized by his agency, Lantis. The album included "Carry On" and "CLOWN", which were also released on the soundtrack for the series Muv-Luv
. Masaaki Endoh released ENSON and ENSON2 in the summer of 2008, which proved to be a massive success.
In 2009, he returned to singing opening themes. He followed up with the release of his third studio album, "Circus Man." He introduced the concept of him being a circus
show performer, the cover showing his face with clown makeups. A concert was organized but never released as home media.
, the third series in the Yu-Gi-Oh!
franchise, starting with its fourth opening, "Believe in Nexus." The song was released along with an insert song, "Clear Mind." Later in December, he released another single for the show, being the fifth and final opening, "The Road to Tomorrow ~Going My Way!!~" on the same day JAM Project released their 10th Anniversary BOX. The single contained a second insert song, "Yakusoku no Melody" (A Melody of Promises). Both openings were recorded live on the Lantis stage, on the day they were released. The fifth opening went on to become a sensation in the anison industry, however, to date, he has never sung it live in any official concerts.
In early 2011, Masaaki Endoh sang the opening theme for Honki Sentai Gachiranger. He appeared in Hironobu Kageyama's 2011 Live Birthday concert with his bandmates excluding Yoshiki Fukuyama
, but with the addition of Aki Misato
. He performed concerts to promote his fourth album, "(e)-STYLE." To promote the album, he toured Japan for three nights from July 24 to August 6, 2011. In the summer of 2011, he also participated in Animelo, with JAM Project.
[1996.07.24] Killed by BREAK SPIDER
[1997.02.21] Yuusha Ou Tanjou! (勇者王誕生!)
[1997.08.21] A Piece of the Sun
[1998.11.21] Ano kawa wo koete (あの河を越えて)
[1999.03.03] Ready, B-Fight
[1999.06.21] Senshi yo, Tachiagare! (戦士よ、起ち上がれ！)
[2000.01.01] Yuusha Ou Tanjou! (Mythology Version)" (勇者王誕生！-神話（マイソロジー）バージョン-)
[2000.08.23] eX-Driver -Sniper- (Con Milk)
[2002.04.20] Bakutou Sengen! Daigunder ( 爆闘宣言！ダイガンダー)
[2003.03.01] Bakuryuu Sentai Abaranger (爆竜戦隊アバレンジャー)
[2009.07.01] Sea Jetter Kaito (シージェッター海斗)
[2009.09.25] Kankyou Choujin Ecogainder (環境超人エコガインダー)
[2010.05.12] BELIEVE IN NEXUS
[2010.09.22] Saigo no Eden (Con Aki Misato)
[2010.12.22] Asu he no Michi ~going my way! (明日への道～Going my way!)
[2011.01.11] Honki Sentai Gachi Ranger (本気戦隊ガチレンジャー)
[2011.05.11] Tamashii meramera Icchodo (魂メラめら一兆℃)
[2011.11.09] Fellows
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese singer/songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
who is prominent in the area of soundtracks for anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
and tokusatsu
Tokusatsu
is a Japanese term that applies to any live-action film or television drama that usually features superheroes and makes considerable use of special effects ....
productions. He is one of the founders of the anison supergroup JAM Project
JAM Project
JAM Project is an anime music genre "supergroup" based in Japan, originally founded on July 19, 2000 by famous 1970s theme song artist Ichirou Mizuki...
and has been a regular member ever since its inception in 2000. The group recently celebrated their 10th Anniversary with a world tour known as MAXIMIZER -Decade of Evolution-. His nickname is the "Young Lion of Anison."
He is characterized by his powerful tenor voice, with consistent vocal technique that gives him a top-ranked mix register and beyond, as well has his humorous laugh and his ever-graceful white hair. He is not particularly religious, but he is a Christian, like many of his colleagues in JAM Project.
In 2008, he recorded his Enson
Enson (album)
Enson is an album by Japanese J-pop and anison artist Masaaki Endoh of JAM Project. In this album, and its follow up Enson2 , Endoh covers theme songs from multiple anime, tokusatsu, and video games. During its 3 weeks on the Oricon Weekly Album Charts, the first album peaked at #43...
cover album. On this album, Masaaki Endoh recorded many covers of opening themes in the late 1990s and early 2000s, including Uninstall by Chiaki Ishikawa
Chiaki Ishikawa
is a Japanese singer/songwriter. She is also the lead vocalist of Japanese musical duo See-Saw. Many of her songs, both solo and with See-Saw, have been used as theme songs in various anime series. Since 2003, her popularity abroad as part of See-Saw and as a solo artist has risen significantly...
from Bokurano
Bokurano
is a Japanese science fiction manga by Mohiro Kitoh that was serialized in the monthly manga magazine Ikki from 2003 to 2009; 11 tankōbon have been published by Shogakukan...
to Sousei no Aquarion
Genesis of Aquarion (song)
is the first opening theme of the anime series of the same name. Composed by Yoko Kanno, the song was originally performed by AKINO. After its release and subsequent re-release for the Genesis of Aquarion pachinko game, it became very popular in Japan and was awarded the silver medal in the JASRAC...
by Akino. After hearing about an American version of Gosei Sentai Dairanger
Gosei Sentai Dairanger
is a Japanese tokusatsu television series. It was the seventeenth production in the long-running Super Sentai franchise of television tokusatsu dramas produced by Toei Company, following Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger. It was originally broadcast from February 19, 1993 to February 11, 1994...
(season 2 of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is an American live-action children's television series based on the 16th installment of the Japanese Super Sentai franchise, Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger. Both the show and its related merchandise saw unbridled overnight success, catapulting into pop culture in mere months...
), he included its theme song "Go Go Power Rangers
Go Go Power Rangers
"Go Go Power Rangers" is a single by Ron Wasserman who recorded as "The Mighty RAW". It was released by Saban Records on CD and cassette formats in the US on December 2, 1994, and in the UK December 14, 1994...
" as one of the tracks. He later released Enson2 in July of the same year. Shortly before its release, Lantis organized a concert to promote ENSON.
In late 2010, he recorded his Christmas Acoustic Night ~Present of the Voice~ where he performed acoustic versions of many of his songs from his albums, in addition to a Metal Brothers song, and two covers.
Early Years
Masaaki Endoh was known to be an anison artist ever since the mid-1990s. He sang few covers for anime until a few years later, he and Hironobu Kageyama joined together to form the Metal Brothers. This duo only lasted from 1997 to 1998, when the two disbanded due to unknown reasons. During this time, he released an album as a solo artist, and paired up with two musicians to form the musical act "Blind Pig". The group released two rock albums before they disbanded.JAM Project
In 2000, the "Aniki" (big brother) of Anison, Ichirou MizukiIchirou Mizuki
, better known by his stage name , is a Japanese vocalist, lyrist, composer, voice actor and actor best known for his work on theme songs for anime and tokusatsu. For over 40 years, he has recorded over 1200 songs for Japanese film, television, video and video games. He is referred to by fans and...
gathered four artists to form JAM Project. These included Masaaki Endoh, Eizo Sakamoto
Eizo Sakamoto
is a Japanese heavy metal musician who was born in Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture. He is most famous for being the lead vocalist of 1980s band Anthem. In the 1990s he started up the band Animetal which performed heavy metal covers of anime and tokusatsu opening and closing themes. He also was...
, Rica Matsumoto
Rica Matsumoto
is a Japanese voice actress and J-pop singer who was born in Yokohama, Japan. Her name is also sometimes romanized as Rika Matsumoto. She was one of the original members of the popular vocal group JAM Project. After the way of the stage, she embarked on voice acting and a singing career...
, and Hironobu Kageyama
Hironobu Kageyama
is a Japanese musical artist prominent in the soundtracks for anime, video game, and tokusatsu productions. He is sometimes called Kami by his fans. Kageyama got his big break at age 16, as lead singer of the pop group Lazy. By the early '80s, the band split and Kageyama went solo...
. The group released their debut studio album "First Process" in 2001. After the group's second live concert, Ichirou Mizuki announced he would no longer be a regular in the group. At this time, Hironobu Kageyama took position as the group's new leader. As a member who can sing very high notes, alongside Kitadani
Hiroshi Kitadani
is a Japanese vocalist who is prominent as an anison, or a musician who primarily performs theme songs and other songs in anime. He also works behind the scenes of many songs. He currently works with JAM Project, but has also been a part of Lapis Lazuli and Stagger and does solo work...
and Fukuyama
Yoshiki Fukuyama
, born September 14, 1963, is a Japanese guitarist, singer and songwriter. He originally became known on an international level for his work in the anime Macross 7 where he was the singing voice and guitar of the show's main character, Basara Nekki...
, he is known to be active in handling tough notes that the other members cannot sing, and also to usually sing second in a track, after the leader.
Although being a very versatile vocalist and is considered a core member, Masaaki Endoh has rarely participated in writing songs for the group. He has shown a particular favor to a special outfit he wears to every performance, a jacket that is cut at the shoulders, revealing his arms. His hair in performances is also usually styled to the back of his head.
2000s
Masaaki Endoh enjoyed moderate success from 2000 to 2003, when he released his first studio album, "CHAKURIKU!!". At around the same time, he sang the opening for Bakuryuu Sentai AbarangerBakuryuu Sentai Abaranger
is Toei's twenty-seventh production of the Super Sentai television series. Its action footage was used in Power Rangers Dino Thunder. In addition, episode 10 in nearly its entirety was used for episode 19 of Power Rangers Dino Thunder as an English-dubbed show that the Dino Thunder Power Rangers...
, for which he gained much popularity. After its success, he had halted singing opening themes to focus more on JAM Project and his personal life.
By 2006, he released his second album "M.e." and followed by a concert organized by his agency, Lantis. The album included "Carry On" and "CLOWN", which were also released on the soundtrack for the series Muv-Luv
Muv-Luv
is a Japanese visual novel developed by âge, which was originally released as an adult game for the PC in February 28, 2003. Subsequent versions with the adult content removed were sold for the PC and Xbox 360...
. Masaaki Endoh released ENSON and ENSON2 in the summer of 2008, which proved to be a massive success.
In 2009, he returned to singing opening themes. He followed up with the release of his third studio album, "Circus Man." He introduced the concept of him being a circus
Circus
A circus is commonly a travelling company of performers that may include clowns, acrobats, trained animals, trapeze acts, musicians, hoopers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, unicyclists and other stunt-oriented artists...
show performer, the cover showing his face with clown makeups. A concert was organized but never released as home media.
2010s
In May 2010, he participated in Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D'SYu-Gi-Oh! 5D's
is a Yu-Gi-Oh! series which aired in Japan between April 2, 2008 and March 30, 2011, following the previous series, Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, and was succeeded by Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal, on April 11, 2011...
, the third series in the Yu-Gi-Oh!
Yu-Gi-Oh!
is a Japanese manga created by Kazuki Takahashi. It has produced a franchise that includes multiple anime shows, a trading card game and numerous video games...
franchise, starting with its fourth opening, "Believe in Nexus." The song was released along with an insert song, "Clear Mind." Later in December, he released another single for the show, being the fifth and final opening, "The Road to Tomorrow ~Going My Way!!~" on the same day JAM Project released their 10th Anniversary BOX. The single contained a second insert song, "Yakusoku no Melody" (A Melody of Promises). Both openings were recorded live on the Lantis stage, on the day they were released. The fifth opening went on to become a sensation in the anison industry, however, to date, he has never sung it live in any official concerts.
In early 2011, Masaaki Endoh sang the opening theme for Honki Sentai Gachiranger. He appeared in Hironobu Kageyama's 2011 Live Birthday concert with his bandmates excluding Yoshiki Fukuyama
Yoshiki Fukuyama
, born September 14, 1963, is a Japanese guitarist, singer and songwriter. He originally became known on an international level for his work in the anime Macross 7 where he was the singing voice and guitar of the show's main character, Basara Nekki...
, but with the addition of Aki Misato
Aki Misato
is a female Japanese J-pop singer from Saitama, Japan. Most of her songs are theme songs for anime and video games. She made her debut in 2004 with her first single Kimi ga Sora Datta , which was featured as the ending theme of the anime Mai-HiME...
. He performed concerts to promote his fourth album, "(e)-STYLE." To promote the album, he toured Japan for three nights from July 24 to August 6, 2011. In the summer of 2011, he also participated in Animelo, with JAM Project.
Voice
Masaaki Endoh's voice is acknowledged by many anison artists and fans as one of the most powerful in Japan, if not the most. He is known for holding out many long notes in various songs, in studio and live tours alike. His vocal technique consists of very balanced resonance, giving him incredible range in both his chest and head voices. Rarely has a song give him trouble, notably his own song on the Muv-Luv soundtrack, "Carry On." Masaaki Endoh can sing in practically any key, shown through his ability to linger out through-the-roof notes in many of JAM Project's songs, including "Shugoshin-The Guardian" and "Rocks."Albums
- CHAKURIKU!!
- Released on November 27, 2003 / LACA-5220 / Lantis
- M.e.
- Released on November 29, 2006 / LACA-5577 / Lantis
- CIRCUS MAN
- Released on April 29, 2009 / LACA-5901 / Lantis
- (e)-STYLE
- Released on July 6, 2011 / LACA-15127 / SOLID VOX
Compilation Works
- ENSON ～COVER SONGS COLLECTION Vol.1～Enson (album)Enson is an album by Japanese J-pop and anison artist Masaaki Endoh of JAM Project. In this album, and its follow up Enson2 , Endoh covers theme songs from multiple anime, tokusatsu, and video games. During its 3 weeks on the Oricon Weekly Album Charts, the first album peaked at #43...
- Released on June 11, 2008 / LACA-5774 / Lantis
- ENSON2 ～COVER SONGS COLLECTION Vol.2～
- Released on December 17, 2008 / LACA-5826 / Lantis
Miscellaneous
- Best Anisongs Vol.01
- Contains many of his older singles and several covers.
- Blind Pig and Blind Pig II
- Albums that were released under his short-lived group.
- Star Generation
- A project with other anison artists for an anime.
Singles
[1995.11.11] Forever Friends[1996.07.24] Killed by BREAK SPIDER
[1997.02.21] Yuusha Ou Tanjou! (勇者王誕生!)
[1997.08.21] A Piece of the Sun
[1998.11.21] Ano kawa wo koete (あの河を越えて)
[1999.03.03] Ready, B-Fight
[1999.06.21] Senshi yo, Tachiagare! (戦士よ、起ち上がれ！)
[2000.01.01] Yuusha Ou Tanjou! (Mythology Version)" (勇者王誕生！-神話（マイソロジー）バージョン-)
[2000.08.23] eX-Driver -Sniper- (Con Milk)
[2002.04.20] Bakutou Sengen! Daigunder ( 爆闘宣言！ダイガンダー)
[2003.03.01] Bakuryuu Sentai Abaranger (爆竜戦隊アバレンジャー)
[2009.07.01] Sea Jetter Kaito (シージェッター海斗)
[2009.09.25] Kankyou Choujin Ecogainder (環境超人エコガインダー)
[2010.05.12] BELIEVE IN NEXUS
[2010.09.22] Saigo no Eden (Con Aki Misato)
[2010.12.22] Asu he no Michi ~going my way! (明日への道～Going my way!)
[2011.01.11] Honki Sentai Gachi Ranger (本気戦隊ガチレンジャー)
[2011.05.11] Tamashii meramera Icchodo (魂メラめら一兆℃)
[2011.11.09] Fellows
Trivia
- Masaaki Endoh never took voice lessons, although it has been implied that he got "training" within JAM Project, especially from Hironobu KageyamaHironobu Kageyamais a Japanese musical artist prominent in the soundtracks for anime, video game, and tokusatsu productions. He is sometimes called Kami by his fans. Kageyama got his big break at age 16, as lead singer of the pop group Lazy. By the early '80s, the band split and Kageyama went solo...
and Yoshiki FukuyamaYoshiki Fukuyama, born September 14, 1963, is a Japanese guitarist, singer and songwriter. He originally became known on an international level for his work in the anime Macross 7 where he was the singing voice and guitar of the show's main character, Basara Nekki...
. This has been a target of gags in the group's live concerts and their backstage specials.
- He is referred to by fans and his bandmates as "En-chan." Apparently, all the group members has a nickname correlating to their real name, but his name is similar to SakamotoEizo Sakamotois a Japanese heavy metal musician who was born in Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture. He is most famous for being the lead vocalist of 1980s band Anthem. In the 1990s he started up the band Animetal which performed heavy metal covers of anime and tokusatsu opening and closing themes. He also was...
's name, "Ei-chan," leading to some humor-related confusions.
- He was widely known among fans for a technique called "Endoh Power" or "Super Endoh Time" due to his ability to showcase his through-the-roof voice in many hits including, "Hagane no Messiah," "Okkusenman," and in his second album, "LIMITER."
- He is close friends with all JAM Project members, including the original members, the new members such as Ricardo CruzRicardo Cruz (vocalist)is a Brazilian-born Japanese vocalist known for singing anime theme songs in Brazil as well as collaborating with anison supergroup JAM Project on their singles "GONG", "STORMBRINGER", and most recently "Shugojin-The guardian"...
, Masami OkuiMasami Okuiis a Rock/Pop/Anison singer who was born in Itami, Hyōgo, Japan. She began her professional musical career at age 21 as a concert backup singer.From almost the very beginning of her career, Masami has sung themes for anime TV and movies...
and many artists from Animelo whom he shares the stage with every summer.
- After releasing the recorded version of Sousei no Aquarion, he performed the song with Akino in 2011. Backstage, Akino said that she liked his rendition of her song, and Masaaki Endoh jokingly said the group was bless4 +1, with the extra being himself.
- He is very close with many artists from LantisLantis (company)is a Japanese company that specializes as a music publisher label for Japanese musicians, anime soundtracks and video game soundtracks. It was established on November 26, 1999, and in May 2006, it was bought by, and became a subsidiary of, Bandai Visual...
, including FaylanFaylan-Live:*"Flying Dutch Live Tour 2010 Polaris" - October 4, 2010*"Anisama Girls Night Live" - October 31, 2010-Compilations:, released March 24, 2005 *# "Just Believe in Love"*Elements Garden, released August 6, 2008...
and Maon KurosakiMaon Kurosakiis a female Japanese singer-songwriter from Tokyo signed to Geneon Universal Entertainment. She released her debut album H.O.T.D. in September 2010, which features the ending themes of the anime series Highschool of the Dead. Her two singles that followed, "Magic∞World" and "Memories Last", were...
. They can be seen performing their songs live with him. He usually takes part in half the song, and provides harmonization while the original performers sing their parts.
- Masaaki Endoh is, and remains to this day, an iconic figure in the anison industry, known not only as a powerful vocalist within JAM Project, but also as an important person to the younger generation of anison artists.
External links
- Endoh-Masaaki.com - Official website