Yukari Tamura
Encyclopedia
, is a popular Japanese
singer-songwriter
and voice actress
, affiliated with the talent agency I'm Enterprise
. Affectionately called Yukarin by her fans, she is also known for her high-pitched voice and interest in Lolita fashion
. She made her debut as a voice actress in 1997, releasing her debut single "Yūki o Kudasai" on March 26, 1997.
While also a well-known seiyū, several of her releases have been used as opening and ending themes for anime
series, while some have reached the Oricon
top 100 singles and album charts. Her role as Nanoha Takamachi
in the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha series
contributed to a rise in her popularity, as several of her singles ("Little Wish ~lyrical step~
", "Spiritual Garden
", "Hoshizora no Spica", "Beautiful Amulet
") were used as the ending themes for the franchise's anime adaptations.
, Fukuoka Prefecture
, Tamura gained notoriety as an advocate for the Lolita fashion
movement, wearing Lolita-style clothing in public, as well as for her music releases, often in music video
s and on the covers of her CD releases
. In 2001, Tamura formed a unit called Yamato Nadeshiko
with another well known seiyū, Yui Horie
. Two singles were released, Mō Hitori no Watashi and Merry Merrily - the latter of which was an insert song in the Love Hina Christmas Special
.
On January 1, 2007, Tamura's talent management agency changed from Arts Vision
to I'm Enterprise
, a subsidiary of Arts Vision, and on April 1, 2007, Tamura's record company officially changed from Konami to King Records, however, there was no material effect to Tamura because the actual record production of Konami is carried out by King Records. She has also featured as a narrator of Japanese
anime
satellite television
network Animax
.
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...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
and voice actress
Seiyu
Voice acting in Japan has far greater prominence than in most other countries. Japan's large animation industry produces 60% of the animated series in the world; as a result, Japanese voice actors, or , are able to achieve fame on a national and international level.Besides acting as narrators and...
, affiliated with the talent agency I'm Enterprise
I'm Enterprise
is a voice talent management firm in Japan.-Female:*Mayako Nigo*Tomomi Hayasaka*Yōko Hikasa*Hiromi Hirata*Yōko Honda*Akiko Iijima*Asaka Imai*Michi Imase*Momoko Ishikawa*Yui Itsuki*Kumi Kawai*Yukiko Kikuchi*Rie Kugimiya*Natsuko Kuwatani*MAKO...
. Affectionately called Yukarin by her fans, she is also known for her high-pitched voice and interest in Lolita fashion
Lolita fashion
is a fashion subculture originating in Japan that is based on Victorian-era clothing as well as costumes from the Rococo period, but the style has expanded greatly beyond these two. The Lolita look began primarily as one of modesty with a focus on quality in both material and manufacture of garments...
. She made her debut as a voice actress in 1997, releasing her debut single "Yūki o Kudasai" on March 26, 1997.
While also a well-known seiyū, several of her releases have been used as opening and ending themes 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....
series, while some have reached the Oricon
Oricon
, established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc...
top 100 singles and album charts. Her role as Nanoha Takamachi
Nanoha Takamachi
is the main and title character of the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha series and also appears in Triangle Heart. Minami Hokuto plays her in Triangle Heart, and Yukari Tamura in Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha. She has a strong aptitude in magic, a rarity for those born on Earth, amongst these numbered few...
in the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha series
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha (series)
is a Japanese multimedia franchise that encompasses three anime television series, a theatrical adaptation of the first series, multiple manga and Drama CD adaptations and sequels, as well as model figures and plastic models...
contributed to a rise in her popularity, as several of her singles ("Little Wish ~lyrical step~
Little Wish ~lyrical step~
"Little Wish: Lyrical Step" is Yukari Tamura's seventh single, released on October 21, 2004. It's the ending theme song for .-Track listing:* "Little Wish: Lyrical Step"*: Lyrics by: Karen Shiina*: Composition and Arrangement by: Masatomo Ota...
", "Spiritual Garden
Spiritual Garden
"Spiritual Garden" is Yukari Tamura's ninth single, released on October 26, 2005. Spiritual Garden is the ending theme song for . The B-sides Cutie ♥ Cutie and Traveling with a sheep were opening and ending theme songs respectively for Yukari's radio show, .-Track listing:# Spiritual Garden#*...
", "Hoshizora no Spica", "Beautiful Amulet
Beautiful Amulet
Beautiful Amulet is Yukari Tamura's thirteenth single, released on August 1, 2007. Beautiful Amulet is the second ending theme song for the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS TV series, in which Tamura also stars as the title character, Nanoha Takamachi.- Track listing :#Beautiful Amulet#*...
") were used as the ending themes for the franchise's anime adaptations.
Life and career
Born in FukuokaFukuoka
Fukuoka most often refers to the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture.It can also refer to:-Locations:* Fukuoka, Gifu, a town in Gifu Prefecture, Japan* Fukuoka, Toyama, a town in Toyama Prefecture, Japan...
, Fukuoka Prefecture
Fukuoka Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on Kyūshū Island. The capital is the city of Fukuoka.- History :Fukuoka Prefecture includes the former provinces of Chikugo, Chikuzen, and Buzen....
, Tamura gained notoriety as an advocate for the Lolita fashion
Lolita fashion
is a fashion subculture originating in Japan that is based on Victorian-era clothing as well as costumes from the Rococo period, but the style has expanded greatly beyond these two. The Lolita look began primarily as one of modesty with a focus on quality in both material and manufacture of garments...
movement, wearing Lolita-style clothing in public, as well as for her music releases, often in music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
s and on the covers of her CD releases
Album cover
An album cover is the front of the packaging of a commercially released audio recording product, or album. The term can refer to either the printed cardboard covers typically used to package sets of 10" and 12" 78 rpm records, single and sets of 12" LPs, sets of 45 rpm records , or the front-facing...
. In 2001, Tamura formed a unit called Yamato Nadeshiko
Yamato Nadeshiko
is a Japanese term meaning "personification of an idealized Japanese woman", "ideal" in the historical context of the patriarchal, traditional culture of Japan...
with another well known seiyū, Yui Horie
Yui Horie
is a popular Japanese singer and voice actress. She is sometimes affectionately nicknamed by her Japanese fans.She hosts a radio show called and is the founding member of the singing group, Aice5. She is also a member of the band Kurobara Hozonkai, with the name YUIEL...
. Two singles were released, Mō Hitori no Watashi and Merry Merrily - the latter of which was an insert song in the Love Hina Christmas Special
Love Hina
is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Ken Akamatsu. It was originally serialized in Weekly Shōnen Magazine by Kodansha from October 21, 1998 to October 31, 2001 and was published in 14 tankōbon volumes by Kodansha. The series tells the story of Keitaro Urashima and his attempts to...
.
On January 1, 2007, Tamura's talent management agency changed from Arts Vision
Arts Vision
Arts Vision Incorporated is a Japanese talent agency that employs a large number of high-profile voice actors...
to I'm Enterprise
I'm Enterprise
is a voice talent management firm in Japan.-Female:*Mayako Nigo*Tomomi Hayasaka*Yōko Hikasa*Hiromi Hirata*Yōko Honda*Akiko Iijima*Asaka Imai*Michi Imase*Momoko Ishikawa*Yui Itsuki*Kumi Kawai*Yukiko Kikuchi*Rie Kugimiya*Natsuko Kuwatani*MAKO...
, a subsidiary of Arts Vision, and on April 1, 2007, Tamura's record company officially changed from Konami to King Records, however, there was no material effect to Tamura because the actual record production of Konami is carried out by King Records. She has also featured as a narrator of 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...
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....
satellite television
Satellite television
Satellite television is television programming delivered by the means of communications satellite and received by an outdoor antenna, usually a parabolic mirror generally referred to as a satellite dish, and as far as household usage is concerned, a satellite receiver either in the form of an...
network Animax
Animax
is a Japanese anime satellite television network, dedicated to broadcasting anime programming. A subsidiary of Japanese media conglomerate Sony, it is headquartered in in Minato, Tokyo, Japan, with its co-founders and shareholders including Sony Pictures Entertainment and the noted anime studios...
.
Studio albums
- 1997: WHAT'S NEW PUSSYCAT?What's New, Pussycat? (album)WHAT'S NEW PUSSYCAT? is Yukari Tamura's first mini album, released on September 26, 1997 at the time of her debut. Since the album is no longer being printed, it is highly sought after by Yukari Tamura's fans.-Track listing:# HAPPY BIRTHDAY...
- 2001: Tenshi wa Hitomi no Naka niTenshi wa Hitomi no Naka ni天使は瞳の中に is Tamura Yukari's first full length solo album, released on July 4, 2001.-Track listing:# プロローグ～lalala…～ #* Lyrics: Karin...
- 2002: Hana-furi Tsukiyo to Koi-youbi.Hana-furi Tsukiyo to Koi-youbi.is Yukari Tamura's second album, released on September 25, 2002.-Track listing:# #* Lyrics: Mika Watanabe and Rie Yoshihara#* Composition: Mika Watanabe#* Arrangement: Mika Watanbe and Kanichirou Kubo# Baby's Breath#* Lyrics: Yukiko Mitsui...
- 2003: Aozora ni Yureru Mitsugetsu no Kobune.Aozora ni Yureru Mitsugetsu no Kobune.is Yukari Tamura's third album, released on November 6, 2003.-Track listing:# Primary Tale#* Lyrics and composition: marhy#* Arrangement: Tetsuya Uchida and marhy#* Opening theme song of her radio show, .# Lovely Magic...
- 2005: Kohaku no Uta, HitohiraKohaku no Uta, Hitohirais Yukari Tamura's fourth album, released on March 2, 2005.-Track listing:# #* Arrangement and composition: Kaoru Okubo# Spring Fever#* Lyrics: Manami Fujino#* Arrangement and composition: Yukari Hashimoto# Ever-Never-Land#* Lyrics: Kanade Kotowa...
- 2006: Gin no Senritsu, Kioku no Mizuoto.Gin no Senritsu, Kioku no Mizuoto.is Yukari Tamura's fifth album, released on April 19, 2006.-Track listing:# Overture ～bloom～#* Composition and arrangement: Yukari Hashimoto# #* Lyrics: Manami Fujino#* Composition and arrangement: Yukari Hashimoto...
- 2008: Izayoi no Tsuki, Canaria no Koi.Izayoi no Tsuki, Canaria no Koi.is Yukari Tamura's sixth original album, released on February 27, 2008. It was purposely released on her birthday. The DVD comes with the first pressing limited edition only.- Track listing :# Overture ~secret new moon~...
- 2009: Komorebi no Rosette
- 2010: Citron no Ame
Compilation albums
- 2003: True Romance
- 2007: Sincerely Dears...Sincerely Dears...Sincerely Dears... is Yukari Tamura's second compilation album, released on March 28, 2007. It contains a bonus DVD with a digest version of her 2006 concert tour *fancy baby doll* filmed in Tokyo and Fukuoka and a Special Photo Book....
DVDs
- 2002: sweet chick girl
- 2004: Peachy Cherry Pie
- 2004: Yukari Tamura Summer Live 2004 - Sugar Time Trip
- 2006: ＊Cutie Cutie Concert 2005＊ at Tokyo International Forum
- 2007: Yukari Tamura Live 2006-2007 Pinkle Twinkle☆Milky Way
- 2008: Love♥Live *Chelsea Girl*
- 2009: Love♥Live *Dreamy Maple Crown*
- 2010: Love♥Live *Princess a la mode*
- 2011: Love♥Live *Mary Rose* & *STARRY☆CANDY☆STRIPE*
Blu-ray discs
- 2009: Love♥Live *Dreamy Maple Crown*
- 2010: Love♥Live *Princess a la mode*
- 2011: Love♥Live *Mary Rose* & *STARRY☆CANDY☆STRIPE*
Singles
- 1997: "Yūki o Kudasai"
- 1997: "WE CAN FLY" (duet with Yuria Hama)
- 1997: "Kagayaki no KisetsuKagayaki no Kisetsuis a single by Yukari Tamura. It was released on June 4, 1997. It features the vocal and karaoke versions of Kagayaki no Kisetsu and Super Helper...
" - 1998: "REBIRTH ~Megami Tensei~REBIRTH ~Megami Tensei~is a single by Yukari Tamura. It was released on December 2, 1998. "Rebirth: Megami Tensei" is the first ending theme for the TV anime series.- Track listing :##* Lyrics: Kakeru Saegusa#* Arrangement and composition: Kazuhisa Yamaguchi# Daydream...
" - 1999: "Kitto IeruKitto Ieruis a single by Yukari Tamura. It was released on January 6, 1999. Kitto Ieru is the ending theme for the OVA series.- Track listing :##* Lyrics: Kakeru Saegusa#* Arrangement and composition: Kazuhisa Yamaguchi# Love Countdown#* Lyrics: Kakeru Saegusa...
" - 2001: "summer melodySummer melodySummer Melody is Yukari Tamura's first solo maxi single on the Konami Music Entertainment label. It was released on September 23, 2001.-Track listing:# Summer Melody#* Lyrics: Karin#* Arrangement and composition: Acryl Vox# #* Lyrics: Karin...
" - 2002: "Love parade"
- 2002: "Baby's Breath"
- 2003: "Lovely MagicLovely MagicLovely Magic is Yukari Tamura's fourth single, released on May 21, 2003. Lovely Magic was an opening theme song of her radio show, .-Track listing:# Lovely Magic#* Lyrics and composition: Mika Watanabe#* Arrangement: Mika Watanabe and Kanichirou Kubo...
" - 2003: "Nemurenu Yoru ni TsukamaeteNemurenu Yoru ni Tsukamaeteis Yukari Tamura's fifth single, released on September 3, 2003.-Track listing:# #* Lyrics: Manami Fujino#* Arrangement and composition: Tsugumi Kataoka# #* Lyrics: Akiko Inoue#* Arrangement and composition: Takuya Watanabe#...
" - 2004: "Yumemizuki no AliceYumemizuki no Aliceis Yukari Tamura's sixth single, released on May 26, 2004.-Track listing:# #* Lyrics: Uran#* Arrangement and composition: Kaoru Okubo#* Opening theme song of her radio show, .# #* Lyrics, arrangement and composition: Masatomo Ota...
" - 2004: "Little Wish ~lyrical step~Little Wish ~lyrical step~"Little Wish: Lyrical Step" is Yukari Tamura's seventh single, released on October 21, 2004. It's the ending theme song for .-Track listing:* "Little Wish: Lyrical Step"*: Lyrics by: Karen Shiina*: Composition and Arrangement by: Masatomo Ota...
" - 2005: "Koi seyo OnnanokoKoi seyo Onnanokois Yukari Tamura's eighth single, released on May 25, 2005. Koi seyo Onnanoko is the opening theme for .-Track listing:# #* Lyrics: Miku Hazuki#* Composition and arrangement: Kazuya Komatsu# #* Lyrics: Yuuko Yamano...
" - 2005: "Spiritual GardenSpiritual Garden"Spiritual Garden" is Yukari Tamura's ninth single, released on October 26, 2005. Spiritual Garden is the ending theme song for . The B-sides Cutie ♥ Cutie and Traveling with a sheep were opening and ending theme songs respectively for Yukari's radio show, .-Track listing:# Spiritual Garden#*...
" - 2006: "Dōwa MeikyūDowa Meikyuis Yukari Tamura's tenth single, released on August 2, 2006. Dōwa Meikyū is the first opening theme song for the TV series. The B-sides, miss you and Tenshi no Oshigoto were opening and ending theme songs respectively for Yukari's radio show, ....
" - 2006: "Princess RosePrincess RosePrincess Rose is Yukari Tamura's eleventh single, released on December 20, 2006. Princess Rose is the second opening theme song for the TV series and the latest opening theme song for her radio show,...
" - 2007: "Hoshizora no Spica"
- 2007: "Beautiful AmuletBeautiful AmuletBeautiful Amulet is Yukari Tamura's thirteenth single, released on August 1, 2007. Beautiful Amulet is the second ending theme song for the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS TV series, in which Tamura also stars as the title character, Nanoha Takamachi.- Track listing :#Beautiful Amulet#*...
" - 2008: "mon chériMon ChériMon Chéri is an internationally known brand name of the Italian Ferrero company for a chocolate confectionery.The Mon Chéri is a single-wrapped combination, consisting of a "heart" of cherry, floating in a special liqueur and contained in a plain chocolate housing. Each Mon Chéri contains 46...
" - 2008: "Bambino Bambina"
- 2008: "Tomorrow"
- 2009: "Metausa-hime ~Kuro Yukari Ōkoku Misa~"
- 2009: "You & Me"
- 2010: "My wish My loveMy Wish My LoveMy Wish My Love is Yukari Tamura's seventeenth single, released on January 27, 2010. My wish My love is the ending theme song for Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha the MOVIE 1st, in which Tamura also stars as the title character, Nanoha Takamachi.- Track listing :...
" - 2010: "Oshiete A to Z"
- 2011: "Platinum Lover's Day"
- 2011: "Endless Story"
Personal concerts
- First Live: Aozora ni Yureru Mitsugetsu no Kobune.
- Summer Live☆*Sugar Time Trip*
- Countdown Event 2004-2005: Chiisa na Onegai☆Chiisa na Ippo
- Live Tour 2005 *Spring fever*
- ＊Cutie Cutie Concert 2005＊ at Tokyo International Forum
- Concert Tour 2006 *fancy baby doll*
- *Pinkle☆Twinkle Party* 2006 Winter supported by ANIMAX
- 2007 Summer * Sweet Milky Way *
- Love♥Live 2008 *Chelsea Girl*
- Love♥Live 2009 *Dreamy Maple Crown*
- Love♥Live 2009-2010 *Princess a la mode*
- Love♥Live 2011 Spring *Mary Rose*
Other concerts
- Animelo Summer Live 2008
- Animelo Summer Live 2009
- Animelo Summer Live 2010
- Animelo Summer Live 2011
External links
- Yukari Tamura's official website
- Yukari Tamura at King Records
- Yukari Tamura at the Seiyuu database