YOASOBI

YOASOBI is a Japanese pop duo formed in 2019 under Sony Music Entertainment Japan, comprising Vocaloid producer Ayase and singer-songwriter Lilas Ikuta, who performs under the name Ikura. Their unique concept, encapsulated by their slogan “novel into music,” involves creating songs inspired by short stories from various sources, including social media platforms, professional literature, and personal letters.

The duo gained rapid popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan with their debut single, “Yoru ni Kakeru,” which is based on Mayo Hoshino’s winning short story from the Monocon 2019 contest. Released in December 2019, the song quickly became a sensation, topping the Billboard Japan Hot 100 and spending six non-consecutive weeks at number one. It also achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first song in Japan to be certified diamond for streaming by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ). “Yoru ni Kakeru” was celebrated for its popularity and impact, winning the Song of the Year at the MTV Video Music Awards Japan and the Space Shower Music Awards in 2020.

Following this success, YOASOBI continued to release hit singles including “Ano Yume o Nazotte,” “Halzion,” and “Tabun,” each drawing from different short stories and contributing to their growing reputation. Their debut EP, The Book, was released in January 2021, featuring their earlier singles and additional tracks like “Encore.” The EP was a commercial success, achieving gold status and winning Special Award at the CD Shop Awards.

In 2021, YOASOBI released their second EP, The Book 2, which included hits such as “Kaibutsu” and “Yasashii Suisei,” the latter being themes for the anime series Beastars. The duo’s first live-streamed concert, Keep Out Theater, and their face-to-face concert, Nice to Meet You, were notable milestones. They also began exploring English-language adaptations, with their first English EP, E-Side, released in November 2021.

YOASOBI’s 2022 project involved collaborations with four Naoki Prize-winning novelists, resulting in the short story collection Hajimete no and associated songs. Their video album The Film, released in March 2023, showcased their concerts and behind-the-scenes footage. They continued to expand their reach with performances at international festivals and new singles such as “Shukufuku,” the opening theme for Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury, and “Adventure” for Universal Studios Japan’s student support campaign.

The duo’s 2023 single “Idol,” for the anime series Oshi no Ko, marked a significant achievement, topping the Japan Hot 100 for 22 weeks, a record for the longest-running number one. Their discography includes three Japanese-language EPs—The Book, The Book 2, and The Book 3—as well as English-language EPs—E-Side, E-Side 2, and E-Side 3. With multiple accolades including CD Shop Awards, Japan Gold Disc Awards, and Japan Record Awards, YOASOBI has firmly established themselves as a leading force in the Japanese music industry, known for their innovative approach to storytelling through music.