J-rock profiles

Akino Arai

Akino Arai (新居昭乃 ,Arai Akino) is a Japanese singer, song-writer, and lyricist, best known for her works in anime such as Outlaw Star, Noir, Macross Plus, and many others. She was born on August 21, 1959, in Tokyo.

She has performed with Yoko Kanno, Luna Sea, ZABADAK, Samply Red (unrelated to Simply Red), Yayoi Yula, and was once in a group called Marsh-Mallow. Arai debuted in 1986 with the theme song to anime Windaria, "Beautiful Star" (美しい星 ,utsukushii hoshi).

Akino Arai is currently a popular performer and is asked to sing at many conventions, music festivals, and clubs. She continues to write music for commercials and anime such as the recent #1 Japanese box office movie Gedo Senki and the popular Kaze no Stigma. She has found success overseas, especially in France where she has a rather large fanbase following after her recent performance in Paris, following her first European live concert in Berlin. She is releasing an album in late 2007 or early 2008. At the moment, Akino is preparing for her own tour across Japan and overseas.

Personal life

Akino keeps her personal life hidden from the public and she is a very quiet person. Those close to her and those who have met her say she is humble and very kind. Akino Arai is married to a singer and it was rumored that she was going to adopt an African baby; however, the latest rumors say that the father may want to keep custody.

She is very close to fans. At concerts she always takes time to do autographs and take pictures and throughout the concert she is always thanking the audience. She likes to be close to fans by asking them what type of music they want from her and she also writes back to the fans who send her fanmail every chance she can.

albums

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• Natsukashii Mirai (懐かしい未来 ?, Nostalgic Future) – 1986
• Sora no Mori: Arai Akino Best Album (空の森 ?, Forest of the Sky) – 1997
• Sora no Niwa (そらの庭 ?, Garden of the Sky) – 1997
• Furu Platinum (降るプラチナ ?, Falling Platinum) – 2000
• concept album Kouseki Radio (concept album『鉱石ラジオ』 ?, Crystal Radio) – 2001
• collection album RGB – 2002
• Eden (エデン ?) – 2004
• Arai Akino VHmusic – 2005
• 20th Anniversary ALBUM Sora no Uta (Songs of the Sky) – 2005

singles

• "Yakusoku" (Promise) – 1986
• "Chizu wo Yuku Kumo" (A Cloud Which Passes Through the Map) – 1986
• "Kaze to Tori to Sora ~Reincarnation~" (The Wind, the Birds, and the Sky) – 1992
• "Kooru Suna" (Frozen Sand) – 1992
• "Dragon Quest Retsuden: Roto no Monshou" (The Wings of Youth) – 1996
• "Hiru no Tsuki" (The Moon at Noon) – 1998 – end theme to Outlaw Star (episodes 1-13)
• "Tsuki no Ie" (The House of the Moon) – 1998 – end theme to Outlaw Star (episodes 14-26)
• "Kanaete" (Grant My Wish) – 1999 – end theme to Ayatsuri Sakon
• "Hana no Katachi" (Shape of a Flower) – 2001
• "PALME Songs" – 2002
• "Kakusei Toshi" (The City of Awakenings) – 2002 – end theme to Tokyo Underground
• "Natsukashii Umi" (Nostalgic Sea) – 2004 – opening song to Kurau Phantom Memory
• "Kimi e Mukau Hikari/Aquarium on the Moon" – 2006

"Kin no Nami, Sen no Nami" (Golden Wave, 1000 Waves) – 2008 – end theme to ARIA the Origination