Subaru Shibutani
Subaru Shibutani 渋谷 すばる | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 22, 1981 |
| Origin | Ibaraki, Osaka, Japan |
| Genres | Enka, pop, rock, blues |
| Occupations | Singer, actor, lyricist |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1996–now |
| Labels | Teichiku Records, Imperial Records |
Subaru Shibutani (渋谷 すばる, Shibutani Subaru; born September 22, 1981) is a Japanese singer, actor, and lyricist. He was among Johnny's Jr. fans as a Kansai Jr. member during his early career. After he began his solo career, he became the main vocalist of the Japanese male idol group Kanjani Eight, which originally debuted as an enka group. He left the group in 2018. His first solo album Nisai was released in October 2019.[1]
Career
Entry into Johnny & Associates and early connections (1996–1998)
Shibutani entered Johnny & Associates on his birthday, September 22, 1996, after passing an audition alongside future Kanjani Eight member Ryūhei Maruyama. He was not contacted again until December, when he was invited to a second audition held during a KinKi Kids concert. It was there that he first met future bandmates You Yokoyama and Shingo Murakami.
His vocal ability drew attention during the recording of the Kansai Jr. song “Boys in the West Side,” which became the theme song for Kanjani Knights, a Kansai Jr. television program that aired in 1998. Shibutani appeared regularly on the show with Yokoyama and Murakami.
Kansai Jr. prominence and Tokyo transition (1998–2002)
Shibutani, Yokoyama, and Murakami frequently appeared together on Kansai Jr. programs and became close collaborators, referring to themselves as “3baka” (“the three idiots”). Along with Ryo Nishikido, they were informally known as the “top four Kansai Jrs.”
Following a successful performance on Music Station, Shibutani moved to Tokyo, with Yokoyama and Murakami following soon after. In Tokyo, Shibutani received increased vocal work, and the trio became regulars on Jr.-focused television programs. They starred together in the series Ike Ike Ikemen and made frequent appearances on Koichi Domoto’s variety show Pikaichi.
In 2002, Johnny Kitagawa had the Kansai Jrs perform Another, a stage play previously staged by SMAP and KinKi Kids.
Formation and debut of Kanjani Eight (2003–2004)
In 2003, Johnny Kitagawa selected the top Kansai Jrs to form Kanjani Eight. Shibutani was positioned as a lead vocalist and was assigned to perform enka-style vocals. The group debuted in August 2004 with “Naniwa Iroha Bushi,” an enka song incorporating rap elements.
The single reached No. 8 on the Oricon Singles Chart despite an initial Kansai-only release. A nationwide release the following month brought the song to No. 1.
Musical roles, subunits, and songwriting
Within Kanjani Eight, Shibutani serves as the main vocalist for the subunits SanKyoudai, an acoustic group, and SubaruBand, a rock-oriented project.
During his time as a Jr., he co-wrote several original songs with guitarist Nakaegawa Rikiya of the Jr. band FIVE, who composed the music. These songs were performed collaboratively with FIVE. Shibutani also writes music with Kanjani Eight member Shota Yasuda; together they compose songs for SubaruBand, including “ONE,” “High Position,” and “DownUp.”
Discography
Singles
- Kioku / Kokoro Odoreba (February 11, 2015)
Albums
- Uta (February 10, 2016) (cover album)
- Nisai (October 9, 2019)
DVDs
- "Kioku ~ Shibutani Subaru / 1562" (September 16, 2015)
- "Shibutani Subaru LIVE TOUR 2016 Uta" (September 21, 2016)
Solo concerts
- Shibutani Subaru with Ohkura-Band (August 29, 2006 – September 17, 2006)
- Five Flat Flowers (September 4–7, 2008 in Osaka, September 23, 2008 – October 6, 2008 in Tokyo)
- Shibutani Subaru LIVE TOUR 2015 (January 18 – February 25, 2015, in Osaka, Fukuoka, Sapporo, Niigata, Sendai, Nagoya, Hiroshima, Kagawa, Tokyo)
- Shibutani Subaru LIVE TOUR 2016 (February 18 – March 27, 2016, in Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, Sapporo, Tokyo)
Filmography
Drama
- 1999: Shichinin no Samurai J ke no Hanran
- 1999: Kowai Nichiyōbi
- 1999: Abunai Hōkago
- 2001: Worst Dates in History
- 2001: Platonic Sex
- 2006: Double
- 2008: Arigatō, Okan
- 2012: Papa wa Idol
- 2024: Like a Dragon: Yakuza, Detective Date
Movie
- 2010: 8uppers
- 2012: Eight Ranger
- 2014: Eight Ranger 2
- 2015: La La La at Rock Bottom
Stage
- 1997: Kyo To Kyo
- 1998: Mask
- 1998: Kyo To Kyo
- 2000: Millennium Shock
- 2002: Another
- 2003: Dōton Boys
- 2004: Summer Storm
- 2005: Never Gonna Dance
- 2005: Hey! Say! Dream Boy
- 2005: Magical Summer
- 2005: Dream Boys
- 2006: Another's Another
- 2006: Dream Boys
- 2009: Dream Boys
References
- ^ "Arashi y Kanjani8, los favoritos de jpop masculino 2010". RPP (in Spanish). December 3, 2010. Archived from the original on December 4, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2024.