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= Band-Maid =
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Introduction
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Band-Maid is a Japanese rock band formed in 2013, comprising singer
Saiki Atsumi, guitarist/singer Miku Kobato, lead guitarist Kanami
Tōno, bassist Misa, and drummer Akane Hirose. The band combines hard
rock music with costumes modeled on Japanese maid cafés. They are
currently signed to Pony Canyon. Their most recent studio recording,
the EP 'Scooooop', was released in October 2025.
2013–2014: Early years and ''Maid in Japan''
==============================================
From 2012 to early 2013, Miku Kobato was a member of the idol group
Lil Cumin, alongside Yuki Yano and Risa Aoyagi. The group released
three singles, "Imishin Spicin," "Hatsukoi Ribbon," and "Super
Trooper". After Lil Cumin disbanded, Kobato pitched her new management
an idea: A band, wearing "cute" ('kawaii') costumes modeled on those
she had worn working in maid cafés, playing "cool" ('kakkoii') music.
Management agreed that this juxtaposition was interesting and agreed
to back the project. Lead guitarist Kanami Tōno was recruited after
Kobato saw videos she had posted to YouTube. Tōno then recruited
drummer Akane Hirose and Hirose in turn recuited bassist Misa, with
whom she had previously performed. On July 24, 2013, they performed
for the first time as a quartet, with Kobato singing, at the PP Band
Audition held at Otsuka Deepa. The band then decided to recruit an
additional lead singer and selected Saiki Atsumi during auditions.
Their first performance as a five-piece was at the P Festival at
Shibuya-AX on August 22, 2013. The band signed to Gump Records (an
imprint of the Platinum Passport artist management and talent agency)
that year.
Band-Maid began performing live regularly in Tokyo. They released
their debut mini-album 'Maid in Japan' in January 2014, written in
collaboration with musicians Masahiko Fukui and Kentaro Akutsu. In
August 2014, they released the maxi-single "Ai to Jōnetsu no Matador"
(titled "Love, Passion, Matador" internationally).
2015–2017: International recognition, ''New Beginning'', ''Brand New Maid'', and ''Just Bring It''
====================================================================================================
Band-Maid first gained international notice in April 2015 when the
English-language Facebook page of internet radio station Jrock Radio
promoted the music video for "Thrill", which led to over 1 million
views in the following year. In November 2015 they released their
sophomore mini-album 'New Beginning', reaching No. 64 on the Japanese
'Oricon' weekly albums chart. The band undertook a tour of Tokyo
venues to promote the album through February 2016, culminating in a
sold-out concert on February 14. In March 2016 they had their first
overseas performance at Sakura-Con in Seattle, Washington.
The group released their third mini-album and major label debut,
'Brand New Maid', in May 2016 on the Nippon Crown sub-label Crown
Stones, followed by a JPU Records release in Europe in July. The album
reached No. 19 on the Japanese 'Oricon' weekly albums chart. In
October and November 2016, they went on their first world tour that
took them to Mexico, Hong Kong, and several countries in Europe.
In January 2017, Band-Maid released their first full-length album
titled 'Just Bring It'. It was preceded by the single "YOLO", released
in November 2016. 'Just Bring It' reached No. 16 on the Japanese
'Oricon' weekly albums chart. Band-Maid appeared at the 2017 Golden
Melody Awards and festival in Taiwan on June 23-24. The maxi-single
"Daydreaming/Choose Me" was released in July 2017. They covered
"Honey" for the November 2017 Mucc tribute album 'Tribute of Mucc
-En-'.
2018–2019: Overseas tours, ''World Domination'', and ''Conqueror''
====================================================================
The band released their second full-length album titled 'World
Domination' in February 2018, reaching No. 9 on the Japanese 'Oricon'
weekly albums chart. On the same day, 'Maid in Japan' was reissued
with two bonus tracks. While the original release of that album had
not charted, the reissued version reached No. 26 on the 'Oricon'
weekly albums chart. On April 1, 2018, they performed at Warped Tour
at Makuhari Messe as the first date of a world tour. The maxi-single
"Start Over" was released in July 2018.
The singles "Glory" and Bubble" were released simultaneously in
January 2019. "Glory" serves as the second ending theme for the second
season of the Japanese anime series 'Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS', while "Bubble"
serves as the theme song for the Japanese drama series 'Perfect
Crime'. In April, under the name Band-Maiko and adopting a maiko
image, the band released an EP titled 'Band-Maiko', which adapted
several previous Band-Maid songs with traditional Japanese musical
instruments and lyrics in the Kyoto dialect. In the same month, the
band announced a tour of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Taiwan,
and the United States in partnership with Live Nation Entertainment.
Later in 2019, the band signed a new deal with Revolver Records.
The band's third full-length album, 'Conqueror', was released in
December 2019, including an English language song, "The Dragon Cries",
produced by Tony Visconti. It debuted at No. 9 on 'Oricon' Albums
chart, and at No. 1 on 'Oricons Rock Albums chart.
2020–2023: Move to Pony Canyon, ''Unseen World'', and ''Unleash''
===================================================================
Band-Maid released their first standalone concert video 'Band-Maid
World Domination Tour [Shinka] at Line Cube Shibuya' in April 2020. In
late 2020, the band left Revolver Records and signed with Pony Canyon.
The non-album single "Different" was released in December 2020; the
song also served as the opening theme for the Japanese anime series
'Log Horizon: Destruction of the Round Table'. The band's fourth
full-length album, 'Unseen World,' was released in January 2021. It
debuted at No. 8 on Japanese 'Oricon' weekly albums chart and at No. 1
on the 'Oricon' weekly Rock Albums chart. Band member Miku Kobato,
under the stage name Cluppo, released the solo single "Peace &
Love" in April and the double single "Peace & Love/Flapping Wings"
in August of the same year. In March 2022 the EP 'Hatofull' was
released, followed by a new single, "With You" in July 2022, which
served as the ending theme for the Japanese anime series 'Smile of the
Arsnotoria'.
In January 2021, guitar brand Zemaitis released a signature guitar for
guitarist Miku Kobato under the name "Flappy Pigeon". Band-Maid made a
cameo appearance in the 2021 Netflix film 'Kate', playing themselves
in a concert scene. Their songs "Blooming" and "Choose Me" were used
in the film. The single "Sense" was released in October 2021; the song
also served as the opening theme for the Japanese anime series
'Platinum End'. In December 2021, they announced a second US tour,
including an appearance at Aftershock Festival, which took place in
late 2022. "Choose Me" was used in the US TV series 'Peacemaker'.
Band-Maid released an EP titled 'Unleash' on September 21, 2022.
Band-Maid opened for Guns N' Roses on their We're F'N' Back! Tour on
November 6.
In early January 2023, the band announced a tenth anniversary tour,
planned to begin in March in Japan, with U.S. shows in May and August,
and culminating with a show at Yokohama Arena in November 2023. The
band appeared as the opening act for The Last Rockstars on their
American tour dates in February 2023. The band also appeared in
several rock festivals in the US: Welcome to Rockville, Sonic Temple
Art & Music Festival, and Pointfest in May 2023, and Lollapalooza
in August 2023. The band released two greatest hits albums in August
2023. In the same month, the band released the single "Shambles",
which served as the ending theme for the second season of the Japanese
anime series 'Kengan Ashura'.
2024–present: ''Epic Narratives'' and ''Scooooop''
====================================================
On April 17, Band-Maid released "Bestie", a song written with Mike
Einziger of the band Incubus, and on May 1, Band-Maid was the opener
for Incubus' show in Tokyo. On June 12, Band-Maid played a two-man
show with Mexican rock band The Warning, debuting "Show Them", a song
co-written with The Warning; a recorded version followed on August 7.
In July, Band-Maid released the anime tie-in "Protect You" which
served as the ending theme for 'Grendizer U'. All three songs later
appeared on 'Epic Narratives', released on September 25, 2024. In
November 2024, Tōno released a limited edition signature guitar in
collaboration with PRS Guitars.
In the first half of 2025, Band-Maid released three anime tie-in
songs. "Zen" served as the opening theme for 'Zenshu', "Ready to Rock"
was the opening song for 'Rock Is a Lady's Modesty' (for which Hirose,
Tōno, Misa, and Atsumi provided motion capture), and "What is
Justice?" was an ending theme for 'Tougen Anki'. After touring Japan
throughout the year, Band-Maid released their third EP, titled
'Scooooop', on October 22, 2025.
During their concert at Tokyo Garden Theatre on December 7, 2025, the
band announced their upcoming world tour for 2026, including shows in
Asia, Europe, and North America. In November 2026, they will play at
the Nippon Budokan arena for the first time.
Image and music
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Band-Maid's image is modeled on maid café hostesses, with the standard
uniform adapted to match each member's personality. In interviews,
they explained the concept came from founding member Miku Kobato who
had previously worked at a maid café in Akihabara. This theme is
reinforced by the band, who refer to their male fans as "masters",
their female fans as "princesses", and their concerts as "servings".
The band's cute ('kawaii') maid appearance is meant to contrast with
their aggressive ('kakkoii') rock style. They decided to have two
vocalists to allow a larger variety of music with two different voice
types.
The "servings" are usually interrupted by a pause where the members
present some comedic interaction with the audience. This is called
"omajinai time" and mainly performed by Kobato. This performance
includes calls and responses of "moe moe kyun" which comes from anime
movies and maid cafés to show cuteness.
Kobato loved Japanese enka music when she was a child, and Tokyo Jihen
led her to rock. She attended a vocal school around 2012, but started
playing guitar with the formation of Band-Maid the following year.
Atsumi aspired to sing because of her love for Namie Amuro and started
singing when she was 14 years old. Band-Maid is her first band. Tōno
is a big fan of Carlos Santana, has played classical piano since she
was a child, and began playing guitar when she joined her high school
band club. Hirose is a fan of Deep Purple and Maximum the Hormone,
particularly the latter's female drummer Nao Kawakita, and also played
trombone and piano. Misa likes Paz Lenchantin, The Smashing Pumpkins,
and Jimi Hendrix; she started playing piano at around 3 or 4 years of
age, and also played trumpet, alto horn, and guitar.
Band members
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Band-Maid Miku Frankfurt 050626.jpg|Miku Kobato
Band-Maid Kanami Frankfurt 050626.jpg|Kanami Tōno
Band-Maid Akane Frankfurt 050626.jpg|Akane Hirose
Band-Maid Misa Frankfurt 050626.jpg|Misa
Band-Maid Saiki Frankfurt 050626.jpg|Saiki Atsumi
* - rhythm guitar, backing and lead vocals (2013-present)
* - lead guitar, backing vocals (2013-present)
* - drums, percussion (2013-present)
* Misa - bass, backing vocals (2013-present)
* - lead vocals, occasional keyboard (2013-present)
Discography
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*'Maid in Japan' (2014)
*'New Beginning' (2015)
*'Brand New Maid' (2016)
*'Just Bring It' (2017)
*'World Domination' (2018)
*'Conqueror' (2019)
*'Unseen World' (2021)
*'Epic Narratives' (2024)
Awards and nominations
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Award ceremony Year Category Nominee(s)/work(s) Result
Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards 2016 Japan Next Generation
rowspan="2"| Band-Maid |
Neo Awards 2020 Best Musical Act |
External links
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*
* [https://jpurecords.com/collections/band-maid Official page] at JPU
Records
*
*
License
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Original Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Band-Maid
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