Otokogumi Explained

Otokogumi
Background:group_or_band
Origin:Japan
Genre:Rock, Pop-rock, Rock'n Roll
Years Active:–1993, 2022-2023
Label:BMV Victor
Past Members:Shoji Narita
Kazuya Takahashi
Kenichi Okamoto
Koyo Maeda

was a Japanese pop music idol group managed by Japanese talent agency Johnny & Associates from 1988 to 1993. They were the first talents from the agency, who would debut not only as idols but as musicians who could play on music instruments. In 2022, they announced resume of their music activities for the period of one year.

History

Some of the members, such as Narita, Okamoto and Takahashi joined the idol agency Johnny's in 1984 and were part of the junior group. In 1986, they hosted their own variety television show "Idol Hanagumi Otokogumi" on NTV.

In early 1988, half a year before their debut, they made their first stage performances along with Shounen Ninja and Shonentai together as "" on Nippon Budokan. In August of the same year, they made music major debut with the single "Daybreak" released under BMG Victor label.[1] The single became a number one hit during its first week of released and remained on number four on the 1988 yearly single rankings. On 31 December 1988 they received an award from the category "Best New Artist" on the 30th Japan Record Awards[2] and made their first television appearance on the national end-year program Kōhaku Uta Gassen.[3] In 1991, with the release of the sixth single "Angel", they started to write and compose songs on their own. In 1993, after the departure of Takahashi, the group suddenly went on the hiatus. Soon after Narita and Maeda left the agency, leaving only Morita in the agency up until 2021.[4]

In 2022, the group suddenly announced the resuming of their music activities on the same day, when the list of performers on the TBS music television program "Ongaku no Hi" was announced.[5] It was later revealed that some of the members start to meet together few weeks before Johnny Kitagawa's death in 2019 and slowly built interest from each other to start doing music together again.[6] In the same year, they launched new rock band "Rockon Social Club" with the bassist Yohito Teraoka from the Jun Sky Walker(s).[7]

In 2023, they launched their final live tour "Otokogumi 2023 The Last Live". The group decided to focus on the venues where they had scheduled live performances at the time before their hiatus in 1993.[8]

In January 2024, they announced a public statement about donating 40 million yen from the final day of their concert to the victims of the 2024 Noto earthquake.[9] [10]

Members

Vocal, Lead Guitar

Vocal, Bass

Vocal, Rhythm Guitar

Leader, Vocal, Keyboard, Drum

Former members

Bass

Keyboard

Keyboard

Discography

Singles

YearAlbumChart positions
(JP)[11]
Label
1988"Daybreak"1BMG Victor
1989"Time Zone"
"Cross to You/Rockin' My Soul"
1990"Don't Sleep"2
1991"Angel"
199224
"Thursday Morning"25
"The Front"35
199368

Albums

Studio albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
JPN
Oricon

  • Released: 1988.9.26
  • Label: BMG Victor
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape
2
  • Released: 1989.6.28
  • Label: BMG Victor
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape
  • Released: 1990.3.28
  • Label: BMG Victor
  • Formats: CD, Cassette tape
1
I'm Waiting 4 You
  • Released: 1991.2.21
  • Label: BMG Victor
  • Formats: CD, Cassette tape
3
  • Released: 1992.6.21
  • Label: BMG Victor
  • Formats: CD
9
  • Released: 1992.7.22
  • Label: BMG Victor
  • Formats: CD
12
  • Released: 1992.8.21
  • Label: BMG Victor
  • Formats: CD
11
  • Released: 1993.8.21
  • Label: BMG Victor
  • Formats: CD
35

Compilation albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
JPN
Oricon

Best of Ballads
  • Released: 1992.12.2
  • Label: BMG Victor
  • Formats: CD
-
  • Released: 1994.11.23
  • Label: BMG Victor
  • Formats: CD
-
Hit Collection
  • Released: 1999.11.20.
  • Label: BMG Victor
  • Formats: CD
-

Videography

ReleaseTitle
11987.8.3日[12] Made in U.S.A.
21987.12.16[13] Best Friend
31988.2.18[14] Xing point
41989.9.6[15] Endless Trip
51989.11.21[16]
Otokogumi Big Tour'89 in Dome
61990.8.24[17] Otokogumi 2,050,000 Byo no Kiseki
71991.7.21[18] [19]
[20] [21]
Otokogumi Live in Yokohama 1991 vol.1
8Otokogumi Live in Yokohama 1991 vol.2
91992.11.1[22] Kara to Boku、Watasi to Jibun wa Minna Nakayoshi
102024.3.15[23] Otokogumi Last Forever

References

  1. Web site: 男闘呼組が『SONGS』初登場、デビュー曲「DAY BREAK」などパフォーマンス. 29 May 2023. billboard Japan.
  2. Web site: 活動〜日本レコード大賞〜. 26 May 2022. jacompa.or.jp.
  3. Web site: NHK紅白歌合戦ヒストリー. 26 May 2022. NHK.
  4. Web site: 岡本健一、10月末でジャニーズ事務所と専属契約終了 エージェント契約へ「新たな挑戦が必要」. 19 October 2021. Oricon.
  5. Web site: 男闘呼組 29年ぶり再結成、TBS系「音楽の日」サプライズゲストで3曲披露を発表. 16 July 2022 . Sports Hochi. 16 July 2022.
  6. Web site: 男闘呼組、こんな夢も見られるのだから(1)29年ぶりの再始動. 26 May 2022. xtrend.nikkei.com.
  7. Web site: Rockon Social Club成田昭次&岡本健一&寺岡呼人、"欲が出てきた"2ndアルバムを語る. 17 November 2023. Natalie.mu.
  8. Web site: 男闘呼組、ラストライブで〝男闘呼泣き〟 前田「人生の誇り」高橋「また会おうぜ!」 復活1年、日比谷野音で燃え尽きた. 12 January 2024. Sunspo.
  9. Web site: 男闘呼組、ライブ収益4000万円を能登半島地震災害義援金へ寄付【報告全文】. 12 January 2024. Oricon.
  10. Web site: 『男闘呼組』が能登半島地震の被災地支援、ライブ収益金から4000万円寄付「貢献したい」. 12 January 2024. Chuunichi Sport.
  11. Web site: 男闘呼組の作品. Oricon. ja. December 30, 2007. 18 December 2023.
  12. Web site: 男闘呼組/メイド・イン・U.S.A.[VIDEO他]. 2022-04-20. CDJournal WEB.
  13. Web site: 男闘呼組/ベスト・フレンド[VIDEO他]. 2022-04-20. CDJournal WEB.
  14. Web site: 男闘呼組/Xing Point〔krosig point〕[VIDEO他]. 2022-04-20. CDJournal WEB.
  15. Web site: 男闘呼組/エンドレス・トリップ[VIDEO他]. 2022-04-20. CDJournal WEB.
  16. Web site: 男闘呼組/ビッグ・ツアー'89イン・ドーム[VIDEO他]. 2022-04-20. CDJournal WEB.
  17. Web site: 男闘呼組/2、050、000秒の軌跡[VIDEO他]. 2022-04-20. CDJournal WEB.
  18. Web site: 男闘呼組/ライヴ・イン・ヨコハマ1991(vol.1)[VIDEO他]. 2022-04-20. CDJournal WEB.
  19. Web site: 男闘呼組/ライヴ・イン・ヨコハマ1991(vol.2)[VIDEO他]. 2022-04-20. CDJournal WEB.
  20. Web site: 男闘呼組/LIVE IN YOKOHAMA 1991・Vol.1〈2004年1月31日までの期間限定出荷〉[DVD][廃盤]. 2022-04-20. CDJournal WEB.
  21. Web site: 男闘呼組/LIVE IN YOKOHAMA 1991・Vol.2〈2004年1月31日までの期間限定出荷〉[DVD][廃盤]. 2022-04-20. CDJournal WEB.
  22. Web site: 男闘呼組/彼らと僕、私と自分はみんな仲よし[VIDEO他]. 2022-04-20. CDJournal WEB.
  23. Web site: 男闘呼組の日本武道館&日比谷野音ライブがBD/DVD化、1年間の軌跡を追ったドキュメンタリーも収録 . 音楽ナタリー . 2024-01-05 . ja.

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