To start off my fave spotlight series, I’m going to start off with a Japanese band that I’ve been listening to for over a decade now and that’s Uverworld.
Uverworld is a Japanese fusion band that incorporates various styles of rock including rap rock, alternative rock, pop rock, etc. with some jazz fusion. There are 6 members though the band debuted as 5 back in 2003 (though the saxophone player, the “new” 6th member did perform with them originally, too). Many who watch anime may know the band from their debut single, D-technolife, which was used as Bleach’s 2nd opening. Uverworld has featured prominently in other anime like Blue Exorcist (Core Pride, Itteki no Eikyou), The Promised Neverland (Touch Off), Boku no Hero Academia (Odd Future), etc.
This video has every anime song by Uverworld from 2005-2018, and it’s pretty short so if you want to hear a bit of their sound in brief – check it out.
To me, the band creates moving and touching lyrics that speak to much of us youth today. Adults as well can enjoy the deeper meaning and intentions the songs produced by Uverworld can convey. From romance to hopes to suicide, there is definitely at least one Uverworld song you can relate to on a personal level.
I think that is why I enjoy listening to Uverworld ever since I was 11. They were part of my childhood and still make an impact on me today. Their songs are still relevant to me from their first album back in 2005 to now and I believe they are still going strong with songs that are still pretty good to my ears.
I created this post to share some of their songs to others who may not know them as I feel that Japanese bands may not be as well known to others in the West or maybe even outside of Japan. Although, I know no one will really read this, so I also have made this post as a sort of appreciation towards a band that has been a good part of my musical journey for literally half my life at this point.
Hopefully you may be persuaded to listen to their songs? If not, that’s fine, everyone’s taste are different.
But first, an introduction to the members.
TAKUYA
Full Name: Takuya Shimizu. He’s the vocalist and producer.
Date of Birth: December, 21st 1979.
Place of Birth: Osaka, Japan.
Blood-type: B.
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius.
First Impressions: Hyperactive, perfectionist, sure of himself and multifaceted.
-He has a father and older sister who were both delinquents. Takuya was greatly influenced by his sister. And he rarely saw his father at home.
-Takuya has been arrested once due to a problem with a traffic officer. To express his remorse and ask for forgiveness, he cut his hair and wrote the song, Rinku (Link), to his fans.
-His been in trouble with the police before as back in high school, he spent all night playing basketball in the gym and was caught.
-Never finished high school and instead left his home with only his guitar to take various jobs and sleep at various friends’ houses.
-First music appearance at 19 at a school’s cultural festival.
-Loves sports and to read. He also plays various instruments like the guitar, piano, bass, drums and more.
-Admires Superman
-One childhood dream was to be a reporter
-Married a normal citizen whose identity hasn’t been disclosed due to privacy’s sake.
KATSUYA
Full Name: Katsuya Shiratori He’s the first guitarist and the leader of the band.
Date of Birth: February, 22nd 1980.
Place of Birth: Shiga, Japan.
Blood-type: O.
Zodiac Sign: Pisces.
First Impressions: Kind, polite, protector, reserved and friendly.
-Goes to the gym
-Can cook quite well according to the other members
-Nicknamed Katsu-mama as he is practically the mother in the band
-Spends hours on the internet
-Is very shy when he doesn’t trust others
-Due to his shorter height, he likes to wear larger soles inside his shoes
AKIRA
Full Name: Akira Saionji He’s the second guitarist.
Date of Birth: March, 8th 1984.
Place of Birth: Shiga, Japan.
Blood-type: A.
Zodiac Sign: Pisces.
First Impressions: Serious, reserved, mysterious, anti-social and rarely smiles.
-Wouldn’t mind being alone
-Loves video games and likes to read
-Doesn’t have a special type of girl he likes
-As a kid, he dreamed about having a confectionery. Coincidentally, he lives above one now.
-Drinks liquor
-Prefers dogs to cats
NOBUTO
Full Name: Nobuto Kuwahara He’s the bass player.
Date of Birth: February, 14th 1980.
Place of Birth: Shiga, Japan.
Blood-type: A.
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius.
First Impressions: Funny, hilarious, a little immature and chatty.
-Likes to watch movies
-Nicknamed Shishou (master) because he knows how to make his friends laugh
-Has known Takuya since they were little and are best friends
-Always uses friendly gestures like laughing a lot, making jokes, and hugging
SHINTARO
Full Name: Shintaro Tamaki He’s the drummer.
Date of Birth: November, 5th 1983.
Place of Birth: Shiga, Japan.
Blood-type: O.
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio.
First Impressions: Cheerful, kind, a little absent-minded and friendly.
-Loves baseball. Even as a kid, he dreamed of being a baseball player.
-He is an extreme fan of cars
-He likes a girl who is quiet and is good at cooking
-His house is very messy
-He also likes liquor
-Winter is his favorite season
-Prefers dogs over cats
SEIKA
Full Name: Seika He’s the saxophonist and the DJ(disk jockey)
Date of Birth: September, 25th 1979.
Place of Birth: Shiga, Japan.
Blood-type: A.
Zodiac Sign: Libra.
First Impressions: Reserved, shy, kind and mysterious.
-Was around since the beginning of Uverworld’s formation but didn’t become an official member until 2014
-Does not watch TV at all
-Plays various instruments like the flute and the guitar
Uverworld
-They used to live together in the same house where they also bathed together
-They go running together often
-All the members drink regularly except for Takuya, who only drinks once or twice per year
-They used to have a dog named Kick, who Takuya used to feed cabbages to. Unfortunately, Kick died but Uverworld dedicated a song to her in their album O choir called, Kick ga Jiyuu (Kick is Free). They now have a new dog named Otis.
-They have a documentary named after one of their songs titled, The SONG.
-In the early days, barely anyone came to see them, but now their tickets are sold out in minutes.
(All member information came from uverandom.blogspot.com. Please check out their site for more Uverworld information in Spanish and English.
Facts were taken from uverandom.blogspot.com. Thank you uverandom staff and please give them credit for spreading this information when it couldn’t be found anywhere else in English or Spanish!)
Do any of the guys catch your attention? Which member do you think you would get along with the most? What about the least? Though it might be a bit biased because Takuya has the most anecdotes about him.
Albums (from 2006 to now)
Note: All linked songs are taken from shinitakashi.blogspot.com. He or she is a great source for English translated lyrics for UVERworld! Please support him or her! All video playlist are from the official UVERworld channel. Please support them as well.
Timeless (February 15th, 2006)
☆CHANCE!
☆Toki no Namida
☆Rush
☆D-tecnoLife
☆Yasashisa no Shizuku
☆ai tashin (Album Version)
☆Burst
☆Nitro
☆just Melody (Album Version)
☆Lump Of Affection
☆Tobira
☆SE
☆D-tecnoLife (Album Version)
BUGRIGHT (February 15th, 2006)
☆Zero no Kotae
☆SHAMROCK
☆Home Binetsu 39°C
☆~Nagare·Kuukyo·THIS WORD~
☆Colors of the Heart
☆Live everyday as if it were the last day
☆Charmant no Ura
☆Hitori ja Nai Kara
☆Kimi no Suki na Uta
☆51%
☆LIFEsize
☆EMPTY96
☆DISCORD
☆Kimi no Suki na Uta (Acoustic Version)
PROGLUTION (January 16th, 2008)
☆Roots
☆brand new ancient
☆Ukiyo CROSSING
☆Byouteki Kikyuu Nikki
☆counting song-H
☆Shaka Beach ~Laka Laka La~ (album ver.)
☆GROOVY GROOVY GROOVY
☆expod-digital
☆-Myousaku Gougai ORCHESTRA-
☆UNKNOWN ORCHESTRA (album ver.)
☆-god’s followers-
☆Kami Atsume
☆-forecast map 1955-
☆ENERGY (album ver.)
☆endscape (album ver.)
☆Kokoro ga Sasu Basho to Kuchiguse Soshite Kimi ga Tsuite Kuru
☆Oto no Ha
☆to the world (SE)
AwakEVE (February 18th, 2009)
☆Gekidou (AwakEVE ver.)
☆99/100 Damashi no Tetsu
☆Mikage Ishi
☆Corona
☆Hakanaku mo Towa no Kanashi
☆earthy world
☆Hissei Satsuki Prologue
☆I Am Riri
☆Koishikute
☆Forget
☆Just break the limit!
☆Waon
☆Halzion (2nd-MIX)
☆YURA YURA
Neo SOUND BEST (December 9th, 2009)
☆D-tecnoRize
☆CHANCE! (Re-Sing ver.)
☆Hakanaku mo Towa no Kanashi
☆Roots
☆Gekidou
☆99/100 Damashi no Tetsu
☆Zero no Kotae
☆Shaka Beach ~Laka Laka La~
☆Ukiyo CROSSING
☆SHAMROCK
☆Yasashisa no Shizuku
☆Monochrome ~Kidzukenakatta devotion~
☆Kimi no Suki na Uta
☆Koishikute
☆Kanashimi wa Kitto
☆D-tecnoLife
LAST (April 14th, 2010)
☆GOLD
☆world LOST world
☆Sparta
☆Kokoro to Kokoro
☆the truth
☆Barrel
☆High! Mondaisaku
☆closed POKER
☆Kanashimi wa Kitto (album ver.)
☆CHANGE
☆WANNA be BRILLIANT
☆Kimi no Mama
☆GO-ON (2nd-mix)
LIFE 6 SENSE
☆CORE PRIDE
☆Itsuka Kanarazu Shinu Koto wo Wasureru na
☆Isseki wo Toujiru Tokyo midnight sun
☆ace of ace
☆NO.1 (album ver.)
☆Qualia
☆Secret
☆Shousha Okubyoumono
☆Muttsu no Kaze (album ver.)
☆Ichioku Bun no Ichi no Shousetsu
☆MONDO PIECE
☆Hakuchuumu
The ONE
☆THE ONE (SE)
☆7th Trigger
☆Don’t Think. Feel
☆LIMITLESS
☆23 Words
☆KINJITO (LIVE intro ver.)
☆THE OVER
☆Koko Kara
☆REVERSI
☆Barbell ~Koutei no Atarashii Fuku album ver.~
☆BABY BORN & GO
☆AWAYOKUBA-Kiru (LIVE intro ver.)
☆NOWHERE boy
Ø CHOIR
☆Zero HERE ~SE~
☆IMPACT
☆Dare ga Itta
☆Nano Second (album ver.)
☆Fight For Liberty (album ver.)
☆ENOUGH-1
☆KICK ga Jiyuu
☆a LOVELY TONE (album ver.)
☆Nanokame no Ketsui
☆Bessekai
☆Born Slippy
☆Wizard CLUB
☆Arubeki Katachi
☆Ø choir
TYCOON
☆TYCOON
☆Q.E.D.
☆Sirius
☆SHOUT LOVE
☆IDEAL REALITY
☆LONE WOLF
☆DECIDED (Album ver.)
☆PRAYING RUN
☆ALL ALONE (Album ver.)
☆Itteki no Eikyou (Album ver.)
☆Hon no Sukoshi
☆Boku no Kotoba dewa Nai Kore wa Bokutachi no Kotoba (Album ver.)
☆WE ARE GO (Album ver.)
☆Collide
☆Souzen’iki
☆I LOVE THE WORLD
☆Emu
☆Shuuen
UNSER
☆Making it Drive
☆AFTER LIFE
☆Touch off
☆Kyoukai
☆stay on
☆First Sight
☆ODD FUTURE
☆Muimi ni Naru Yoru
☆EDEN e
☆ConneQt
☆OXYMORON
☆One Last Time
☆ROB THE FRONTIER
☆GOOD and EVIL
☆UNSER
30
☆EN
☆One stroke for freedom
☆Ekubo
☆OUR ALWAYS
☆AVALANCHE
☆THUG LIFE
☆SOUL feat. Aoyama Thelma & Aiemu
☆Raichoue feat. Yamada Takayuki & Aiemu
☆NAMELY
☆E.T.
☆AS ONE
☆HOURGLASS
☆NEVER ENDING WORLD
I can’t really choose one album to recommend as I like them all. I know that’s a cop out but that’s just how I feel. Maybe one day I can do some sort of post on UVERworld songs I like from greatest to least in tier list fashion but for now you just have to settle with this post.
But it’s crazy to think that I’ve been listening to them for about a little over a decade at this point and counting. I hope they continue to provide good music and vibes