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D-Date

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
D-Date
OriginTokyo, Japan
GenresJ-pop
Years active2010–2013
Labels
Spinoff ofD-Boys
Members
Past members
Websitewww.d-date.jp/index.php

D-Date (stylized as D☆DATE) was a Japanese boy band and sub-group of D-Boys, a male performance troupe associated with Watanabe Entertainment. The group was created to celebrate Watanabe Entertainment's 10th anniversary. The members consist of Kōji Seto, Hirofumi Araki, and Arata Horii [ja]. Previous members of D-Date include Yuichi Nakamura, Shunji Igarashi, and Tomo Yanagishita.

D-Date made their debut on December 1, 2010 through Universal Music Japan, with their first single "Ato 1 cm no Mirai." Following Igarashi's retirement from D-Date in 2013, the group has become inactive, as all the members have returned to focus on their individual acting careers.

Career

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Predebut

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On March 20, 2010, Watanabe Entertainment announced at their 10th anniversary event that they were putting together a 5-member boy group based on their male performance troupe, D-Boys,[1] then known as the 2010 D-Boys Project.[2] The fifth member would be chosen through a series of auditions beginning on April 4 in 10 cities across Japan.[1] On April 16, 2010, Watanabe Entertainment announced that four members of the group would be D-Boys members Kōji Seto, Hirofumi Araki, Yuichi Nakamura, and Shunji Igarashi.[3] On July 4, 2010, a late-night variety show, D-Boys Be Ambitious [ja], was broadcast on TV Tokyo and starred Seto, Araki, Igarashi, and Nakamura. D-Boys Be Ambitious would also document the group's formation and provide information on voting for the group's name and fifth member.[2][4] Approximately 30,000 people applied for the audition,[5] and by August 2010, seven finalists were chosen.[6] Video clips of them were broadcast through D-Boys Be Ambitious for the viewers to vote on D-Boys' website.[6] Nakamura soon went on hiatus in August 2010 due to health problems and, as a result, he was absent from D-Date's activities, including their CD debut.[7]

On September 5, 2010, the name of the group was revealed to be "D-Date" on D-Boys Be Ambitious. On September 19, 2010, during a live judging event hosted by Seto, Igarashi, and Araki, and attended by 500 fans, Arata Horii [ja] was announced as D-Date's fifth member.[5][8][9] D-Date were to make their CD debut through Universal Music Japan.[8]

2010–2012: Debut

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D-Date later made their CD debut on December 1, 2010, with their first single "Ato 1 cm no Mirai."[5] Seto explained that the title of the song came from the idea that "starting is the hardest part" of achieving a goal.[10] The B-side of the single, "Omoi (D-Date version)" was later included on the compilation album Ai no Uta, a charity album by Universal Music Japan's recording artists for relief for the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. [11]

On April 6, 2011, D-Date released their second single, "Change My Life."[12] The song was produced by Hiroki from Dragon Ash and Cell no9.[12] "Change My Life" was featured in a commercial for Nescafé Excella and as the opening theme song to the television program Happy Music.[13] It was released with the B-side "Dear Friends (Boku-tachi no Yūki)".[13]

On July 27, 2011, D-Date released their third single, "Day By Day."[14] The song was described as a "summer song" that focused on "friends" and "music" as the themes.[15] Much like "Change My Life", it was also released as a tie-in for a commercial for Nestle Excella and as the opening theme song to Happy Music.[13] It was released with the B-side "All For One."[13] The music video for the song takes place at a resort.[14] It includes a guest star appearance from former professional boxer Yoko Gushiken as a disgruntled customer and featured 200 extras.[14] On July 30, 2011, D-Date embarked on their first tour, "Summer Date Live: Te o Tsunaide."[16] In August 2011, Watanabe Entertainment announced that Nakamura would be leaving D-Date.[7]

During a fan event in December 2011, D-Date announced that they were releasing two singles, "Love Heaven" and "Joker", in two consecutive months.[17] To prepare for the release of "Love Heaven", D-Date revealed at the event that they went on a training camp after their first tour for dance and vocal training.[17] In addition, "Love Heaven" was released as the group's first love song, with lyrics written by Araki.[17] "Love Heaven" was released on January 21, 2012 and served as a tie-in song to a LeTao commercial.[17][13] It was released with the B-side "Ordinary."[13]

"Joker" was released on February 22, 2012.[18] Seto described the song as a "slightly more mature love song" compared to "Love Heaven."[18] The song was produced by Jin and featured a theme of betrayal.[18] "Joker" also served as the ending theme song to the television program Onegai! Ranking.[13] It was released with the B-sides "See You Later... Good Night", a solo song by Araki, on the limited edition A version and "Your Magic" on the limited edition B and normal versions.[13][19] "Joker" was promoted with a 30-minute short film based on the song that was directed by Takashi Kubota,[18] starring the members of D-Date and featuring a guest appearance by actress Aya Ōmasa.[20][21] Igarashi, who had co-starred with Ōmasa in the 2011 film Paradise Kiss, had offered her to make an appearance in the short film.[21] The short film was released as a DVD accompanied with the limited edition B version.[18] It was also serialized as five short episodes as late-night bumpers under the title Who is Joker? on TV Tokyo between February 13 to February 21, 2012.[22] For a limited time, a campaign was held on their website for the viewers to determine the identity of the traitor from the short film.[18]

2012–2013: 1st Date, member line-up changes

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On April 25, 2012, D-Date released their first album, 1st Date, which compiled all the songs they had released.[23] A new song from the album, "Catch a Train!", was used as the opening theme song to D × Town, a television drama series starring six members from D-Boys.[23] To promote the album, D-Date embarked on their second tour in four locations across Japan in June.[24] On June 29, 2012, during the final date of their second tour, D-Date announced that D-Boys member Tomo Yanagishita would be added to the group as their newest member.[25] In October 2012, D-Date changed labels to Avex Entertainment.[26]

On June 10, 2013, D-Date released their sixth single, "Glory Days", which served as the opening theme song to the second season of the anime series Kingdom.[27] The song is described as an "up-tempo" song.[28] From October 13 to November 17, 2013, D-Date went on their third live tour in five cities across Japan.[29] On November 4, 2013, during one of their final stops, Igarashi announced that he was leaving the group and retiring from the entertainment industry to inherit his father's company.[30] Following this, D-Date became inactive as a group; in January 2015, Araki stated that the members of D-Date have returned to focus on their individual acting careers, and, because of that, it was difficult for them to hold activities as a group.[31] On September 30, 2020, Yanagishita announced he was leaving the agency and retiring from the entertainment industry after his marriage.[32]

Members

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Former

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Discography

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Studio albums

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List of studio albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
[33]
JPN
Oricon
[34] 		JPN
Albums
[35]
1st Date 11 11
  • JPN: 61,437

Singles

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Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album
JPN
[13] 		JPN
Hot
[36]
"Ato 1 cm no Mirai" (あと1cmのミライ) 2010 7 34 — 1st Date
"Change My Life" 2011 7 19 —
"Day By Day" 7 78 —
"Love Heaven" 2012 6 11 —
"Joker" 7 22 —
"Glory Days" 2013 7 9 — Non-album single
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Concert DVDs

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Title Year Details Peak chart positions
[37] 		Sales
JPN
D-Date 1st Tour 2011 Summer Date Live: Te wo Tsunaide (D☆DATE 1st Tour 2011 Summer DATE LIVE～手をつないで～) 2011
  • Released: December 21, 2011
  • Label: Milestone Crowds
  • Format: DVD
 — —
D-Date Tour 2012: Date a Live 2013 16 —
D-Date Tour 2013: Glory Five Final 2014
  • Released: September 10, 2014
  • Label: Avex Trax
  • Format: DVD
 14 —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

References

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  1. ^ a b "D－BOYSユニット5人目メンバー募集" [Applications for fifth member of D-Boys unit open]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 2010-03-20. Archived from the original on 2017-08-15. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  2. ^ a b "D-BOYSスペシャルユニットへ新加入するのは誰だ？！公式モバイルサイトでオーディション"ファン投票"受付開始！！" [Who will be the new member added to D-Boys' special unit?! Accepting fan votes for the audition on the official mobile site!]. PR Times (in Japanese). 2010-08-16. Archived from the original on 2023-12-22. Retrieved 2023-12-17 – via CNET Japan.
  3. ^ "募集告知から10日で5000人以上の男子が殺到! D-BOYSスペシャルユニット5人目のメンバーをオーディション" [Over 5,000 men rushed in only 10 days after the recruitment announcement! Audition for the 5th member of D-Boys special unit]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 2010-04-16. Archived from the original on 2023-12-24. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  4. ^ "D-BOYS -2010年 D-BOYSプロジェクト-" [D-Boys: 2010 D-Boys Project]. D-Boys (in Japanese). Watanabe Entertainment. 2010. Archived from the original on 2010-09-03. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  5. ^ a b c "D-BOYS発の新ユニット・D☆DATEがCDデビュー! 目標は「武道館&代々木ライブ」" [New D-Boys unit, D-Date, makes CD debut! Their goal is to perform at "Budokan and Yoyogi"!]. Oricon (in Japanese). 2010-12-01. Archived from the original on 2023-12-18. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  6. ^ a b "D-BOYSスペシャルユニット最終候補7名決定! 人気投票開催中" [Seven finalists for D-Boys' special unit decided! Popularity poll now open]. Oricon (in Japanese). 2010-08-18. Archived from the original on 2023-12-25. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  7. ^ a b "元D-BOYS中村優一が芸能界復帰 新事務所で俳優業再開" [Former D-Boys member Yuichi Nakamura returns to the entertainment industry, restarts acting activities under a new agency]. Oricon (in Japanese). 2014-08-30. Archived from the original on 2023-12-18. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  8. ^ a b "D-BOYSスペシャルユニット新メンバー＆CDデビュー決定" [D-Boys special unit's new member and CD debut decided]. Oricon (in Japanese). 2010-09-21. Archived from the original on 2023-12-20. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  9. ^ "D☆DATE荒木宏文、憧れのボンタンで不良チックに「オレ、こんな時代なかったな～」". Oricon (in Japanese). 2010-10-22. Archived from the original on 2023-12-18. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  10. ^ Yoshida, Kana (2010-12-01). "D☆DATE『夢は大きく！俳優グループならではの音楽メッセージ』" [D-Date: "Having big dreams! A music message from an actor group]. Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2010-12-06. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  11. ^ "ドリも福山も、ユニバーサル所属79組チャリティコンピ発売" [From Dream to Fukuyama, a charity compilation album from 79 recording artists from Universal announced]. Natalie (in Japanese). 2011-04-11. Archived from the original on 2023-12-25. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  12. ^ a b "D☆DATE新作にDragon Ashのhirokiユニット楽曲提供" [D-Date's new song to be produced by Dragon Ash's Hiroki's unit]. Natalie (in Japanese). 2011-03-07. Archived from the original on 2023-12-20. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i Peak chart positions on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart:
  14. ^ a b c "D☆DATE、新曲MVで具志堅用高と"チョッチュ"初共演". Oricon (in Japanese). 2011-07-01. Archived from the original on 2023-12-18. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  15. ^ "D☆DATE、最新ビデオクリップで具志堅用高と熱烈共演". Natalie (in Japanese). 2011-07-01. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  16. ^ "D☆DATEの堀井新太、初ワンマン公演で男泣き" [D-Date's Arata Horii stars in first one-man show with manly tears]. Oricon (in Japanese). 2011-07-30. Archived from the original on 2023-12-21. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  17. ^ a b c d "D☆DATEがCDデビュー1周年!ファンからのサプライズ祝福にウルウル" [D-Date celebrates their 1 year anniversary of their CD debut! Surprise blessing from their fans make them teary-eyed]. Oricon (in Japanese). 2011-12-29. Archived from the original on 2023-12-18. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  18. ^ a b c d e f "D☆DATE新曲「JOKER」テーマは裏切り、特別ムービーも" [D-Date's new song "Joker" has a theme of betrayal, includes special movie]. Natalie (in Japanese). 2012-02-13. Archived from the original on 2023-12-18. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  19. ^ "JOKER(初回限定盤A)" [Joker (limited edition A version)]. Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2023-12-18. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  20. ^ "D☆DATE、大政絢との共演作で本領発揮" [D-Date and Aya Ōmasa co-star, shows off true acting potential]. Oricon (in Japanese). 2012-01-20. Archived from the original on 2023-12-20. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  21. ^ a b "大政絢 「Ｄ☆ＤＡＴＥ」に撃ち殺される？" [Who in D-Date shot and killed Aya Ōmasa?]. Sports Nippon (in Japanese). 2012-01-20. Archived from the original on 2023-11-19. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  22. ^ "D☆DATEのTV出演情報" [D-Date's TV appearances]. Oricon (in Japanese). June 2013. Archived from the original on 2023-12-18. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  23. ^ a b "D☆DATE、1stアルバム新曲がドラマOP曲に決定" [D-Date, new song from 1st album to be used as opening theme song for a drama]. Oricon (in Japanese). 2012-03-29. Archived from the original on 2023-12-20. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  24. ^ "D☆DATEが4月1stアルバム発売、6月に4都市ツアー開催" [D-Date releases first album in April, goes on tour in four cities in June]. Natalie (in Japanese). 2012-02-22. Archived from the original on 2023-12-24. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  25. ^ "D☆DATEに柳下大が加入! 5人体制で目指すは「東京ドーム」" [Tomo Yanagishita added to D-Date! The five of them aim to perform at the Tokyo Dome]. Oricon (in Japanese). 2012-06-29. Archived from the original on 2023-12-18. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  26. ^ "D☆DATEエイベックス移籍！新メンバー加入ライブDVDも" [D-Date transfers to Avex! DVD of live performance with new member available too]. Natalie (in Japanese). 2012-10-07. Archived from the original on 2023-12-18. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  27. ^ "D☆DATE、『キングダム』主題歌ジャケ写初公開 描き下ろしイラストに感激" [D-Date, cover jacket of Kingdom theme song released, includes never-before-seen drawing as thanks]. Oricon (in Japanese). 2013-06-10. Archived from the original on 2023-12-18. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  28. ^ "D☆DATE、5人体制初の新曲「待ち遠しかった」" [D-Date's first song as a 5-member group: "I couldn't wait!"]. Oricon (in Japanese). 2013-06-12. Archived from the original on 2023-12-24. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  29. ^ "「D☆DATE TOUR 2013」全国ツアーファイナル！五十嵐隼士、感動＆感謝ラストLIVE！". Josei Jishin (in Japanese). 2013-11-18. Archived from the original on 2023-12-25. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  30. ^ "五十嵐隼士、決意の引退公演「社長になる」" [Shunya Igarashi suddenly makes official retirement: "I'm going to become the president of a company"]. Oricon (in Japanese). 2013-11-18. Archived from the original on 2023-12-18. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  31. ^ a b "D☆DATE荒木宏文、4・1ソロデビュー" [D-Date's Hirofumi Araki makes solo debut on April 1]. Oricon (in Japanese). 2015-01-21. Archived from the original on 2023-12-24. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  32. ^ "柳下大が芸能界引退、一般女性との入籍を報告" [Tomo Yanagishita retires from the entertainment industry, announces marriage registration to a non-celebrity woman]. Natalie (in Japanese). 2020-09-30. Archived from the original on 2023-12-24. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  33. ^ Peak chart positions on the Billboard Japan Top Albums:
  34. ^ Peak chart positions on the Oricon Weekly Albums Chart:
  35. ^ Peak chart positions on the Billboard Japan Top Albums:
  36. ^ Peak chart positions on the Billboard Japan Hot 100:
  37. ^ Peak chart positions on the Oricon Weekly DVD Chart:
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