Ladybaby

Ladybaby was a Japanese kawaii metal[1] musical group, which originally consisted of aspiring photographic models Rie Kaneko (the only original member still in the group) and Rei Kuromiya,[2][3] as well as Ladybeard, the bearded crossdressing persona of Australian male professional wrestler Richard Magarey.[4][5] On August 1, 2016, the group rebranded itself after Ladybeard's withdrawal from the group, going by "The Idol Formerly Known as Ladybaby",[6] until they returned to the original Ladybaby moniker in 2018.

For the YouTuber, see LadBaby.

Ladybaby
Also known asThe Idol Formerly Known As LADYBABY (2016-2017)
OriginJapan
Genres
Years active2013–2020 (hiatus)
Labels
  • Clearstone (2015-2016)
  • King (2016-2019)
  • JPU
  • Raimei (2019-2020)
Associated acts
Websiteladybaby-fc.com
MembersRie Kaneko
Nana Ikeda
Emily Arima
Fuka Karasawa
Past membersLadybeard
Rei Kuromiya

History

Wrestler Richard Magarey, originally from Adelaide, Australia, moved to China in 2006 to kickstart his martial arts stunt career in films, later becoming a hit in Hong Kong as a cross-dressing pro wrestler. In October 2013, he moved to Tokyo, Japan, to attempt a similar career there. He later formed the band with singers Rie Kaneko and Rei Kuromiya and released their first track and music video titled 'Nippon Manju' ('Japanese Bun', in English) which is a song that covers all the things they love about Japan. Released in July 2015, the music video went viral on YouTube, at one point gathering 1 million views in 2 days.[7]

Their second single, released in Japan on 13 January 2016, debuted at number 15 in the daily Oricon charts.[8]

On August 1, 2016, the group re-branded itself after Ladybeard left, by changing the group's name to "The Idol Formerly Known as Ladybaby". The remaining members had a live concert on September 16, 2016 under the new branding.[6] In 2017 they signed to JPU Records to release new single "Pelo" in Europe. They released another single, "Pinky! Pinky!", later that year. On 17 November 2017, Rei Kuromiya left the group, citing disillusionment with idol culture and throat problems caused by the extensive touring schedule. This led to the end of the band's time as "The Idol Formerly Known as Ladybaby.[9]

In January 2018, the group announced a memorial compilation album entitled Beside U, to be released in Japan on 7 March 2018. The international release on CD from JPU Records included an exclusive booklet design with English lyric translations and Romaji lyric transliterations.[10] In February that year, they began teasing a new lineup, with Rie Kaneko being joined by new members Nana Ikeda, Emily Arima and Fuka Karasawa, subsequently announcing a tour through Spring 2018 in a return to the original Ladybaby moniker. They released a music video for their comeback single "Hoshi no Nai Sora" on 10 May 2018, with the single being officially released on 30 May. It has been confirmed that Ladybeard will return to the group to appear on one of the B-sides for the single.[11] However, on October 29, 2019, it was announced that Ladybaby would suspend all activities on January 13, 2020, after their final show, with a compilation titled Reburn released the same day.[12]

Members

Since developing into a 4-piece, the members have come to have specific roles within the band.

  • Rie Kaneko (金子理江) – vocals (2015–2020), choreography, direction (2018–2020)
  • Nana Ikeda (池田菜々) – vocals, rapping, costume design (2018–2020)
  • Emily Arima (有馬えみり) – vocals, harsh vocals, lyrics (2018–2020)
  • Fuka Karasawa (唐沢風花) – vocals (2018–2020)
The CHAOS

"The CHAOS" serves as Ladybaby's backing band in live shows, and in the music video to Haten ni Raimei.

  • Hayato Mitsuhashi (三橋隼人) – guitar
  • Wu-chy – bass guitar
  • HAJIMETAL – keyboards
  • YOUTH-K!!! – drums

Former members

Discography

Singles
No. Title Release date Charts
JP
[13]
1 "Nippon Manju" (ニッポン饅頭, "Japan Manju") [upper-alpha 1][14] 29 July 2015 109
2 "Age-Age Money ~Ochingin Dai Sakusen~ " (アゲアゲマネー ～おちんぎん大作戦～, "Age Age Money - Ochin - sen Daisakusen ~") [upper-alpha 2][15] 13 January 2016 31
3 "Renge Chance!" (蓮華チャンス！, "Spoon chance!") [upper-alpha 3][16] 13 April 2016 32
4 "Sanpai! Gosyuin Girl" (参拝!御朱印girl☆, "Worship! Gosyuin Girl☆") [upper-alpha 4][17] (The Idol Formerly Known As LADYBABY) 30 November 2016 39
5 "Pelo" [upper-alpha 5][18] (The Idol Formerly Known As LADYBABY)
 12 April 2017 22
6 "Pinky! Pinky!" [upper-alpha 6] (The Idol Formerly Known As LADYBABY) 27 September 2017 12
"Shibuya Crossing" (渋谷 CROSSING) 10 October 2017 —
7 "Hoshi no Nai Sora" (ホシノナイソラ) [upper-alpha 7] 30 May 2018 27
"Damedame Tono" (ダメダメ殿) 10 October 2018 —
"Riot Anthem"[upper-alpha 8] 8 March 2019 —
8 "Haten ni Raimei" (破天ニ雷鳴) [upper-alpha 9] 28 May 2019 13

Promotional singles
Year Title Release date
2016 "Shōnen Yūsha-dan" (少年勇者団, "Boys brave party") [19] 23 June 2016

Studio albums
List of compilation albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales Certifications
JPN
[20]		 US World
Reburn
  • Released: January 13, 2020 (JPN)
  • Label: Raimei RECORDS
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. REBURN (Instrumental)
  2. Hoshino Nai no Sora -Starlless Sky- (ー ホシノナイソラ)
  3. Haten ni Raimei (破天ニ雷鳴)
  4. LB 4 Future
  5. bite me
  6. Misogi island (禊island)
  7. Riot Anthem
  8. Damedame Tono (ダメダメ殿)
  9. God's Not
  10. endless end Hello
 ——
  • JPN:
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Compilation albums
List of compilation albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales Certifications
JPN
[20]		 US World
ONE YEAR BEST ～2015-2016～
  • Released: September 14, 2016 (JPN)
  • Label: CLEARSTONE RECORDS
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. OVERTURE OVERSEA
  2. Nippon Manju (ニッポン饅頭)
  3. Renge Chance! (蓮華チャンス!)
  4. Beard-chan Robot (ビアちゃんロボット)
  5. ULTRA LUCKY
  6. C'est si bon Kibun (セシボン・キブン)
  7. SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS
  8. Age age Money Ochingin Daisakusen (アゲアゲマネー おちんぎん大作戦)
 ——
  • JPN:
Beside U
  • as The Idol Formerly Known As LADYBABY
  • Released: March 7, 2018
  • Label: KING RECORDS, JPU Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Track listing
  1. Pelo
  2. Me! Me! Me!
  3. Sanpai!Goshuin Girl (参拝!御朱印girl)
  4. Easter Bunny
  5. Generation Hard Knocks
  6. Onigirikku Revival (オニギリック・リヴァイヴァー)
  7. Shibuya CROSSING (渋谷 CROSSING)
  8. Joujou Jou Yu (上々上湯)
  9. Pinky! Pinky!
  10. LADY BABY BLUE
 49—
  • JPN:
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Video albums
List of media, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
JPN DVD
[20]		 JPN Blu-ray
[20]
First Japan Oneman Live ～ Sekai no Rule wo Kaechao ～ (ファースト JAPAN ワンマンライブ ～世界のルールを変えちゃおう～, First JAPAN One Man Live ~ Let's change the rules of the world ~)
  • Released: September 14, 2016 (JPN)
  • Label: CLEARSTONE RECORDS
  • Formats: DVD
Track listing
  1. OVERTURE OVERSEA
  2. Nippon Manju (ニッポン饅頭)
  3. Renge Chance! (蓮華チャンス!)
  4. LOVE INNOCENT ACID KAWAII
  5. Beard-chan Robot (ビアちゃんロボット)
  6. C'est si bon Kibun (セシボン・キブン)
  7. ULTRA LUCKY
  8. SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS
  9. Age age Money Ochingin Daisakusen (アゲアゲマネー おちんぎん大作戦)
  10. Renge Chance! - Encore - (蓮華チャンス! ～アンコール～)
  11. C'est si bon Kibun - Encore - (セシボン・キブン ～アンコール～)
  12. Nippon Manjyu - Encore - (ニッポン饅頭 ～アンコール～)
 ——
Tōmei meshi TOUR2019 FINAL in SHIBUYA CLUB QUATTRO (透明飯TOUR2019 FINAL in SHIBUYA CLUB QUATTRO, Transparent rice TOUR2019 FINAL in SHIBUYA CLUB QUATTRO)
  • Released: August 31, 2019 (JPN)
  • Label: CLEARSTONE RECORDS
  • Formats: DVD
Track listing
  1. OVERTURE OVERSEA Remix
  2. Pelo
  3. Renge Chance! (蓮華チャンス!)
  4. SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS
  5. Sanpai!Goshuin Girl (参拝!御朱印girl)
  6. Easter Bunny
  7. Generation Hard Knocks
  8. Onigirikku Revival (オニギリック・リヴァイヴァー)
  9. Age age Money Ochingin Daisakusen (アゲアゲマネー ～おちんぎん大作戦～)
  10. Sanpai! Goshuin Girl (参拝!御朱印girl)
  11. Riot Anthem
  12. God's Not
  13. LB4 Future
  14. Haten ni Raimei (破天ニ雷鳴)
  15. Love Innocent Acid Kawaii
  16. Pinky! Pinky!
  17. Damedame Tono (ダメダメ殿)
  18. Nippon Manju (ニッポン饅頭)
 ——
The LASTLIVE "Reburn" at LIQUIDROOM 2020.1.13
  • Released: August 31, 2020 (JPN)
  • Label: CLEARSTONE RECORDS
  • Formats: DVD
Track listing
  1. Overture Oversea -Remix-
  2. Nippon Manju (ニッポン饅頭)
  3. Haten ni Raimei (破天ニ雷鳴)
  4. Sanpai! Goshuin Girl (参拝!御朱印girl)
  5. MC
  6. Easter Bunny
  7. Pinky Pinky
  8. Shibuya Crossing
  9. Riot Anthem
  10. The CHAOS Session
  11. Misogi island (禊island)
  12. God's Not
  13. Generation Hard Knocks
  14. endless end Hello
  15. MC
  16. C'est si bon Kibun (セシボン・キブン)
  17. Age age Money Ochingin Daisakusen (アゲアゲマネー ～おちんぎん大作戦～)
  18. ～encore～ Reburn
  19. Hoshino Nai no Sora -Starlless Sky- (ー ホシノナイソラ)
  20. Damedame Tono (ダメダメ殿)
  21. MC
  22. Nippon Manju (ニッポン饅頭)
  23. ～ending～
 ——
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Music videos
Title Director(s) Originating album Year Ref.
"Nippon manju" Ryo Shimoda One Year Best ～2015-2016～ 2015 [21]
"Age-Age Money" N/A [22]
"LADYBABY "OVERTURE OVERSEA" ～MEMORIES of 2015 ～" [23]
"Renge Chance!" BOZO&YGQ 2016 [24]
"C'est si bon Kibun" Azuma Kanae [25]
"Sanpai！Gosyuin girl" (Short Ver.) Takuya Tada Beside U [26]
"Easter Bunny" IGGY COEN 2017 [27]
"Pelo" Atsushi Tani [28]
"LADY BABY BLUE" Rie Kaneko [29]
"Pinky! Pinky! " Pink janakute mo [30]
"Starless_Sky" Mami Yamabe Reburn 2018 [31]
"Biri Biri Money" (feat. Ladybeard) Ryuichi Takashiba Hoshi no Nai Sora [32]
"bite me" Rie Kaneko Reburn [33]
"damedame tono" Sari Kodaka [34]
"LADYBABY ～Memories of 2018 ～ "God's Not"" Naoto Wakamatsu [35]
"Riot Anthem" Rie Kaneko 2019 [36]
"Haten ni Raimei" Sari Kodaka [37]
"endless end Hello" Sari Kodaka [38]
"Misogi island" Sari Kodaka 2020 [39]

Notes
  1. c/w "Ultra☆Lucky"
  2. c/w "Bear-chan Robot" (ビアちゃんロボット)
  3. c/w "C'est Si Bon Kibun" (セシボン・キブン)
  4. c/w "Shanshanshantan" (上々上湯, "JOUJOU JOU YU") and
    "Onigirick Reviver" (オニギリック・リヴァイヴァー)
  5. c/w "LADY BABY BLUE" and
    "Easter Bunny"
  6. c/w "Me! Me! Me!" and
    "Generation Hard Knocks"
  7. c/w "bite me" and
    "Biribiri Money feat.Ladybeard" (ビリビリマネー feat.Ladybeard)
  8. 48pg Photobook w/ Lyrics and Download Card
  9. c/w "God’s Not" and
    "LB 4 Future"

Bibliography
  • Rie Kaneko, Rei Kuromiya, LADYBABY PROJECT (December 1, 2017), Zmagazine (in Japanese) (Large book ed.), Tokyo: CLEARSTONE BOOKS, ISBN 978-4-907-30157-6CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)}}
  • LADYBABY (March 8, 2019), LBmagazine (in Japanese) (Mook ed.), Tokyo: CLEARSTONE BOOKS, ISBN 978-4-907-30185-9}}
  • LADYBABY, Īda Erika (March 8, 2019), 『Riot Anthem』Lyric Book (in Japanese) (Paperback (soft cover) ed.), Tokyo, Japan: CLEARSTONE BOOKS, ISBN 978-4-909837-07-3

Media appearances

TV
Year Title Role Network Notes
2016–2020 Nadarezaka Rock co-MCs BS Japan[40] Japanese variety show

Radio
Year Title Role Network Notes
2019 LADYBABY MUSIC O’CLOCK MCs Backstage Café (BSC Radio)[41] Japanese variety radio show

References
  1. "From Ladybeard to Ladybaby: the pro wrestling heavy metal singer taking Japan by storm". The Sydney Morning Herald. July 11, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  2. "Up Close And Personal With Japan's Ladybaby For Their US Debut". Forbes. October 16, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  3. "Look Out World, Here Comes Ladybaby!". Loudwire. July 8, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  4. "Meet Ladybeard, the Bearded Crossdressing Australian Man Taking Japan by Storm". Oddity Central. July 16, 2015. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  5. Iannella, Antimo (July 15, 2015). "J-pop sensation LadyBeard, aka Adelaide's Richard Magarey, goes viral". Adelaide Now. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  6. "LADYBABYからレディビアード脱退、れい＆理江は改名して再始動". natalie. August 1, 2016. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  7. "Интернет взорвал клип группы Ladybaby с бородатым солистом в платье: Буквально за два дня количество просмотров этого клипа увеличилось на миллион" (in Russian). Metro International. July 8, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  8. "オリコンデイリー CDシングルランキング 2016年01月12日付 11～20位". Oricon. Archived from the original on January 14, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  9. "Official Separation Announcement". ladybaby-fc. November 17, 2017. Archived from the original on November 29, 2018. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  10. Beside U Listing from JPU Records (in English)
  12. "LADYBABY•活動休止のお知らせ" [LADYBABY•Activity suspension notice]. www.ladybaby-fc.com (in Japanese). Ladybaby Project. October 28, 2019. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  13. "LADYBABY". ORICON STYLE. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  14. "Nippon Manjyuu - Single". iTunes. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  15. "Meet Ladybaby, Japan's Kawaiicore (and Pro-Wrestling) Answer to Andrew WK". Noisey. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  16. "Renge Chance! - Single". iTunes. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
  17. "Sanpai! Gosyuin Girl - EP - The Idol Formerly Known As Ladybaby". iTunes. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  18. "Pelo - EP - The Idol Formerly Known As Ladybaby". iTunes. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  19. "LADYBABY". www.facebook.com. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  20. "LADYBABY れでぃべいびー" [LADYBABY Products]. Oricon Style (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  21. "LADYBABY "ニッポン饅頭 / Nippon manju "Music Clip" (in Japanese). Youtube. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  22. LADYBABY "アゲアゲマネー ～おちんぎん大作戦～ / Age-Age Money " Music Clip (in Japanese). Youtube. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  23. "LADYBABY "OVERTURE OVERSEA" ～MEMORIES of 2015 ～" (in Japanese). Youtube. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
  24. LADYBABY "蓮華チャンス！ / Renge Chance ! " Music Clip (in Japanese). Youtube. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  25. LADYBABY "セシボン・キブン / C'est si bon Kibun " Music Clip (in Japanese). Youtube. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  26. 【Short ver.】The Idol Formerly Known As LADYBABY“参拝！御朱印girl☆ / Sanpai！Gosyuin girl☆”Music Clip (in Japanese). Youtube. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  27. “イースターバニー / Easter Bunny” The Idol Formerly Known As LADYBABY (in Japanese). Youtube. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
  28. Pelo (in Japanese). Space Shower. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  29. “LADY BABY BLUE ” The Idol Formerly Known As LADYBABY【作詞･作曲：大森靖子】【MV監督：金子理江】 (in Japanese). Youtube. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
  30. Pinky! Pinky! (in Japanese). Space Shower. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
  31. ホシノナイソラ (in Japanese). Space Shower. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  32. LADYBABY "ビリビリマネー feat.Ladybeard " -Biri Biri Money- Music Clip (in Japanese). Youtube. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  33. LADYBABY “ bite me “ Music Clip【作詞･作曲：大森靖子】【MV監督：金子理江】 (in Japanese). Youtube. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  34. LADYBABY "ダメダメ殿" Music Clip【耳の穴ァかっぽじって よく聞きゃアがれ！】 (in Japanese). Youtube. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  35. LADYBABY ～Memories of 2018 ～ "God's Not" (in Japanese). Youtube. Retrieved December 31, 2018.
  36. LADYBABY " Riot Anthem " Music Clip (in Japanese). Youtube. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  37. 破天ニ雷鳴 (in Japanese). Space Shower. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  38. 破天ニ雷鳴 (in Japanese). Youtube. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  39. LADYBABY " 禊island " Music Clip (in Japanese). Youtube. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  40. "アイドル魂なだれ坂ロック!". BS TV Tokyo.
  41. "【毎週月曜日22:00〜23:00】LADYBABY MUSIC O'CLOCK". Back Stage Cafe.
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