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 members consist of Kōji Seto, Hirofumi Araki, and Arata Horii. Previous members of D-Date include Yuichi Nakamura, Shunji Igarashi, and Tomo Yanagishita. D-Date was created to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their agency, Watanabe Entertainment, and 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, the group has become inactive, as all the members have returned to focus on their individual acting careers.

Career

Predebut

On March 20, 2010, Watanabe Entertainment announced at their 10th anniversary event that they were putting 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 consist of 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, was broadcast on TV Tokyo and starred Seto, Araki, Igarashi, and Nakamura. D-Boys Be Ambitious would also documented 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 was announced as D-Date's fifth member.[5][8][9] D-Date would be making their CD debut through Universal Music Japan.[8]

2010–2012: Debut

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 and the lyrics were 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

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, as such, 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

Former

Discography

Studio albums

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

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

  • 1st Tour 2011 Summer Date Live 手をつないで (Te o Tsunaide)
  • D-Date Tour 2012: Date A Live
  • D-Date Live Tour 2013: GLORY FIVE

References

  1. 1 2 "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. 1 2 "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. 1 2 3 "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. 1 2 "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. 1 2 "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. 1 2 "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. 1 2 "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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Peak chart positions on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart:
  14. 1 2 3 "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. 1 2 3 4 "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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "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. 1 2 "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). Archived from the original on 2023-12-18. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  23. 1 2 "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. 1 2 "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:
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