Introduction

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= Band-Maid =
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Introduction
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Band-Maid is a Japanese rock band formed in 2013, comprising singer
Saiki Atsumi, guitarist/singer Miku Kobato, lead guitarist Kanami
Tōno, bassist Misa, and drummer Akane Hirose. The band combines hard
rock music with costumes modeled on Japanese maid cafés. They are
currently signed to Pony Canyon. Their most recent studio recording,
the EP 'Scooooop', was released in October 2025.

2013–2014: Early years and ''Maid in Japan''
==============================================
From 2012 to early 2013, Miku Kobato was singing in an idol group, Lil
Cumin, with Yuki Yano and Risa Aoyagi. The group released three
singles, "Imishin Spicin," "Hatsukoi Ribbon," and "Super Trooper."
Dissatisfied, she pitched her new management an idea: A band, wearing
"cute" ('kawaii') costumes modeled on those she had worn working in
maid cafés, playing "cool" ('kakkoii') music. Management agreed that
this juxtaposition was interesting and agreed to back the project.
Lead guitarist Kanami Tōno was recruited after Kobato saw videos she
had posted to YouTube. Tōno then recruited drummer Akane Hirose with
whom she had previously performed, and Hirose in turn recuited bassist
Misa, with whom she had previously performed. On July 24, 2013, they
performed for the first time as a quartet, with Kobato singing, at the
PP Band Audition held at Otsuka Deepa. The band then decided to
recruit an additional lead singer and selected Saiki Atsumi during
auditions. Their first performance as a five-piece was at the P
Festival at Shibuya-AX on August 22, 2013. The band signed to Gump
Records (an imprint of the Platinum Passport artist management and
talent agency) that year.

Band-Maid began performing live regularly in Tokyo. They released
their debut mini-album 'Maid in Japan' in January 2014, written in
collaboration with musicians Masahiko Fukui and Kentaro Akutsu. In
August 2014, they released the maxi-single "Ai to Jōnetsu no Matador"
(titled "Love, Passion, Matador" internationally).

2015–2017: International recognition, ''New Beginning'', ''Brand New Maid'', and ''Just Bring It''
====================================================================================================
Band-Maid first gained international notice in April 2015 when the
English-language Facebook page of internet radio station Jrock Radio
promoted the music video for "Thrill", which led to over 1 million
views in the following year. In November 2015 they released their
sophomore mini-album 'New Beginning', reaching No. 64 on the Japanese
'Oricon' weekly albums chart. The band undertook a tour of Tokyo
venues to promote the album through February 2016, culminating in a
sold-out concert on February 14. In March 2016 they had their first
overseas performance at Sakura-Con in Seattle, Washington.

The group released their third mini-album and major label debut,
'Brand New Maid', in May 2016 on the Nippon Crown sub-label Crown
Stones, followed by a JPU Records release in Europe in July. The album
reached No. 19 on the Japanese 'Oricon' weekly albums chart. In
October and November 2016, they went on their first world tour that
took them to Mexico, Hong Kong, and several countries in Europe.

In January 2017, Band-Maid released their first full-length album
titled 'Just Bring It'. It was preceded by the single "YOLO", released
in November 2016. 'Just Bring It' reached No. 16 on the Japanese
'Oricon' weekly albums chart. Band-Maid appeared at the 2017 Golden
Melody Awards and festival in Taiwan on June 23-24. The maxi-single
"Daydreaming/Choose Me" was released in July 2017. They covered
"Honey" for the November 2017 Mucc tribute album 'Tribute of Mucc
-En-'.

2018–2019: Overseas tours, ''World Domination'', and ''Conqueror''
====================================================================
The band released their second full-length album titled 'World
Domination' in February 2018, which reached no. 9 on the Japanese
'Oricon' weekly albums chart. On the same day, they reissued their
2014 debut album 'Maid in Japan' with two bonus tracks. While the
original release of that album did not chart, the reissued version
reached No. 26 on the Japanese 'Oricon' weekly albums chart. On April
1, 2018, they performed at Warped Tour at Makuhari Messe as the first
date of a world tour. The maxi-single "Start Over" was released in
July 2018.

The CD singles "Glory" and "Bubble" were released simultaneously in
January 2019. "Glory" serves as the second ending theme for the second
season of the Japanese anime series 'Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS', while "Bubble"
serves as the theme song for the Japanese drama series 'Perfect
Crime'. Later in 2019, the band signed a new deal with Revolver
Records. Under the name Band-Maiko and adopting a maiko image, the
band released an EP titled 'Band-Maiko' in April 2019, which adapted
several previous Band-Maid songs with traditional Japanese musical
instruments and lyrics in the Kyoto dialect. In April 2019, the band
announced a tour of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Taiwan, and
the United States in partnership with Live Nation Entertainment.

The band's third full-length album 'Conqueror' was released in
December 2019, including the song "The Dragon Cries", produced by Tony
Visconti. It debuted at no. 9 on Japanese 'Oricon' weekly albums chart
and debuted at no. 1 on the 'Oricon' weekly Rock Albums chart.

2020–2023: Move to Pony Canyon, ''Unseen World'', and ''Unleash''
===================================================================
Band-Maid released their first standalone concert video 'Band-Maid
World Domination Tour [Shinka] at Line Cube Shibuya' in April 2020. In
late 2020, the band left Revolver Records and signed with Pony Canyon.
The non-album single "Different" was released in December 2020; the
song also served as the opening theme for the Japanese anime series
'Log Horizon: Destruction of the Round Table'. The band's fourth
full-length album, 'Unseen World,' was released in January 2021. It
debuted at no. 8 on Japanese 'Oricon' weekly albums chart and at no. 1
on the 'Oricon' weekly Rock Albums chart. Band member Miku Kobato,
under the stage name Cluppo, released the solo single "Peace &
Love" in April and the double single "Peace & Love/Flapping Wings"
in August of the same year.

In January 2021, guitar brand Zemaitis released a signature guitar for
guitarist Miku Kobato under the name "Flappy Pigeon". Band-Maid made a
cameo appearance in the 2021 Netflix film 'Kate', playing themselves
in a concert scene. Their songs "Blooming" and "Choose Me" were used
in the film. The single "Sense" was released in October 2021; the song
also served as the opening theme for the Japanese anime series
'Platinum End'. In December 2021, they announced a second US tour,
including an appearance at Aftershock Festival, which took place in
late 2022. "Choose Me" was used in the US TV series 'Peacemaker'. In
March 2022 Kobato, again under the name Cluppo, released the EP
'Hatofull'. In July 2022 Kobato released the non-album Cluppo single
"With You", which served as the ending theme for the Japanese anime
series 'Smile of the Arsnotoria'. Band-Maid released an EP titled
'Unleash' on September 21, 2022. Band-Maid opened for Guns N' Roses on
their We're F'N' Back! Tour on November 6.

In early January 2023, the band announced a tenth anniversary tour,
planned to begin in March in Japan, with U.S. shows in May and August,
and culminating with a show at Yokohama Arena in November 2023. The
band appeared as the opening act for The Last Rockstars on their
American tour dates in February 2023. The band also appeared in
several rock festivals in the US: Welcome to Rockville, Sonic Temple
Art & Music Festival, and Pointfest in May 2023, and Lollapalooza
in August 2023. The band released two greatest hits albums in August
2023. In the same month, the band released the single "Shambles",
which served as the ending theme for the second season of the Japanese
anime series 'Kengan Ashura'.

2024–present: ''Epic Narratives'' and ''Scooooop''
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On April 17, Band-Maid released "Bestie", a song written with Mike
Einziger of the band Incubus, and on May 1, Band-Maid was the opener
for Incubus' show in Tokyo. Band-Maid performed as part of a two-band
show with Mexican rock band The Warning on June 12. In July, Band-Maid
released "Protect You" which served as the ending theme for 'Grendizer
U'. On August 7, Band-Maid and The Warning released "Show Them", a
song the two bands wrote and performed together. The band released
their fifth full-length album, 'Epic Narratives', on September 25,
2024. The song "Zen" served as the opening theme for 'Zenshu'. In
2025, the band served as the motion capture for the band performances
in the anime series 'Rock Is a Lady's Modesty'. Band-Maid released
their third EP, titled 'Scooooop', on October 22, 2025.

During their concert at Tokyo Garden Theatre on December 7, 2025, the
band announced their upcoming world tour for 2026, including shows in
Asia, Europe, and North America.

Image and music
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Band-Maid's image is modeled on maid café hostesses, with the standard
uniform adapted to match each member's personality. In interviews,
they explained the concept came from founding member Miku Kobato who
had previously worked at a maid café in Akihabara. This theme is
reinforced by the band, who refer to their male fans as "masters",
their female fans as "princesses", and their concerts as "servings."
The band's "cute and submissive" maid appearance is meant to contrast
with their aggressive rock style. They decided to have two vocalists
to allow a larger variety of music with two different voice types.

The 'servings" are usually interrupted by a pause where the members
present some comedic interaction with the audience. This is called
Omajinai-Time and mainly performed by Kobato. She gives her voice a
high pitch to appear extra cute (kawaii). This performance includes
calls and responses of 'moe moe kyun' which comes from anime movies
and maid cafés to show cuteness.

Kobato loved Japanese enka music when she was a child, and Tokyo Jihen
led her to rock. She attended a vocal school around 2012, but started
playing guitar with the formation of Band-Maid the following year.
Atsumi aspired to sing because of her love for Namie Amuro and started
singing when she was 14 years old. Band-Maid is her first band. Tōno
is a big fan of Carlos Santana, has played classical piano since she
was a child, and began playing guitar when she joined her high school
band club. Hirose is a fan of Deep Purple and Maximum the Hormone,
particularly the latter's female drummer Nao Kawakita, and also played
trombone and piano. Misa likes Paz Lenchantin, The Smashing Pumpkins,
and Jimi Hendrix; she started playing piano at around 3 or 4 years of
age, and also played trumpet, alto horn, and guitar.

In 2021, Kobato released a signature guitar called "Flappy Pigeon" in
collaboration with Zemaitis Guitars. In November 2024, Tōno released
a limited edition signature guitar in collaboration with PRS Guitars.

Band members
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Band-Maid performing at Saint Andrew's Hall, Detroit, 2023-05-24
19.jpg|Miku Kobato
Band-Maid performing at Saint Andrew's Hall, Detroit, 2023-05-24
16.jpg|Kanami Tōno
Band-Maid performing at Saint Andrew's Hall, Detroit, 2023-05-24
13.jpg|Akane Hirose
Band-Maid performing at Saint Andrew's Hall, Detroit, 2023-05-24
10.jpg|Misa
Band-Maid performing at Saint Andrew's Hall, Detroit, 2023-05-24
18.jpg|Saiki Atsumi

* - rhythm guitar, backing and lead vocals (2013-present)
* - lead guitar, backing vocals (2013-present)
* - drums, percussion (2013-present)
* Misa - bass, backing vocals (2013-present)
* - lead vocals, occasional keyboard (2013-present)

Discography
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*'Maid in Japan' (2014)
*'New Beginning' (2015)
*'Brand New Maid' (2016)
*'Just Bring It' (2017)
*'World Domination' (2018)
*'Conqueror' (2019)
*'Unseen World' (2021)
*'Epic Narratives' (2024)

Awards and nominations
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Award ceremony Year Category Nominee(s)/work(s) Result
Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards 2016 Japan Next Generation
rowspan="2"| Band-Maid |
Neo Awards 2020 Best Musical Act |

External links
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*
* [https://jpurecords.com/collections/band-maid Official page] at JPU
Records
*
*

License
=========
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Original Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Band-Maid