Flow (Japanese band)

Flow (styled as FLOW) is a Japanese rock band formed in 1998 as a five-piece band made up of two vocalists, a drummer, a bassist, and a guitarist.[3] They are signed to Sacra Music.[4] As of April 2019, the band has released 34 singles, 2 collaboration singles with Granrodeo and 11 studio albums. Their songs have been featured in the opening sequences of several anime and Japanese drama series.[2]

Flow
Flow at Japan Expo 2012 in Paris, France
Background information
OriginJapan
Genres
Years active1998 (1998)–present
LabelsKi/oon Music (2003-2020)
Sacra Music (2020-present)
Websitewww.flow-official.jp
MembersKōshi Asakawa (Vocals)
Keigo Hayashi (Vocals)
Takeshi Asakawa (Guitar)
Hiroshi Iwasaki (Drums)
Yasutarō Gotō (Bass)

History

The group began in 1993 when brothers Kōshi (elder: vocals, rhythm guitar) and Take (younger: lead guitar) began playing together.[1] They formed Flow in 1998, and by 2000, were joined by Keigo (vocals), Gotō (bass) and Iwasaki (drums).[5] In 2001, the band released its first maxi single, Flow #0. In 2002, the group released two mini-albums within the same year, followed by "Okuru Kotoba", Flow's first cover single, released in January 2003,[6] which remained on the Oricon indie chart for seven consecutive weeks and also hit No. 6 on the overall singles chart. In the spring of that year, their first full-scale album Splash!!! debuted at No. 2 on the Oricon album chart. In July 2003, Flow released the single "Blaster" on the major label Ki/oon Records. In April 2004, they released "GO!!!", which stayed on the Oricon Top 10 Chart for three weeks. In May 2004, Flow released their first major label album Game.[7]

A string of singles followed and in July 2005 the band released its third album, Golden Coast. Since the release of Golden Coast, Flow has released two singles with new A-sides, but one of these Around The World / Kandata was a double A-side release. The songs "GO!!!" and "Re:member" both served as opening themes to the anime series Naruto,[8][9] as well as "Sign" for Naruto Shippuden.[10] "Days" was the first opening for Bones' Eureka Seven anime,[11] and "Realize" was the opening for the PlayStation 2 video games based on the same series. Flow performed live in America for the first time in Dallas, Texas on September 2, 2006 at AnimeFest which was held at the Hyatt Hotel and Convention Center in downtown Dallas.[12] Flow then released "Colors" in 2006, the first opening for Sunrise's original series, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion.[13][14]

Their song "Answer" is the first opening theme for the live action Japanese drama Detective School Q.[15] They performed "Night Parade" with the hip-hop band Home Made Kazoku.[16] In February 2008, they released a new single titled "Arigatō", followed by Persona -trinity soul-'s new opening, "Word of the Voice" in June 2008. They performed Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2's second opening theme "World End" released in 2008.[17] In 2009, the band performed "Sign", the sixth opening for Naruto Shippuden.[10] The band released a B-side compilation album on November 4, 2009. Their single "Calling" was featured as the ending for the anime Heroman.[18] Flow returned to North America to perform at Anime Central, in Rosemont, Illinois on May 20, 2011, and FanimeCon in San Jose, California on May 28, 2010 and in May 2011.[19] Their song "Hey!!!" was the third opening theme for the anime Beelzebub,[20] and the song "Brave Blue" was used as the second opening theme for the anime Eureka Seven AO.[21] In 2012, they performed in France for the first time at Japan Expo.

They provided a cover of "Cha-La Head-Cha-La" as the main theme song for the film Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods;[22] the song, coupled with an insert song from the film, was released as a double A-side single on March 20, 2013,[23] and subsequently would be featured as the opening theme for Dragon Ball video games such as Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z and Dragon Ball XenoVerse. Flow released their eighth studio album Flow The Max!!! on March 27, 2013. Flow went to Brazil for the first time to perform at Ressacca Friends in 2013. Their single "Ai Ai Ai ni Utarete Bye Bye Bye" released on February 26, 2014 was used as the second opening to the anime Samurai Flamenco.[24] Flow returned to Brazil in the summer of 2014 to perform at Anime Friends in Sao Paulo and at SuperCon in Recife. They returned to perform at AnimeFest after 8 years in August 2014 at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel.[25] Their single, "7 -seven-", was a collaboration with the band Granrodeo and was featured as the ending theme to the anime The Seven Deadly Sins.[26] Flow released their second anime best album compilation Flow Anime Best Kiwami on February 25, 2015. Flow's first-ever world tour, Flow World Tour 2015 Kiwami, will see them performing five times in Japan and fourteen times in seven other countries.[27] Their first digital single, "Hikari Oikakete" (光追いかけて), was released on March 21, 2015 and was used as the image song for the Naruto stage play Live Spectacle Naruto.[28] Their single "Niji no Sora" (虹の空) was used as the 34th ending theme of Naruto Shippuden.[29]

Their single "Steppin' out" was used as the opening theme of Durarara!!x2: Ketsu.[30] Flow's single "Kaze no Uta (風ノ唄) / Burn" was released on August 24, 2016; the songs are used as the opening themes of Tales of Zestiria the X and Tales of Berseria. Their single "Innosense" was released on February 8, 2017; the song is used as the second ending theme of Tales of Zestiria the X. The band covered "Classic" on the album Tribute of Mucc -en- as a tribute to the band Mucc released on November 22, 2017. Flow returned to North America to perform at Anime Boston on March 30, 2018.[31] They covered "D.O.D. (Drink Or Die)" for the June 6, 2018 hide tribute album Tribute Impulse.[32] They also performed the theme song "Neiro" (音色, lit. "Sound-colored") for the drama series Sachiiro no One Room.[33] Their song "Break it down" was used in the 2020 game Naruto x Boruto Ninja Tribes. Flow again performed at the Nippon Budokan on January 30, 2019. They released their new album Tribalythm on April 10, 2019 and their tour Flow Live Tour 2019: Tribalythm promoted the album.

On August 14, 2020, it was announced guitarist Take had tested positive for COVID-19.[34]

Members
Kohshi
Kohshi[35]
  • Position: Vocalist, Rhythm Guitarist
  • Real name: Kōshi Asakawa
  • Birthday: April 22, 1977
  • Birthplace: Saitama
Keigo
Keigo[35]
  • Position: Vocalist
  • Real name: Keigo Hayashi
  • Birthday: July 1, 1977
  • Birthplace: Tokyo
Take
Take[35]
  • Position: Lead Guitarist, Backing Vocalist
  • Real name: Takeshi Asakawa
  • Birthday: August 31, 1978
  • Birthplace: Saitama
Got's
Got's[35]
  • Position: Bassist, Backing Vocalist
  • Real name: Kohtaro Gotō
  • Birthday: January 26, 1977
  • Birthplace: Niigata
Iwasaki
Iwasaki[35]
  • Position: Drummer
  • Real Name: Hiroshi Iwasaki
  • Birthday: November 21, 1969
  • Birth Place: Osaka

Discography

Albums

Studio albums
Title Album details JPN chart[36] Certifications
Peak position Weeks on chart
Splash!!! 2 18
Game
  • Released: May 26, 2004
  • Label: Ki/oon Records
  • Formats: CD, CD+DVD, digital download
 4 17
Golden Coast
  • Released: July 20, 2005
  • Label: Ki/oon Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 9 8
Isle
  • Released: March 19, 2008
  • Label: Ki/oon Records
  • Formats: CD, CD+DVD, digital download
 7 12
#5
  • Released: January 28, 2009
  • Label: Ki/oon Records
  • Formats: CD, CD+DVD, digital download
 7 5
Microcosm
  • Released: June 16, 2010
  • Label: Ki/oon Records
  • Formats: CD, CD+DVD, digital download
 9 5
Black & White
  • Released: February 12, 2012
  • Label: Ki/oon Records
  • Formats: CD, CD+DVD, digital download
 29 3
Flow The Max!!!
  • Released: March 27, 2013
  • Label: Ki/oon Records
  • Formats: CD, CD+DVD, digital download
 21 4
26 a Go Go!!!
  • Released: March 26, 2014
  • Label: Ki/oon Records
  • Formats: CD, CD+DVD, digital download
 36 3
#10
  • Released: February 3, 2016
  • Label: Ki/oon Records
  • Formats: CD, CD+DVD, digital download
 26 3
Tribalythm
  • Released: April 10, 2019
  • Label: Ki/oon Records
  • Formats: CD, CD+DVD, digital download
 21

Extended plays
Title EP details JPN chart[36]
Peak position Weeks on chart
Flow #0
  • Released: October 23, 2001[39]
  • Label: Colla Disc
  • Format: CD
 — —
Sunshine 60
  • Released: August 31, 2002
  • Label: Fun City Records[40]
  • Format: CD
 202 —
Like a Rolling Snow
  • Released: November 27, 2002
  • Label: Fun City Records[41]
  • Format: CD
 — —
Nuts Bang!!! 23 3
Fighting Dreamers
  • Released: June 28, 2017
  • Label: Ki/oon Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 36 4

Compilation albums
Title Album details JPN chart[36] Certifications
Peak position Weeks on chart
Flow The Best: Single Collection 4 11
Coupling Collection
  • Released: November 4, 2009
  • Label: Ki/oon Records
  • Formats: CD, CD+DVD, digital download
 25 4
Flow Anime Best
  • Released: March 23, 2011
  • Label: Ki/oon Records
  • Formats: CD, CD+DVD, digital download
 5 8
Flow Anime Best Kiwami
  • Released: February 25, 2015
  • Label: Ki/oon Records
  • Formats: CD, CD+DVD, digital download
 35 4
Flow The Best Anime Shibari
  • Released: March 7, 2018
  • Label: Ki/oon Records
  • Formats: CD, CD+DVD, digital download
 21 5

Singles
Title Year JPN Oricon[43] JPN
Billboard[44]		 Notes Album
Peak position Weeks on chart
"Blaster" (ブラスター Burasutā) 2003 12 6 — Game
"Dream Express" (ドリームエクスプレス Dorīmu Ekusupuresu) 9 9 —
"Ryūsei / Sharirara" (流星/シャリララ) 2004 12 10 —
"GO!!!" 6 22 24 Naruto 4th opening theme.
"Life is Beautiful" 28 4 — Golden Coast
"Rookie / Stay Gold" 2005 32 5 — Theme song for the Korean movie Make It Big.
"Days" 3 14 — Eureka Seven 1st opening theme.
"Garden (Summer Edit)" 50 2 —
"Re:member" 2006 12 8 — Naruto 8th opening theme. Isle
"Around The World / Kandata" 23 5 — CM for Suzuki Swift.
"Colors" 2 16 — Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion 1st opening theme.
"Answer" 2007 7 12 — Detective School Q drama theme song.
"Fuyu no Amaoto / Night Parade" (冬の雨音/Night Parade)
(by Flow∞Home Made Kazoku)		 19 4 —
"Arigatō" (ありがとう) 2008 25 7 —
"Word of the Voice" 15 6 45[45] Persona -trinity soul- 2nd opening theme. #5
"World End" 4 10 7[46] Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 2nd opening theme.
"Snow Flake (Kioku no Koshitsu) / Pulse" (Snow Flake ～記憶の固執～/PULSE) 24 4 — Image song of snowboard event "X-Trail Jam in Tokyo Dome ‘08".
"Sign" 2010 4 6 14[47] Naruto Shippuden 6th opening theme. Microcosm
"Calling" 21 3 37[48] Heroman 1st ending theme.
"Tabidachi Graffiti" (旅立ちグラフィティ) 32 2 88[49] Ending theme for the TV show Uchikuru!?. Black & White
"1/3 no Junjō na Kanjō" (1/3の純情な感情)
(originally by Siam Shade)		 2011 20 4 — "1/3 no Junjou na Kanjou", originally used as Rurouni Kenshin 6th ending theme. Non-album single
"Hey!!!" 23 2 — Beelzebub 3rd opening theme. Black & White
"Rock Climbers" (ロッククライマーズ) 2012 43 2 — Ending theme for TV shows Nounai Word Q Hikidas! and Roke Mitsu: Roke x Roke x Roke.
"Brave Blue" (ブレイブルー Bureiburū) 12 7 41[50] Eureka Seven AO 2nd opening theme.[51] Flow The Max!!!
"Hero (Kibō no Uta) / Cha-La Head-Cha-La" (HERO ~希望の歌~ / CHA-LA-HEAD-CHA-LA) 2013 24 5 39[52] Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods insert song and theme song.
"Tokonatsu Endless" (常夏エンドレス) 35 2 — 26 a Go Go!!!
"Ai Ai Ai ni Utarete Bye Bye Bye" (愛愛愛に撃たれてバイバイバイ)) 2014 44 3 99[53] Samurai Flamenco 2nd opening theme.
"7 -seven-"
(featuring Granrodeo)		 10 10 17[54] The Seven Deadly Sins ending theme. #10
"Niji no Sora" (虹の空) 2015 34 2 — Naruto Shippuden 34th ending theme.
"Steppin' out" 2016 18 5 54[55] Durarara!!x2: Ketsu opening theme.
"Kaze no Uta / Burn" (風ノ唄 / Burn) 17 8 11 "Kaze no Uta" used as Tales of Zestiria the X 1st opening theme;
"Burn" used as Tales of Berseria opening theme.
"Innosense" 2017 21 6 43 Tales of Zestiria the X 2nd ending theme.
"Howling"
(featuring Granrodeo)		 2018 13 6 26[56] The Seven Deadly Sins: Revival of the Commandments opening theme.
"Neiro / Break It Down" (音色 / Break It Down) 37 2 — "Neiro" used as Sachiiro no One Room live-action drama series theme song. "Break It Down" used as browser game Naruto x Boruto Borutical Generations theme song.

Indie singles
Title Year JPN Oricon[43] Album
Peak position Weeks on chart
"Okuru Kotoba" (贈る言葉) 2003 6 23 Splash!!!
"Melos" (メロス) 10 5

Digital singles
Title Year JPN Oricon[43] Notes Album
Peak position Weeks on chart
"Hikari Oikakete" (光追いかけて) 2015 — — Image song for the play Live Spectacle Naruto. #10
"Oneness" 2018 — — Image song for Flow Live Best 2019 at Nippon Budokan. Tribalythm
"Pendulum" 2019 — — Theme song of the video game Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion Lost Stories.

DVDs
Year DVD Details Oricon chart[36]
Peak position Weeks on chart
2004 The Play Off: Game 1
  • Released: December 1, 2004
 74 —
2007 Flow Countdown Live 2006-2007 "Kizuna Factory: Differ Toshiake"
  • Released: March 21, 2007
 76 1
2008 Flow the Video
  • Released: September 9, 2008
 24 2
2008 Flow Live Tour 2007-2008 'Isle' Final at Nippon Budokan
  • Released: December 24, 2008
 82 2
2011 Flow First Zepp Tour 2011 'On The Line'
  • Released: September 11, 2011
 39 2
2013 Flow Video the Max!!!'
  • Released: February 6, 2013
 36 2
2013 Flow Live Tour 2013 "Tour The Max!!!!" -Grand Final- at Maihama Amphitheater
  • Released: December 18, 2013
 59 1
2017 Flow The Live 2016
  • Released: March 15, 2017
 20 2
2020 Flow Chokaigi 2020 "Anime-Shibari Returns" at Makuhari Messe Event Hall
  • Release: August 5, 2020
gollark: Investigating...
gollark: Interesting question.
gollark: x.com is hosted using Apache?!
gollark: Oops, wrong account.
gollark: In what way?

References
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