Ayase (music producer)

Ayase
Ayase in 2024
Born	(1994-04-04) April 4, 1994 (age 30) Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan
Nationality	Japanese
Other names	Keiichirō
Occupations	Musician singer lyricist composer arranger record producer
Agents	SML Management [1] Creative Artists Agency [2] Echoes [3]
Musical career
Origin	Japan
Genres	J-pop Vocaloid doujin rock
Instruments	Synthesizer keyboard sampler cajón vocals
Years active	2012–present
Labels	Sony Japan Echoes
Member of	Yoasobi Dreamers
Formerly of	Davinci
YouTube information
Channel	Ayase / YOASOBI
Years active	2018–present
Genre	Music
Subscribers	7.02 million [4]
Total views	5.34 billion [4]
Creator Awards 100,000 subscribers 1,000,000 subscribers
Last updated: March 1, 2025

Ayase (born April 4, 1994) is a Japanese musician and record producer. He is best known as a Vocaloid producer and composer for Yoasobi, a musical duo composed of himself and vocalist Ikura. He was also a vocalist of the rock band Davinci until its disbandment in 2020.

Early life

Ayase was born on April 4, 1994, in Ube, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. ^[5] At the age around 3 or 4, he received his first piano lessons by his grandmother who was a music teacher. When he started elementary school, he received professional piano lessons at a music school. In his later grade school years, he also learned how to play acoustic guitar after he was given an acoustic guitar as a Christmas present. The first song he learned to play on guitar was originally written by Ringo Sheena. His early musical influences were Exile, Sukima Switch, Kobukuro, ^[6] Radwimps, ^[7] Aiko, ^{[8] [9]} and Post Malone. ^[10] He also stated that he was influenced by several rock and metal bands, such as Maximum the Hormone, Coldrain, Crossfaith, SiM, Slipknot and Bring Me the Horizon before he found the band. ^[11]

Career

Davinci

When he was 16, Ayase formed his rock band Davinci with classmates from high school, performing under the name Keiichirō, and being in charge of vocalist and leader of the band. Due to his band activity, he later dropped out of high school, and, in 2016, the band relocated to Tokyo. ^[8] In October 2018, the band went hiatus due to Ayase's medical treatment of peptic ulcer disease. ^[12] The band announced the disbandment two years later in July 2020. ^[13]

Solo activities

During the band's hiatus, Ayase started making music using the Vocaloid software voicebank Hatsune Miku during his stay at the hospital. He released his first song "Sentensei Assault Girl" via video-sharing website YouTube and Niconico on December 24, 2018. ^[14] Since then, he continued self-published several songs, including "Last Resort" in April 2019, which gained his first popularity. ^[15] Eventually, Ayase released his debut extended play Ghost City Tokyo, recorded by Hatsune Miku vocals, on November 17, 2019. ^{[16] [17]} His second EP Mikunoyoasobi was released exclusively on CD to Tower Records Japan on January 6, 2021. The EP contains cover versions by Hatsune Miku of seven tracks from Yoasobi's debut EP The Book by Hatsune Miku, including "Yoru ni Kakeru", which previously appeared on Ghost City Tokyo. ^[18]

Ayase's self-cover of two tracks from Ghost City Tokyo, "Yoru Naderu Menō" and "Yūrei Tōkyō", were released to streaming platforms on September 8, 2021, after published on YouTube and Niconico in 2019–2020. ^[19] He collaborated with Creepy Nuts and Lilas Ikuta on the single "Baka Majime", which featured on All Night Nippon 55th-anniversary stage drama Ano Yoru o Oboe Teru. ^[20] Ayase released his first original song "Hōwa", alongside self-cover of "Cinema", on September 30, 2022. ^[21] In 2023, he recorded two anime opening themes: "Shock!" for Buddy Daddies , ^[22] and "Hiten" with R-Shitei  [ ja ] for the 2023 edition of Rurouni Kenshin . ^[23] Ayase and Vocaloid producers Syudou, Surii, and Tsumiki, as Dreamers, for the collaborative EP Ryūgūjō; Ayase wrote the song "Kira Kira Kira". It was released exclusively at Creators Market of Hatsune Miku: Magical Mirai 2023 festival in Osaka on August 11. ^[24] In 2024, Ayase wrote and performed the song "From Now!", which also co-composed and arranged by Yasutaka Nakata, and was released on September 6. ^[25] It was used for limited event quest and commercial for mobile game Monster Hunter Now . ^[26]

As songwriter and producer, Ayase has written and produced several songs for artists like Lisa, Uru, Nana Mori, Hoshimachi Suisei, Hey! Say! JUMP, and Poppin'Party, etc. In 2024, he was in charge of writing and producing the theme song for 2024 medical film Doctor-X: The Movie , titled "Episode X", which was performed by Ado. ^[27]

Yoasobi

Main article: Yoasobi

Around the time "Last Resort" popularized, ^[28] in mid 2019, Ayase received an offer from Sony Music Entertainment Japan's Yohei Yashiro and Shuya Yamamoto, to collaborate on a project to produce songs inspired by short stories published on creative writing social media Monogatary.com  [ ja ]. ^[29] He found Ikura on Instagram, where she covered the song, ^[30] and later checked her YouTube channel, and contacted her directly to persuade her to form the duo, called Yoasobi. ^[9] Their debut single "Yoru ni Kakeru", which was released in December 2019, went viral and became a musical success in Japan which resulted in Yoasobi increasing popularity in Japanese music scene. ^{[31] [32]}

Personal life

Ayase has been dating Nina Ai, who works on some of Yoasobi's cover artworks and music videos, including "Yoru ni Kakeru". ^[33]

Discography

For Ayase's discography as a member of Yoasobi, see Yoasobi discography.

Extended plays

List of extended plays, with selected details, chart positions and sales

Title	Details	Peak positions			Sales
		JPN [34]	JPN Cmb. [35]	JPN Hot [36]
Ghost City Tokyo	Released: November 17, 2019 Label: Self-release Formats: CD, DL, streaming Track listing "Happy Ender" (ハッピーエンダー) "Fiction Blue" (フィクションブルー) "Last Resort" (ラストリゾート) "Killer Queen" (キラークイーン) "Violeta" (ヴァイオレッタ) "Ghost City Tokyo" (幽霊東京) "Yoru ni Kakeru" (夜に駆ける, Hatsune Miku version; CD only) "Yoru Naderu Menō" (夜撫でるメノウ, Ayase version; CD only)	—	—	—
Mikunoyoasobi	Released: January 6, 2021 Label: Sony Japan Formats: CD, DL, streaming	15	24	18	JPN: 3,916 [A]
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released, certifications and album name

Title	Year	Peak chart positions			Certifications	Album
		JPN [39]	JPN Cmb. [40]	JPN Hot [41]
"Suima" (睡魔) (with Kankan)	2021	—	—	—		Non-album single
"Yoru Naderu Menō" (夜撫でるメノウ) [B]		—	24	25	RIAJ: Platinum (st.) [42]	Ghost City Tokyo
"Yūrei Tōkyō" (幽霊東京)		—		— [C]		Non-album single
"Baka Majime" (ばかまじめ) (with Creepy Nuts and Lilas Ikuta)	2022	—	50	38	RIAJ: Platinum (st.) [44]	Ensemble Play
"Hōwa" (飽和)		—	— [D]	— [E]		Non-album single
"Cinema" (シネマ)		—	— [F]	— [G]
"Shock!"	2023	—	—	—
"Hiten" (飛天) (with R-Shitei)		38	— [H]	73
"Kira Kira Kira" (キラキラキラ) [48] (as Dreamers)		—	—	—		Ryūgūjō
"From Now!"	2024	—	— [I]	— [J]		Non-album single
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Non-commercial releases

List of non-commercial songs, showing title, year released, vocalist, and album

Title	Year	Vocalist(s)	Album
"Sentensei Assault Girl" (先天性アサルトガール)	2018	Hatsune Miku	Non-album songs
"I'm Not Crying" (泣いてない)	2019
"Happy Ender" (ハッピーエンダー)			Ghost City Tokyo
"Yoru Naderu Menō" (夜撫でるメノウ) [B]			Non-album songs
"Last Resort" (ラストリゾート)			Ghost City Tokyo
"Pseudohumans" (人間モドキ)		V Flower and Hatsune Miku	Non-album songs
"Killer Queen" (キラークイーン)		Hatsune Miku	Ghost City Tokyo
"Fiction Blue" (フィクションブルー)
"Cynical Night Plan" (シニカルナイトプラン)	2020		Non-album songs
"Yokubari" (よくばり)
"Bitter Sweet Samba" (Ayase remix) [51]	2021	—

Guest appearances

List of non-single guest appearances, showing title, year released and album name

Title	Year	Album
"Tachiiri Kinshi" (立ち入り禁止) (with Ado)	2022	Mafumafu Tribute Album – Tensei
"Hero" (featuring Hatsune Miku)	2023	Magical Mirai 2023: Official Album

Songwriting and production credits

All song credits are adapted from the Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers's database unless stated otherwise. ^[52]

List of songs written by Ayase for other artists, showing year released, artist name, and name of the album

Song	Year	Artist	Album	Lyricist	Composer	Arranger
"Evergreen" (エヴァーグリーン) [53]	2019	Ryushen	Non-album single
"Inochi ga Naite Itanda" (命が泣いていたんだ)	2020	The Binary	Jiu
"Wanderer" (ワンダラー)		Satomi	Non-album single
"Saikai" (再会)		Lisa, Uru	Non-album single
"Sen'ya Ichiya" (千夜一夜)		Hey! Say! JUMP	Fab!: Music Speaks
"Shout!" (シャウト!)		TTJ	Non-album single
"Snow Dance" (スノウダンス)	2021	Genin wa Jibun ni Aru	Multiverse
"Never Ending" (ネバーエンディング)		Shoose	Velvet Night
"Shinkai" (深海)		Nana Mori	Non-album single
"Yuke" (往け)		Lisa	Lander
"Alter Garden" (オルターガーデン)		Regret (Arisa Kōri)	Caligula 2 Original Soundtrack
"Cinema" (シネマ)		Vivid Bad Squad	"Rad Dogs" / "Cinema"
"Introduction" (イントロダクション)	2022	Poppin'Party	"Poppin'Dream"
"Kaimaku Zenoparade" (開幕ゼノパレード)		Varis	Kakusei Historia
"Wonder Light"		Idolish7	Non-album single
"Michizure" (みちづれ)	2023	Hoshimachi Suisei	Specter
"Datsu Karitekita Neko Shōkōgun" (脱・借りてきた猫症候群)		Uru	Contrast
"Michishirube" (道導)		Masayuki Suzuki	Soul Navigation
"Four-Man Cell" (フォーマンセル)		Top 4 (Kiyo, Retort, Ushizawa, Gatchman)	Non-album single
"Episode X" [54]	2024	Ado	Ado's Best Adobum

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, award category, nominee(s) of the award, and the result of the nomination

Award ceremony	Year	Category	Nominee(s)/work(s)	Result	Ref.
Japan Record Awards	2023	Best Composition Award	"Idol"	Won	[55]
JASRAC Awards	2023	Silver Prize	"Yoru ni Kakeru"	Won	[56]
	2024	Gold Prize	"Idol"	Won	[57]

Notes

1. Japan physical and digital combined sale figures for Mikunoyoasobi ^{[37] [38]}
2. "Yoru Naderu Menō" was first voiced by Hatsune Miku and was non-commercially published through YouTube and Niconico in early 2019. A self-cover of the song was commercially released on EP Ghost City Tokyo in late 2019. The same self-cover was re-released in 2021, alongside "Yūrei Tōkyō".
3. "Yūrei Tōkyō" did not enter Billboard Japan Hot 100, but peaked at number 36 on the Download Songs. ^[43]
4. "Hōwa" did not enter Oricon Combined Singles Chart, but peaked at number 25 on the Digital Singles Chart. ^[45]
5. "Hōwa" did not enter Billboard Japan Hot 100, but peaked at number 36 on the Download Songs. ^[46]
6. "Cinema" did not enter Oricon Combined Singles Chart, but peaked at number 42 on the Digital Singles Chart. ^[45]
7. "Cinema" did not enter Billboard Japan Hot 100, but peaked at number 56 on the Download Songs. ^[46]
8. "Hiten" did not enter Oricon Combined Singles Chart, but peaked at number 9 on the Digital Singles Chart. ^[47]
9. "From Now!" did not enter Oricon Combined Singles Chart, but peaked at number 47 on the Digital Singles Chart. ^[49]
10. "From Now!" did not enter Billboard Japan Hot 100, but peaked at number 47 on the Download Songs. ^[50]

References

1. "SML Management / Artist" (in Japanese). SML Management. Archived from the original on July 8, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
2. "YOASOBI、米大手エージェンシーCAAと契約 スピルバーグ、大谷翔平ら所属". Kai-You (in Japanese). April 22, 2024. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
3. "ソニーミュージックがYOASOBI、MAISONdesを擁する新マネジメント&レーベル「Echoes」を発足". Sony Music Entertainment Japan (in Japanese). September 12, 2024. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
4. "About Ayase / YOASOBI". YouTube.
5. "宇部ふるさと大使にAyaseさん/「YOASOBI」のメンバー". Yamaguchi Shimbun (in Japanese). April 15, 2021. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
6. Soo, JX (September 4, 2023). "YOASOBI: the "ultimate J-pop unit" faces the world". NME . Retrieved November 15, 2023.
7. Bell, Crystal (October 29, 2021). "YOASOBI Is Ready to Go Global". Paper . Retrieved June 25, 2023.
8. Abe, Yuka (July 14, 2020). "中高生に爆発的人気を誇る音楽ユニット「YOASOBI」 そのクリエイティビティーの源泉とは". Asahi & Education (in Japanese). Retrieved January 2, 2022.
9. Billboard Japan (June 30, 2020). "Rising J-Pop Duo YOASOBI Reveal Influences From Anime to Folk: Interview". Billboard . Retrieved January 2, 2022.
10. Shamon, Ramsen (August 2, 2024). "Prior to Lollapalooza, J-Pop Sensation Yoasobi Talk Music, Fans, and Food". Newsweek . Retrieved August 4, 2024.
11. Shida, Takumi (September 2, 2023). "SiM MAH and YOASOBI Ayase discuss metal music and the role their music should play in the world as music from Japan". Real Sound. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
12. Davinci [@Davinci_of] (October 3, 2018). "Davinciから皆様へ今後の活動について大切なお知らせがございます。 / リリース当日、ならびにツアー直前のご報告となり誠に申し訳ございません。 / ご迷惑をお掛けしますこと、深くお詫び申し上げます。" (Tweet). Retrieved January 16, 2024– via Twitter.
13. Davinci [@Davinci_of] (July 16, 2020). "Davinciから皆様へ / これまで関わっていただいた全ての方へ / 大切なご報告がございます。 / ご一読のほどお願い致します。" (Tweet). Retrieved January 16, 2024– via Twitter.
14. "YOASOBI、ボカロ文化と繋がる「物語音楽」の新たな才能の真髄". Cinra (in Japanese). January 31, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
15. Fukuryū (January 24, 2020). ""小説＋音楽"のクリエイターユニット YOASOBI、第2弾楽曲「あの夢をなぞって」も好調 バイラルチャート躍進の理由を探る". Real Sound (in Japanese). Retrieved January 15, 2024.
16. "YOASOBI、「あの夢をなぞって」が「とくダネ！」6月度お天気コーナーのマンスリー・ソングに決定". CD Journal (in Japanese). June 1, 2020. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
17. "人気ボカロP『Ayase』が1周年を記念して "幽霊東京" のセルフカヴァーを公開". Vevelarge (in Japanese). December 24, 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
18. "YOASOBI、初配信ライヴ2月14日開催決定。1st EP『THE BOOK』の初音ミクVer.『MIKUNOYOASOBI』タワレコ限定サプライズ・リリース。ファンクラブ「CLUB 夜遊」もプレオープン". Tower Records Japan (in Japanese). January 6, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
19. "Ayase、ボカロ曲セルフカバー配信シングル『夜撫でるメノウ / 幽霊東京』を緊急リリース". Spice (in Japanese). September 7, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
20. "Creepy Nuts×Ayase×幾田りら、"オールナイトニッポン"55周年記念公演"あの夜を覚えてる"主題歌「ばかまじめ」3/20デジタル・リリース。今夜各レギュラー・ラジオ番組にて先行OA解禁". Skream! (in Japanese). March 15, 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
21. "Ayase、自身歌唱のオリジナル曲と「シネマ」セルフカバーをリリース". Barks (in Japanese). September 30, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
22. "Ayase、新曲「SHOCK!」配信開始". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). January 6, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
23. "Ayase×R-指定「るろ剣」OP曲、放送前に配信". Natalie (in Japanese). July 1, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
24. "DREAMERS(Ayase/syudou/すりぃ/ツミキ)がコンピALを【マジカルミライ】で販売、メンバーによる手売りも". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). July 28, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
25. "『モンハンナウ』YOASOBIのコンポーザー・Ayaseとのコラボ曲『From Now!』独占先行配信。『ポータブル』時代から蓄積された"モンハン愛"を凝縮". Famitsu (in Japanese). August 27, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
26. "現実世界にモンスターが襲来! 『モンハンNow』新CMソング「From Now!」が公開―シリーズファンの「YOASOBI」Ayase氏が『モンハン』愛を詰め込んで作詞作曲". Inside (in Japanese). August 27, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
27. "「劇場版ドクターX」Ado×Ayaseの"超最強コラボ"が12年の集大成を彩る! 主題歌&コメント発表". Eiga.com (in Japanese). September 25, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
28. "＜インタビュー＞YOASOBIが語るユニット結成の経緯、音楽と小説を行き来する面白さ | Special". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). June 19, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
29. Kiyokawa, Jin (November 5, 2020). "YOASOBI transforms fiction into music" . Yomiuri Shimbun . Retrieved May 22, 2023.
30. Mukaihara, Kōta (September 27, 2020). "嵐 二宮和也、コンサートのゴンドラに乗る姿にも"ナルシスト感"はなし？ 妻夫木聡「ニノは成田山の豆まきみたいな感じ」". Real Sound (in Japanese). Retrieved August 3, 2023.
31. Murata, Kamome (June 5, 2020). "瑛人「香水」、YOASOBI「夜に駆ける」......SNSやサブスクで存在感示すアーティストと楽曲に注目". Real Sound (in Japanese). Retrieved April 25, 2022.
32. Hosoda, Narushi (September 9, 2020). "YOASOBI、大ヒットの背景は「現代のリアリティとの共鳴」". News Postseven (in Japanese). Retrieved May 26, 2022.
33. "「YOASOBI」Ayase、藍にいなとの熱愛報道認める「リスペクトし合える良き関係」". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). March 24, 2023. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
34. "Ayaseのアルバム売上" (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved June 12, 2023.
35. "Ayaseの合算アルバム売上" (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved June 12, 2023.
36. Peaks on the Billboard Japan Hot Albums:
    • "Mikunoyoasobi". January 13, 2021.
37. "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2021-01-18" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
38. "Oricon Top 50 Digital Albums: 2023-10-02" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
39. "Oricon Top 50 Singles: 2022-10-02" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
40. "Ayaseの合算シングル売上" (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved June 12, 2023.
    • "Baka Majime": "Oricon Top 50 Singles: 2022-04-04" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
41. Peaks on the Billboard Japan Hot 100:
    • "Yoru Naderu Menō". September 22, 2021.
    • "Baka Majime". March 30, 2022.
    • "Hiten". July 19, 2023.
42. "Japanese single streaming certifications – Ayase – 夜撫でるメノウ" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan . Retrieved June 12, 2023.Select 2022年11月 on the drop-down menu
43. "Billboard Japan Download Songs – Week of September 15, 2021". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved June 12, 2023.
44. "Japanese single streaming certifications – Creepy Nuts×Ayase×幾田 りら – ばかまじめ" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan . Retrieved February 27, 2025.Select 2025年1月 on the drop-down menu
45. "Ayaseのデジタルシングル売上" (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved June 12, 2023.
46. "Billboard Japan Download Songs – Week of September 5, 2022". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved June 12, 2023.
47. "Oricon Top 50 Digital Singles: 2023-07-24" (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved July 19, 2023.
48. "Ayase、syudou、すりぃ、ツミキからなる"DREAMERS"コンピ『龍宮城』収録の4曲が配信リリース決定". The First Times (in Japanese). September 4, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
49. "Oricon Top 50 Digital Singles: 2024-09-16" (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved September 11, 2024.
50. "Billboard Japan Download Songs – Week of September 11, 2024". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved September 11, 2024.
51. "YOASOBI、ANN新ブランド「オールナイトニッポンX」の火曜日パーソナリティに決定 「Bitter Sweet Samba -Ayase Remix-」が番組共通OPテーマに". Musicman (in Japanese). March 16, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
52. "検索画面 | J-WID". JASRAC . Retrieved June 12, 2023.Enter "AYASE" into the "著作者名" (Author name) field
53. Ryushen (November 22, 2019). エヴァーグリーン / 緑仙 (Official Video) (video). Retrieved June 12, 2023– via YouTube.
54. "Ado、Ayase楽曲提供の映画"劇場版ドクターX"主題歌「Episode X」12/6配信決定。主題歌スペシャルPV公開". Skream! (in Japanese). November 25, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
55. "第65日本レコード大賞、「優秀作品賞」「新人賞」など各賞受賞者＆曲が決定". Entamenext (in Japanese). November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
56. "2023年JASRAC賞 「ドライフラワー」が金賞を受賞" (in Japanese). JASRAC. May 24, 2023. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
57. "2024年JASRAC賞を発表" (in Japanese). JASRAC. May 22, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.

External links

• Ayase's channel on YouTube
• Ayase's channel on Niconico