Epic Records Japan

Epic Records Japan
Parent company	Sony Music Labels Inc. (2014–present) Previously Sony Music Entertainment Japan (1991–1998, 2001–2014) CBS Sony Group, Inc. (1983–1991) CBS Sony Records (1978–1983)
Founded	1978;48 years ago (1978) (original) 2001;25 years ago (2001) (relaunch)
Founder	Shigeo Maruyama
Defunct	1998 (1998) (original)
Distributor	Sony Music Solutions
Genre	Various, mainly J-pop and J-rock, formerly video games
Country of origin	Japan
Official website	epic-jp.net

Epic Records Japan is a Japanese record label owned by Sony Music Labels Inc., a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Its founder was Shigeo Maruyama.

Between 1978 and 1988 the label operated as a wholly owned subsidiary: Epic/Sony Inc. (株式会社EPIC・ソニー), established in August 1978 ^[1] and was later folded back into CBS/Sony Group in March 1988. ^[2]

In 2001, it was re-established as Epic Records Japan Inc. (株式会社エピックレコードジャパン, Kabushiki Gaisha Epikku Rekoodo Japan). In 2014, Sony Music Records Inc. absorbed Epic Records Japan Inc. alongside other Sony Japan subsidiaries, changing its name to Sony Music Labels. Since the absorption, Epic Records Japan has operated as an imprint of Sony Music Labels.

Notable music artists for this company have included Hikaru Utada, Tetsuya Komuro, and Kimiko Itoh.

Games published

During the late 1980s and early 1990s they also published video games for Nintendo consoles.

• 1987 - Tokoro-san no Mamoru mo Semeru mo for Famicom – developed by HAL Laboratory
• 1988 - Vegas Dream for Famicom
• 1989 - 飛ing ヒーローFlying Hero for Famicom – developed by Aicom
• 1989 - Tashiro Masashi no Princess ga Ippai for Famicom
• 1990 - サッカー・ボーイ Soccer Boy = Soccer Mania for Game Boy
• 1990 - Solstice for Famicom – developed by Software Creations (UK)
• 1991 - RoboCop for Game Boy
• 1991 - Hakunetsu Pro Yakyuu Ganba League = Extra Innings for Famicom – developed by Sting
• 1991 - Jerry Ball = Smart Ball for Super Famicom
• 1991 - Dragon's Lair for Famicom – developed by Motivetime
• 1991 - Dragon's Lair for Game Boy – developed by Motivetime
• 1991 - Altered Space for Game Boy
• 1991 - Xenon 2: Megablast for X68000 and PC-98 - developed by The Bitmap Brothers
• 1991 - Hudson Hawk for Famicom
• 1992 - Hudson Hawk for Game Boy
• 1992 - Robocop2 for Game Boy
• 1992 - Hook for Famicom – developed by Ocean
• 1992 - Hook for Game Boy – developed by Ocean
• 1992 - Hook for Super Famicom – developed by Ukiyotei
• 1992 - Ganba League '93 for Famicom – developed by Sting
• 1993 - ユートピア = Utopia: The Creation of a Nation for Super Famicom
• 1993 - Solstice II = Equinox for Super Famicom – developed by Software Creations
• 1993 - Ganba League '94
• 1994 - Karura Ou = Skyblazer for Super Famicom – developed by Ukiyotei

Former imprints

• Antinos
• Dohb Discs
• So What? Records
• Kowalski
• mf Records (joint venture with Motoharu Sano)
• Mint Age

Current artists

• 2PM
• 7!!
• Abingdon Boys School
• Akeboshi, Yoshio
• Angela Aki
• Aqua Timez
• Kousuke Atari
• Aura
• Brian the Sun
• Cinemusica
• The Condors
• Daisuke
• Deen
• Dreams Come True
• Dustz
• Hajime, Chitose
• Got7
• Halcali
• Hanabie.
• Haneyuri
• Hikaru Utada
• Ikimono-gakari
• Yuki
• Sawa
• LGMonkees (No Doubt Tracks/Epic)
• LMYK
• Lizabet
• Yui Makino
• Nao Matsushita
• Yuya Matsushita
• Yukie Nakama
• Nangi
• Naoto
• Nexz
• NiziU
• No3b
• Nodame Orchestra
• Nothing's Carved in Stone
• Pengin
• Motoharu Sano (Epic/mf)
• Shigi
• Solita
• Stance Punks (Epic/Kowalski/Dynamord)
• Stray Kids
• Sugaru, Matsutani (Epic/Informel)
• Masaki Suda
• Masayuki Suzuki
• Takachiya
• Yutaka Take
• Theatre Brook
• T.M.Revolution
• Uranino
• Anne Watanabe
• Misato Watanabe
• Yacht

Former artists

• ViViD
• Crystal Kay

References

1. History. Archived December 25, 2016, at the Wayback Machine Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Accessed October 3, 2010
2. CBS/Sony to Take Over 4 Subsidiaries. Jiji Press Ticker Service, February 12, 1988

External links

• Official website
• Epic/Sony at Discogs