Puffy AmiYumi

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Puffy AmiYumi
Puffy AmiYumi 20090704 Japan Expo 46.jpg
Yumi Yoshimura (left) and Ami Onuki (right) performing as Puffy at Japan Expo 2009
Background information
Also known asPuffy
Origin Tokyo, Japan
Genres
Years active1995–present
Labels
MembersAmi Onuki
Yumi Yoshimura
Website Puffy.jp
PuffyAmiYumi.com

Puffy, also known as Puffy AmiYumi, is a Japanese pop rock duo formed in Tokyo in 1995, consisting of singers Ami Onuki and Yumi Yoshimura. In the United States, they adopted the name Puffy AmiYumi to avoid legal naming conflicts with Sean Combs, who also performed under the name Puffy. The duo sings in Japanese and English.

Contents

Onuki and Yoshimura were scouted by Sony-affiliated talent agencies and put together in the mid-1990s. Most of their work was produced or co-written by Tamio Okuda and Andy Sturmer, formerly of the bands Unicorn and Jellyfish, respectively. [1] [2]

The duo's first single, "Asia no Junshin" (1996), sold one million records. They gained mainstream success in Japan in 1998 following the release of their album Jet-CD and continued with several more full-length releases (totaling 15 million sales in Japan). [3]

In 2004, an animated series featuring cartoon versions of Onuki and Yoshimura, Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi , premiered on the US Cartoon Network. Although their characters were voiced by different voice actresses, the singers portrayed themselves for short live-action segments taped in Japan.

History

Pre-debut activities

When Onuki was in high school, she sang for a band called Hanoi Sex that participated in Sony SD Audition and passed, becoming employees of Sony Music Entertainment. She later took vocal lessons and attended a professional school to learn how to become a better performer. The band eventually disbanded, leaving only Onuki under Sony's employment. She was encouraged to stay despite lacking a band and a clear musical direction. [4]

Yoshimura had learned of the Chotto Sokomade talent search underway by Sony Music Artists at the age of 18. After passing the company's audition, Yoshimura moved on her own from Osaka to Tokyo, where she eventually met Onuki by chance in the Sony Music offices. Both felt alone within the large Sony organization and were not confident in their abilities as solo artists. Although Onuki had recorded a solo CD under the guidance of former Unicorn frontman Tamio Okuda, which later become half of solosolo, she and Yoshimura requested Sony pair them as a duo. [5]

Debut and beginnings

Producer and American pop musician Andy Sturmer christened them "Puffy", and is considered by Ami and Yumi as "the godfather of Puffy". Ami had previously met Tamio Okuda at a Sparks Gogo concert, and he had produced her then-unreleased solo CD. He was eventually signed on to produce Puffy's first album AmiYumi . Their debut single, "Asia no Junshin", launched Puffy-mania. Asked if they were surprised by the attention after its success, Yumi told an interviewer "... everything that was put together for that song all came together and made it happen, but we didn't expect it. It was luck." [6]

On July 13, 2005, their song Song of Origin (はじまりのうた, Hajimari no Uta) was used as the ending theme of the eighth Pokémon film: Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew .

Puffy in the United States

Puffy AmiYumi performing in New York City in 2006. Puffy Amiyumi.jpg
Puffy AmiYumi performing in New York City in 2006.

Puffy made their first US appearance as part of Music Japan's "An Evening with Japan's All-Stars" showcase at the 2000 South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas. [7] After their performance at SXSW, attorneys for Sean "Puffy" Combs sent the band a cease and desist letter asking them to change their name. After changing their name in the US to Puffy AmiYumi, they told Entertainment Weekly: [8]

Yumi: It doesn't bother us at all. We respect the fact that Puff Daddy is Puffy in the U.S.
Ami: The bottom line is that we don't know what puffy means. We were given our name by somebody else six years ago, and we really don't have a clue.

After Pa-Pa-Pa-Pa-Puffy ended production in 2002, Puffy focused on performing in the United States. Several of their previous Japanese albums were released for the US market and they recorded theme songs for the animated series Teen Titans and SD Gundam Force . They have also done a cover version with Cyndi Lauper of her hit "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun". They also performed their songs "Hi Hi" and "Akai Buranko" (Red Swing) [9] [ better source needed ] on the show. They came back to the US in 2006 for their Splurge Tour, and also toured with Tally Hall for Super-Ultimate Awesome Exploration America 2006 [10] In January 2017, they announced for the US tour titled Puffy AmiYumi US Tour 2017: Not Lazy in April 2017. [11] In the same month, the band made an appearance at Anime Boston for autograph signings. [12]

Animated series

On November 19, 2004, an animated series featuring cartoon versions of Ami and Yumi, Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi , premiered on the United States' Cartoon Network. Despite both of them being voiced by American actresses (although Janice Kawaye, who plays Ami, is of Japanese descent), the real life Puffy AmiYumi star in short live-action segments recorded in Japan. The series also featured some of the duo's songs.

Yoshimura said in an interview with LiveDaily : [13]

Yumi: The Cartoon Network show has given us a great opportunity to introduce the music to a new audience. When we toured, after the Cartoon Network show started, so many little kids came to our show. We always wanted as many people as possible to listen to the music.

Puffy AmiYumi made an appearance and performed in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2005 where they were also represented by their own Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi float and balloon. [14]

On January 16, 2006, Puffy AmiYumi was appointed goodwill ambassadors to the United States as part of the Japanese government's campaign to encourage tourism in Japan. [15]

Puffy AmiYumi also performed cameo voiceovers in an episode of the 2011 anime series, Bunny Drop , which aired on July 8, 2011. They also performed the opening theme to the anime. [16]

Musical style

Puffy AmiYumi has collaborated with producer Tamio Okuda and American singer-songwriter Andy Sturmer. The duo's vocals have been compared to American vocal sister group The Roches. [17]

Members

Discography

Television works

Related Research Articles

Marvin Andrew Sturmer is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and composer who co-founded the rock band Jellyfish in 1989. He was the group's lead vocalist, drummer, and primary songwriter. Following their break-up in 1994, Sturmer became involved with Tamio Okuda, as writer and producer for the Japanese pop duo Puffy AmiYumi. Although Sturmer maintains a low public profile, he continues working as a songwriter for cartoons produced by Disney and Cartoon Network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tamio Okuda</span> Musical artist

Tamio Okuda is a Japanese singer, songwriter, and producer. He started his career in 1986 as a member of the band Unicorn. After Unicorn broke up, Okuda moved on to a solo career in 1994 with the single "Ai no Tame ni". He has written and composed many songs for various artists, particularly Puffy. He is signed to Sony Music Japan.

<i>An Illustrated History</i> 2002 studio album by Puffy

An Illustrated History is the second North American album released by Japanese pop group Puffy AmiYumi. It was released on May 21, 2002..

<i>Nice</i> (Puffy AmiYumi album) 2003 studio album by PUFFY

Nice is an album by Japanese pop group PUFFY, released in 2003 it is their third North American album. The US release featured a few track changes: "Atarashii hibi" and "Tomodachi" were replaced with "Urei", "Teen Titans Theme" and "Planet Tokyo", an English song with the melody of "Akai buranko". The album peaked at No. 20 on the Japanese Albums Chart.

<i>Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi</i> American television series (2004–2006)

Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi is an American animated series created by Sam Register and produced by Renegade Animation and Cartoon Network Studios, which aired on Cartoon Network from 2004 to 2006. The series stars fictionalized and animated versions of the Japanese pop rock group Puffy AmiYumi. The series premiered on November 19, 2004, and ended on June 27, 2006, with a total of three seasons and 39 episodes.

<i>Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi</i> (album) 2004 compilation album/soundtrack album by Puffy AmiYumi

Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi is a compilation album by pop duo Puffy AmiYumi, released in 2004. It was compiled to tie in with the group's animated series of the same name. There is also a Japanese version of this CD, of which contains the subtitle, "Happy Fun Rock Music from the Series" and includes two additional "TV Mix" tracks. The album peaked at #49 on the Japanese Albums Chart.

<i>Pa-Pa-Pa-Pa-Puffy</i> Japanese television series

Pa Pa Pa Pa Puffy was a variety TV show which aired in Japan from 1 October 1997 to 27 March 2002, and re-aired as a PUFFY 10th anniversary broadcast for a short time in 2006. It was hosted by Ami Onuki and Yumi Yoshimura. Rodney Alan Greenblat was responsible for most of the visual design of the show.

Yōsui Inoue is a Japanese singer, lyricist, composer, guitarist and record producer, who is an important figure in Japanese music. He is renowned for his unique tone, eccentric lyrics, and dark sunglasses which he always wears.

<i>Fever Fever</i> (album) 1999 studio album by PUFFY

Fever Fever is a 1999 album by PUFFY.

<i>Splurge</i> 2006 studio album by PUFFY/Puffy AmiYumi

Splurge is a Japanese-language pop album by Puffy Amiyumi that was released on June 28, 2006 in Japan. It was released in the US on July 25, 2006, after their East Coast Tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boogie Woogie No. 5</span> 2000 single by Puffy AmiYumi

"Boogie Woogie No.5" is the 12th single released by Japanese pop duo Puffy AmiYumi with the Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra on September 27, 2000.

"Umi e to" is the 11th single released by Japanese pop duo Puffy AmiYumi on April 5, 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asia no Junshin</span> 1996 single by Puffy

"Asia no Junshin" is a song recorded by the Japanese pop rock duo Puffy, released in May 1996 as their debut single. It was produced and composed by Tamio Okuda, with lyrics written by Yōsui Inoue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kore ga Watashi no Ikiru Michi</span> 1996 single by Puffy AmiYumi

"Kore ga Watashi no Ikiru Michi" is the 2nd single released by the Japanese pop duo Puffy AmiYumi on October 7, 1996. It sold over 1.5 million copies and was their first #1 hit. They won "Japan Record Award for Best New Artist" in 1996.

Hi Hi Puffy Club, more accurately titled Hi Hi Puffy Bu, is Puffy AmiYumi's reality television series, which premiered on TV Asahi on 22 July 2007. The show stars both Ami Onuki and Yumi Yoshimura, and its opening credits include them in a cel-shaded manga. The theme song for the series is "Shall We Dance?" from their Splurge album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puffy AmiYumi discography</span>

The discography for Japanese pop/rock duo Puffy AmiYumi consists of 14 studio albums, 8 compilation albums, 2 remix albums, 12 video albums and 41 singles. Their first single Asia no Junshin became an instant hit in Japan where it sold more than a million records and help to catapult the group. Jet-CD is their most successful album, Kore ga watashi no ikiru michi is their most successful single. They have sold more than 15 million records worldwide.

<i>Hit&Fun</i> 2007 compilation album by PUFFY

Hit&Fun is a compilation album by pop duo PUFFY, that was released on February 14, 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hataraku Otoko</span> 2006 single by Puffy AmiYumi

"Hataraku Otoko" is a single by Japanese pop duo Puffy AmiYumi released on November 22, 2006. The title song is used as the theme to the anime series Hataraki Man.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All Because of You (Puffy song)</span> 2008 single by Puffy

"All Because Of You" is the 25th single from Japanese pop duo Puffy AmiYumi released on May 21, 2008. The title song is written and composed by Avril Lavigne and Butch Walker, and is performed entirely in English. The second song Frontier no Pioneer is a cover originally produced by Tamio Okuda and was used as a CM song for Kagome vegetable juice "Yasai Seikatsu 100!".

<i>Shopping</i> (Inoue Yōsui and Okuda Tamio album) 1997 studio album by InoueYōsuiOkudaTamio

Shopping is the first album by InoueYosuiOkudaTamio, the duo consisting of Japanese singer-songwriters Yōsui Inoue and Tamio Okuda. It was released in February 1997 under For Life and SME, two different labels that Inoue and Okuda had contracted with, respectively.

References

  1. ↑ Segal, David (July 22, 2002). "Puffy: Pop With A Japanese Accent". Washington Post .
  2. ↑ Weller, Jam (August 26, 2005). "Japanese Beatles". Chicago Tribune .
  3. ↑ Smith, Dennis A. "J!-Ent 50-page Special Feature: Puffy AmiYumi 15th Year Anniversary featuring interviews from 2000-2010" (PDF). NT 2099. Retrieved December 5, 2010.
  4. ↑ "Puffy 10th Anniversary Book 'Ayumi'", Ami Interview Chapters 1 and 2, Sony Magazines Inc., 2006
  5. ↑ "Puffy 10th Anniversary Book 'Ayumi'", Ami Interview Chapters 1 and 2, Yumi Interview Chapters 1 and 2, Sony Magazines Inc., 2006
  6. ↑ Whelski, Tina. "Feature: Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi". Woman Rock. Archived from the original on March 16, 2006. Retrieved December 7, 2006.
  7. ↑ Amith, Dennis A. (March 2001). "Prepare for the Puffy Invasion". NT2009 Entertainment. p. 1. Archived from the original on 24 June 2002. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  8. ↑ Bruner, Rob (April 3, 2001). "Sayonara, Puffy". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 13, 2006. Retrieved December 7, 2006.
  9. ↑ "Akai Buranko". YouTube . Archived from the original on April 10, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Super-Ultimate Awesome Exploration America 2006 by Tally Hall". YouTube. 25 May 2010. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
  11. ↑ "Puffy to hold U.S. tour in April". Tokyohive. 6Theory Media, LLC. January 4, 2017. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Guest Info: Puffy AmiYumi". Anime Boston. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  13. ↑ Fuoco, Christina (19 July 2006). "LiveDaily Interview: Puffy AmiYumi". LiveDaily . Archived from the original on October 21, 2006. Retrieved October 16, 2007.
  14. ↑ "Cartoon Network Unveils Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi Float For the 79th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" (Press release). Time Warner. October 31, 2005. Archived from the original on November 26, 2005. Retrieved December 7, 2006.
  15. ↑ "Puffy appointed goodwill ambassadors to U.S. for tourism". Kyodo News. January 16, 2006. Archived from the original on February 13, 2006. Retrieved December 7, 2006.
  16. ↑ Sherman, Jennifer (August 4, 2011). "Rock Duo Puffy to Voice-Act in Usagi Drop Anime". Anime News Network .
  17. ↑ "Hi Hi Puffy Amiyumi (Expanded European Edition)". Archived from the original on February 9, 2019.
Preceded by
Junko Miyama
 Japan Record Award for Best New Artist
1996 		Succeeded by
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