asian kung-fu generation

Asian Kung-fu Generation is a Japanese popular music group. Its members are Yamada Takahiro, Gotoh Masafumi, Kita Kensuke, and Ijichi Kiyoshi. AKG's song Haruka Kanata was used as the second opening theme song for Naruto. Their recent song Riraito (REWRITE) was the fourth opening theme song for Fullmetal Alchemist. 1996- Asian Kung-Fu Generation was formed in 1996 by Masafumi, Kensuke, and Takahiro. Ichiji (their drummer) joined them later. It took a couple of years to achieve the popularity that they have gained. 2000-2001- Their first works were sold exclusively online. In fact, their first album (in 2000) was entirely in English! In 2001, the group began to advertise their song Konayuki by sending tapes to radio stations. It was a success, and is AKGs first aired song. That same year, they also released a second indie album featuring Japanese lyrics this time. 2002- AKG released their mini album Houkai Amplifier. It was a immediate success, ranking #1 on the High Line Record Sales. Oricon also ranked it as #35. During the next year, AKG scored big when they got a contract to use their song Haruka Kanata for the opening of the anime, Naruto. AKGs voice was now reaching out to both Japanese and English fans by this time. 2003- AKG release two singles and their first full album, Kimitsunagi Five M. Their album sold over 20,000 copies! 2004- AKGs activities increased along with their popularity. On March 11, 2004, AKG won the Best New Artist Video at the Space Shower Music Video Awards. The award was for their music video, Kimi to iu hana. In addition, they have released 3 singles. One, Rewrite, was featured as the fourth and last opening for the anime, Full Metal Alchemist! The singles, Siren, and Loop and Loop, were on Oricons top monthly ranking for two months in a row! AKG also played at 8 different music festivals this summer. One of them, the Nano-Mugen Festival, AKG actually put on! Most importantly, AKG released its second album Sol-Fa and their first DVD! Sol-Fa sold over 500,000 copies! 2005- AKG is now planning on going to the Sonic Festival in February, and will tour Japan from March to June. Their tour is titled Re: Re: and is the name of a song of their second album, Sol-Fa. history from akfgfan.com