Gesu no Kiwami Otome

Gesu no Kiwami Otome (ゲスの極み乙女。, "Girl at the Height of Rudeness") is a Japanese band that formed in 2012 by indigo la End front-man Enon Kawatani. Describing themselves as "hip-hop/progressive",[1] the band debuted in 2013 with independent label Space Shower Records, later signed by Warner sub-label Unborde. In 2018, the band left label Unborde and joined TACO RECORDS, founded by Enon Kawatani.[2]

Gesu no Kiwami Otome
ゲスの極み乙女。
Background information
OriginTokyo, Japan
GenresIndie rock, indie pop, "hip hop/progressive"
Years active2012—present
LabelsTACO RECORDS
Associated actsindigo la End, Crimson, Microcosm, ichikoro, DADARAY, Genie High
Websitegesuotome.com
MembersEnon Kawatani (vocals, guitar)
Kyūjitsu Kachō (bass)
Chan Mari (keyboard)
Hona Ikoka (drums)

Biography

The band was formed in May 2012 by Enon Kawatani, out of members of other musical units. Kawatani formed the band out of people he respected, and had enjoyed performing with.[1][3] Kawatani concurrently worked as the vocalist and songwriter for indigo la End, a band he had been a member of since 2009. Of the members, he chose Kyūjitsu Kachō, who was a former member of indigo la End,[4] as well as Chan Mari and Hona Ikoka, from the bands Crimson and Microcosm respectively.[5] The members had known each other since early 2010, from performing together at different events at the Shimokitazawa Era live house in Tokyo. They saw the project as more for fun, aside from their usual musical endeavours.[6] The band name came from a custom tote bag that Chan Mari had brought with her to the recording studio, which had been created by a friend of hers who attended art school.[6]

indigo la End released their debut album Yoru ni Mahō o Kakerarete in February 2013. Two months later saw Gesu no Kiwami Otome's first release, the extended play Dress no Nugikata, which was recorded in only two days.[7][8] The band played numerous live concerts around Japan in 2013, and in September became the regular DJs for the J-Wave radio show The Kings Place.[9]

In December, Gesu no Kiwami Otome released their second extended play Odorenai nara, Gesu ni Natte Shimae yo, which was nominated at the 6th CD Shop Awards.[10] In December, the band was also signed to Warner sub-label Unborde simultaneously with indigo la End.[11][12] Both musical units released their major label debut released on April 2, 2014: Minna Normal for Gesu no Kiwami Otome and Ano Machi Record for Indigo la End.

In August 2014, the band released a double A-side Ryōkiteki na Kiss o Watashi ni Shite / Asobi, with the former song serving as the drama Around 30-chan: Mushūsei's opening theme song and the latter in a commercial campaign for au.[13] The band also performed at Music Station for the first time on August 29.[14] This was followed by the band's debut album Miryoku ga Sugoi yo in October 2014.

The following year, the band released three singles, Watashi Igai Watashi ja Nai no, Romance ga Ariamaru, including their second double-A side Otonatic / Muku na Kisetsu, with the latter song having had a prior release as a digital single.[15] The song Romance ga Ariamaru was used in the 2015 science-fiction film Strayer's Chronicle.[16][17] In January 2016, their second studio album Ryōseibai was released, reaching the top spot on the Oricon sales ranking website and selling over 100,000 copies.

In October 2016, the band entered into hiatus due to the personal affairs of vocalist and songwriter Kawatani Enon,[18] but has since resumed to normal activities, with the band releasing their third studio album, Daruma Ringo, in May 2017.[19] Later that year the band released the digital single Anata ni wa Makenai in October.

In January 2018, the band released their 5th single, Tatakatte Shimau yo, with the title track featuring in Japanese commercials for the mobile game Clash Royale. In May 2018, they released another digital single, Mou Setsunai to wa Iwasenai, in celebration of their six year anniversary, and announced their 4th studio album, Suki nara Towanai. Releasing August 2018, it was the first release under the group's new label TACO RECORDS, founded by band leader Kawatani, having left previous label unBorde. The album includes the song Sasso to Hashiru Tonegawa-kun, which served as the opening theme song for the Japanese animated series Mr. Tonegawa: Middle Management Blues.[2]

Members
  • Enon Kawatani (川谷 絵音, Kawatani Enon), real name Kenta Kawatani (川谷 健太, Kawatani Kenta), also known as MC.K, is the band's vocalist, guitarist and main songwriter, who also serves as the frontman for indigo la End.
  • Kyūjitsu Kachō (休日課長, "Weekend Manager"), real name Masao Wada (和田 理生, Wada Masao), is the band's bassist. He was member of indigo la End under the name E ni Naranai Kachō (絵にならない課長, "Unpicturesque Manager"), before leaving the band in July 2011.[4][20] From 2007 to 2009, Wada was a member of the band Aomune, performing under the name Waden (ワデン). During the group's hiatus in 2016, he joined the band DADARAY, produced by Kawatani, as bassist, along with vocalist REI and Gesu no Kiwami Otome & indigo la End support member Etsuko.[21][22][23] In 2018, Wada was a cast member on the reality television show Terrace House: Opening New Doors.[24]
  • Chan Mari (ちゃんMARI), real name Mari Fukushige (福重 まり, Fukushige Mari), is the keyboardist for the band. She is also the keyboardist for the band Crimson, which formed in Kagoshima in 2005.[5][25]
  • Hona Ikoka (ほな・いこか), real name Honami Satō (佐藤 穂奈美, Satō Honami), is the band's drummer. She has been a member of the duo Microcosm since 2009, performing drums and chorus.[5][26] In 2017, she became an actress as Honami Satō (さとう ほなみ, Satō Honami).[27]

Artistry

Vocalist Enon Kawatani is the sole songwriter for the band.[1] This is despite other members having some experience with song writing, such as Chan Mari who composed the song "Isotope" (アイソトープ) on Crimson's EP World Scape (2012). The band has been praised for their performance skills, their strong personalities and Kawatani's songwriting.[28][29] The band's dynamic mixed genre sound has drawn the praise of many critics, including What's In? critic Nobuaki Onuki.[30]

In March 2015, Gesu no Kiwami Otome was awarded the best artist award at the 7th CD Shop Awards, due to their extended play Minna Normal and their debut album Miryoku ga Sugoi yo.[31]

Discography

Studio albums
List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak positions Sales (JPN)[32][upper-alpha 1] Certifications
JPN
[33]		 TWN East Asian
[upper-alpha 2]
Miryoku ga Sugoi yo (魅力がすごいよ, "Your Charm Points Are Amazing")
  • Released: October 28, 2014 (JPN)
  • Label: Unborde
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 420 84,000
Ryōseibai (両成敗, "Both Sides Are at Fault")
  • Released: January 13, 2016 (JPN)
  • Label: Unborde
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 1TBA 105,000
Daruma Ringo (達磨林檎, "Apple Daruma")
  • Released: May 10, 2017 (JPN)
  • Label: Unborde
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 3TBA
Suki nara Towanai (好きなら問わない, "If I Love You It Doesn't Matter")
  • Released: August 29, 2018 (JPN)
  • Label: TACO RECORDS
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 12TBA
Sutorīmingu, CD, Rekōdo (ストリーミング、CD、レコード, "Streaming, CD, Record")
  • Released: May 1, 2020 (JPN)
  • Label: Warner Music Japan
  • Formats:
 TBATBA

Extended plays
List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak positions Sales (JPN)[32]
JPN
[33]
Dress no Nugikata (ドレスの脱ぎ方, "How To Take Off A Dress")
  • Released: March 6, 2013 (JPN)
  • Label: Gesukiwa Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 123 14,000
Odorenai nara, Gesu ni Natte Shimae yo (踊れないなら、ゲスになってしまえよ, "If You Won't Dance, You'll Be Completely Rude")
  • Released: December 4, 2013 (JPN)
  • Label: Gesukiwa Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 28 40,000
Minna Normal (みんなノーマル, "Everyone's Normal")
  • Released: April 2, 2014 (JPN)
  • Label: Unborde
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 11 37,000

As lead artists
List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales (JPN)[32] Certifications Album
JPN Oricon
[33]		 JPN Hot 100
[36][upper-alpha 3]

"Asobi".[39] "Digital Mogura",[40] "Watashi Igai Watashi ja Nai no",[41] "Romance ga Ariamaru",[42] "Muku na Kisetsu",[43] "Otonatic",[44] "Ryōseibai de Ii ja Nai",[45] "Feel".[46] "Tatakatte Shimauyo",[47]</ref>

"Ryōkiteki na Kiss o Watashi ni Shite" (猟奇的なキスを私にして, "Give Me Peculiar Kisses") 2014 94 23,000
  • RIAJ (digital): Gold[48]
 Miryoku ga Sugoi yo
"Asobi" (アソビ, "Play") 59
"Watashi Igai Watashi ja Nai no" (私以外私じゃないの, "Not a Me Other than Me") 2015 113 33,000
  • RIAJ (digital): Platinum[49]
 Ryōseibai
"Romance ga Ariamaru" (ロマンスがありあまる, "Romance Is Lavish") 92 23,000
  • RIAJ (digital): Gold[50]
"Muku na Kisetsu" (無垢な季節, "Innocent Season") 527 22,000
"Otonatic" (オトナチック, "Adult-ish") 5
"Anata ni wa Makenai" (あなたには負けない, "I Won't Lose To You")[upper-alpha 4] 2017 — — —
"Tatakatte Shimauyo" (戦ってしまうよ, "Battling") 2018 15 24 — Suki nara Towanai
"Mou Setsunai to wa Iwasenai" (もう切ないとは言わせない, "I Won't Make You Say You Feel Wistful Again")[upper-alpha 4] — — —
List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
JPN Hot 100
[upper-alpha 3]
"Feel"
(among Unborde All Stars)		 2016 53 Feel + Unborde Greatest Hits

Promotional singles
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
Billboard Japan Hot 100
[36][upper-alpha 3]
"Black Parade" (ぶらっくパレード, Burakku Parēdo)[51] 2013 — Dress no Nugikata
"Killer Ball" (キラーボール, Kirā Bōru) 50 Odorenai nara, Gesu ni Natte Shimae yo
"Mochi Girl" (餅ガール, "Rice Cake Girl") 2014 —[upper-alpha 5]
"Parallel Spec" (パラレルスペック, Parareru Supekku) 7 Minna Normal
"Normal Atama" (ノーマルアタマ, "Normal Head")[53] —
"Digital Mogura" (デジタルモグラ, "Digital Mole") 13 Miryoku ga Sugoi yo
"Lusca" (ラスカ, Rasuka) —[upper-alpha 6]
"Ryōseibai de Ii ja Nai" (両成敗でいいじゃない, "It's All Right If Both Sides Are at Fault")[56] 2015 10 Ryōseibai

Awards and nominations
Year Ceremony Award Nominated work Result
2014 CD Shop Awards Grand Prize "Odorenai nara, Gesu ni Natte Shimae yo" (踊れないなら、ゲスになってしまえよ) Nominated
2015 CD Shop Awards Best Artist Prize "Gesu no Kiwami Otome" (ゲスの極み乙女。) Won
57th Japan Record Awards Excellence Award "Watashi igai Watashi ja Nai no" (私以外私じゃないの) Won
Japan Record Award Nominated
Space Shower Music Video Awards Breakthrough Artist "Gesu no Kiwami Otome" (ゲスの極み乙女。) Won
MTV Europe Music Awards Best Japanese Act "Gesu no Kiwami Otome" (ゲスの極み乙女。) Nominated
2016 Space Shower Music Video Awards Best Group Award "Gesu no Kiwami Otome" (ゲスの極み乙女。) Nominated

Notes
  1. Sales provided by Oricon database and are rounded to the nearest thousand copies.
  2. Week references for G-Music: Miryoku ga Sugoi yo.[34]
  3. Sources for chart positions are as follows: "Killer Ball",[37] "Parallel Speck",[38] "Ryōkiteki na Kiss o Watashi ni Shite",<ref name='Billboard 2014/08/18'>"Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard (in Japanese). August 13, 2014. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  4. Digital single
  5. Charted at number 78 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Airplay Chart.[52]
  6. Charted at number 88 on the Hot Top Airplay chart and at number 69 on the Adult Alternative Airplay chart.[54][55]

References
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