Chemistry (band) explained

Chemistry
Landscape:yes
Alias:Kemi
Origin:Japan
Years Active:2001–2012, 2017–present
Label:DefSTAR
Current Members:
  • Yoshikuni Dōchin
  • Kaname Kawabata

Chemistry (styled as CHEMISTRY) is a Japanese pop duo, consisting of and .

History

They were the winners of the Asayan audition (similar to the American Idol series) in 2000 organized by Sony Music Entertainment Japan.[1]

Their first single "Pieces of a Dream" was released on March 3, 2001, and was the best selling single that year (over 2 million). Most of their singles have reached #1 on the Oricon charts; all five albums have reached #1 the day they were released. Their #1 streak was broken by the KinKi Kids' album , scoring them a #2 rank for Fo(u)r.

Chemistry is also known in Korea for the popular collaboration song "Let's Get Together Now," featuring talents from both Korea and Japan and for collaborating with Korean singer Lena Park who appears in the B-side "Dance with Me" on the "Kimi ga Iru" single.

On March 6, 2008, Kaname Kawabata married model Miki Takahashi. They met after she appeared in the PV for "This Night."[2]

Their single "Period" was selected as the fourth opening for the anime series .

In 2010, Chemistry worked together with the 4-person dance group Synergy to release "Shawty". Another joint work of the two groups was released November 3, 2010, titled "Keep Your Love".

In 2011, Chemistry was tapped by Bandai Visual to record a song for the OVA series, Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn, due to be the title song for the 3rd episode, "The Ghost of Laplace". "Merry-go-round" is due for release on March 2, 2011, as a follow-up before the OVA's actual release on March 5, 2011.

Their 15th single "Wings of Words" was used as the fourth opening theme for Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny from PHASE-38 to 49. Chemistry performed this song live in collaboration with the two-time Olympic champion in figure skating, Yuzuru Hanyu, at the 2018 Fantasy on Ice in Makuhari and Kanazawa.[3] Kawabata made a solo appearance in the 2016 edition of the ice show as well.[4]

After going on hiatus in 2012 so that both members could focus on pursuing solo careers, the pair resumed activities as a musical duo in 2017. Their new single "Windy" was used as the second ending theme song for the anime adaptation of .[5]

Discography

Albums

YearAlbum detailsOricon chart[6] Rating
2001The Way We Are
  • Released: November 7, 2001
1
2003Second to None
  • Released: January 8, 2003
1
Between the Lines
  • Released: June 18, 2003
1
2004One X One
  • Released: February 18, 2004
1
2005Hot Chemistry
  • Released: January 26, 2005
1
Fo(u)r
  • Released: November 16, 2005
2
2006Re:fo(u)rm
  • Released: August 9, 2006
25
All the Best
  • Released: November 22, 2006
1
2008Face to Face
  • Released: January 30, 2008
3AllMusic [7]
Winter of Love
  • Released: November 19, 2008
7AllMusic [8]
2009The Chemistry Joint Album
  • Released: March 11, 2009
10AllMusic [9]
2010Regeneration
  • Released: February 24, 2010
7AllMusic [10]
2011Chemistry 2001–2011
  • Released: March 2, 2011
6
2012Trinity
  • Released: January 25, 2012
8
2019Chemistry
  • Released: September 25, 2019
12
2022The Best & More 2001–2022
  • Released: February 16, 2022
13
2024Blue Chemistry
  • Released: March 6, 2024
23

Singles

YearTitleOricon chart[11] Album
Peak
position
Weeks
on chart
2001"Pieces of a Dream"132The Way We Are
"Point of No Return"122
"You Go Your Way"114
2002"Kimi o Sagashiteta (New Jersey United)"
(君をさがしてた ~New Jersey United~)
212Second to None
"Floatin'"16
"It Takes Two"114
"My Gift to You"42
2003"Ashita e Kaeru"
(アシタヘカエル)
113One X One
"Your Name Never Gone"213
2004"So in Vain"36
"Mirage in Blue"47
"Long Long Way"46Fo(u)r
"Shiroi no Toiki"
(白の吐息)
86Hot Chemistry
2005"Kimi ga Iru"
(キミがいる)
49Fo(u)r
"Wings of Words"212
"Almost in Love"68
2006"Yakusoku no Basho"
(約束の場所)
411Face to Face
"Tōkage" (feat. John Legend
(遠影)
95
"Top of the World"285All the Best
2007"Sora no Kiseki"
(空の奇跡)
94Face to Face
"This Night"[12] 135
"Saigo no Kawa"411
"Kagayaku Yoru" (supported by Monkey Majik)
(輝く夜)
183
2008"Life goes on"125Regeneration
"Koisuru Yuki Aisuru Sora"
(恋する雪 愛する空)
164Winter of Love
2009"A Place for Us" (with Toko Furuuchi)212The Chemistry Joint Album
"Ano Hi" (feat. Dohzi-T/Once Again
(あの日 (feat. Dohzi-T))
194Regeneration
2010"Period"121
"Shawty" (Chemistry + Synergy)183Chemistry 2001–2011
"Keep Your Love" (Chemistry + Synergy)113
2011"A Better Tomorrow"162
"Merry-go-round"191
"Independence"171Trinity
"Eternal Smile"191
2019"Angel/Still Walking"202

Videos

YearTitleOricon chart[13] [14]
2002R.A.W. ~Respect and Wisdom- Chemistry Acoustic Live
  • Released: April 10, 2002
  • Formats: DVD, VHS
2003Chemistry the Videos: 2001-2002 ~What You See is What You Get~
  • Released: February 14, 2003
  • Formats: DVD, VHS
Two as We Stand ~Live and Documentary 2002-2003~
  • Released: September 10, 2003
  • Formats: DVD, VHS
2005Chemistry in Suntory Hall ~Hibiki~
  • Released: January 26, 2005
  • Formats: DVD, UMD
2006Chemistry the Videos: 2003-2006 ~We Sing, Therefore, We Are~
  • Released: August 9, 2006
  • Formats: DVD, VHS
16
Chemistry 2006 Tour Fo(u)r
  • Released: November 22, 2006
  • Formats: Blu-ray

Notes and References

  1. Web site: J!-ENT's Dennis A. Amith interviews CHEMISTRY - 10th Year Anniversary (September 2011 J!-ENT Interview). 2011-09-01.
  2. Web site: CHEMISTRYの川畑要、人気モデル高橋美紀と入籍 . 2008-03-06 . 2008-03-06 . ja . https://web.archive.org/web/20080309141132/http://www.sanspo.com/geino/top/gt200803/gt2008030701.html . 2008-03-09 . dead .
  3. News: https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000155557 . ja:羽生結弦とCHEMISTRY、氷上で夢の共演「気持ちよく滑れました」 . Yuzuru Hanyu and CHEMISTRY perform together on the ice like a dream: "I was able to skate comfortably" . barks.jp . Japan Music Network Inc. . . ja . May 28, 2018 . June 8, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220608081114/https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000155557 . live .
  4. Web site: Fantasy on Ice 2016 (official) – Guest artists . CIC Co., Ltd. . . ja . May 27, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160527160902/http://www.fantasy-on-ice.com/artists.html . dead .
  5. Web site: Civilian, Chemistry Perform Altair: A Record of Battles Anime's New Theme Songs. Anime News Network. August 23, 2017. August 23, 2017.
  6. Oricon (in Japanese). CHEMISTRY albums on Oricon
  7. Web site: Face to Face - Chemistry Review. AllMusic. Adam. Greenberg. December 11, 2017.
  8. Web site: Winter of Love - Chemistry Review. AllMusic. Adam. Greenberg. December 11, 2017.
  9. Web site: The Chemistry Joint Album - Chemistry Review. AllMusic. Adam. Greenberg. December 11, 2017.
  10. Web site: Regeneration - Chemistry Review. AllMusic. Adam. Greenberg. December 11, 2017.
  11. Oricon (in Japanese). CHEMISTRY singles on Oricon
  12. Web site: Chemistry Club: Latest release . 2007-07-25 . ja . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070607193548/http://www.chemistryclub.net/pc/disco/top.jsp . 2007-06-07 .
  13. Oricon (in Japanese). CHEMISTRY DVDs on Oricon
  14. Oricon (in Japanese). CHEMISTRY Blu-rays on Oricon