| ExWhyZ | |
| Landscape: | yes |
| Origin: | Tokyo, Japan |
| Genre: | J-pop |
| Years Active: | 2017–present |
| Label: | WACK Avex Trax EMI Records |
| Alias: | Empire |
| Current Members: |
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| Past Members: |
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ExWhyZ, formerly known as Empire (stylized as EMPiRE), is a Japanese alternative idol girl group formed between WACK and Avex Trax in 2017. They have released six studio albums, five EPs, and five singles since their formation. They re-branded to ExWhyZ in 2022 and re-debuted under EMI Records.
On April 2, 2017, WACK announced a joint project with Avex.[1] On August 23, The group name was announced as Empire. By September 28, all members of the group had been revealed. The group's first song "Empire is Coming" was released on October 6, the song was later featured on WACK & Scrambles Works.[2]
Empire's first album, The Empire Strikes Start!!, was released on April 11, 2018.[3] The song "Black to the dreamlight" was featured on Black Clover as an ending theme.[4] The group held their first concert named after their debut album on May 1. That same day the group's first member, Yuina Empire transferred to Bis and new members Maho Empire and Mikina Empire joined the group.[5] The Empire Next Edition Tour was held from July to September of the same year. On September 5, Empire released their first EP, Empire Originals.[6]
On February 27, 2019, Empire's first single, "Pierce", was released.[7] The song "Pierce" was featured on the final season of Fairy Tail as an ending theme.[8] From March 3 to 4 Empire broadcast the 24-hour live event "Empire Presents Twenty Four Hour Party People".[9] After the event, Yuka Empire left Empire to focus on academic work.[10] On March 30, Now Empire was added as the group's new member.[11] Empire embarked on their second concert tour, which was called the New Empire Tour, from April to June. On July 17, Empire's second single, "Success Story", was released.[12] On October 16, Empire's third single, "Right Now", was released.[13] The song "Right Now" became Empire's second song to feature on Black Clover, this time as an opening theme.[14] Empire embarked on their third concert tour, Empire's Great Escape Tour, from November to December. Empire's second album, The Great Journey Album, was released on December 18.[15]
The group was scheduled to hold the Super Feeling Good Tour from May to June 2020, however it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They released their second EP, Super Cool EP, on August 5, 2020.[16] They held the Empire Error Error Error Tour from November to December 2020.
On March 17, 2021, Empire released a special single featuring new versions of "Don't tell me why" and "Tokyo Moonlight".[17] Empire's fourth single, "Hon-no / Iza!!" was released on May 12.[18] The song "Hon-no" was featured on High-Rise Invasion as an opening theme.[19] They held the Empire Ultra Vibes Tour from April to May 2021. Empire's third album, Bright Future, was released on November 10, 2021.[20] They held the Empire Dope Magic Tour from April to June 2022.
On June 2, the group held their final concert as Empire. It was announced at the concert that they would re-debut as members of ExWhyZ under EMI Records later that year.[21] Through July and August, Empire held their final tour.[22] On August 17, the group's final music release as Empire, a digital EP titled The Final Empire, was released.
On August 26, Midoriko went on hiatus due to a worsening chronic illness.[23] ExWhyZ released their debut album, XYZ, through EMI Records on November 2, 2022.[24] From November 2022 to January 2023 the group embarked on their first tour.[25] Midoriko resumed group activities on January 12.[26] XYZ was re-released on March 1, 2023, as XYZ [Hyper Edition], consisting of all of the original songs from the regular album but re-arranged to include vocals from Midoriko who was on hiatus at the time of the initial album recording and one new track.[27]
In April, they embarked on their second tour.[28] Their second album, Xanadu, was released on April 19.[29] They released the digital single "Furachina Summer" on July 5.[30] On July 13, Midoriko went on hiatus again.[31] They digital single "Moonlight, Sunlight" was released on August 18, followed by "Not Sorry" on September 8.[32] Their first EP as ExWhyZ titled How High? was released on October 18.[33] They released the digital single, "As you wish", on October 19.[34] On November 16, ExWhyZ performed at The Underworld in London alongside ASP and AinatoAoi (a duo consisting of Aina the End and dancer Aoi Yamada), as part of WACK's first multi-artist concert to be held outside of Japan.[35]
On January 12, 2024, they released a cover of Shinichi Osawa's "Our Song",[36] followed by the digital single "Unknown Sense" on February 2.[37] Both songs feature on their third studio album, Dress to Kill, which was released on March 20.[38] On June 26, Mayu went on hiatus due to poor health.[39] ExWhyZ's second EP, Sweet & Sour, was released on July 31.[40] After being on hiatus since July 2023, Midoriko left ExWhyZ on August 7 due to the worsening of her chronic illness.[41]