Toru Kitajima Explained

Toru Kitajima
Native Name:北嶋 徹
Native Name Lang:ja
Birth Date:1982 12, mf=yes
Birth Place:Machida, Tokyo, Japan
Years Active:2002–present
Label:Sony Music Associated Records
Website:https://tkofficial.jp/

, better known as TK, is a Japanese musician and singer-songwriter. He rose to prominence as lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter of the rock band Ling Tosite Sigure, which formed in 2002. In 2011, he started to release solo material as .[1]

Biography

TK started his solo career with a limited DVD titled Film A Moment. Released in 2011, the DVD features a photobook and a movie shot on 8mm film that acts as a music video for the three tracks on the disc.[2]

TK's first album, Flowering, was released on June 27, 2012 and featured alternate versions of "Film A Moment" and "White Silence" (both being originally featured on the DVD release Film A Moment) along with seven new tracks and an additional hidden track titled "Sound_am326." The limited press version featured a live studio session (DVD) of selected tracks from the album directed by P.B. Anderson. Musicians such as BOBO from Miyavi Crew, and Hidekazu Hinata from Nothing's Carved in Stone featured on the album.[3]

Kitajima's second release was prefaced by the single "Unravel", which acted as the opening for the popular anime series Tokyo Ghoul and the mini-album Contrast. "Unravel" had three versions to note, one of them featuring artwork inspired by the series it fronted, the other featuring a DVD titled Killing You Softly (an acoustic live DVD) featuring the track "Jewel of Sin", which would be featured on TK's third album White Noise. And both TK and Ling Tosite Sigure tracks reworked as acoustic pieces. The other version pressed was the standard edition, which featured three tracks, one being featured as the BGM for the Flowering DVD.[4]

The mini-album Contrast was released the same year as "Unravel", being 2014 and featured a live DVD from the 2013 Rock in Japan Festival along with a bonus video filmed in Berlin for the song "Tokio" (limited pressing only). The album also featured a live reworking of the Ling Tosite Sigure song "Illusion is Mine". Both "Unravel" and "Contrast" contained additional B-sides.[5]

Fantastic Magic is TK's second album and features seven new tracks, one featuring vocalist Chara, a reworking of "Dramatic Slow Motion", and the other being "Contrast". The limited pressing contains music videos for songs featured on the album, along with "Haze", released on Flowering.[6]

Secret Sensation was released in early 2016, Kitajima's second mini-album. As before it featured a live track, this one being "White Silence" and a song that would be reworked on White Noise along with respective B-sides as before. The limited press contained two music videos, one for "Secret Sensation" and the other for "Like There is Tomorrow".

TK's second single, "Signal", was featured as an opening for the anime 91 Days. "Signal" had two versions, one being a digipak release with artwork inspired by 91 Days, the other a standard jewel case. Both versions contained a reworked version of "Shandy", a Ling Tosite Sigure track from the album Still a Sigure Virgin?; and the acoustic version of "Unravel".

White Noise, being released in November 2016, featured six new tracks: a reworking of "Like There is Tomorrow", the singles "Signal" and "Secret Sensation", and a proper studio recording of "Jewel of Sin". The limited version featured a live DVD from the Secret Sensation Tour.[7] In 2017, TK started to collaborate with Masayuki Nakano from the former electronic music band Boom Boom Satellites.[8]

On November 21, 2018, TK released a new single, containing the song "Katharsis" and its instrumental and TV edit versions, and a song titled "Memento". "Katharsis" was used as the opening theme for the second season of Tokyo Ghoul:re.[9] Its music video was released on November 20, 2018.[10] On December 10, 2018, it was announced that TK will perform the theme song "P.S. Red I" for the Japanese release of the animated film, , which was released in Japan on March 8, 2019.[11]

On April 15, 2020, TK released his fourth studio album, 彩脳. April 14, 2021, he released his third EP by the name of Yesworld.

On August 5, 2021, TK releases his first teaser for "egomaniac feedback" compilation album, with release date of Oct 13th, 2021.[12]

Continuing his solo music project, TK, collaborated with Koshi Inaba of B'z at the start of 2022 to release the single As Long as I Love/Scratch on March 26, 2022.

At the end of 2022, TK would go on to release his hit song First Death with an official music video, do numerous interviews, and release a live of First Death from the Last Death tour filmed on his birthday, December 23.

Discography

Albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak positions
JPN
[13]
flowering[14]
  • Released: June 27, 2012
  • Label: Sony Music
  • Formats: CD, CD+DVD, digital download
14
Fantastic Magic[15]
  • Released: August 27, 2014
  • Label: Sony Music
  • Formats: CD, CD+DVD, digital download
12
white noise[16]
  • Released: September 28, 2016
  • Label: Sony Music
  • Formats: CD, CD+DVD, CD+Blu-ray, digital download
14
Sainou (Japanese: 彩脳)[17]
  • Released: April 15, 2020
  • Label: Sony Music
  • Formats: CD
7

Extended plays

TitleEP detailsPeak positions
JPN
contrast[18]
  • Released: March 5, 2014
  • Label: Sony Music
  • Formats: CD, CD+DVD, digital download
10
Secret Sensation[19]
  • Released: March 2, 2016
  • Label: Sony Music
  • Formats: CD, CD+DVD, digital download
11
yesworld[20]
  • Released: April 14, 2021
  • Label: Sony Music
  • Formats: CD, CD+DVD, digital download
13

Singles

TitleYearPeak positionsNotesSalesCertificationsAlbum
JPN
Oricon

[21]
JPN
Billboard

[22]
"Film a Moment"[23] 2011Flowering
"Unravel"[24] 201496[25] OP for the first season of the anime series Tokyo Ghoul.[26] Fantastic Magic
"Signal"[29] 20161828[30] OP for the anime 91 Days.[31] White Noise
"Katharsis"20182133[32] OP for the anime series Tokyo Ghoul: re Season 2. Sainou (彩脳)
"Melt"2019Released as a digital single. Featured the vocals of Suis from Yorushika.
"P.S. Red I"2590[34] Theme song for the Japanese release of .
"Chō no Tobu Suisō"(蝶の飛ぶ水槽)202033OP for the anime Pet.
"Will-ill"202133ED for the 15th anniversary broadcast of in Japan.Egomaniac Feedback
"As long as I love / Scratch"
20226Theme song for the new card expansion "Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty" animated trailer.rowspan="2"
"First Death"248th ED for the anime Chainsaw Man.[37]
"Tagatame" (誰我為; "For Someone's Sake")202424OP for the seventh season of the anime series My Hero Academia.[38]

Production

TitleRole(s)AlbumAlbum ArtistYear
"Mode Inversion"GuitaristCodeAcid Android2010
"Switch" (TK Remix)RemixerAlcove/#12011
"Nano" (TK Kaleidoscope Remix)Remixer, guitaristSince 2Spangle call Lilli line[39] 2013
"Tenohira no Sekai"
(掌の世界)
Composer, lyricist, producerJoySMAP
"Miruiro no Hoshi"
(みるいろの星)
Arranger, strings arrangerPanoramaAsaco Nasu[40] 2014
"Dramatic Starlight"Composer, lyricist, producerMr. SSMAP
"Zephyr" (TK Remix)Remixer (arranger, guitarist)ImmortalisSukekiyo2015
"Us"Composer, lyricist, arranger, producer, recording, mixer, programming, guitarist, additional vocalsDaydreamAimer[41] 2016
"Kowairo"
(声色)
Composer, lyricist, arranger, producer, recording, mixer, mastering, guitarist
"Last Eye"Composer, producerItadakimonoYuko Ando
"Draw (A) Drow"Composer, arranger, producer, guitaristDraw (A) DrowSeiko Omori[42] 2017
"Stand By You"Composer, lyricist, arranger, strings arranger, producer, recording engineer, guitarist, additional vocalsPenny RainAimer[43] [44] 2019
"image _____"Producerimage_____MEMAI SIREN[45] 2020
"Hikari no Akuma"
(光の悪魔)
Lyricist, composer, arrangerGin no Yuri/Banzai RIZING!/Hikari no AkumaεpsilonΦ[46]
"Red:birthmark"Composer, lyricist, arranger, producerNon-album singleAina the End2023
"six feet under"Composer, lyricist, arranger, producer, guitaristNon-album singleMori Calliope
"Zez Zez Zez Zettai Seiki"
(絶絶絶絶対聖域)
Composer, arranger, producer, guitaristNon-album singleano feat. Ikuta Rira2024
"request"Composer, lyricist, arranger, producerrequestkrage[47]
"Love Sick"Composer, lyricist, arranger, producerNon-album singleAina the End

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: TK from 凛として時雨 の記事まとめ. TK from Ling Tosite Sigure overview. Rockin'On Japan. April 8, 2018. ja.
  2. Web site: film A moment. tkofficial.jp. August 7, 2018.
  3. Web site: TK from 凛として時雨. TK from 凛として時雨. ja. August 7, 2018.
  4. Web site: TK from 凛として時雨. TK from 凛として時雨. ja. August 7, 2018.
  5. Web site: TK from 凛として時雨. TK from 凛として時雨. ja. August 7, 2018.
  6. Web site: TK from 凛として時雨. TK from 凛として時雨. ja. August 7, 2018.
  7. Web site: white noise web site|TK from 凛として時雨. TK from 凛として時雨 特設サイト. ja-JP. August 7, 2018.
  8. Web site: Posted by nakano 2017.8.12. August 12, 2017.
  9. Web site: Tokyo Ghoul:re Season 2's Promo Video Streamed. September 10, 2018. September 12, 2018. Sherman. Jennifer. Anime News Network.
  10. Web site: TK from 凛として時雨、本日11/21リリースのTVアニメ"東京喰種:re"最終章OP曲「katharsis」MVフル公開. TK from Ling Tosite Sigure releases the MV for TV anime "Tokyo Ghoul: re" final chapter OP song "Katharsis" publicly. November 21, 2018. November 28, 2018. ja. Skream!. Gekirock Entertainment.
  11. News: Moshi Moshi Nippon. 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse' Japanese theme song to be performed by TK from Ling Tosite Sigure. December 11, 2018. December 12, 2018.
  12. Web site: YouTube. YouTube.
  13. Web site: Oricon. ja. 北嶋徹のアルバム. Toru Kitajima's albums. September 8, 2018.
  14. Web site: TK from 凛として時雨. TK from 凛として時雨. November 6, 2016.
  15. Web site: TK from 凛として時雨. TK from 凛として時雨. November 6, 2016.
  16. Web site: white noise web site|TK from 凛として時雨. TK from 凛として時雨 特設サイト. ja-JP. November 6, 2016.
  17. Web site: TK from 凛として時雨. TK from 凛として時雨. ja. 2020-04-04.
  18. Web site: TK from 凛として時雨. TK from 凛として時雨. November 6, 2016.
  19. News: Secret Sensation / TK from 凛として時雨. Secret Sensation / TK from 凛として時雨. ja. November 6, 2016.
  20. News: yesworld / Oricon. Secret Sensation / TK from 凛として時雨. en. November 6, 2016.
  21. Web site: Oricon. ja. 北嶋徹のシングル. Toru Kitajima's singles. September 8, 2018.
  22. Billboard. TK from Ling Tosite Sigure Billboard Chart History. September 8, 2018.
  23. Web site: film A moment. tkofficial.jp. November 6, 2016.
  24. Web site: TK from 凛として時雨. TK from 凛として時雨. November 6, 2016.
  25. Billboard. Japanese Music: Top Japanese Songs Chart. August 9, 2014. September 8, 2018.
  26. News: TK from Ling Tosite Sigure, People in the Box perform Tokyo Ghoul songs. Loveridge. Lynzee. Anime News Network. June 1, 2014. April 8, 2018.
  27. Web site: 週間 シングルランキング 2014年08月04日付(2014年07月21日~2014年07月27日). Weekly single ranking August 4, 2014 (July 21, 2014 – July 27, 2014). Oricon. ja. August 4, 2014. October 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20140801221637/http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/js/w/2014-08-04/more/2/. August 1, 2014.
  28. Web site: 有料音楽配信認定. Paid Music Distribution Certification. Recording Industry Association of Japan. ja. Select 2016年10月 on the drop-down menu. October 2016. October 30, 2018.
  29. Web site: 音楽ダウンロード・音楽配信サイト mora ~WALKMAN公式ミュージックストア~. Co.,LTD.. Label Gate. mora ~WALKMAN公式ミュージックストア~. ja-JP. November 6, 2016.
  30. Billboard. Japanese Music: Top Japanese Songs Chart. September 24, 2016. September 8, 2018.
  31. News: TK from Ling Tosite Sigure, ELISA perform "91 Days" theme songs. Hallmark. Kyle. Anime News Network. May 29, 2016. April 8, 2018.
  32. Billboard. Japanese Music: Top Japanese Songs Chart. October 20, 2018. October 21, 2018.
  33. Web site: 週間 シングルランキング 2018年12月03日付(19 November 2018 ~25 November 2018 ). Weekly single ranking December 3, 2018 (November 19–25, 2018). Oricon. ja. November 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181128190739/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/js/w/2018-12-03/p/3/. November 28, 2018.
  34. Billboard. Japanese Music: Top Japanese Songs Chart. March 16, 2019. March 14, 2019.
  35. Web site: 週間 シングルランキング 2019年03月18日付(2019年03月04日~2019年03月10日). Weekly single ranking March 18, 2019 (March 4–10, 2018). Oricon. ja. March 14, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190314134132/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/js/w/2019-03-18/p/3/. March 14, 2019.
  36. Web site: 週間 CDシングルランキング 2020年02月03日付. Weekly CD Single Ranking for February 3, 2020. Oricon. January 29, 2020. ja.
  37. Web site: Leung . Hilary . October 13, 2022 . 'Chainsaw Man': Get To Know Every Artist Singing the Opening & Ending Themes . October 13, 2022 . CBR.
  38. Web site: Cayanan. Joanna. My Hero Academia Season 7's 2nd Video Unveils Opening Song. Anime News Network. March 24, 2024. March 24, 2024.
  39. Web site: Spangle call Lilli line "nano – TK kaleidoscope Remix" (Official Music Video). YouTube.
  40. Web site: Recording "みるいろの星" by 南壽あさ子 – MusicBrainz. beta.musicbrainz.org. November 6, 2016.
  41. Web site: Recording "us" by Aimer – MusicBrainz. beta.musicbrainz.org. November 6, 2016.
  42. Web site: 大森靖子「draw (A) drow」(Music Video / 千葉雄大Ver.). YouTube. October 17, 2017.
  43. Web site: 再販売のお知らせ . . 24 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190524103456/https://www.facebook.com/tkfromlingtositesigure.official/ . 2019-05-24 . en, ja . April 28, 2023 . live.
  44. Web site: SECL-2421 Penny Rain / Aimer – VGMdb . 2024-04-07 . vgmdb.net . en.
  45. Web site: 眩暈SIREN – image _____ (Official Video) / TVアニメ「pet」ED曲. YouTube. May 2, 2020.
  46. Web site: アルゴナビス from BanG Dream! AAside「光の悪魔」/εpsilonΦ(イプシロンファイ) Music Video. YouTube. November 6, 2021.
  47. Web site: krage – request (Music Video) TV Anime「Solo Leveling」ending theme. YouTube. April 15, 2024.
  48. News: ニュータイプアニメアワード2015. 2015 Newtype Anime Awards. Newtype. ja. October 12, 2015. October 24, 2018.