Radwimps is a famous Japanese rock band founded in 2001 in Kanagawa, Japan. The band consists of vocalist and guitarist Yojiro Noda, guitarist Akira Kuwahara, bassist Yusuke Takeda and drummer Satoshi Yamaguchi.
They have gained widespread recognition for their eclectic mix of rock, punk, funk and jazz. Their breakthrough came with this album Radwimps 4: Okatsu Gohan In 2006, they gained widespread fame after providing scores for Makoto Shinkai’s animated films, including your name (2016) and Weathering with You (2019). their hit songs “Zen Zen” became a cultural phenomenon in Japan.
contour
- Band name: Radwimps
- Origin: Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
- Genres: Alternative rock, indie rock, post-punk, pop rock, funk rock, jazz rock, emo, rap rock
- Years active: 2001 to present
- Record label: Newtraxx (2003–2005)EMI Music Japan/Virgin (2005–2013)EMI Records Japan (2013–2014)EMI (2014–present)
- Members: Yojiro Noda, Yusuke Takeda, Satoshi Yamaguchi
- Previous members: Saiki Yusuke, Aso Kei, Shibato Akio, Kuwahara Akira
- Net worth: $100 million
early life and formation
Radwimps was formed in 2001 while its members were still in high school. The original lineup included vocalist Yojiro Noda, guitarists Akira Kuwahara and Yusuke Saiki, bassist Kei Aso, and drummer Akio Shibato.
They began performing locally and gained recognition in 2002 by winning the Yokohama High School Music Festival with their song “Moshmo.” After the release of their debut single in 2003 and their debut album in 2005, the band faced lineup changes, but the additions of Takeda and Yamaguchi solidified their current form.
personal life
Akira Kuwahara (guitarist):
- Marriage and fatherhood: Kuwahara became a father in 2019, sharing the news via his Instagram account
- Affair and hiatus: In September 2021, reports surfaced that Kuwahara was having an extramarital affair with a woman in her 20s. He admitted to the incident, which resulted in an indefinite hiatus from the band’s activities
- Return and Departure: Kuwahara returns to Radwimps in October 2022 after a one-year hiatus. However, on October 17, 2024, the band announced its disbandment
Yusuke Takeda (bassist):
- Fatherhood: Takeda also became a father in 2019, announcing the news alongside Kuwahara
Yojiro Noda (vocalist and guitarist):
- Personal Life: Noda maintains a private life and has limited public information about his relationships or marital status.
Satoshi Yamaguchi (drummer):
- Health and Personal Life: Yamaguchi has been on hiatus due to health reasons. Details of his personal relationships have not been publicly disclosed.
Band members generally keep their personal lives private, and beyond these activities, limited information is available.
Profession
Radwimps is a Japanese rock band originating from Kanagawa Prefecture, founded in 2001 by high school students Yojiro Noda and Akira Kuwahara. The band’s name is a fusion of the English slang words “rad” and “wimp”, reflecting the juxtaposition of contrasting qualities.
In 2003, Radwimps independently released their first album of the same name, marking their entry into the Japanese music scene. Their major label debut in 2005 under Toshiba EMI propelled them into the mainstream. The band’s fourth album, “Radwimps 4: Okatsu Gohan” (2006), achieving Platinum status, solidifying their reputation in Japan.
Radwimps gained international recognition by collaborating with filmmaker Makoto Shinkai to create the soundtracks for his animated films “Your Name” (2016), “Walking through the weather with you” (2019), and “Samui” (2022). These productions showcased the band’s versatility and significantly expanded their global audience.
The Radwimps have released a number of albums over the years, including “Altocolony no Teiri” (2009), “Absolutely desperate” (2011), “Batsu to Maru to Tsumi to” (2013), “Blooming in the World” (2016), “Rebel Generation” (2018), and “Eternal daze” (2021). Their records reflect the dynamic evolution of musical style, blending rock with experimental elements.
The band also performed numerous domestic and international tours, including “The Journey of Human Bloom” (2017), “Journey to the Path of Catharsis” (2018), and “Anti-Reverse Journey” (2019). Their live performances have been praised for the energy and emotional depth they bring to their music.
In recent years, the Radwimps have continued to innovate, contributing to film scores and touring internationally, maintaining their status as a major force in the global music landscape.
Awards
Radwimpus has received numerous awards throughout his career, including a Japan Academy Award for Best Original Score for his work on an animated film.
Awards and recognition
Japan Film Academy Award:
- Outstanding Musical Achievement “Your name.” (2016)
- best music “Walking through the weather with you” (2019)
- best music “Samui” (2022)
Japan Golden Disc Award:
- Soundtrack Album of the Year “Your name.” (2017)
- Animated Album of the Year “Walking through the weather with you” (2020)
Space Shower Music Awards:
- Artist of the Year (2017)
- Best Rock Artist (2017)
- Best Overseas Activist (2019)
- video of the year “catharsis” (2019)
Japan MTV Music Video Awards:
- Best Rock Videos “Made to order” (2008)
- Best Photography “Ningjian Wujia” (2022)
Annie Award:
- Best Music Nomination – Feature “Samui” (2024)
social media
- Instagram: @radwimps
- Twitter: @RADWIMPS
film chronology
- your name (2016)
- Weathering with You (2019)
- Suzume (2022)
discography
- Radwimps (2006)
- Radwimps 4: Okatsu Gohan (2006)
- Teiri of Otto Colony (2009)
- Bremen (2011)
- keep summer (2013)
- Cao Dao (2015)
- your name. soundtrack (2016)
- Weathering With You Original Soundtrack (2019)
- forever in a daze (2021)
