Fripside (stylized as fripSide) is a Japanese pop/trance duo originally formed by composer Satoshi Yaginuma (Sat) and singer Nao in February 2002.
History In a 2008 interview, Satoshi said that he was a fan of TM Network and its member Tetsuya Komuro in his elementary and junior high school days and began to produce his music at the age of 14.
When the group started, they were releasing their songs on the Japanese amateur and indie community, Muzie. fripSide's albums were always high in sales at Muzie's online CD shop. As of July 2006, more than 6,000 copies of the three original albums have been sold.
They officially became a part of Visual Arts in 2006. They released their works under elseena-music entertainment and many of their songs were created for Visual Arts' games, as well as other erotic game companies. In addition, fripSide had a side group, called "fripSide NAO Project" which started on March 30, 2007. fripSide NAO Project released songs different from the usual style of fripSide, and did not follow fripSide's motto of "creating songs that everyone can relate to". One album and one single were released under fripSide NAO project.
On March 15, 2009, Nao stated on the fripSide Official Website that she had graduated from fripSide. Sat and Nao want to pursue different musical careers, as Nao intends to pursue a solo singing career. Meanwhile, Sat will continue in fripSide with a new project called, fripside: THE NEXT PROJECT.
Voice actress Yoshino Nanjō replaced Nao as the new lead singer of fripSide. They re-debuted under the record label Geneon Universal Entertainment with single "Only My Railgun", the opening theme to the anime series A Certain Scientific Railgun, on November 4, 2009. The single debuted at the number-three position on the Japanese Oricon weekly single charts with the first week sales of about 26,000 copies, which was higher than the position of single "Flower of Bravery" (No. 26) in 2008. On May 8, 2013, fripSide release their 6th single, "Sister's Noise" which was used as the first opening theme for A Certain Scientific Railgun S and was their first-ever to reach #1 spot single in the weekly charts, #9 on the monthly charts, with 42,632 units sold for May beating Uta-Pri Maji Love 2000% Idol Song Singles.
On August 21, 2013, fripSide released their 7th single, "Eternal Reality" which was used as the second opening theme for A Certain Scientific Railgun S. The single was made in collaboration with Tetsuya Komuro for its composition and arrangement and was released into 3 editions, the Regular (CD only), Limited (CD+DVD edition) and Anime editions.
During the fripSide Announcement Special livestream on October 31, 2021, Nanjō announced her retirement from fripSide. She still performed with Yaginuma in a virtual concert on January 8, 2022, and will join him again at a concert tour in April.
On April 24, 2022, the fripSide Phase 2 Final Arena Tour ended with the announcement of Phase 3's two new singers, Mao Uesugi and Hisayo Abe. Phase 2 singer, Yoshino Nanjo, performed "infinite synthesis" then was joined by Phase 3's singers during the song. The emcee then introduced the duo before they performed their debut song "dawn of infinity", which premiered as the opening theme to the anime series The Dawn of the Witch on April 8. The single was released on May 18.
Members
Main members Satoshi Yaginuma (nickname "Sat") (composer, arrangement, vocals, lyrics, synthesizer, guitar, programming) Mao Uesugi (vocals, lyrics) – announced as one of the two lead singers of fripSide on April 24, 2022. Hisayo Abe (vocals, lyrics) – announced as one of the two lead singers of fripSide on April 24, 2022.
Former members Nao (vocals, lyrics) – graduated on March 15, 2009 Yoshino Nanjō (nickname "Nanjolno") (vocals, lyrics) – announced as the new lead singer of fripSide on July 28, 2009. Graduated on April 24, 2022.
Sound staff Kenji (sound director) Takumi Okamoto (sound director) masa (chorus, synthesizer) Mayu (guitar) Takahiro Toguchida (guitar) a2c (guitar) Shinichiro Yamashita (lyrics) Graphica3810 (design) Kula (management) riko (chorus) Kai Kawasaki (nickname: "DJ Hentai") (arranger, DJ, synthesizer) shin kurokawa (lyrics, composition) Shinya Saito (arranger) Hoshino takeshi (guitar) Yagi kazumi (drum) Kitamura Yuta (bass guitar)
Discography
fripSide (Nao)
Singles Release date Title Tracklist Charts 1st July 16, 2008 Flower of BraveryFlower Of Bravery (Koihime Musō opening theme) Sky – version 2008 Flower Of Bravery （off vocal） Sky – version 2008 （instrumental） Japanese Oricon weekly single charts #26
Original albums Release date Title Tracklist 1st April 12, 2003 First Odyssey of fripSideIntroduction Distant Moon Come to Mind Love to Sing Colorless Fate Your Ocean (Azure Reproduct mix) Be Sure... (album mix) Bright Days< In the Future – side 2 Love to Sing (Hevens Wire rmx) End Game 2ndMarch 28, 2004 2nd Fragment of fripSideSecond Fragment Sky Transitory Orbit Message Save Me Again Tearful Voice Belief Stellar Detour – fripSide edition Crying Moon Belief (Tri-Hedge rmx) Storm of Sorrow 3rdJune 23, 2005 3rd Reflection of fripSideAn Evening Calm Reminiscense Blue Nostalgia Transient Wind Vanity Destroyer – fripSide edition Velocity – fripSide+vin-PRAD Splash Emotion Colors of Summer Dream Planet Illusion Sky (slab reproduct mix) Bright Days – version 2005 Distant Moon – version 2005 4th August 24, 2007 BinarydigitBinary Digit Hurting Heart (Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica THE BLACK opening theme) Misery (Kanojotachi no Ryuugiimage song) Prominence – version 2007 Refine Progress (Scramble Heart opening theme) Heat Your Wave Libration Crisis (Scramble Heart opening theme) Never No Astray (Katakoi no Tsuki ending theme) Transient Wind – version 2007 Dream Myself! (Keitai Keiji ~Ozemichi Sakurako no Jiken-bo Midori no Megane Satsujin Jiken~Drama CD theme song) True Eternity – album version Brave New World (Planetarian Drama CD insert song) Bonus disc(初回盤のみ付属) Hurting Heart – Nao piano arrange Feeling Trust 5th ソフトウェア流通盤September 16, 2008 Split TearsBefore Dawn Daybreak (Before Dawn Daybreak ~Shinen no Utahime~ theme song) Split Tears (Katakoi no Tsuki insert song) Praying Over (album version) Magicaride (Magica Ride insert song) Fictional Moon (album version) Snow Blind (album version) Snow Blind – after Spiral of Despair Escape –version 2008 Tomorrow (Katakoi no Tsuki ending theme) Eternal Twinkle (Twinkle Crusaders ending theme)メジャー流通盤September 17, 2008
Other albums Release date Title TracklistBestJuly 15, 2006The Very Best Of fripSide 2002–2006 （Coterie board） Disc1 Nao Side Come To Mind Sky An Evening Calm Save Me Again Nostalgia （Computer game ending theme 'Reminiscence Blue'） Transitory Orbit Colorless Fate Crescendo Velocity – fripSide+vin-PRAD Bright Days – version 2005 Splash Emotion End Game Crying Moon Distant Moon Disc2 sat Side The Chaostic World Vanity Destroyer Message Reminiscence Blue （Computer game opening theme 'Reminiscence Blue'） Melody – reset+fripSide Love To Sing Stellar Transient Wind （Computer game theme song 'Four-leaf'） Absolute One Colors Of Summer Dream Planet Illusion Be Sure... – album mix Belief Your Ocean – azure reproduct mix Best December 29, 2006 The Very Best Of fripSide 2002-2006 （commercial distribution board） Disc1 Nao Side Red – reduction division (Kanojotachi no Ryuugi opening theme) Sky An Evening Calm Save Me Again Nostalgia Transitory Orbit Colorless Fate Crescendo Velocity – fripSide+vin-PRAD Bright Days – version 2005 Splash Emotion Come To Mind Crying Moon Distant Moon Disc 2 sat Side The Chaostic World Vanity Destroyer Message Reminiscence Blue Melody – reset+fripSide True Eternity (Kanojotachi no Ryuugi ending theme) Stellar Transient Wind Absolute One Love To Sing Planet Illusion Belief Your Ocean –azure reproduct mix Red –reduction division (tkm vs sat rmx) Remix December 28, 2008 Re:product mixes ver.0.1（Comic Market 75 Limited）Hurting Heart (Jju-Ri-mix) Red – reduction division (sat vs tkm rmx ver.2.1) Magicaride (Kai Re:Product rmx) Vanity Destroyer (Tkm Re:Product rmx) Spiral Of Despair (Tkm Re:product rmx) An Evening Calm (Kai Re:product rmx) Red –reduction division (sat vs tkm rmx)CD-box First editionLimited edition 2009July 17, 2009Nao Complete Anthology 2002-2009 – My Graduation* 105 songs EditionComic market 77 pre-saleDecember 29, 2009 EditionGeneral saleMarch 26, 2010
fripSide NAO project!
Singles Release date Title Tracklist Oricon 1st August 20, 2008 Yappari sekaiha atashi☆legend!!Yappari sekaiha atashi☆legend!! (Koihime Musō anime ending theme) Pool • Vacation Yappari sekaiha atashi☆legend!! (Off Vocal) Pool • Vacation (Off Vocal) Japanese Oricon weekly single charts #32
Original album Release date Title Tracklist 1st January 25, 2008 Rabbit SyndromeAssenburu Love Sannburu (Ane wa Erokomi Henshuusha – Injuu Bukkake Seishidou) theme song） Sena★Sena@Surprise!! （(Sena★Sena theme song) Rabbit Syndrome Konniro∞tokimeki!! – Kigasetara Nugasanai~ (Imouto ni! Sukumizu Kisetara Nugasanai! theme song) Kagayake! dreamin'gir' Koibito☆Accent!! (Koibito Doushi de Suru Koto Zenbu theme song) Wireless Cosmic （Web Radio theme song self cover 'Radio ティンクル☆くるせいだーす'） Reversible Romance Happy Generation (Moe Dora CD School Heart's Drama CD theme song) Sena★Sena@Surprise!! – 生物rmx Assenburu☆LOVE sannburu – R.S.PV rmx
fripSide (Yoshino)
Singles Release date Title Track listing Charts 1st November 4, 2009 only my railgunOnly My Railgun (Toaru Kagaku no Railgun anime opening theme) Late In Autumn Only My Railgun (Instrumental) Late In Autumn (instrumental) Japanese Oricon weekly single charts #3 2nd February 17, 2010 Level 5: JudgelightLevel 5 Judgelight (Toaru Kagaku no Railgun anime second opening theme) Memory of Snow Level 5 Judgelight (instrumental)4.memory of snow (instrumental) Japanese Oricon weekly single charts #4 3rd October 13, 2010 Future GazerFuture Gazer (Toaru Kagaku no Railgun OVA opening theme) Fortissimo – The Ultimate Crisis (Fortissimo Akkord:Bsusvier theme song) Future Gazer (instrumental) Fortissimo – The Ultimate Crisis (instrumental)Japanese Oricon weekly single charts #4 4th August 24, 2011 Heaven is a Place on EarthHeaven is a Place on Earth (Hayate no Gotoku! movie opening theme) The end of Summer Heaven is a Place on Earth (instrumental) The end of Summer (instrumental)Japanese Oricon weekly single charts #19 5th December 14, 2011 Way to AnswerWay to Answer (Toaru Kagaku no Railgun PSP game opening theme) Last Fortune (Twinkle Crusaders – Passion Star Stream PC game opening theme) Way to Answer (instrumental) Last Fortune (instrumental) Japanese Oricon weekly single charts #15 6th May 8, 2013 Sister's NoiseSister's Noise (opening theme for Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S) I'm Believing You Sister's Noise (instrumental) I'm Believing You(instrumental) Japanese Oricon weekly single charts #1 7th August 21, 2013 eternal reality1. Eternal Reality (2nd opening theme for Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S)2A. Scorching Heart (B-side track for the regular and limited editions)2B. Waiting for the Moment (B-side track for the anime edition)3A. Eternal Reality (instrumental) (regular and limited editions only)3B. Eternal Reality (TV Size) (anime edition only)4A. Scorching Heart(instrumental) (regular and limited editions only)4B. Eternal Reality (instrumental) (anime edition only) Japanese Oricon weekly single charts #9 8th May 14, 2014 black bulletblack bullet (Black Bullet opening theme) Pico Scope – SACLA ( mirai koshi: harima SACLA theme song) Black Bullet (instrumental) Pico Scope – SACLA (instrumental) Japanese Oricon weekly single charts #6 9th May 20, 2015 LuminizeLuminize (future card buddyfight 100 opening theme) Unlimited Destiny (hyper galaxy fleet opening theme) Luminize (instrumental)