Ladybaby is a Japanese kawaii metal musical group, which originally consisted of aspiring photographic models Rie Kaneko and Rei Kuromiya, as well as Ladybeard, the bearded crossdressing persona of Australian male professional wrestler Richard Magarey. On August 1, 2016, the group rebranded itself after Ladybeard's withdrawal from the group, going by "The Idol Formerly Known as Ladybaby", until they returned to the original Ladybaby moniker in 2018.
History Wrestler Richard Magarey, originally from Adelaide, Australia, moved to Hong Kong in 2006 to kickstart his martial arts stunt career in films, later becoming a hit in Hong Kong as cross-dressing pro wrestler Ladybeard. In October 2013, he moved to Tokyo, Japan, to attempt a similar career there. Ladybeard later formed the band with singers Rie Kaneko and Rei Kuromiya, and released their first track and music video titled "Nippon Manju" (), which is a song that covers all the things they love about Japan. Released in July 2015, the music video went viral on YouTube, at one point gathering 1 million views in 2 days.
Their second single, released in Japan on 13 January 2016, debuted at number 15 in the daily Oricon charts.
On August 1, 2016, the group re-branded itself after Ladybeard left, by changing the group's name to "The Idol Formerly Known as Ladybaby". The remaining members had a live concert on September 16, 2016, under the new branding. In 2017 they signed to JPU Records to release new single "Pelo" in Europe. They released another single, "Pinky! Pinky!", later that year. On 17 November 2017, Rei Kuromiya left the group, citing disillusionment with idol culture and throat problems caused by the extensive touring schedule. This led to the end of the band's time as "The Idol Formerly Known as Ladybaby.
In January 2018, the group announced a memorial compilation album entitled Beside U, to be released in Japan on 7 March 2018. The international release on CD from JPU Records included an exclusive booklet design with English lyric translations and Romaji lyric transliterations.Beside U Listing from JPU Records In February that year, they began teasing a new lineup, with Rie Kaneko being joined by new members Nana Ikeda, Emily Arima and Fuka Karasawa, subsequently announcing a tour through Spring 2018 in a return to the original Ladybaby moniker. They released a music video for their comeback single "Hoshi no Nai Sora" on 10 May 2018, with the single being officially released on 30 May. Ladybeard announced a return to the group to appear on one of the B-sides for the single.
On October 29, 2019, it was announced that Ladybaby would suspend all activities on January 13, 2020, after their final show, with a compilation titled Reburn released the same day.
On January 2, 2023, an announcement appeared on the group's Twitter account, teasing about a new project called "Ladybaby ✕ Heroines" which would be launched on January 8. LADYBABY PROJECT will form a new group in collaboration with the Japanese idol collective "Heroines" that belongs to the talent agency Imaginate. In line with this, auditions for new members will be held.
On November 28, 2023, all new members were announced and the debut of the 4th gen Ladybaby was set to be on December 1, 2023, at the HEROINES FES.
Members
Ei Tsukimachi (月街えい) - clean vocals Sena Kurusaki (來崎せな) - clean vocals Mia Kanrei (神黎ミア) - clean vocals Kino Ochi (越智 きの) - clean vocals, unclean vocals The CHAOS "The CHAOS" serves as Ladybaby's backing band in live shows, and in the music video to "Haten ni Raimei". – guitar Wu-chy – bass guitar HAJIMETAL – keyboards YOUTH-K!!! – drums
Former members , born on 3 August 1983, withdrew August 1, 2016
, born on 29 November 2000, withdrew November 17, 2017
Since developing into a 4-piece, the members have come to have specific roles within the band. – clean vocals (2015–2020), choreography, direction (2018–2020) – clean vocals, rapping, costume design (2018–2020) – clean vocals, unclean vocals, lyrics (2018–2020) – clean vocals (2018–2020)
LADYBABY ✕ HEROINES – clean vocals, unclean vocals; went on hiatus February 18, 2024, withdrew March 2, 2024 – clean vocals; graduated from the group on December 21, 2024 due to illness
Discography
Singles No. Title Release date Charts JP1 29 July 2015 109 2 13 January 2016 313 13 April 2016 324 (The Idol Formerly Known As LADYBABY) 30 November 2016 395 "Pelo" (The Idol Formerly Known As LADYBABY) 12 April 2017 226 "Pinky! Pinky!" (The Idol Formerly Known As LADYBABY) 27 September 2017 12 10 October 2017 —7 30 May 201827 10 October 2018 — "Riot Anthem" 8 March 2019 —8 28 May 2019 13 12 May 2024 — 4 August 2024 — 4 April 2025 —
Promotional singles Year Title Release date 2016 23 June 2016
Studio albums
+ List of studio albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certificationsTitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsSalesCertificationsJPUSWorldReburn Released: January 13, 2020JP Label: Raimei RECORDS, LDBB RECORDS Formats: CD, digital download — — "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.
EPs
+ List of mini albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certificationsTitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsSalesCertificationsJPUSWorldGotcha Nippon!() Released: February 5, 2024JP Label: CLEARSTONE RECORDS Formats: digital download — — "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.
Live albums
+ List of live albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certificationsTitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsSalesCertificationsJPUSWorldThe Last Live at Liquid Room, Tokyo - January 13, 2020 Released: November 30, 2020JP Label: CLEARSTONE RECORDS Formats: digital download — — "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.
Compilation albums
+ List of compilation albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certificationsTitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsSalesCertificationsJPUSWorldONE YEAR BEST ～2015–2016～ Released: September 14, 2016JP Label: CLEARSTONE RECORDS Formats: CD, digital download — — Beside U as The Idol Formerly Known As LADYBABY Released: March 7, 2018 Label: KING RECORDS, JPU Records Formats: CD, digital download 49 — "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.
Video albums
+ List of media, with selected chart positionsTitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsSalesJP DVDJP Blu-ray Released: September 14, 2016JP Label: CLEARSTONE RECORDS Formats: DVD — — Released: August 31, 2019JP Label: CLEARSTONE RECORDS Formats: DVD — — The LASTLIVE "Reburn" at LIQUIDROOM 2020.1.13 Released: August 31, 2020JP Label: CLEARSTONE RECORDS Formats: DVD — — "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.
Music videos Title Director(s) Originating album Year Ref. "Nippon manju" Ryo Shimoda One Year Best ～2015–2016～ 2015 "Age-Age Money"rowspan="2" "LADYBABY "OVERTURE OVERSEA" ～MEMORIES of 2015 ～" "Renge Chance!" BOZO&YGQ 2016 "C'est si bon Kibun" Azuma Kanae "Sanpai！Gosyuin girl" (Short Ver.) Takuya Tada Beside U "Easter Bunny" IGGY COEN 2017 "Pelo" Atsushi Tani "LADY BABY BLUE" Rie Kaneko "Pinky! Pinky!" Pink janakute mo "Starless_Sky" Mami Yamabe Reburn 2018 "Biri Biri Money" (feat. Ladybeard) Ryuichi Takashiba Hoshi no Nai Sora "bite me" Rie Kaneko Reburn "damedame tono" Sari Kodaka "LADYBABY "God's Not" ～Memories of 2018 ～" Naoto Wakamatsu "Riot Anthem" Rie Kaneko 2019 "Haten ni Raimei" Sari Kodaka "endless end Hello" Sari Kodaka "Misogi island" Sari Kodaka 2020 "Gotcha NIPPON!" ShishikabaGotcha NIPPON! 2023 "endless end Hello ～Memories of ’23-24 ～" JINNKURU 2024 "Easter Bunny Music Clip 2025 ver. " JINNKURU 2025
Notes
Media appearances
TV Year Title Role Network Notes 2016–2020 Nadarezaka Rock co-MCs BS Japan Japanese variety show
Radio Year Title Role Network Notes 2019 LADYBABY MUSIC O'CLOCK MCs Backstage Café (BSC Radio) Japanese variety radio show
References
Bibliography
External links
Official page at JPU Records