is a Japanese alternative rock band formed by Moeka Shiotsuka (vocals, guitar, songwriting) and Yurika Kasai (bass). Drummer Hiroa Fukuda joined in 2015, until his departure 10 years later.
Career
Moeka Shiotsuka formed Hitsujibungaku in 2011 at age 15, during her first year of high school. The band worked around their school schedules, recording primarily during breaks and vacations.
The band's drummer, Hiroa Fukuda, came from a different background. By his own admission, he was never particularly invested in academics and went to college mainly to play music in campus bands. Before joining Hitsujibungaku in 2015, he played as a backup drummer for .
The band's bassist, Yurika Kasai, first encountered Hitsujibungaku when both performed at the same school music festival - she as a guitarist in another act. When the band posted a bassist wanted ad in 2017, Kasai was the only applicant but Hiroa recalled how her melodic style enhanced their sound from the very first rehearsal.Vinyl magazine, January 2024.
The band released their debut album in 2018, featuring "Step" with a music video directed by Shunji Iwai. Their second album, Powers, followed in 2020. In 2021, they wrote and performed "Hikaru Toki" (When the Light Shines) as the opening theme for The Heike Story.
In April 2022, they released their third album, Our hope, which went on to win the Blue Grand Prix at the 2023 CD Shop Awards.
The band's profile continued to rise when they contributed "More Than Words" as the ending theme for the Shibuya Incident Arc of Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 in September 2023. They rounded out the year with their fourth album, 12 Hugs (Like Butterflies), released in December.
In May 2024, Fukuda announced he would be taking a break from performing, with the band continuing to use support members for live shows.
The following month, on June 6 (Japan's Sheep Day), they released their version of the Shaun the Sheep theme song "Life's a Treat."
In July 2024, Hitsujibungaku released "Burning" as the ending theme for season two of Oshi no Ko. On March 19, 2025 the music video for “Burning,” directed by Umi Ishihara, won Best Rock Video at the MTV Video Music Awards Japan.
The band made their U.S. debut with a performance in Honolulu on December 14th, 2024 and they subsequently toured the US west coast in April 2025. Drummer Yuna (formerly from Chai) filled in for Fukuda during the tour.
On January 20, 2025, Hitsujibungaku released the song “Koe.” On March 28, Hitsujibungaku released the song “Map of the Future 2025.”
They released their new album Don’t Laugh It Off on October 8, 2025. Later that month, Hitsujibungaku went on its first European tour with stops in Paris, Nijmegen, Cologne, Berlin, Warsaw, Vienna, and London.
Band members
Current members
– lead vocals, guitars (2011–present) – bass guitar, backing vocals (2017–present)
Former members
– bass guitar (2011–2016) – drums, percussion (2011–2015) – drums, percussion (2015–2025)
Discography
Studio albums +List of studio albums, showing selected details and chart positions Title Details Peak chart positions JPN JPNHot Dear Youths, Released: July 25, 2018 Label: Felicity Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming — — Powers Released: December 9, 2020 Label: F.C.L.S. Formats: CD+DVD, LP, digital download, streaming 32 32 Our Hope Released: April 20, 2022 Label: F.C.L.S. Formats: CD, CD+Blu-ray, LP, digital download, streaming 5 5 12 Hugs (Like Butterflies) Released: December 6, 2023 Label: F.C.L.S. Formats: CD, CD+Blu-ray, digital download, streaming 10 8 Don't Laugh It Off Released: October 8, 2025 Label: F.C.L.S. Formats: CD, CD+Blu-ray, digital download, streaming 9 11 "—" denotes releases that did not chart.
Live albums +List of live albums, showing selected details and chart positions Title Details Peak chart positions JPNHot Hitsujibungaku Tour 2023 "If I Were an Angel," 2023.10.03 Released: January 31, 2024 Label: F.C.L.S. Formats: Digital download, streaming 93
Extended plays +List of extended plays, showing selected details and chart positions Title Details Peak chart positions JPN JPNHot Tonneru wo Nuketara Released: October 4, 2017 Label: Felicity Formats: CD, digital download, streaming — — A Short Trip to the Orange-Chocolate-House Released: February 7, 2018 Label: Felicity Formats: CD, digital download, streaming — — Kirameki Released: July 3, 2018 Label: Felicity Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming — — Zawameki Released: February 5, 2020 Label: Felicity Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming — 73 You Love Released: August 25, 2021 Label: F.C.L.S. Formats: CD, digital download, streaming 42 34 "—" denotes releases that did not chart. Singles +List of singles, showing year released, selected chart positions, certifications, and album name Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album JPN JPNHot "1999" 2018 — — RIAJ: Gold Powers 2020 — — "Girls" — — — — 2021 — — Our Hope — — 2022 — — "Oh Hey" — — rowspan="3" — — 2023 — — — — 12 Hugs (Like Butterflies) "Fool" — — "More Than Words" 15 18 RIAJ: Platinum "Tears" 2024 — — Don't Laugh It Off "Shaun the Sheep (Life's a Treat)" — — "Burning" 35 82 Don't Laugh It Off 2025 — 64 — — "Mild Days" 31 — — — "Feel" 31 — "Dogs" 2026 — — rowspan="2" "Keep Walking" — — "—" denotes releases that did not chart.
Promotional singles +List of promotional singles, showing year released, selected chart positions, and album name Title Year Peak chart positions Album JPNHot 2018—A Short Trip to the Orange-Chocolate-House — Dear Youths, 2019 — Kirameki — Zawameki 2020 75 Powers "Mother" — 2021 — You Love "OOPArts" 2022 — Our Hope "Go!!!" 2023 — 12 Hugs (Like Butterflies) "Doll" 2025 — Don't Laugh It Off "—" denotes releases that did not chart.
Awards and nominations Year Award ceremony Category Nominee / Work Result 2021 13th CD Shop Awards Finalist Award Powers 2022 Space Shower Music Awards Best Alternative Act Hitsujibungaku 2023 15th CD Shop Awards Grand Prix – Blue Our Hope 2025 11th Anime Trending Awards Ending Theme Song of the Year "Burning" 9th Crunchyroll Anime Awards Best Ending Sequence MTV Video Music Awards Japan Best Rock Video Artist Song Award Music Awards Japan Best Japanese Alternative Artist Hitsujibungaku Best Japanese Alternative Song "Burning" "More Than Words" Special Award: Radio Best Radio-Break Song 2026Music Awards JapanBest Japanese Alternative ArtistHitsujibungaku Best Japanese Alternative Song"Koe" Best Dance/Electronic Song"More Than Words (Miso Extra Remix)"
References
External links