Tsunku facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tsunku
つんく♂
Tsunku in 2013
Born	(1968-10-29) October 29, 1968 (age 56)
Occupation	Songwriter vocalist talent manager record producer musician actor television presenter
Spouse(s)	Kanako Idemitsu ​ (m. 2006)​
Children	3
Musical career
Origin	Higashiosaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan
Genres	Various forms of pop (electronica, synthpop, R&B, big band, video game music, disco, etc.) and rock (hard rock, funk rock, pop rock, etc.)
Years active	1988–present
Labels	Zetima Piccolo Town hachama

Mitsuo Terada, known to everyone as Tsunku, is a famous Japanese singer, music producer, and songwriter. He was born on October 29, 1968. Before he became a well-known producer, he was the lead singer of a rock band called Sharam Q.

Tsunku is super important in the Japanese music world! He is the main producer for many popular idol groups, especially Morning Musume and other groups in the Hello! Project. A producer helps artists create their music, from writing songs to recording them. He has also made music for anime shows and video games, like the fun Rhythm Heaven series. Tsunku has written so many hit songs that his singles have sold over 37.9 million copies. This makes him one of the top five best-selling lyricists in Japan!

What is Tsunku's Story?

Tsunku has done amazing things in music and beyond.

How Tsunku Created Video Games

Tsunku worked with Nintendo to create the popular music video game Rhythm Tengoku. This game first came out in Japan for the Game Boy Advance in 2006. Later, it became an arcade game too! He also helped make other games in the series, like Rhythm Heaven for the Nintendo DS and Rhythm Heaven Fever for the Wii. If you've ever played Rhythm Heaven Megamix on the Nintendo 3DS, Tsunku was part of that too!

Tsunku's Own Company

In 2006, Tsunku started his own company called TNX. This company helps singers like Ami Tokito and other talented people share their skills with the world.

Celebrating His Music Career

Tsunku has released special albums to celebrate his career. In 2007, he put out an album called "Sharam Q ~ Morning Musume" ~Tsunku 15 Years in Entertainment Commemoration Album~. It featured songs from his band Sharam Q and the group Morning Musume. He also released Tsunku Best Work Collection, which included songs he sang himself.

What is Tsunku's Personal Life Like?

In June 2006, Tsunku married Kanako Idemitsu, who used to be a model. They have three children together. Their first children were twins, a boy and a girl, born in 2008. They had another daughter in 2011.

Who Inspired Tsunku's Music?

Tsunku gets his musical ideas from many different places. He loves The Beatles and Japanese popular music called kayōkyoku. When he was a kid, he listened to American and European hit songs on the radio. He also enjoys disco music from bands like Chic and Earth, Wind & Fire. Bands like Duran Duran also influenced his style.

How Does Tsunku Create Music?

Tsunku is known for writing most of the music and lyrics for Hello! Project groups, especially Morning Musume.

Tsunku's Style for Hello! Project

Tsunku's songs are usually pop songs with catchy tunes. His lyrics often talk about romance, dreams, and sometimes even funny things. He writes lyrics that appeal to young people. Many of his songs for Hello! Project groups use electronic sounds and synthesizers. You might also hear guitar riffs and solos that sound a bit like hard rock or heavy metal!

In his songs for groups, members often take turns singing lines. Then, most of them sing together during the chorus. Sometimes, Tsunku even adds his own voice in the background, singing an octave lower than the girls. However, in recent years, the group members themselves have been singing more of the background vocals.

Hello! Project music has also started to include new sounds like dubstep and electro. This makes their songs sound very modern and sometimes even experimental for idol music!

Tsunku's Work with Nice Girl Project!

Tsunku is also involved with another music project called Nice Girl Project! (NICE GIRL プロジェクト!).

Tsunku's Recent Activities

After the big earthquake in Japan in 2011, Tsunku wrote a song called Love is Here ~Kibou no Hikari~. He dedicated this song to help the victims and their families. He was one of many Japanese celebrities who supported those affected.

In 2014, Tsunku shared that he had laryngeal cancer. He had surgery and treatment for it. In 2015, he bravely revealed that he had his vocal cords removed as part of his cancer treatment.

In his book Dakara, Ikiru, Tsunku shared that he stepped down as the General Manager of Hello! Project in 2014. However, he still works with Morning Musume as their Sound Producer, continuing to guide their music.

In 2020, Tsunku joined 120 other members of Up-Front Group in a special YouTube video. They did this from home to support frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tsunku's Music Albums

Here are some of the albums Tsunku has released:

Tsunku's Singles

Here are some of the single songs Tsunku has released:

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