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wowaka
Wowaka.jpg
Wowaka in 2017
Background information
Also known as Genjitsutouhi-P (現実逃避P)
Born (1987-11-04)November 4, 1987
Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan
Died April 5, 2019(2019-04-05) (aged 31)
Occupation(s) Composer, lyricist, arranger, vocalist, guitarist
Instruments Hatsune Miku, Fender Telecaster
Years active 2009–2019
Labels Balloom
Associated acts Hitorie

Wowaka (stylized as wowaka, Japanese: ヲワカ; (1987-11-04)November 4, 1987 – (2019-04-05)April 5, 2019), also known as Genjitsutouhi-P (現実逃避P), was a Japanese musician, who was best known for his Vocaloid music and for being the lead vocalist in the band Hitorie. Considered to be one of the most influential musicians in the Vocaloid industry, Wowaka had made many critically acclaimed songs throughout his career spanning over a decade.

Wowaka began his career in 2009, debuting with the song In the Gray Zone. (グレーゾーンにて。) He later co-founded the record label Balloom in 2011, and in the same year released his debut album Unhappy Refrain (アンハッピーリフレイン), which is considered to be a classic work in the Vocaloid industry. Following this, joined the band Hitorie as the lead vocalist, and continued work there for the rest of his career.

On April 5, 2019, at the age of 31, he died due to heart failure.

Early life

Wowaka was born in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan on November 4, 1987. He was interested in joining rock bands since his middle school, starting as a guitarist, he joined bands in his high school and college. He was an alumnus of University of Tokyo, and was the leader of the music club "Toudai Onkan" (東大音感). In college, he began composing original music for his band.

Career

Wowaka's first contact with Vocaloid music was in December 2008, when he listened to livetune's song Last Night, Good Night. Taking a liking to the song, he was shocked to learn that this song was one-man's work. He then quit his band, and began creating Vocaloid music using Hatsune Miku in April 2009. Wowaka began his musical career in May 2009, by uploading his original Vocaloid music titled In the Gray Zone. (グレーゾーンにて。) to the Japanese video-sharing website Niconico Douga. In the video of In the Gray Zone, trying to convey the image of the song without using illustrations of Vocaloid characters, wowaka used his own drawing instead, and, for consistency, he kept this style in all his later Vocaloid works.

Wowaka's songs published on Niconico are characterized by obscure lyrics depicting thoughts of young women in fast-paced melodies. He has said that although he initially wanted to make music that can only be made using Vocaloid, he later realized the advantages of Vocaloid music. He became known under the name "Genjitsu Touhi P" after writing in music descriptions the phrase "Escaping from reality, how nice!" (Japanese: 現実逃避って、いいよね!) His works gained particularly large popularity on Niconico Douga. After releasing his self-published album, he helped found Balloom, an independent record label, along with other musicians popular on Niconico Douga.

In May 2011, Wowaka released his debut studio album Unhappy Refrain (アンハッピーリフレイン) under the Balloom label. The album opened to critical acclaim. It is considered a classic in the Vocaloid music industry, and is often considered Wowaka's signature work. The tracks, including "Two-faced Lovers", "World's End Dancehall", "Rolling Girl", and "Unhappy Refrain", all attained a cult following. Following this, Wowaka was the composer and lyricist of the single And I'm Home, which was used as one of the ending theme songs in the 2011 anime series Puella Magi Madoka Magica. In the same year, he joined the rock band Hitorie as the primary vocalist and guitarist, and shifted his focus towards the band. Hitorie released their debut album Room Sick Girls Escape (ルームシック・ガールズエスケープ) in 2012.

In August 2017, Wowaka released his final Vocaloid song entitled Unknown Mother Goose (アンノウン・マザーグース) following six years since his previous works in Vocaloid. The song was created for Hatsune Miku's 10-year anniversary compilation album Re:Start. In October of the same year, he released his own vocal cover version of the song under Hitorie. In an interview, Wowaka credited Hatsune Miku for getting him into making music. He stated: "I never gave it a second of thought 10 years ago as I posted songs, but no matter how you look at it, Hatsune Miku is the one who got me to start music. Miku is sort of like a mother figure to me."

Death

Wowaka died in his sleep on April 5, 2019, due to heart failure, at the age of 31. The death was announced on Hitorie's website on April 8, 2019. After his death, the band announced the cancellation of planned concert tours, and that it had not yet decided its future activities. A private funeral was held by his family members. On June 1, 2019, Hitorie held a remembrance concert. On Hatsune Miku's Magical Mirai 2019 and Miku Expo Europe 2020 concerts, tributes were held to honor him.

Legacy

Various Vocaloid artists have made music with Wowaka as an inspiration. His songs like "Rolling Girl" and "World's End Dancehall" are considered widely influential, and, along with other songs of his, inspired others to make covers and derivative works. Following his death, fans of Wowaka paid tribute to him on various social media to commemorate his musical and vocal capabilities.

Musician Kenshi Yonezu, also known by his stage name Hachi when creating Vocaloid music, was a close friend of wowaka. After wowaka's death, Yonezu praised wowaka for having a deep impact on the concept of "Vocaloid-esque" music among Vocaloid creators, and that since his own music was also influenced by wowaka, he held his greatest respect for him.

Aiden Strawhun wrote on Kotaku that "For those who've been part of the Vocaloid community since Hatsune Miku's early days, Wowaka's name carries more than just the weight of nostalgia. It carries a teenage-angsty resonance thanks to songs such as the turbulent, cacophonic 'Rolling Girl.' [...] Where there is Hatsune Miku, there is Wowaka. [...] With his passing, we've not only lost a huge, immensely influential part of the community but a monumental part of our history. His work, though, will live on. Wowaka did more than create music for a generation. He created magic."

Discography

Studio albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak positions
JPN
the monochrome disc
  • Released: November 15, 2009
  • Label: Hinichijou Records
  • Formats: CD
World 0123456789
  • Released: February 7, 2010
  • Label: Hinichijou Records
  • Formats: CD
SEVEN GIRLS' DISCORD
  • Released: November 14, 2010
  • Label: Hinichijou Records
  • Formats: CD
Unhappy Refrain (アンハッピーリフレイン) 6
"—" denotes items which did not chart in that region.

Compilation albums

Title Album details
EXIT TUNES PRESENTS Supernova
  • Released: December 2, 2009
  • Label: Exit Tunes
  • Formats: CD
  • Song featured: Zureteiku (ずれていく)
EXIT TUNES PRESENTS Vocalolegend feat. Hatsune Miku (EXIT TUNES PRESENTS Vocalolegend feat.初音ミク)
  • Released: January 20, 2010
  • Label: Exit Tunes
  • Formats: CD
  • Song featured: Two-Faced Lovers (裏表ラバーズ, Ura Omote Lovers)
EXIT TUNES PRESENTS Supernova 2
  • Released: March 3, 2010
  • Label: Exit Tunes
  • Formats: CD
  • Song featured: Rolling Girl (ローリンガール)
LOiD-02 -postrock- LOiD's MiND
  • Released: March 17, 2010
  • Label: LOiD
  • Formats: CD
  • Song featured: delayed verb
EXIT TUNES PRESENTS Vocalogenesis feat. Hatsune Miku (EXIT TUNES PRESENTS Vocalogenesis feat.初音ミク)
  • Released: May 19, 2010
  • Label: Exit Tunes
  • Formats: CD
  • Song featured: Rolling Girl (ローリンガール)
VOCAROCK collection feat. 初音ミク
  • Released: July 21, 2010
  • Label: FARM RECORDS
  • Formats: CD
  • Song featured: World's End Dancehall (ワールズエンド・ダンスホール)
Niconico Touhou Kenbunroku Genkyokushuu (ニコニコ東方見聞録 原曲集)
  • Released: January 5, 2011
  • Label: BinaryMixx Records
  • Formats: CD
  • Song featured: World's End Dancehall (ワールズエンド・ダンスホール)
Letters to U
  • Released: April 20, 2011
  • Label: Aniplex
  • Formats: CD
  • Composer and arranger
"Niconico Touhou Kenbunroku" Utattemita -Cast Vocal shuu- (「ニコニコ東方見聞録」歌ってみた 〜キャストボーカル集〜)
  • Released: April 27, 2011
  • Label: BinaryMixx Records
  • Formats: CD
  • Song featured: World's End Dancehall (ワールズエンド・ダンスホール)
SUPER VOCALO BEAT
  • Released: June 1, 2011
  • Label: Dwango User Entertainment, Inc.
  • Formats: CD
  • Song featured: World's End Dancehall (ワールズエンド・ダンスホール)
VOCALOID BEST from Niconico Douga (Red) (VOCALOID BEST from ニコニコ動画 (あか))
  • Released: June 22, 2011
  • Label: Sony Music Direct
  • Formats: CD
  • Song featured: World's End Dancehall (ワールズエンド・ダンスホール)
V.I.P Append(Marasy plays Vocaloid Instrumental on Piano)
  • Released: July 27, 2011
  • Label: Dwango
  • Formats: CD
  • Song featured: World's End Dancehall (ワールズエンド・ダンスホール)
antinotice/hanabira (「antinotice」 /「花弁」)
  • Released: August 17, 2011
  • Label: Toy's Factory
  • Formats: CD
  • Composer and lyricist
Hatsune Miku - Project DIVA - extended Complete Collection (初音ミク-Project DIVA- extend Complete Collection)
  • Released: November 9, 2011
  • Label: Sony Music Direct
  • Formats: CD
  • Song featured: Rolling Girl (ローリンガール), Two-Faced Lovers (裏表ラバーズ, Ura Omote Lovers)
Kaeshi uta (かえしうた)
  • Released: November 30, 2011
  • Label: dmARTS
  • Formats: CD
  • Song featured: World's End Dancehall (ワールズエンド・ダンスホール)
Hatsune Miku DANCE REMIX Vol.1 (初音ミク DANCE REMIX Vol.1)
  • Released: December 7, 2011
  • Label: JVC Kenwood Victor Entertainment
  • Formats: CD
  • Song featured: World's End Dancehall (ワールズエンド・ダンスホール)
LOVER"S"MiLE
  • Released: February 22, 2012
  • Label: Aniplex
  • Formats: CD
  • Composer and arranger
TwinTail・TwinGuitar
  • Released: May 9, 2012
  • Label: Royal Records
  • Formats: CD
  • Song featured: Rolling Girl (ローリンガール)
Hatsune Miku 5th Birthday Best - Impacts - (初音ミク 5thバースデー ベスト〜impacts〜)
  • Released: August 1, 2012
  • Label: Dwango
  • Formats: CD
  • Song featured: Two-Faced Lovers (裏表ラバーズ, Ura Omote Lovers)
Yuukei Sekai Reconstruction (有形世界リコンストラクション)
  • Released: October 17, 2012
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD
  • Song featured: Two-Faced Lovers (裏表ラバーズ, Ura Omote Lovers)
V-box
  • Released: October 31, 2012
  • Label: dmARTS
  • Formats: CD
  • Song featured: Unhappy Refrain (アンハッピーリフレイン)
Hatsune Miku - Project DIVA - F Complete Collection (初音ミク -Project DIVA- F Complete Collection)
  • Released: March 6, 2013
  • Label: Sony Music Direct
  • Formats: CD
  • Song featured: Unhappy Refrain (アンハッピーリフレイン), World's End Dancehall (ワールズエンド・ダンスホール)
LANDSPACE
  • Released: October 30, 2013
  • Label: Aniplex
  • Formats: CD
  • Composer, arranger, lyricist
HATSUNE MIKU 10th Anniversary Album「Re:Start」
  • Released: August 30, 2017
  • Label: Dwango
  • Formats: CD
  • Song featured: Unknown Mother Goose (アンノウン・マザーグース)

Vocaloid songs

List of Vocaloid songs uploaded to Niconico Douga under the names wowaka and Genjitsu Touhi-P, and the Vocaloids they were sung by.
Title Year Notes
In the Gray Zone (グレーゾーンにて。, Gray Zone nite)
(Hatsune Miku)
2009 First musical work.
Palm (テノヒラ, Tenohira)
(Hatsune Miku)
Received over 600,000 views.
Line Art (ラインアート, Lineart)
(Hatsune Miku)
Received over 400,000 views.
Not Letting You Pass (とおせんぼ, Tosenbo)
(Hatsune Miku)
Received over 1,500,000 views.
My Talent (僕のサイノウ, Boku no sainou)
(Hatsune Miku)
Received over 600,000 views.
Two-Faced Lovers (裏表ラバーズ, Ura Omote Lovers)
(Hatsune Miku)
Sixth work. Received over 8,200,000 views.
Out of Step (ずれていく, Zureteiku)
(Hatsune Miku)
Received over 1,400,000 views.
Doll of Building Blocks (積み木の人形, Tsumiki no Ningyou)
(Hatsune Miku, Megpoid)
Received over 1,100,000 views.
Rolling Girl (ローリンガール)
(Hatsune Miku)
2010 Received over 6,000,000 views.
World's End Dancehall (ワールズエンド・ダンスホール)
(Hatsune Miku, Megurine Luka)
Received over 12,000,000 views.
Unhappy Refrain (アンハッピーリフレイン)
(Hatsune Miku)
2011 Received over 5,400,000 views.
Unknown Mother Goose (アンノウン・マザーグース)
(Hatsune Miku)
2017 Received over 6,600,000 views. Last Vocaloid song before his death.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Wowaka para niños

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