Years active 2003–present Record label Defstar Records Albums 藤岡藤巻 I, 藤岡藤巻Ⅲ | Website Official Site Origin Japan (2004) Genres J-pop, Folk music | |
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Labels DefStar Records (2008-present) Members Nozomi Ōhashi, Naoya Fujimaki, 藤岡孝章 Associated acts Nozomi Ōhashi, Mai Satoda, Aya Matsuura Similar Marichans, Mai Satoda, Arthur Hamilton, Michiyo Azusa, Akai Tori | ||
Fujioka Fujimaki (藤岡藤巻) is a Japanese folk band, created from two members of the 1970s novelty group Marichans (まりちゃんズ, Marichanzu), Takaaki Fujioka (藤岡 孝章) and Naoya Fujimaki (藤巻 直哉). They are best known for their collaboration with the eight-year-old singer Nozomi Ōhashi for the theme song of the Studio Ghibli film Ponyo.
Biography
Former bandmates Takaaki Fujioka and Naoya Fujimaki decided they wanted to form a unit together in 2003. Originally it was titled Fujioka-kun to Fujimaki-kun (藤岡君と藤巻君), however from the advice from their friend AKB48 producer Yasushi Akimoto shortened it. The duo debuted under SME Records in 2006 with the single "Yoroketa Hyōshi ni Tachiagare!." The duo released two solo singles and two albums between 2006 and 2007, however none of these charted on Oricon's charts.
Since then, the group have collaborated with several artists for musical releases. They have written a song for AA-Chino, "Hayaku Koikoi Wrecker-sha," duetted with Country Musume member Mai Satoda on her first single released for the variety show Quiz! Hexagon II, and wrote a song sung by Aya Matsuura for a FamilyMart commercial, "Kitchen and Chicken" (キチンとチキン, Kichin to Chikin).
Their greatest success came from duetting with then eight-year-old Nozomi Ōhashi for the Studio Ghibli film Ponyo. The song was a massive success, reaching #3 on Oricon's single charts, topped the RIAJ ringtone download chart for a month, and won a special award at the 50th Japan Record Awards.
The group went on hiatus between November 2008 and January 2009 due to Fujioka's ill health.