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Ali Project | |
|---|---|
 Ali Project performs at their first North American concert inSeattle,Washington | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Japan |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1988–present |
| Labels |
|
| Members | Arika Takarano Mikiya Katakura |
| Website | http://aliproject.jp/ |
Ali Project (typeset asALI PROJECT) is a Japaneserock band with a strong Japanesearistocrat-style image, consisting of Arika Takarano (宝野アリカ,Takarano Arika, vocals & lyrics) and Mikiya Katakura (片倉三起也,Katakura Mikiya, music & arrangement).
The band's work is divided into two styles, which lead singer/lyricist Arika Takarano has termedWhite Alice (白アリ,Shiro Ari) for the band's light, cheerful and/or refreshing songs, andBlack Alice (黒アリ,Kuro Ari) for songs that take on a darker and more mysterious tone.[citation needed]
They made their indie debut in the charts in 1988 asAri (Ant) Project (蟻プロジェクト,Ari Purojekuto) with their album "Fantastic Garden" (幻想庭園,Gensō Teien). The album was later included inTatsumi Takayuki's bookPhilosophy of Progressive Rock (プログレッシヴ・ロックの哲学,Puroguresshivu Rokku no Tetsugaku), which led to the band being classified under theprogressive rock genre. Takarano later endorsed this description.[1]
Four years later in 1992 they changed their name and made their major debut with their single "Fall in love, maiden" (恋せよ乙女,Koi-seyo otome). Notably,Japan's phonetic system meant the band's Japanese pronunciation was unchanged, givingAli (アリ) the potential to refer toAnt, a shortenedAlice, or a shortenedArika.
Most of their records are released byToshiba-EMI,Victor Entertainment andTokuma Japan. The band is notable in the anime community for having theirsongs featured in several anime productions, includingNoir,Rozen Maiden,Kamichama Karin,.hack//Roots,Linebarrels of Iron,Code Geass,Phantom -Requiem for the Phantom-,Fate/Extra,Shigofumi,Another,Katanagatari,Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry, andIrina: The Vampire Cosmonaut. Additionally, Mikiya Katakura has also provided the soundtrack to several anime series, such asKaibutsu Oujo andAvenger.
Ali Project performed their debut concert in the United States atSakura-Con 2008 inSeattle,Washington.[2] In 2016, the band performed atAnime Boston,[3] and in 2017, they returned to the United States as part of Anisong World Matsuri atAnime Expo inLos Angeles.[4][5]
