Hitsujibungaku

Hitsujibungaku
OriginTokyo, Japan
GenresAlternative rock
Years active2011–present
LabelSony Music Japan
Members
  • Moeka Shiotsuka
  • Yurika Kasai
Past members
  • Shino
  • Wako
  • Hiroa Fukuda
Websitewww.hitsujibungaku.info

Hitsujibungaku (羊文学, Sheep Literature) 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.[1]

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 Regal Lily.

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.[2]

The band released their debut album To the youth (若者たちへ, Wakamono-tachi e) 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.[3]

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.[4]

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.[5]

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."[6]

In July 2024, Hitsujibungaku released "Burning" as the ending theme for season two of Oshi no Ko.[7] On March 19, 2025 the music video for “Burning,” directed by Umi Ishihara, won Best Rock Video at the MTV Video Music Awards Japan.[8]

The band made their U.S. debut with a performance in Honolulu on December 14th, 2024[9] and they subsequently toured the US west coast in April 2025.[10] Drummer Yuna (formerly from Chai) filled in for Fukuda during the tour.[11]

On January 20, 2025, Hitsujibungaku released the song “Koe.”[12] On March 28, Hitsujibungaku released the song “Map of the Future 2025.”[13]

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 Nijmegen, Cologne, Berlin, Warsaw, Vienna, and London.[14]

Band members

Current members

  • Moeka Shiotsuka (塩塚モエカ) – lead vocals, guitars (2011–present)
  • Yurika Kasai (河西ゆりか) – bass guitar, backing vocals (2017–present)

Former members

  • Wako (わあこ) – bass guitar (2011–2016)
  • Shino (しの) – drums, percussion (2011–2015)
  • Hiroa Fukuda (フクダヒロア) – drums, percussion (2015–2025)[1]

Discography

Studio albums

Mini

  • Once You Exit the Tunnel (トンネルを抜けたら, Ton'neru o nuketara) (2017), Felicity

Full

  • To the Youth (若者たちへ, Wakamono-tachi e) (2018), Felicity
  • Powers (2020), F.C.L.S
  • Our Hope (2022), F.C.L.S
  • 12 Hugs (Like Butterflies) (2023), F.C.L.S
  • Don't Laugh It Off (October 8, 2025)

Extended plays

  • The Way to Orange-Chocolate-House (オレンジチョコレートハウスまでの道のり, Orenjichokorētohausu made no michinori) (2018), Felicity
  • Sparkle (きらめき, Kirameki) (2019), Felicity
  • Buzz (ざわめき, Zawameki) (2020), Felicity
  • You Love (2021), F.C.L.S.

Awards and nominations

Year Award ceremony Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
2021 13th CD Shop Awards Finalist Award Powers Won [15]
2022 Space Shower Music Awards Best Alternative Act Hitsujibungaku Nominated [16]
2023 15th CD Shop Awards Grand Prix – Blue Our Hope Won [17]
2025 11th Anime Trending Awards Ending Theme Song of the Year "Burning" Won [18]
9th Crunchyroll Anime Awards Best Ending Sequence Nominated [19]
MTV Video Music Awards Japan Best Rock Video Won [20]
Reiwa Anisong Awards Artist Song Award Nominated [21]
Music Awards Japan Best Japanese Alternative Artist Hitsujibungaku Won [22][23]
Best Japanese Alternative Song "Burning" Nominated
"More Than Words" Won
Special Award: Radio Best Radio-Break Song Nominated

References

  1. ^ a b "羊文学、活動休止中のフクダヒロアが年内をもって脱退 メンバー全員のコメント発表". オリコンニュース（ORICON NEWS）. 2025-12-30. Retrieved 2025-12-30.
  2. ^ Vinyl magazine, January 2024.
  3. ^ Trejo Mosquera, Amílcar (2022-01-13). "Hitsujibungaku publica el video musical del opening de The Heike Story" [Hitsujibungaku releases the musical video opening of The Heike Story]. Crunchyroll (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-06-05.
  4. ^ "藤井風と羊文学が「CDショップ大賞2023」受賞" [Fujii Kaze and Hitsuji Bungaku win the 'CD Shop Awards 2023']. Ongaku natarī 音楽ナタリー [Music Natalie] (in Japanese). 2023-03-02. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
  5. ^ "羊文学のフクダヒロア、当面の休養を発表「まずは回復を最優先」 塩塚モエカ、河西ゆりかの２人でバンド活動は継続（デイリースポーツ）". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-06-30.
  6. ^ Luster, Joseph (26 June 2024). "Hitsujibungaku Debuts Music Video for Shaun the Sheep Theme Song Cover". www.crunchyroll.com. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
  7. ^ "羊文学の新曲「Burning」が「【推しの子】」第2期ED主題歌に、アニメ放送日に配信リリース". Natalie (in Japanese). June 30, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  8. ^ Ozaki, Ayaka (March 31, 2025). "Review: MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2025 ー 'VMAJ" Exclusive Interviews on Red Carpet! Detailed Artist-by-Artist Report". Broadway World. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  9. ^ "羊文学、アメリカ進出！バンド初となるハワイでのワンマン公演が決定". Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  10. ^ Chishty, Ammar (2025-02-13). "Hitsujibungaku to tour West Coast on first US headline run". Electric Bloom Webzine. Retrieved 2025-04-24.
  11. ^ Chishty, Ammar (2025-04-21). "Hitsujibungaku live in San Francisco: Calm intensity and full hearts at August Hall". Electric Bloom Webzine.
  12. ^ Go, Mayks (2025-01-30). "Hitsujibungaku Let Their Voices Be Heard With New Single "Koe" – Listen". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved 2025-04-24.
  13. ^ Shepherd, Charles (2025-04-13). "Hitsujibungaku interview: US debut, anime themes, and life beyond Tokyo's indie circuit". Electric Bloom Webzine. Retrieved 2025-04-25.
  14. ^ Shepherd, Charles (November 5, 2025), "Hitsujibungaku live in London: A sold-out finale shows a band finding their footing in the UK", Electric Bloom Webzine
  15. ^ "米津玄師と藤井風が「CDショップ大賞」受賞" (in Japanese). Natalie.mu. 2021-03-23. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  16. ^ Kara Bodegon-Hikino (2022-02-07). "Here are the nominees for the Space Shower Music Awards 2022 – Hikaru Utada, RADWIMPS, LiSA, Yoasobi, and more". Bandwagon.asia. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  17. ^ "藤井風と羊文学が「CDショップ大賞2023」受賞". Natalie.mu. 2023-03-02. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  18. ^ "Nominees of the 11th Anime Trending Awards". Anitrendz. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
  19. ^ Alex Mateo (2025-04-03). "Crunchyroll Anime Awards Reveals 2025 Nominees". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2025-04-04.
  20. ^ "ミセス・INI・ME:I「MTV VMAJ」出演決定各部門の受賞作品も発表【一覧】" (in Japanese). Modelpress. 2025-02-07. Retrieved 2025-04-17.
  21. ^ "令和6年アニソン大賞". Anime Song Awards (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-04-17.
  22. ^ "「Music Awards Japan」ノミネート発表　最優秀アーティスト賞はCreepy Nuts、ミセス 、Vaundy、Yoasobi、藤井風". Music Natalie (in Japanese). 2025-04-17. Retrieved 2025-04-18.
  23. ^ "日本発の国際音楽賞「MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2025」21日は40部門発表 ミセス、新しい学校のリーダーズらが受賞". The Page (in Japanese). 2025-05-21. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
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