John (musician)

John
Also known asTooboe
Born
Japan
GenresJ-pop · Vocaloid
Occupations
Years active2019 (2019)–present
LabelMastersix Foundation (2022–present)

John (Japanese: ジョン, stylized in lowercase) is a Japanese Vocaloid producer and singer-songwriter. As a solo project, he performs under the name Tooboe (Japanese: トオボエ, stylized in all caps).

Career

From a young age, John was exposed to guitar and piano and began composing as a hobby using DTM.[1] Around 2018, he discovered artists such as balloon and NayutalieN, which sparked his interest in Vocaloid music.[2] In April 2019, he uploaded his first Vocaloid song, "Inferiority", to Niconico and YouTube, officially beginning his career as a Vocaloid producer.[1]

Since then, he has created notable works such as "Shunran", "Itaino Itaino Tondeike", "Jōzai", and "Shinzō". "Shunran" has surpassed 45 million views on YouTube.[3]

In September 2020, John launched his solo project under the name Tooboe and began producing both his own vocal works and songs for other artists while continuing his Vocaloid activities.[1] In April 2022, he made his major debut under Mastersix Foundation with his first single, "Shinzō".[4]

In 2022, Tooboe performed "Jōzai (錠剤)" for the anime Chainsaw Man.[5]

In 2025, Tooboe composed and performed "Anata wa Kaibutsu” (あなたわ怪物; English: You Are My Monster)" as the ending theme for the anime The Summer Hikaru Died (光が死んだ夏).[6] The anime's official music page notes that the lyrics, composition, and arrangement were all handled by Tooboe. In his comments, he said he delved into the story's themes of memory, betrayal, and what it means to realize someone close is not who you believed, and described the song as a kind of forgiveness extended to the characters.[6] The song was first revealed publicly at AnimeJapan 2025 as part of the main trailer, which featured the ending theme.[7] Other promotional materials and the anime's X / Twitter account also confirmed the non-credit ending video and credited Tooboe as the performer.[8]

Persona

The names "John" and "Tooboe" are dog-related, as his musical theme revolves around "underdogs".[2] His primary sources of inspiration for lyrics include "anger" and "giving courage to others."[2] His influences include Hideo Okuda for lyricism and Shikao Suga for composition.[1] A notable characteristic of his Vocaloid tuning is the pronunciation of the kana starting with /t/ as [ts], making "tsa, tsi, tsu, tse, tso." As a child, he aspired to become a manga artist.[2]

Discography

As John

  • Angry Dog (August 24, 2019)
  • Rose (December 22, 2019)
  • Miserable (August 21, 2020)
  • Pink Moon (June 16, 2023)

As Tooboe

Studio albums

  • Senshuraku (2021)
  • Stupid Dog (2024)
  • Evergreen (2026)

EPs

  • Jōzai (2022)
  • You Are My Monster (2025)

Singles

As lead artist
  • "Akai Yoru" (2020)
  • "Doku" (2020)
  • "Yūutsu" (2021)
  • "Kūfuku" (with Maeshima Sōshi) (2021)
  • "Mononoke / Shikai" (2021)
  • "Mahi" (2021)
  • "Hen" (2021)
  • "Alien / Blue Monday" (2021)
  • "Murasaki" (2021)
  • "Shinzō" (2022)
  • "Oxygen" (2022)
  • "Haiboku" (2022)
  • "Ivory" (2022)
  • "Jōzai" (2022)
  • "Chili Sauce" (2022)
  • "Ōjōgiwa no imi o shire" (2023)
  • "Roman" (2023)
  • "Appare Kanpai" (2023)
  • "Fish" (2023)
  • "Hakuai" (2023)
  • "Hōkō" (2024)
  • "Hikari" (2024)
  • "Itaino itaino tondeike" (2024)
  • "Kire egoto" (2024)
  • "Collage" (with Puffy) (2024)
  • "Wonderful World" (2024)
  • "First Love" (2025)
  • "Anata wa kaibutsu" (2025)
  • "GUN POWDER" (2026)
  • "Re Juu No Buhin" (People 1 feat. Tooboe) (2022)
  • "Sepia" (Mori Calliope feat. Tooboe) (2025)

References

  1. ^ a b c d Sugie, Yuka. "音楽クリエイター・johnのソロプロジェクトTOOBOE。聴く者を虜にしてしまう希有な存在のルーツやこだわりを紐解く". Fanplus Music (in Japanese). Retrieved 13 March 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d "yamaへの楽曲提供も話題 クリエイター john=TOOBOEに聞く、ソロプロジェクト始動の背景と創作活動の原点". RealSound (in Japanese). 31 October 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
  3. ^ "春嵐 / 初音ミク". YouTube. 6 December 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
  4. ^ Manshima, Elio (1 May 2022). "john＝TOOBOEが今、メジャーデビューを選んだ理由 「心臓」で描いたテーマ、J-POPシーンでの活動も語る". Real Sound (in Japanese). Retrieved 13 March 2025.
  5. ^ "Chainsaw Man Anime Releases Fourth Ending Video Featuring TOOBOE". Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  6. ^ a b "MUSIC – TVアニメ『光が死んだ夏』公式サイト". Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  7. ^ "Netflix Worldwide Exclusive Streaming Anime"The Summer Hikaru Died" Reveals Main Trailer and New Cast Members". Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  8. ^ "The Summer Hikaru Died Anime Reveals Ending Theme Song "Anata wa Kaibutsu" by TOOBOE". Retrieved 30 October 2025.
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