Subaru Shibutani

is a Japanese singer, actor, and lyricist. He began his career as a member of Kansai Johnny's Jr. and later served as the main vocalist of the Japanese boy band Kanjani Eight (now known as Super Eight), which originally debuted as an enka group. He left the group in 2018. His first solo album, Nisai, was released in October 2019.

Career

Entry into Johnny & Associates and early connections (1996–1998) Shibutani joined Johnny & Associates on his birthday, September 22, 1996, after passing an audition alongside future Kanjani Eight member Ryūhei Maruyama. He was not contacted again until December, when he was invited to a second audition that took place during a KinKi Kids concert. It was there that he first met his future bandmates You Yokoyama and Shingo Murakami.

In 1998, he performed the Kansai Jr. song "Boys in the West Side", the theme for the television series Kanjani Knights. Shibutani appeared regularly on the show alongside Yokoyama and Murakami.

Kansai Jr. prominence and Tokyo transition (1998–2002) Shibutani, Yokoyama, and Murakami frequently appeared together on Kansai Jr. programs and became close collaborators and were often grouped together in media and performances. Along with Ryo Nishikido, they were identified as prominent members of the Kansai Jr. roster.

Following a performance on Music Station, Shibutani moved to Tokyo, with Yokoyama and Murakami following him soon after. In Tokyo, Shibutani found more vocal work, and the trio became regulars on Jr.-focused television programs. They starred together in the series Ike Ike Ikemen and made frequent appearances on Koichi Domoto's variety show, Pikaichi.

In 2002, Johnny Kitagawa cast the Kansai Jrs. in Another, a stage play previously performed by SMAP and KinKi Kids.

Formation and debut of Kanjani Eight (2003–2004) In 2003, Shibutani became a founding member of Kanjani Eight; the group's early material featured his vocals in an enka-influenced style. The group debuted in August 2004 with "Naniwa Iroha Bushi", an enka song incorporating rap elements.

The single, originally a Kansai-only release, reached No. 8 on the Oricon Singles Chart. It eventually reached No. 1 following its nationwide release.

Musical roles, subunits, and songwriting Within Kanjani Eight, Shibutani served as the main vocalist for the sub-units SanKyoudai, an acoustic group, and SubaruBand, a rock-oriented project.

During his time as a Jr., he co-wrote several original songs with guitarist Nakaegawa Rikiya of the Jr. band FIVE, who composed the music. These songs were performed collaboratively with the band. Shibutani co-wrote several songs with Kanjani Eight member Shota Yasuda for SubaruBand, including "ONE", "High Position", and "DownUp".

Solo career (2018–present) After leaving Kanjani Eight in 2018, Shibutani launched his solo career in 2019 with the release of his first solo album, titled Nisai (二歳).

Discography

Singles "Kioku" / "Kokoro Odoreba" (February 11, 2015) "Hito" (人) (July 3, 2020)

DVDs Kioku – Shibutani Subaru / 1562 (September 16, 2015) Shibutani Subaru LIVE TOUR 2016 Uta (September 21, 2016) Nisai to 364 Hi (二歳と364日) (July 1, 2020) – documentary film Shibutani Subaru LIVE TOUR 2024 "Lov U" (May 28, 2025)

Solo concerts Shibutani Subaru with Ohkura-Band (August 29, 2006 – September 17, 2006) Five Flat Flowers (September 4–7, 2008, in Osaka; September 23, 2008 – October 6, 2008 in Tokyo) Shibutani Subaru LIVE TOUR 2015 (January 18 – February 25, 2015, in Osaka, Fukuoka, Sapporo, Niigata, Sendai, Nagoya, Hiroshima, Kagawa, Tokyo) Shibutani Subaru LIVE TOUR 2016 (February 18 – March 27, 2016, in Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, Sapporo, Tokyo)

Filmography

Television 1999: Shichinin no Samurai J ke no Hanran 1999: Kowai Nichiyoobi 1999: Abunai Hookago 2001: Worst Dates in History 2001: Platonic Sex 2006: Double 2008: Arigatoo, Okan 2012: Papa wa Idol 2024: Like a Dragon: Yakuza, in the role of detective Makoto Date

Movies 2010: 8 Uppers 2012: Eight Ranger 2014: Eight Ranger 2 2015: La La La at Rock Bottom

Stage 1997, 1998: Kyo to Kyo 1998: Mask 2000: Millennium Shock 2002: Another 2003: Dōton Boys 2004: Summer Storm 2004: Magical Musical Dream Boy 2005: Never Gonna Dance 2005: Hey! Say! Dream Boy 2005: Magical Summer 2005, 2006, 2009: Dream Boys 2006: Another's Another