=LOVE (イコールラブ Ikōrurabu), also known as Ikorabu (イコラブ) is an 11-member Japanese seiyuu idol group founded in 2017, produced by x-AKB/HKT48 ace Sashihara Rino and managed by Yoyogi Animation Academy (YoAni). They are signed with Sacra Music Label (under Sony Music JAPAN). They are the real deal when it comes to the JPop Idol scene as they have got all the boxes ticked in the over all presentation and music offered by a Idol Group. I am very very impressed by this group! Highly Recommended!
Statement: Yoyogi Animation Gakuin has started a new idol project by Sashihara Rino as a producer. In order for Sashihara Rino to produce her own ideal idol, a new voice actor idol "= LOVE" has been given "voice actor education" by Yoyogi Animation Gakuin, which has the industry's best history and achievements as a voice actor school. A new Idol was born.
Auditions began in Jan 2017 and the final line-up was decided on April 29 where 13 members were chosen and 12 signed the contract. Chonan Mai withdrawn before group’s official debut. Sashihara Rino named the group "=LOVE". Takamatsu Hitomi was subsequently chosen as the center of the group while Yamamoto Anna is the leader. There are currently 11 members as Satake Nonno graduated from the group in March 6, 2021. Saito Kiara was only 12 when she joined the group. They were succeeded by sister group who debuted couple of years later called "Not Equal Me" and a 3 group is set to be formed in 2022, all of course produced by Sashihara Rino.
Members:
- Otani Emiri (大谷映美里) (Face)
- Oba Hana (大場花菜)
- Otoshima Risa (音嶋莉沙)
- Saito Kiara (齋藤樹愛羅)
- Saito Nagisa (齊藤なぎさ) (2nd in command)
- Sasaki Maika (佐々木舞香)
- Takamatsu Hitomi (髙松瞳) (Center)
- Takiwaki Shoko (瀧脇笙古)
- Noguchi Iori (野口衣織)
- Morohashi Sana (諸橋沙夏)
- Yamamoto Anna (山本杏奈) (Leader)
- Satake Nonno (佐竹のん乃) (Graduated March 6, 2021)
On August 5, 2017 they performed their first live at the Tokyo Idol Festival 2017, followed by the release of self titled debut single "=LOVE". They are still active and have released 10 singles and 1 album as of Dec 2021. They have done a total of 25 Live Shows and Tours in Japan, Shanghai, Taiwan and Paris. They have their own Showroom Live Streaming service with a few TV shows as well.
Music and Song Styles:
Again, the music is very 48 group - AKB/HKT/STU48 ish in terms of lyrics and musical styles. No surprises. But some songs have a unique dynamics and they have tried classic cute Idol style to some more modern style, Punk, even KPop for that matter. For almost all Single/MV's Takamatsu Hitomi took the Center role, Saito Nagisa is seen take the deputy role and Otoni Emiri takes the face of the group. For Cameo - Saito Nagisa & Otoni Emiri were double centers. For a few other members were showcased as center. All songs were mostly written by Sashihara Rino.
- Absolute standout songs are Oh! Darling, weekend citron, CAMEO, Senobi in Love, Ima Kone Fine Ni More, Niji ni Moto, want you! want you!, Zurui yo, Zurui ne, Bukatsuchuuni Mega Aunatte Omotte Tanda and seishun subliminal.
Best Music Videos:
Oh! Darling • ☆☆☆☆☆
- Shot at Fuji-Q Highland Amusement Park, the members are seen having a fun time. The song is great with some nice music and composition. Visuals are great with good cinematography (some by members). Best song by =LOVE. Girls are dressed in casual teenage outfits. The singing part is properly distributed among the members. The Oh! Darling part by Takamatsu Hitomi is the highlight in this song as much as herself. My personal favorite. Must listen.
3 2 1
Kono koi Forever
Suggoku otona na FUREEBAA
Kore ga kimi dake no NEICHAA ! ?
Tokubetsu na atashi PUREZENTO
Datte... Motto ! Motto !
Futari nara kono yo no donna toko demo
Suteki ni kanjirareru deshou ?
Koi ni miruku itteki
SUPAISU wa sukoshi dake
Sekaiichi no RABU shichaimashou
Oh ! Darling
Kono mama zekkouchou de
Tokeru you na KISU shiyou
Ame demo waracchatte
Tokeru you na KISU shiyou
Statement: All locations are photographed in the presence of Fuji-Q Highland staff. In addition, we take measures against infectious diseases and take pictures with masks after giving due consideration to the customers around us.
Album: Zenbu, Naisho
MV Center: Takamatsu Hitomi
Lyrics: Sashihara Rino
Composer: Takeshi Isozaki
Arrangement: Teppei Shimizu
Sound Director: Takayuki Yayama (Sony Music)
Mastered by Sony Music Studios Tokyo
Director: Toshitsugu Ohno (COLORS)
Choreography: CRE8BOY
Producer: Tomoyuki Miike (north river)
Special cooperation: Fuji-Q Highland
weekend citron • ☆☆☆☆☆
- The MV is shot in a Sunflower farm with the girls dressed in pretty yellow outfits. Takamatsu Hitomi is seen busy baking a Citron flavored cake presumably for her date, with her fellow members cheering her on. Citron (Citrus medica) is a large fragrant citrus fruit with a thick rind. The MV cuts in the middle to a Rap part which add a sort of a KPop real feel to the song. This MV has a Dance Version as well. My personal favorite. Must listen.
Su su suki CHU CHU CHU~♪
Ato chotto
La la rabi I love you
Ganbattara
Su su suki CHU CHU CHU~♪
Shuumatsu da ne
(Lovely Lovely)
Statement: The MV theme this time is "YELLOW"! In addition to director Minegishi Minami, the first time since "Shukipi", Fuwa-chan (a Japanese YouTuber) will participate in the RAP part with lyrics! The summer symbol "sunflower" is impressive, so please take a look to the end!
Lyrics: Rino Sashihara, FUWACHAN
MV Center: Takamatsu Hitomi
Composer: ArmySlick, Yu-ki Kokubo, YUU for YOU
Arrangement: ArmySlick, YUU for YOU
Sound Director: Takayuki Yayama (Sony Music)
Mastered by Sony Music Studios Tokyo
MV Director: Minami Minegishi
MV Assistant Director / Editor: ZUMI
Choreography: shoji (s ** t kingz)
Producer: Tomoyuki Miike (north river)
Ima Kono Fine Ni More • ☆☆☆☆☆
- This song would have done STU48 proud. Absolutely brilliant song with some great Guitar work. It's the best music composed for the group! Awesome song! They should make more pure JPop + Rock blend songs like this. My personal favorite. Must listen.
(hey) Motto tobe ! (hey) Motto tobe !
Ano taiyou wo tsukamunda
(hey) Motto tobe ! (hey) Motto tobe !
Kyou kara nakama sa
Yukkuri susumu kono fune wa
Michigaeru you ni kyuu kasoku
Isoide norikome
Lyrics: Sashihara Rino
Composition: Kato Hajime
Arrangement: Kawada Katao
MV director: Fukui Hideaki
Center: Takamatsu Hitomi, Yamamoto Anna
CAMEO • ☆☆☆☆☆
- The girls literally take the pigs to slaughter. With a Heavy Pink/Magenta and Greenish Blue hue set of a cafe the member display a laid back attitude dancing to some groovy bop infested music (almost KPop like). The choreography is definitely picked up from some KPop groups for sure. Nagisa Saito and Etoni Emiri are the Double Centers as Hitomi was on haitus. Awesome MV. Best music this side of KPop!! My personal favorite. Must listen. The instrumental is great as well. The Lyrics has a good portion of English words and phrases for good measure. Nagisa Saito and Etoni Emiri's cute voices, Sasaki Maika graceful vocals, Noguchi Iori's high pitched vocals are brilliant are the highlight of this song. Definitely a Sweetie Pie of a song!
CAMEO
Kizuiteru ? Kizuiteru ?
CAMEO
Misemashou ii kakudo de
PINKU iro no TINTO de kamitsuku
RABIN RABIN RABIN Lovin' you
KURA KURA Crush on me
CAMEO
Anata ni wa anata ni wa
CAMEO
Minukenai True or false
PASUTERU na uso matsuwari tsuichau
"Konomama" wo suki de ite
Lyrics: Sashihara Rino
Composition and Arrangement: Tajiri Tomoyuki (note native), Honzawa Naoyuki
MV director: Tamukai Jun
Choreography: D.U
Center: Otani Emiri, Saito Nagisa
Lyrics: Sashihara Rino
Composition: Tsukada Kouhei
Arrangement: Furukawa Takahiro
MV director: Mitsuishi Naokazu
Choreography: Takeda Maika
Center: Takamatsu Hitomi
Senobi in Love • ☆☆☆☆☆
- Beautiful Beats in this song. Saito Kiara is super cute and clears the challenge! Loads of English words and phrases on offer!
Atashi seifuku sutete hashiridasu
GOORU chitente wo hirogete matteite hoshi
Atashi kodomo no mama ja nai kara Carry on
Kyou wa DEETO ga shitai no
Baby bay
Gyutte shite
Nee !
Chanto kii te yo !
Senobi be in love
Hey ! Darling
Just loving
Nee Darling
Kyou koso Shiny
Shinken ni itteru no ni...
Kiss me CHU CHU Kiss me
How far did you go with her ?
Oshiete yo.. What are you doing now ?
"Matte" nante ittenaide
Aytime mitetai =LOVE
Lyrics: Sashihara Rino
Composer: NA.ZU.NA, Yu-ki Kokubo
Arrangement: ArmySlick, NA.ZU.NA
MV Director: Iramina Takahiro, Okuda Shoui (EDP graphic works Co., Ltd.)
Center: Saito Kiara
Want You Want You • ☆☆☆☆☆
- Lots of Love and Chuu gauranteed!
Chu chu me chu chu me babe
Chu chu me chu chu me babe
Chotto matte dare kono phone number wo (Oh no !)
Chu chu mi chu chu mi babe
Yurusukara
Don't leave me lonely
Get you ! Get you ! Get you !
Lyrics: Sashihara Rino
Composition: ArmySlick, Yu-ki Kokubo, YHANAEL, YUU for YOU
Arrangement: ArmySlick, YUU for YOU
MV director: ZUMI
Center: Takamatsu Hitomi
Lyrics: Sashihara Rino
Composition: Tsukada Kouhei
Arrangement: Furukawa Takahiro
MV director: Mitsuishi Naokazu
Choreography: Takeda Maika
Center: Takamatsu Hitomi
Niji Ni Motto • ☆☆☆☆☆
- A dark sad song performed by Sasaki Maika and Noguchi Iori. My personal favorite. Must listen.
Mabushii sora ga nigate nanda
Uso mo misukasare sou de
Tada terashite azawarau ka
Todoku you ni sakebi naitara
Saigo ni wa nigeru darou
Semete oshiete yo
Niji no moto wa dare no namida ?
Lyrics: Sashihara Rino
Composition: Masutani Ken
Arrangement: Watanabe Kazunori
MV director: Mitsuishi Naokazu
Center: Sasaki Maika, Noguchi Iori
=LOVE - =LOVE is the title song of =LOVE's first single =LOVE. This song was shot at a beach front in all blue outfits. Nice song.
Single: =LOVE
MV Center: Takamatsu Hitomi
Lyrics: Rino Sashihara
Composition: Takashi Watanabe
Arrangement: Takahiro Furukawa
MV Director: Takatoshi Tsuchiya
Sound Director: Takayuki Yayama (Sony Music)
Mixing Engineer: Kodai Nakase
Mastering Engineer: Hidekazu Sakai (Sony Music Studios Tokyo)
Discography:
Single Releases were made available in three Limited Editions: Type A, Type B and Type C (with DVD/Blu-ray), and one Regular Edition - Type D.
Singles and Best Songs:
--------------------------------------------------------------
Release: September 6, 2017
Oricon Weekly Chart: 8
1st Week Sales: 18,746
Reported Sales: 22,759
- =LOVE
- 届いてLOVE YOU♡
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Bokura no Seifuku Christmas (僕らの制服クリスマス)
Release: December 6, 2017
Oricon Weekly Chart: 3
1st Week Sales: 40,255
Reported Sales: 50,342
- Youkoso! Ikorabu Numa
- Todoite LOVE YOU
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Teokure Caution (手遅れcaution)
Release: May 16, 2018
Oricon Weekly Chart: 3
1st Week Sales: 62,930
Reported Sales: 83,606
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Release: October 17, 2018
Oricon Weekly Chart: 2
1st Week Sales: 80,558
Reported Sales: 108,165
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Sagase Diamondlily (探せ ダイヤモンドリリー)
Release: April 24, 2019
Oricon Weekly Chart: 2
1st Week Sales: 99,578
Reported Sales: 132,459
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Zurui yo Zurui ne (ズルいよ ズルいね)
Release: October 30, 2019
Oricon Weekly Chart: 1
1st Week Sales: 142,949
Reported Sales: 169,358
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Release: July 8, 2020
Oricon Weekly Chart: 2
1st Week Sales: 155,081
Reported Sales: 169,226
Seishun "Subliminal" (青春“サブリミナル”)
Release: November 25, 2020
Oricon Weekly Chart: 1
1st Week Sales: 99,573
Reported Sales: 162,676
- seishun subliminal
- Natsumatsuri Koi Shitau
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Weekend Citron (ウィークエンドシトロン)
Release: August 25, 2021
Oricon Weekly Chart: 2
1st Week Sales: 93,905
Reported Sales: 119,628
- weekend citron (Great Song by =LOVE)
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[2021.12.15] The 5th
Release: December 15, 2021
Oricon Weekly Chart: 2
1st Week Sales: 114,129
Reported Sales: 120,207
- The 5th
- Poison Girl
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Albums:
[2021.05.12] Zenbu, Naisho. (全部、内緒。)
A collection of their singles and few new songs.
Release: May 12, 2021
Oricon Weekly Chart: 1
1st Week Sales: 43,945
Reported Sales: 51,114
New Songs:
- Geneki Idol Chu~
- Cinema
- Oh! Darling (The Best Song by =LOVE)
Group Promotional Images:
Group Info:
Website: equal-love.jp
Twitter: Equal_LOVE_12
YouTube: ＝LOVE（イコールラブ）公式チャンネル
Showroom: =LOVE
Twitter: Equal_LOVE_12
YouTube: ＝LOVE（イコールラブ）公式チャンネル
Showroom: =LOVE
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