Subaru Shibutani


Subaru Shibutani is a Japanese singer, actor, and lyricist. He was known among Johnny's Jr. fans as a Kansai Jr. member during his early career. After he began his solo career, he became the main vocalist of the Japanese male idol group Kanjani 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 entered 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 held during a KinKi Kids concert. It was there that he first met future bandmates You Yokoyama and Shingo Murakami.
He sang on the recording of the Kansai Jr. song “Boys in the West Side”, which became the theme song for Kanjani Knights, a Kansai Jr. television program that aired in 1998. Shibutani appeared regularly on the show with 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, referring to themselves as “3baka”. Along with Ryo Nishikido, they were informally known as the “top four Kansai Jrs.”
Following a performance on Music Station, Shibutani moved to Tokyo, with Yokoyama and Murakami following soon after. In Tokyo, Shibutani received increased 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 had the Kansai Jrs perform Another, a stage play previously staged by SMAP and KinKi Kids.

Formation and debut of Kanjani Eight (2003–2004)

In 2003, Shibutani was selected by Johnny Kitagawa to be a member of Kanjani Eight. Shibutani was assigned to perform enka-style vocals. 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. The song ultimately reached No. 1 following a nationwide release.

Musical roles, subunits, and songwriting

Within Kanjani Eight, Shibutani serves as the main vocalist for the subunits 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 FIVE. Shibutani also writes music with Kanjani Eight member Shota Yasuda; together they compose songs for SubaruBand, including “ONE,” “High Position,” and “DownUp.”

Discography

Singles

  • "Kioku" / "Kokoro Odoreba"
  • "Saraba"

    Albums

  • Uta
  • ''Nisai''

    DVDs

  • Kioku ~ Shibutani Subaru / 1562
  • ''Shibutani Subaru LIVE TOUR 2016 Uta''

    Solo concerts

  • Shibutani Subaru with Ohkura-Band
  • Five Flat Flowers
  • Shibutani Subaru LIVE TOUR 2015
  • ''Shibutani Subaru LIVE TOUR 2016''

    Filmography

Drama

  • 1999: Shichinin no Samurai J ke no Hanran
  • 1999: Kowai Nichiyōbi
  • 1999: Abunai Hōkago
  • 2001: Worst Dates in History
  • 2001: Platonic Sex
  • 2006: Double
  • 2008: Arigatō, Okan
  • 2012: Papa wa Idol
  • 2024: Like a Dragon: Yakuza, Detective Date

    Movie

  • 2010: 8uppers
  • 2012: Eight Ranger
  • 2014: Eight Ranger 2
  • 2015: ''La La La at Rock Bottom''

    Stage

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