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F5ve

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
f5ve
F5ve in September 2024
L–R: Miyuu, Ruri, Sayaka, Rui, Kaede.
Background information
Also known asSG5 (2022–2023)
OriginTokyo, Japan
Genres
Years active2022 (2022)–present
Labels
Spinoff of
Members
  • Sayaka
  • Kaede
  • Ruri
  • Miyuu
  • Rui
Websitef5veofficial.com

F5ve (ファイビー; stylized in lowercase and pronounced "fi-vee";[1] formerly known as SG5) is a Japanese girl group formed in 2022 by LDH and Three Six Zero. The group consists of Sayaka, Kaede, Ruri, Miyuu, and Rui, with BloodPop serving as their executive producer.

They released their debut album Sequence 01 on May 5, 2025, featuring the singles "Lettuce" and "Underground".

History

[edit]

2008–2023: Previous activities and formation as SG5

[edit]

Prior to the formation of F5ve, Sayaka, Kaede, Ruri, and Miyuu were all members of the LDH Japan girl group Happiness (2008–2023), and its collective unit E-girls (2011–2020). Ruri was first made a member of E-girls in 2013, and was then added to Happiness several months later. Both Ruri and Miyuu left E-girls in 2017 to focus on Happiness, following the collective's restructure. Rui is a concurrent member of both F5ve and the trio iScream.[2]

Under an initiative to bring Japanese music to a global audience, LDH began collaborating with the globally-based Three Six Zero to form a new "overseas project" in 2020.[3][4][5][6] The project was led by Japanese rapper and producer Verbal, of the international business division at LDH.[7] Bloodpop became the group's executive producer through his connection with Verbal, whom Bloodpop befriended after DJing an event for Beats by Dr. Dre in 2017.[8]

Their line-up and concept was finalized in early 2022, with the then-unnamed group making a surprise appearance at Anime Central in Illinois in May 2022.[3][9] Their name was revealed as SG5 (an initialism of "Sailor Guardians 5") shortly before their official debut at the 2022 Anime Expo in Los Angeles.[10] SG5 was themed after the manga franchise Sailor Moon, with its creator Naoko Takeuchi promptly giving her approval during proposals.[11] They were signed to WME for global representation in September 2022.[12]

The group's debut single, "Firetruck", was released with a music video in February 2023.[13][14] SG5 differed from the members' previous groups in that Sayaka, Kaede, and Miyuu were given the opportunity to sing in addition to dancing.[15] SG5 marked the first time they recorded music and shot a music video outside of Japan, both taking place in the United States.[15]

2024–present: Rename to F5ve

[edit]

The group was renamed to F5ve in April 2024, and they re-introduced themselves as "inter-dimensional dream agents from Tokyo, Japan", ceasing their association with Sailor Moon.[16] Crystalline Structures Studio was brought on to handle their creative direction.[17][18] They released the single "Lettuce" in May 2024, with critics noting a 2000s R&B and hyperpop influence.[19][20] The song went viral on TikTok.[21]

Their follow-up single, "Underground", was released in July 2024.[22] In October, F5ve released the single "UFO", about a girl so good at claw machines people think she is an alien. The music video was filmed in Akihabara.[23]

Harper's Bazaar Japan named the group as among the "Most Powerful People of 2025", while NME called them "effortlessly cool and wacky" in their "NME 100: Essential Emerging Artists for 2025" feature.[24][25] Rolling Stone Japan similarly listed F5ve in their yearly "Future of Music" report, highlighting their "cutting edge" sound.[26]

On March 5, 2025, they released the single "Magic Clock", along with announcing the release date of May 5 for their debut album, Sequence 01.[27] The music video for the song was directed by Crystalline Structures Studio, and features Tsurugi of the band Psychic Fever.[28]

Released on May 5, 2025, Sequence 01 features 11 tracks, including the previously released "Lettuce", "Underground", and "Magic Clock", and includes a collaboration with American singer Kesha.[29] Produced by f5ve's executive producer BloodPop, with additional production from A. G. Cook, Hudson Mohawke, Count Baldor, and others,[30][31] BloodPop drew inspiration from Japanese anime music such as Yoasobi's "Idol" for the track "リア女 (Real Girl)".[31]

Artistry

[edit]

F5ve is committed to an authentic incorporation of Japanese culture in their music.[21] In an interview with Dazed, member Kaede explained that though their work may eschew a "traditional J-pop sound", their ability to explore a range of music genres allows them to expand the boundaries of it.[30] F5ve have cited Morning Musume, Blackpink, Perfume, MAX and the Pussycat Dolls as girl groups that have inspired their image and sound.[2]

The group's executive producer, Bloodpop, is an avid fan of Japanese music; his first CD purchase was an album by Hikaru Utada. He cites Yasutaka Nakata, Capsule, M-Flo and Teriyaki Boyz as major influences on his songwriting and production style.[8]

Members

[edit]
  • Sayaka was born September 20, 1995, in Miyazaki, Japan.[4] She began attending EXPG Studio Miyazaki, a performing arts school operated by the LDH company, in elementary school at age 9.[32] Outside of LDH, Sayaka's interest in fashion design led to collaborations with a number of local brands. She founded the petite clothing brand Sirius+81 in 2023, before ceasing operations the next year.[32]
  • Kaede was born January 11, 1996, in Kanagawa, Japan.[4] She is the leader of the group. She started dancing in the fourth grade, and attended a local dance school.[33][34] She was personally invited by Tetsuya of the boy band Exile to begin attending EXPG Studio Tokyo in the seventh grade.[33][35] Outside of LDH, Kaede is known for her modelling work, making her debut in 2011. Her early inspirations included Morning Musume, Girls' Generation, and Disney Channel stars.[2][36][37]
  • Ruri was born April 12, 1996, in Osaka, Japan.[4] She was inspired by Ayumi Hamasaki to become a singer, and began taking lessons in the fifth grade.[36][34][37] She attended EXPG Studio Osaka.[35]
  • Miyuu was born August 16, 1996, in Kanagawa, Japan.[4] She attended EXPG Studio Tokyo.[35] In 2017, she spent a year and a half studying choreography, which allowed her to work behind the scenes with E-girls and its affiliated acts.[38]
  • Rui was born November 4, 2003, in Aichi, Japan.[4] She began learning dance at age 4, and was inspired by E-girls and Namie Amuro to become a performer.[39] Rui began attending EXPG Studio Nagoya as a third grader, and passed auditions to join its elite division, EXPG Lab, in the eighth grade.[40] Through this, she was introduced as a member of the trainee project group Kizzy in 2017.[41][42] Between 2019 and 2021, Rui released solo music under the kanji form of her name (琉衣); its promotional material did not feature her image.[30][43] Rui made her official debut in 2021 with the girl group iScream, which she is also currently a part of.[44]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
List of studio albums and showing selected details, peaks and sales
Title Details Peak chart positions Sales
JPN
[45]
Sequence 01 39

Singles

[edit]
List of singles
Title Year Album
"Firetruck" 2023 Sequence 01
"Lettuce" 2024
"Underground"
"UFO"[A]
(solo or remix featuring Dorian Electra and Count Baldor)
"Magic Clock" 2025
"Sugar Free Venom"
(featuring Kesha)

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The solo version of "UFO" is included as an album track on Sequence 01, while the remix featuring Dorian Electra and Count Baldor is a stand-alone single.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Carter, Emily (June 4, 2024). "See J-pop group f5ve doing a TikTok dance to Knocked Loose". Kerrang!. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Robledo, Jordan (October 1, 2024). "'We want to be iconic': Introducing the dynamic J-pop group f5ve". Gay Times. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  3. ^ a b Chan, Tim (June 28, 2022). "Moon Prism Power Turn Up: Meet the IRL Japanese Girl Group Based Off 'Sailor Moon'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "About". f5ve. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  5. ^ "Three Six Zero Announce Signing of New J-pop Supergroup SG5" (Press release). Record of the Day. June 30, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  6. ^ "海外での"新プロジェクト"にSAYAKA、楓、MIYUU、川本璃、RUI参加決定!!". LDH Girls Mobile (in Japanese). May 21, 2022. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  7. ^ "Verbal". LDH. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  8. ^ a b Fukunaga, Jun (August 24, 2024). "BloodPop®「日本の音楽にはポテンシャルがある」 東京発グループ、f5veのプロデュースに情熱を注ぐ理由". Real Sound (in Japanese). Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  9. ^ St. Michel, Patrick (July 28, 2022). "'Sailor-Moon'-inspired group SG5 shows how anime can lift up J-pop". The Japan Times. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  10. ^ Kim, YeEun (June 30, 2022). "SG5 Is the New Japanese Girl Group Debuting in Collaboration With 'Sailor Moon'". Hypebae. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  11. ^ McArthur, Amanda (July 7, 2022). "SG5 Shares Their Experiences as the World's First Official Sailor Moon-Inspired Girl Group". Sweety High. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  12. ^ King, Ariel (September 29, 2022). "WME Signs Japanese Girl Group SG5". Pollstar. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  13. ^ Chan, Tim (March 1, 2023). "On Set With SG5: Behind the Scenes of the Sailor Moon Girl Group's 'Firetruck' Video Shoot". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  14. ^ Wang, Steffanee (March 1, 2023). "Who Is SG5? Meet The J-Pop Group Inspired By Sailor Moon". Nylon. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  15. ^ a b Tsuchiya, Lyn (August 7, 2023). "SG5 Brings the Magic of Sailor Moon to J-Pop". Tokyo Weekender. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  16. ^ @f5ve_official (April 26, 2024). "f5ve (pronounced fi • vee) are inter-dimensional dream agents from Tokyo, Japan. their mission is to infiltrate the subconscious mind in order to eradicate self-doubt and negative energy" (Tweet). Retrieved April 17, 2025 – via Twitter.
  17. ^ f5ve - Lettuce (Official MV) (Video). May 3, 2025. Retrieved May 1, 2025 – via YouTube.
  18. ^ f5ve - Sugar Free Venom feat. Kesha (Official MV) (Video). April 24, 2025. Retrieved May 1, 2025 – via YouTube.
  19. ^ St. Michel, Patrick (May 6, 2024). "Make Believe Melodies For May 6, 2024". Make Believe Mailer. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
  20. ^ Ruedas, Angela (July 10, 2024). "34 Best Songs of 2024 (So Far)". EnVi Media. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
  21. ^ a b Yeo, Gladys (October 17, 2024). "f5ve talk new single 'UFO' and showcasing Japanese subcultures: "It's going to spark a revolution"". NME. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
  22. ^ Newton, Felicity (July 15, 2024). "Japanese girl group f5ve have released their high-energy new single, 'Underground'". Dork. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  23. ^ Yeo, Gladys (2024-10-17). "f5ve talk new single 'UFO' and showcasing Japanese subcultures: "It's going to spark a revolution"". NME. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  24. ^ "広瀬すずさんが『ハーパーズ バザー』カバーに登場" (Press release). Hearst Fujingaho. January 16, 2025. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  25. ^ Soo, JX (February 12, 2025). "The NME 100: Essential Emerging Artists for 2025". NME. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  26. ^ "【Future of Music】2025年の「日本代表」25組を発表 世界各国のRolling Stone誌が選ぶグローバル連動企画 | Rolling Stone Japan(ローリングストーン ジャパン）". Rolling Stone Japan (in Japanese). 2025-03-24. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  27. ^ Murray, Robin (2025-03-05). "J-Pop Sensations f5ve Launch Debut Album 'Sequence 01'". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  28. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (2025-03-05). "Japanese Girl Group F5ve Sets Debut Album 'Sequence 01' for May Release". Variety. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  29. ^ "f5ve Just Dropped the Most Chaotic, Iconic Debut Album of 2025 and Kesha Is On It". Yahoo Entertainment. 2025-05-06. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
  30. ^ a b c Assis, Tássia (March 5, 2023). "f5ve, the charismatic quintet shaking up J-pop". Dazed. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  31. ^ a b Webster, Abby (2025-05-06). "f5ve on Working With BloodPop and Coming Together as a Global Group: 'We Felt Like We Could Expand More to the World'". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
  32. ^ a b Kimura, Waka (February 7, 2022). "HappinessのSAYAKAがブランド始動 低身長の女性に向けたモード服". WWDJAPAN (in Japanese). Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  33. ^ a b Iwabuchi, Keiko (May 4, 2018). "E-girls楓が語る ダンスとの出合いとHIROに見出されたワケ". Nikkan Gendai Digital (in Japanese). p. 3. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  34. ^ a b Takaku, Jin (February 7, 2016). "E-girls 楓さん、川本璃さんが銀世界の軽井沢プリンスで公開録音". Tokyo Headline (in Japanese). Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  35. ^ a b c "Introducing Our Graduates". EXPG Studio (in Japanese). Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  36. ^ a b "Meet f5ve, Japan's Rising Super-Group on a Mission to Empower and Inspire". Tokkistar. June 24, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  37. ^ a b Bui, Jessica (May 19, 2023). "J-Pop Group SG5 Is The First Girl Group To Officially Collab With "Sailor Moon," And We Spoke With Them About Their Debut Single "Firetruck"". BuzzFeed. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  38. ^ Matsuda, Hironobu (January 25, 2019). "E.G.familyが語る、初ホールツアーへの意気込み 鷲尾伶菜「誰も見たことのないようなライブに」". Real Sound (in Japanese). Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  39. ^ Yamada, Kuniko (May 1, 2022). "iScream、様々な愛の形やレベルアップしていきたい思いを込めた1stアルバム『i』". Barks (in Japanese). Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  40. ^ "ガールズユニット「ｉＳｃｒｅａｍ」インタビューロングバージョン＜３＞". Sports Hochi (in Japanese). April 23, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  41. ^ "ガールズユニット「ｉＳｃｒｅａｍ」インタビューロングバージョン＜２＞". Sports Hochi (in Japanese). April 23, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  42. ^ "EXPG Studio by LDH Headline Vol.060" (PDF). EXPG Studio. October 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  43. ^ "琉衣". LDH (in Japanese). Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  44. ^ "f5ve". LDH. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  45. ^ "F5veのアルバム売" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  46. ^ オリコン週間 アルバムランキング 2025年05月05日～2025年05月11日 [Oricon Weekly Album Ranking May 5, 2025 – May 11, 2025] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on May 14, 2025. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
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