{{short description|Japanese singer and songwriter}} {{about||the Japanese novelist|Aiko Kitahara (novelist)}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Aiko Kitahara | native_name = 北原愛子 | native_name_lang = ja | occupation = {{flatlist| *singer *songwriter }} | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1982|10|11}} | birth_place = Osaka, Japan | genre = {{flatlist| *J-pop}} | years_active = 2002–2011 | label = {{flatlist| *Giza Studio }} | associated_acts = Masazumi Ozawa | website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20161002201242/http://aiko-k.net/ Website] (WebArchived) }}
{{nihongo|'''Aiko Kitahara'''|北原愛子}} is a former Japanese pop singer and songwriter under the Giza Studio label.
==Biography== Aiko's interest in music was inspired by her mother's love for bossa nova and Latin pop, which have had a big influence on her songs.<ref>Biography source for 1st n 3rd collume http://www.aiko-k.net/profile.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313073345/http://www.aiko-k.net/profile.html |date=2016-03-13 }}</ref>
===2002-2003: Piece of Love=== On 17 May 2002, she released debut single "Grand Blue". In the media it was used as an opening theme for Anime television series ''Tenshi na Konamaiki''.
On 17 July, the Giza Studio has released cover album ''Giza studio MAI-K & Friends Hotrod Beach Party'' where she participated in cover song "Little Honda" and "Surfin' U.S.A." by The Beach Boys.
On the same day, she released first mini album ''Sol de verano''. The promotional music videoclip covers the cover song "La Bamba" by Ritchie Valens. The album failed to reach on Oricon Weekly Charts.
On 26 July 2002, she appeared on Giza Studio live event ''Giza studio MAI-K & Friends Hotrod Beach Party Vol.1: 2002 Summer'' and performed here cover song.
On 6 November 2002, she released second single "Sun rise train". In the media it was used as a second opening theme for Anime television series ''Tenshi na Konamaiki''.
On 18 December 2002, the debut single was included in the Giza Studio compilation album ''Giza Studio Masterpiece Blend 2002''.
On 4 June 2003, she released third single "Himawari no you ni". In the media it was broadcast as an ending theme for NTV television program ''Mogumogu Gombo''.
On 6 August 2003, she released fourth single "Nijiiro ni Hikaru Umi". In the media it was used as an ending theme for Anime television series ''Detective School Q''.
On 25 September 2003, she released fifth single "Special Days". In the media it was used as an ending theme for Yomiuri TV program ''Pro no Domyaku''.
On 19 November 2003, she released first studio album ''Piece of Love''. The single "Special days" has received new arrangement under subtitle "album mix".
On 23 November 2003, she participated in cover song "Sono Ki ni Sasenaide" by Candies along with Saegusa Yuuka and Ai Takaoka. The cover song was recorded on cover album ''The Hit Parade'' produced by Tak Matsumoto.
On 17 December 2003, the single "Special Days" was included in the Giza Studio compilation album ''Giza Studio Masterpiece Blend 2003''.
===2004-2005: Message=== On 24 March 2004, she released sixth single ''Omoide ni Sukuwaretemo''. In this single, two of former members Makoto Miyoshi and Kazunobu Mashima from band Rumania Montevideo has provided musical composition. In the media it was broadcast as an theme song for Yomiuri TV program ''Pro no Domyaku''.
On 28 July 2004, she released seventh single ''Da Da Da''. In the media it was broadcast as an ending theme for TBS television program ''Sunday Japon''.
On 5 February 2005, she released eighth single ''Fuyu no Urara''. In the media it was used as an ending theme for TBS television program ''8Ji Desu! Minna no Monday!''.
On 11 May 2005, she released second studio album ''Message''. The single ''Omoide ni Sukuwaretemo'' has received new arrangement under subtitle ''album mix''. The album track ''Message'' was used in the media as an ending theme for the Nihon TV program ''Sekai! Chou Mane Tenkyuusho''
On 20 July 2005, she released ninth single ''Te Quiero Te Amo: Natsu no Natsu no Koi''. In the media it was broadcast as an ending theme for Nihon TV program ''Himitsu no Hiramekin''
===2006-2007: Sea and Shanti=== On 1.1 January 2006, she released first music videoclip DVD ''Aiko Kitahara Visual Collection''.<ref>{{cite web|title=1st DVD『AIKO KITAHARA Visual Collection』セルフライナー・ノート|url=https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000017144|website=Barks.jp| date=11 January 2006 }}</ref>
On 18 January 2006, she released tenth single ''Tango''. It has multiple media promotion, it was used as an ending theme for Anime television series ''Fighting Beauty Wulong'' and broadcast as an opening theme for Chiba TV program ''MU-GEN〜Music Generations〜''.
On 26 April 2006, she released eleventh single ''Mou Ichido Kimi ni Koishiteiru''. In the media it was used as an ending theme for Anime television series ''Government Crime Investigation Agent Zaizen Jotaro''
On 19 July 2006, she released twelfth single ''Moshi mo Umare Kawattara Mou Ichido Aishitekuremasuka?''. It's the longest title she ever used for the single. In the media it was broadcast as an opening theme for Chiba TV program ''MU-GEN〜Music Generations〜''. The B-side song ''Dreaming'' was also promoted in the media as an theme song for Ohsaka's Commercial facility ''EST'' (West Japan Railway Company).
On 9 August 2006, she released third studio album ''Sea''.
On 1 November 2006, she released thirteenth single ''Mou Kokoro Yuretari Shinaide.'' It's the first song she has composed by herself. In the media it was used as a seventh ending theme for Anime television series MÄR.
On 21 March 2007, she released fourteenth single ''Sekaijuu Doko wo Sagashitemo''. In the media it was used as an ending theme for Anime television series ''Kekkaishi''.<ref>{{cite web|title=北原愛子、「結界師」エンディングテーマのPVを公開|url=https://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/3048128/|website=Livedoor news}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=北原愛子、アニメ『結界師』のエンディングテーマ発売決定!|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/42432/full/|website=Oricon news|date=4 March 2015 }}</ref>
On 22 April 2007, she released fifteenth single ''Samba Night''. In the media it was broadcast as a theme song for Tokyo Broadcasting System Television program ''Doors 2007''.
On 26 September 2007, she released final studio album ''Shanti''.
===2008-2011: Compilation album and retirement=== On 6 August 2008, after more than year she released sixteenth single ''Amore: Koiseyo! Otome''. The single has received three media broadcasts, as an ending theme for Chiba TV program ''Bilive'', as a theme song for NTV program ''Nittele Poshlet'' and as a theme song for NTV television program ''Shiodome Event Bu''.
On 8.10 January 2008, she released second music videoclip DVD ''Aiko Kitahara Visual Collection 2''.<ref>{{cite web|title=GIZAの歌姫、北原愛子からスペシャルメッセージが到着！|url=https://navicon.jp/news/657/|website=navicon.jp}}</ref>
On 5 November 2008, she released seventeenth single ''Sono Egao yo Eien ni''. In the media it was used as an ending theme for Anime television series Golgo 13.
On 4 February 2009, she released final single ''Harukaze ga Mau koro ni wa''. The single received two media broadcasts, as an monthly theme song for Asahousou program ''Music File'' and as an opening theme for Nihon TV television program ''Nittele Poshlet''.
On 24 June 2009, she released compilation album ''Aiko Kitahara Best''. The album includes all released singles, some album tracks and four unreleased songs.
In 2011, after performing her last live show in Hills Factory, Aiko announced her retirement through her blog.<ref>Announcement of retirement Article title: "AIKO SUMMER NIGHT 2011" http://blog.livedoor.jp/happy_kitahara/archives/51853068.html</ref>
Aiko didn't made any appearances on television music programs.
In 2017 the official website has been removed.
During her career, she released eighteen singles, four studio albums, one mini album and one greatest hits album.<ref>Discography from official website (in japanese) http://www.aiko-k.net/disco.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303195047/http://www.aiko-k.net/disco.html |date=2016-03-03 }}</ref>
==Discography==
===Singles=== {|class=wikitable style="font-size:small" |- !No. !Release Day !Title !Rank |- |1st |2002/5/29 |Grand Blue |43<ref>{{cite web|title=Grand blue (北原愛子)|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/298370/products/478755/1/|website=Oricon News}}</ref> |- |2nd |2002/11/6 |Sun Rise Train／君の描くその未来 (Kimi no Egaku Sono Mirai) |45<ref>{{cite web|title=Sun Rise Train／君の描くその未来 (北原愛子)|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/298370/products/494402/1/|website=Oricon News}}</ref> |- |3rd |2003/6/4 |Himawari no You ni (向日葵のように) |96<ref>{{cite web|title=向日葵のように (北原愛子)|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/298370/products/508575/1/|website=Oricon News}}</ref> |- |4th |2003/8/6 |Niji Iro ni Hikaru Umi (虹色にひかる海) |53<ref>{{cite web|title=虹色にひかる海 (北原愛子)|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/298370/products/513873/1/|website=Oricon News}}</ref> |- |5th |2003/9/25 |Special Days!! |77<ref>{{cite web|title=Special Days!! (北原愛子)|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/298370/products/519756/1/|website=Oricon News}}</ref> |- |6th |2004/3/24 |Omoide ni Sukuwaretemo (思い出にスクワレテモ) |95<ref>{{cite web|title=思い出にスクワレテモ (北原愛子)|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/298370/products/544023/1/|website=Oricon News}}</ref> |- |7th |2004/7/28 |Da da da |79<ref>{{cite web|title=Da Da Da (北原愛子)|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/298370/products/557172/1/|website=Oricon News}}</ref> |- |8th |2005/2/9 |Fuyu Urara (冬うらら) |97<ref>{{cite web|title=冬うらら (北原愛子)|url= http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/298370/products/573244/1/|website=Oricon News}}</ref> |- |9th |2005/7/20 |Te Quiero Te Amo ~Natsu no Natsu no Koi~ (テ・ケロ テ・アモ 〜夏の夏の恋〜) |92<ref>{{cite web|title=テ・ケロ テ・アモ 〜夏の夏の恋〜 (北原愛子)|url= http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/298370/products/607318/1/|website=Oricon News}}</ref> |- |10th |2006/1/18 |Tango |50<ref>{{cite web|title=Tango (北原愛子)|url= http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/298370/products/636280/1/|website=Oricon News}}</ref> |- |11th |2006/4/26 |Mou Ichido Kimi ni Koishiteiru (もう一度 君に恋している) |88<ref>{{cite web|title=もう一度 君に恋している (北原愛子)|url= http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/298370/products/647713/1/|website=Oricon News}}</ref> |- |12th |2006/7/19 |Moshimo Umare Kawattara Mou Ichido Aishitekuremasuka? (もしも生まれ変わったら もう一度 愛してくれますか?) |55<ref>{{cite web|title=もしも生まれ変わったら もう一度 愛してくれますか? (北原愛子)|url= http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/298370/products/664455/1/|website=Oricon News}}</ref> |- |13th |2006/11/1 |Mou Kokoro Yuretari Shinaide (もう心揺れたりしないで) |71<ref>{{cite web|title=もう心揺れたりしないで (北原愛子)|url= http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/298370/products/683000/1/|website=Oricon News}}</ref> |- |14th |2007/3/21 |Sekaijuu Doko wo Sagashitemo (世界中どこを探しても) |42<ref>{{cite web|title=世界中どこを探しても (北原愛子)|url= http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/298370/products/700670/1/|website=Oricon News}}</ref> |- |15th |2007/8/22 |Samba Night |90<ref>{{cite web|title=Samba Night (北原愛子)|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/298370/products/722567/1/|website=Oricon News}}</ref> |- |16th |2008/8/6 |Amore ~Koiseyo! Omotetachi yo!~(Amore 〜恋せよ! 乙女達よ!!〜) |85<ref>{{cite web|title=Amore 〜恋せよ! 乙女達よ!!〜 (北原愛子)|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/298370/products/775326/1/|website=Oricon News}}</ref> |- |17th |2008/11/5 |Sono Egao yo Eien ni (その笑顔よ 永遠に) |76<ref>{{cite web|title=その笑顔よ 永遠に (北原愛子)|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/298370/products/791386/1/|website=Oricon News}}</ref> |- |18th |2009/2/16 |Harukaze ga Mau Koro ni wa (春風が舞う頃には) |71<ref>{{cite web|title=春風が舞う頃には (北原愛子)|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/298370/products/800143/1/|website=Oricon News}}</ref> |}
=== Albums === ==== Studio albums ==== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of albums, with selected chart positions |- ! style="width:14em;" rowspan="2"| Title ! style="width:16em;" rowspan="2"| Album details ! colspan="1"| Peak positions ! style="width:10em;" rowspan="2"| Sales |- !style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|JPN<br>Oricon<br/><ref>{{cite web|title=北原愛子の作品|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/298370/products/|work=Oricon|accessdate=March 16, 2020}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | ''Piece of Love'' | *Released: October 12, 2003 *Label: Giza Studio *Format(s): CD, digital download | 50 | *JPN: 5,174 |- ! scope="row" | ''Message'' | *Released: May 11, 2005 *Label: Giza Studio *Format(s): CD, digital download | 41 | *JPN: 4,824 |- ! scope="row" | ''Sea'' | *Released: August 9, 2006 *Label: Giza Studio *Format(s): CD, digital download | 78 | *JPN: 3,321 |- ! scope="row" | ''Shanti'' | *Released: September 26, 2007 *Label: Giza Studio *Format(s): CD, digital download | 87 | *JPN: 3,409 |- |}
==== Compilation albums ==== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of albums, with selected chart positions |- ! style="width:14em;" rowspan="2"| Title ! style="width:16em;" rowspan="2"| Album details ! colspan="1"| Peak positions ! style="width:10em;" rowspan="2"| Sales |- !style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|JPN<br>Oricon<br/><ref>{{cite web|title=北原愛子の作品|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/298370/products/|work=Oricon|accessdate=March 16, 2020}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | ''Aiko Kitahara Best'' | *Released: June 24, 2009 *Label: Giza Studio *Format(s): CD, digital download | 106 | *JPN: 1,454 |- |}
===Extended plays=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of albums, with selected chart positions |- ! style="width:14em;" | Title ! style="width:18em;" | Album details |- ! scope="row" | ''Sol de Verano'' | *Released: July 17, 2002 *Label: Giza Studio *Format(s): CD, digital download |- |}
===Video albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of albums, with selected chart positions |- ! rowspan="2"| Title ! style="width:16em;" rowspan="2"| Album details ! colspan="1"| Peak positions ! style="width:10em;" rowspan="2"| Sales |- !style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|JPN<br>Oricon<br/><ref>{{cite web|title=北原愛子の作品|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/298370/products/|work=Oricon|accessdate=March 16, 2020}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | ''Aiko Kitahara Visual Collection'' | *Released: January 1, 2006 *Label: Giza Studio *Format(s): DVD | 226 | *JPN: 2,082 |- ! scope="row" | ''Aiko Kitahara Visual Collection Vol. 2'' | *Released: October 8, 2008 *Label: Giza Studio *Format(s): DVD | 46 | *JPN: 1,202 |- |}
==Magazine appearances== From J-Groove Magazine: *July 2002 Vol.21<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.j-rock.com:80/J-GROOVE/BACK_GROOVE/2002/021.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030220162313/http://www.j-rock.com/J-GROOVE/BACK_GROOVE/2002/021.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2003-02-20|title=Back Number 2002 July|language=Japanese|website=Official Website of J-Groove Magazine (WebArchive)|access-date=2021-04-03}}</ref> *September 2002 Vol.23<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.j-rock.com:80/J-GROOVE/BACK_GROOVE/2002/023.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030220171615/http://www.j-rock.com/J-GROOVE/BACK_GROOVE/2002/023.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2003-02-20|title=Back Number 2002 September|language=Japanese|website=Official Website of J-Groove Magazine (WebArchive)|access-date=2021-04-03}}</ref> *December 2002 Vol.26<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.j-rock.com:80/J-GROOVE/BACK_GROOVE/2002/026.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030220153923/http://www.j-rock.com/J-GROOVE/BACK_GROOVE/2002/026.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2003-02-20|title=Back Number 2002 December|language=Japanese|website=Official Website of J-Groove Magazine (WebArchive)|access-date=2021-04-03}}</ref> *July 2003 Vol.33<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.j-rock.com:80/J-GROOVE/BACK_GROOVE/2003/031.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030727100020/http://www.j-rock.com/J-GROOVE/BACK_GROOVE/2003/031.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2003-07-27|title=Back Number 2003 July|language=Japanese|website=Official Website of J-Groove Magazine (WebArchive)|access-date=2021-04-03}}</ref> *September 2003 Vol.35<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.j-rock.com:80/J-GROOVE/BACK_GROOVE/2003/035.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031219073608/http://www.j-rock.com/J-GROOVE/BACK_GROOVE/2003/035.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2003-12-19|title=Back Number 2003 September|language=Japanese|website=Official Website of J-Groove Magazine (WebArchive)|access-date=2021-04-03}}</ref> *May 2004 Vol.43<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.j-rock.com/J-GROOVE/back/index4.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051024121151/http://www.j-rock.com/J-GROOVE/back/index4.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2005-10-24|title=Back Number 2004 (all publicasions)|language=Japanese|website=Official Website of J-Groove Magazine (WebArchive)}}</ref> *March 2005 Vol.53 *September 2005 Vol.59<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.j-rock.com/J-GROOVE/back/index5.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051024122453/http://www.j-rock.com/J-GROOVE/back/index5.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2005-10-24|title=Back Number 2005 (all publishes)|language=Japanese|website=Official Website of J-Groove Magazine (WebArchive)}}</ref> *February 2006 Vol.64<ref>{{cite web|url=http://j-rock.com/J-GROOVE/back/index5.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416091548/http://j-rock.com/J-GROOVE/back/index5.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-04-16|title=Back Number 2006 (all publishes)|language=Japanese|website=Official Website of J-Groove Magazine (WebArchive)}}</ref>
From Music Freak Magazine: *May 2002 Vol.90: ''Grand Blue'' Interview<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mfmagazine.com/mfm/other_contents/backnumber/previous_year/2002.html#90|title=Back Number 2002 (May)|language=Japanese|website=mfmagazine.com}}</ref> *July 2002 Vol.92: Self Liner Notes ''Sol de verano''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mfmagazine.com/mfm/other_contents/backnumber/previous_year/2002.html#92|title=Back Number 2002 (July)|language=Japanese|website=mfmagazine.com}}</ref> *October 2002 Vol.95: Information<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mfmagazine.com/mfm/other_contents/backnumber/previous_year/2002.html#95|title=Back Number 2002 (October)|language=Japanese|website=mfmagazine.com}}</ref> *November 2002 Vol.96: ''Sun rise train'' Interview<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mfmagazine.com/mfm/other_contents/backnumber/previous_year/2002.html#96|title=Back Number 2002 (November)|language=Japanese|website=mfmagazine.com}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *Official website: [http://www.aiko-k.net/] *Official blog: [http://blog.livedoor.jp/happy_kitahara/]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kitahara, Aiko}} Category:Living people Category:B Zone artists Category:Giza Studio artists Category:Anime musicians Category:Japanese women singer-songwriters Category:20th-century Japanese women singers Category:20th-century Japanese singers Category:1982 births