{{unreliable sources|date=January 2026}} {{Short description|Japanese musician}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = John | image = | caption = | image_size = | background = solo_singer | birth_name = | alias = Tooboe | birth_date = | birth_place = Japan | death_date = | education = | genre = J-pop · Vocaloid | occupation = {{Hlist|Vocaloid producer|Singer-songwriter}} | instrument = | years_active = {{start date|2019}}–present | label = Mastersix Foundation (2022–present) | spouse = | website = | notable_instruments = }}
'''John''' ({{langx|ja|ジョン}}, stylized in lowercase) is a Japanese Vocaloid producer and singer-songwriter. As a solo project, he performs under the name '''Tooboe''' ({{langx|ja|トオボエ}}, stylized in all caps).
== Career == From a young age, John was exposed to guitar and piano and began composing as a hobby using DTM.<ref name="Fanplus">{{cite web |last=Sugie |first=Yuka |title=音楽クリエイター・johnのソロプロジェクトTOOBOE。聴く者を虜にしてしまう希有な存在のルーツやこだわりを紐解く |url=https://music.fanplus.co.jp/special/publicEntrySP.php?article_id=20210316863fe33b4 |access-date=13 March 2025 |website=Fanplus Music |language=Japanese}}</ref> Around 2018, he discovered artists such as balloon and NayutalieN, which sparked his interest in Vocaloid music.<ref name="RealSound">{{cite web |date=31 October 2020 |title=yamaへの楽曲提供も話題 クリエイター john=TOOBOEに聞く、ソロプロジェクト始動の背景と創作活動の原点 |url=https://realsound.jp/2020/10/post-646770.html |access-date=13 March 2025 |website=RealSound |language=Japanese}}</ref> In April 2019, he uploaded his first Vocaloid song, "Inferiority", to Niconico and YouTube, officially beginning his career as a Vocaloid producer.<ref name="Fanplus" />
Since then, he has created notable works such as "Shunran", "Itaino Itaino Tondeike", "Jōzai", and "Shinzō". "Shunran" has surpassed 45 million views on YouTube.<ref>{{cite web |title=春嵐 / 初音ミク |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUH9vCsvq08 |access-date=13 March 2025 |via=YouTube |date=6 December 2019}}</ref>
In September 2020, John launched his solo project under the name '''Tooboe''' and began producing both his own vocal works and songs for other artists while continuing his Vocaloid activities.<ref name="Fanplus" /> In April 2022, he made his major debut under Mastersix Foundation with his first single, "Shinzō".<ref>{{cite web |last=Manshima |first=Elio |date=1 May 2022 |title=john＝TOOBOEが今、メジャーデビューを選んだ理由 「心臓」で描いたテーマ、J-POPシーンでの活動も語る |url=https://realsound.jp/2022/05/post-1019938.html |access-date=13 March 2025 |website=Real Sound |language=Japanese}}</ref>
In 2022, Tooboe performed "Jōzai (錠剤)" for the anime ''Chainsaw Man''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chainsaw Man Anime Releases Fourth Ending Video Featuring TOOBOE |url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2022/11/1/chainsaw-man-anime-releases-fourth-ending-video-featuring-tooboe?srsltid=AfmBOoq9GlF2gttVwJ--4ktx1mMH2r65HBsJnA14nkeBb7nSEaKs29sC|access-date=30 October 2025}}</ref>
In 2025, Tooboe composed and performed "Anata wa Kaibutsu” (あなたわ怪物; English: ''You Are My Monster'')" as the ending theme for the anime ''The Summer Hikaru Died'' (光が死んだ夏).<ref name="MUSIC - TVアニメ『光が死んだ夏』公式サイト">{{cite web |title=MUSIC – TVアニメ『光が死んだ夏』公式サイト |url=https://hikanatsu-anime.com/music/ |access-date=30 October 2025}}</ref> The anime's official music page notes that the lyrics, composition, and arrangement were all handled by Tooboe. In his comments, he said he delved into the story's themes of memory, betrayal, and what it means to realize someone close is not who you believed, and described the song as a kind of forgiveness extended to the characters.<ref name="MUSIC - TVアニメ『光が死んだ夏』公式サイト"/> The song was first revealed publicly at AnimeJapan 2025 as part of the main trailer, which featured the ending theme.<ref>{{cite web |title=Netflix Worldwide Exclusive Streaming Anime"The Summer Hikaru Died" Reveals Main Trailer and New Cast Members |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/netflix-worldwide-exclusive-streaming-animethe-summer-hikaru-died-reveals-main-trailer-and-new-cast-members-yumiri-hanamori-wakana-kowaka-and-chikahiro-kobayashi-302408027.html |access-date=30 October 2025}}</ref> Other promotional materials and the anime's X / Twitter account also confirmed the non-credit ending video and credited Tooboe as the performer.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Summer Hikaru Died Anime Reveals Ending Theme Song "Anata wa Kaibutsu" by TOOBOE |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/netflix-worldwide-exclusive-streaming-animethe-summer-hikaru-died-reveals-main-trailer-and-new-cast-members-yumiri-hanamori-wakana-kowaka-and-chikahiro-kobayashi-302408027.html |access-date=30 October 2025}}</ref>
== Persona == The names "John" and "Tooboe" are dog-related, as his musical theme revolves around "underdogs".<ref name="RealSound" /> His primary sources of inspiration for lyrics include "anger" and "giving courage to others."<ref name="RealSound" /> His influences include Hideo Okuda for lyricism and Shikao Suga for composition.<ref name="Fanplus" /> A notable characteristic of his Vocaloid tuning is the pronunciation of the kana starting with {{IPA|/t/}} as {{IPA|[ts]}}, making "tsa, tsi, tsu, tse, tso." As a child, he aspired to become a manga artist.<ref name="RealSound" />
== Discography == === As John === * ''Angry Dog'' (August 24, 2019) * ''Rose'' (December 22, 2019) * ''Miserable'' (August 21, 2020) * ''Pink Moon'' (June 16, 2023)
=== As Tooboe ===
==== Studio albums ==== * ''Senshuraku'' (2021) * ''Stupid Dog'' (2024) * ''Evergreen'' (2026)
==== EPs ==== * ''Jōzai'' (2022) * ''You Are My Monster'' (2025)
==== Singles ==== ===== As lead artist ===== * "Akai Yoru" (2020) * "Doku" (2020) * "Yūutsu" (2021) * "Kūfuku" (with Maeshima Sōshi) (2021) * "Mononoke / Shikai" (2021) * "Mahi" (2021) * "Hen" (2021) * "Alien / Blue Monday" (2021) * "Murasaki" (2021) * "Shinzō" (2022) * "Oxygen" (2022) * "Haiboku" (2022) * "Ivory" (2022) * "Jōzai" (2022) * "Chili Sauce" (2022) * "Ōjōgiwa no imi o shire" (2023) * "Roman" (2023) * "Appare Kanpai" (2023) * "Fish" (2023) * "Hakuai" (2023) * "Hōkō" (2024) * "Hikari" (2024) * "Itaino itaino tondeike" (2024) * "Kire egoto" (2024) * "Collage" (with Puffy) (2024) * "Wonderful World" (2024) * "First Love" (2025) * "Anata wa kaibutsu" (2025) * "GUN POWDER" (2026) * "BAP" (2026)
===== As featured artist ===== * "Re Juu No Buhin" (People 1 feat. Tooboe) (2022) * "Sepia" (Mori Calliope feat. Tooboe) (2025)
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{Twitter|casablancalanca|John}} * {{Twitter|TOOBOEofficial|Tooboe}} * {{Instagram|john_TOOBOE|John / Tooboe}} * {{YouTube|c=UC9rPALOT-ZVc7VEXATYSNCA|John / Tooboe}}
{{Vocaloid musicians}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:John}} Category:Japanese male singer-songwriters Category:Vocaloid musicians Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Living people