Demon_Kakka

Demon Kakka

Demon Kakka

Japanese musician and entertainer


Demon Kakka (Japanese: デーモン閣下, Hepburn: Dēmon Kakka, "His Excellency Demon"), previously known as Demon Kogure (デーモン小暮, Dēmon Kogure), is a Japanese musician, songwriter, entertainer, journalist, sumo commentator, actor and voice actor. He first gained fame in the 1980s as vocalist of the heavy metal band Seikima-II, before starting a solo career in 1990 and branching out into other forms of entertainment. His real name is not publicly known and he is noted for always working entirely in character, which includes wearing face paint.

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Early life and education

Demon attended kindergarten up through his first year of elementary school in New York City.[2] He moved to Tokyo for second grade of elementary school, before moving to Nishi-ku, Hiroshima in 1971 for three years.[2] Returning to Tokyo, Demon grew up there from 6th grade on.[2]

Between 1982 and 1983, Demon attended an acting school in Tokyo.[1][3]

In March 1986, Demon graduated with honors from Waseda University with a degree in social science.[1] A fan of sumo since childhood, he was a member of the university's sumo club.[4] He was also a member of their folk song club.[5]

Career

Music

When Sunplaza Nakano-kun left the Waseda University rock band Super Slump to form Bakufu Slump, Demon replaced him as vocalist.[5][6]

Demon and fellow Waseda University student Damian Hamada formed the heavy metal band Seikima-II in December 1982. The band saw numerous lineup changes in their career, with Demon being the only constant member. They signed to CBS/Sony and released their first album Seikima II – Akuma ga Kitarite Heavy Metal in 1985. Seikima-II went on to release 12 studio albums and sell over 10 million records.[7] In accordance to their fictional "prophecy" and after completing their "world conquest", Seikima-II disbanded at the end of the century on December 31, 1999 at 23:59:59.[7] They have held various limited time reunions since 2005, and released their first album of new material in 23 years in 2022.

Demon released his first solo album in 1990, and after Seikima-II disbanded focused on his solo career.

In 1994, Demon appeared on Larry King Live, becoming the first Japanese musician to do so.

In January 2007, Demon released Girls' Rock, a cover album of rock songs by female artists. He released a follow-up, Girls' Rock √ Hakurai, in January 2008 and supported it with a national tour from April to May.[8][9] A third female rock cover album, Girls' Rock ~Tiara~, was released on February 11, 2009.[10] The compilation album Girls' Rock Best, collecting songs from these three albums and some new covers, was released on January 20, 2010.[11]

Demon released Mythology, his first original studio album in nine years, on May 16, 2012. It features several guests, including Yuki Koyanagi and May J., and a song composed by Tetsuya Komuro. The album's June tour featured Koyanagi at every date, while its final day also saw the other contributors perform.[12]

Demon wrote and composed the 2013 song "Heavy Metal Strikes Back ~Chimamire no Messiah-tachi~" (HEAVY METAL STRIKES BACK ~血まみれの救世主(メサイア)たち~) for the idol group Kamen Rider Girls.[13]

For his March 2017 album Existence, Demon had two Akutagawa Prize winning authors (Keisuke Hada and Yū Nagashima) and Terra Formars author Yū Sasuga write song lyrics.[14] His November 2017 album Utadama was built around folk instruments, pianos and other unplugged instruments and includes covers of songs such as "Furusato" and "Kimigayo".[15]

His November 2019 album Uta Dokuro: Gekida☆Shinkansen Gekichūka-shū is a collaboration with the theater company Gekida☆Shinkansen, with whom he has written lyrics for and performed songs with since at least 1995.[16] The album features Demon singing 12 songs he wrote for the company's plays over the last 24 years with some altered lyrics.[3]

Demon collaborated with Arika Takarano (Ali Project) for the May 13, 2020 single "Jikū no Mayoi Hito" (時空の迷い人), which is the opening theme of the anime adaptation of The 8th Son? Are You Kidding Me?.[17][18] That same year, he provided the song "Naked Men Miro, Hadaka no Oretachi o!" to the stage adaptation of Reiko Okano's sumo manga series Ryōgoku Hananishiki Tōshi.[19]

Sumo

Demon dedicated a section of his radio program Demon Kogure no All Night Nippon to sumo. The section, called "Ōzumō wo 666-bai Tanoshimu Hōhō" (大相撲を666倍楽しむ方法), often featured interviews with active rikishi, most notably Daitetsu Tadamitsu, who became friends with Demon.[20]

Demon wrote a column for the sumo magazine Van Van Sumo Club for 13 years, and was a regular guest commentator on the J Sports TV show Gekisen! Ōzumō for five years.[1] But he was asked not to enter the Ryōgoku Kokugikan in costume so as not to cause a distraction, and complied. However, in 2005 Demon was asked by the Japan Sumo Association to be a guest on Dosukoi FM, the live in-house radio broadcast of sumo tournaments, and to come in costume, ending the ban.[21]

The following year Demon was a guest commentator for NHK's television broadcast of the January 2006 honbasho, and became the first guest to commentate an entire sumo tournament.[4]

Demon was a guest commentator on day 8 of the January 2009 tournament alongside his close friend and former yokozuna Hiroshi Wajima.[22][23] When Wajima died in December 2018, Demon sang a song he wrote at the funeral and was a pallbearer.[24][25]

On day 2 of the January 2011 tournament Demon caused some controversy when he opined publicly on NHK that Kotomitsuki Keiji, who was expelled by the JSA in July 2010 for gambling, should be reinstated.[26]

In April 2012, Demon's alma mater Waseda University appointed him a special counselor of their sumo club which was struggling to recruit new members.[27]

Other activities

Demon Kakka being appointed an ambassador for good medical care by Katsunobu Katō (2019)

Demon hosted the weekly radio program Demon Kogure no All Night Nippon (デーモン小暮のオールナイトニッポン) on Mondays from 25:00 to 27:00 (technically Tuesday mornings) on National Radio Network from April 6, 1987 to May 14, 1990 as part of All Night Nippon.[28][20]

In 2008, Demon wrote, directed and acted in the short film Kona Nishite Fū (コナ・ニシテ・フウ).[29]

Demon voiced the character Zatan in the 2012 Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider Wizard & Fourze: Movie War Ultimatum film.[30] He also wrote and performed its theme song, "Forest of Rocks".

In 2017, Demon was selected by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications to educate the public on and bring awareness to the harm of illegal radio waves.[31]

In February 2018, Demon took part in a symposium alongside singer Kaori Kishitani, athlete Dai Tamesue and the representative director of the Federation of Music Producers Japan speaking on the problem of ticket scalping.[32] That year Demon provided the voice of the character Dr. Tetsuji Kanie in the anime adaptation of Hinomaru Sumo.[33]

In 2019, Demon was appointed an ambassador for good medical care by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.[34]

Demon leant his voice to Capcom's 2023 video game Street Fighter 6 as a real time commentator for fights.[35]

Persona

Demon Kakka wears face paint and elaborate costumes to convey his persona of a demon.

Like the other members of Seikima-II, Demon adopted the stage persona of an Akuma ("demon") from the futuristic hyper-evolved dimension Makai ("demon world"), where he was the former Vice Emperor.[36][37] They all wear face paint and elaborate stage outfits. The band preaches a demonic religion called Akumakyō through heavy metal music to conquer the Earth.[38] Originally using the name Demon Kogure (デーモン小暮), he began using Demon Kogure Kakka (デーモン小暮閣下) in 2000, and in 2010 changed his name to Demon Kakka. He has also released material under the name Kogure Den-emon (小暮伝衛門) and the symbol !, which is read as "Exclamation".

On December 10, 2014, a supporter of politician Daisuke Sakamoto (Party for Japanese Kokoro) dressed as Demon during a public event supporting Sakamoto in the 2014 Japanese general election to represent Hiroshima 7th district. When news of the cosplay spread on the internet and TV, Demon wrote a blog post stating that because it was not made clear that it was a fake, any similar acts in the future would result in legal action. Sakamoto apologized stating that it was a "careless" decision.[39]

Discography

Studio albums

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Singles

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Compilation albums

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Home videos

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Other work

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Video games

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Filmography

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Bibliography

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References

  1. "H.E. Demon Kakka's Official Website". Demon-kogure.jp. Archived from the original on December 10, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
  2. "ひろしまEYE 3・11後 愛郷の念再び ミュージシャン デーモン閣下さん". The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). June 6, 2012. Archived from the original on April 24, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  3. "「悪魔の顔も三度まで!」相撲界のご意見番・デーモン閣下が大麻陽性問題に"物言い". Oricon (in Japanese). September 3, 2008. Archived from the original on August 9, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  4. "サンプラザ中野くん、23年目にして中野サンプラザのステージに". Barks (in Japanese). March 9, 2011. Archived from the original on June 29, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  5. "デーモン閣下が改めて語る聖飢魔IIとスーパースランプ". Tokyo FM (in Japanese). March 25, 2017. Archived from the original on September 26, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  6. "Japan's SEIKIMA-II To Release 'Akuma Nativity – Songs of the Sword' Compilation". Blabbermouth.net. July 16, 2009. Archived from the original on October 9, 2009. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  7. "デーモン小暮、ふたたびカバー集で女心を歌い上げる". Natalie (in Japanese). January 28, 2008. Archived from the original on August 9, 2023. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  8. "デーモン閣下"北欧の使い魔"を従えたライブがDVD化". Natalie (in Japanese). August 8, 2008. Archived from the original on August 9, 2023. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  9. "デーモン閣下、魔暦D.C.11年の幕開けは「熱くなれ」". Natalie (in Japanese). November 27, 2008. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  10. "デーモン閣下が女心を熱唱するカバーベスト&ライブDVD". Natalie (in Japanese). December 24, 2009. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  11. "母校で相撲部員勧誘!デーモン閣下9年ぶり新作にヒダカら". Natalie (in Japanese). April 26, 2012. Archived from the original on April 19, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  12. "KAMEN RIDER GIRLS初アルバムにHR/HM界の重鎮集結". Natalie (in Japanese). March 13, 2013. Archived from the original on September 29, 2019. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  13. "デーモン閣下5年ぶりソロ作で羽田圭介が作詞家デビュー、悪魔的採点は「666点」". Natalie (in Japanese). January 19, 2017. Archived from the original on September 2, 2019. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  14. "穏やかなデーモン閣下があの名曲を歌唱、あなたの心を癒すニューアルバム". Natalie (in Japanese). September 20, 2017. Archived from the original on February 18, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  15. "デーモン閣下のアルバム「うた髑髏」劇団☆新感線作品の劇中歌を収録". Natalie (in Japanese). July 30, 2017. Archived from the original on October 18, 2019. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  16. "'The 8th Son? Are You Kidding Me?' Anime's 2nd Promo Video Reveals, Previews Theme Songs". Anime News Network. February 28, 2020. Archived from the original on May 28, 2020. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  17. "デーモン閣下×宝野アリカ、シンフォニックメタル「時空の迷い人」MV公開". Natalie (in Japanese). March 18, 2020. Archived from the original on March 23, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  18. "デーモン閣下、伊藤健太郎主演舞台の主題歌「Naked Men 見ろ、裸の俺たちを!」配信". Natalie (in Japanese). September 15, 2020. Archived from the original on January 12, 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  19. "【1980年代ラジオ伝説】第25回「悪魔が深夜にラジオする デーモン小暮のオールナイトニッポン」". Livedoor (in Japanese). September 7, 2010. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  20. "北の湖親方 デーモン閣下の国技館"出禁"解いていた". Livedoor (in Japanese). December 13, 2015. Archived from the original on December 18, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  21. "輪島さん デーモン閣下と「ドキドキ」解説". Sports Nippon (in Japanese). January 19, 2009. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  22. "デーモン閣下 輪島さんの闘病生活明かす". Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). October 9, 2018. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  23. "輪島さんデーモン閣下歌う千秋楽と黄金風船で旅立ち". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). October 16, 2018. Archived from the original on August 9, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  24. "元横綱輪島に最後の別れ". Sankei Shimbun (in Japanese). October 15, 2018. Archived from the original on August 9, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  25. "Demon Kakka backs Kotomitsuki". The Japan Times. January 11, 2011. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  26. "デーモン閣下、新入部員勧誘! 早大相撲部特別参与に就任". Oricon (in Japanese). April 23, 2012. Archived from the original on April 16, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  27. "MCUがデーモン小暮閣下、初監督・脚本を務めた映画に主演!". Rockin'On (in Japanese). January 23, 2008. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  28. "デーモン閣下、『仮面ライダー』最強の敵アクマイザーの声優に抜てき". Oricon (in Japanese). October 31, 2012. Archived from the original on August 9, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  29. "チケット転売対策へ デーモン閣下、岸谷香、為末大が訴え「笑いごとではない」". Oricon (in Japanese). February 6, 2018. Archived from the original on June 21, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  30. "Demon Kakka Makes His Anime Voice Acting Debut in Hinomaru Sumo". Crunchyroll. December 2, 2018. Archived from the original on November 28, 2020. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  31. "「"上手な医療のかかり方"大使任命イベント」を11月18日に開催します". Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (in Japanese). November 14, 2019. Archived from the original on March 1, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  32. "Street Fighter 6 adds Ken, Blanka, Dhalsim, and E. Honda; closed beta test set for October 7 to 10". Gematsu. September 15, 2022. Archived from the original on September 24, 2022. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  33. "About SEIKIMA II". seikima-ii.com. Archived from the original on March 2, 2020. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  34. "H.E.DEMON KAKKA". seikima-ii.com. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  35. "SEIKIMA-II Promulgates 83 Songs from Great Scriptures". Barks.jp. August 8, 2013. Archived from the original on September 11, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  36. "デーモン閣下、ニセモノ出現に怒り! 「首を洗って待っていてもらいたい」". Oricon (in Japanese). December 11, 2014. Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  37. "デーモン閣下のアルバム売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  38. "デーモン閣下のシングル売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  39. "デーモン閣下のDVD売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2020.

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