Vocaloid Producer and Band Vocalist wowaka Passes Away at 31 Years Old

Sad news for fans of Vocaloid and rock band Hitorie. The official website of the J-Rock band has announced today that their vocalist and guitarist wowaka has died on April 5. He passed away in his sleep due to acute heart failure. The announcement also stated that a private funeral was already conducted by his friends & relatives. He was 31 years old.

Hitorie has also announced that the next two stops of their Japan tour in Kyoto and Okayama are cancelled, because of their vocalist and founder’s sudden passing. Further information will be released to fans regarding the refunding of tickets. The band’s staff and members also asked for patience and understanding from the fans, as they are still reeling from their sudden loss.

The band’s future is currently unclear but its three remaining members ygarshy (bass), shinoda (guitar/chorus), and yumao (drums) stated that they intend to continue their musical activities.

wowaka first burst into the Vocaloid music scene in 2009, when he posted his original song Gray Zone ni te (In the Gray Zone) in the Japanese video streaming platform Nico Video. He was known for primarily using the Hatsune Miku Vocaloid software in most of the songs he created.

He went on to become a renowned Vocaloid producer, releasing songs that have become popular to fans such as Ura-Omote Lovers, the sorrow-laden song Rolling Girl, and Unhappy Refrain. He also produced the Hatsune Miku & Megurine Luka song World’s End Dancehall. The last Vocaloid song he produced was Unknown Mother Goose, released in 2017, which still used the Hatsune Miku Vocaloid software. He also participated in some anime OSTs, most notably in writing and composing the song And I’m Home for Puella Magi Madoka Magica. The song served as the ED of the anime series’ 9th episode and is the duet song of characters Kyoko Sakura (VA. Ai Nonaka) and Sayaka Miki (VA. Eri Kitamura).

Outside of his work as a Vocaloid producer, he founded the band Hitorie in 2012 and eventually became its vocalist and guitarist. They released four singles, four studio albums, and four mini albums. They also sang the OP song for the anime Divine Gate and the 7th ED song for Boruto: Naruto Next Generations.

Source: Anime News Network, Crunchyroll News