Originating from Hokkaido, MELL gained popularity through association with the ubiquitous techno/trance group I’ve Sound (often abbreviated as I’ve) alongside the founders Takase Kazuya and C.G mix. Additional and current members are as follows: Shimamiya Eiko, Utatsuki Kaori, KOTOKO and Kawada Mami. Collectively, they achieved success through creating opening and ending themes for anime, adult dating simulation games and visual novels. To date, the group has released a vast collection of work, and is most known for the song Tori no Uta, which was used for Key’s (a production company for visual novels, etc) adult visual novel and anime “Air.”
MELL has been featured on several compilation albums alongside other I’ve members. Each compilation album contains a selection of songs composed and sung by different members of I’ve. Across the fourteen compilation albums, MELL sang a total of seventeen songs. Her latest single associated with I’ve is Noblest Love, released on February 26, 2010.
In 2006, MELL sparked fans' attention when she released her debut solo single, Red fraction. The song was used as the opening for “Black Lagoon.” Red fraction is MELL’s most successful single to date as it reached #11 on the Oricon charts and sold approx 38,000 copies. Aside from her work with I’ve, MELL’s vocal contribution to various anime themes and game theme songs attained success for her; she has five solo singles released. MELL also contributed vocals for the opening theme for the anime “RIDEBACK” with her fifth and most recent single, Rideback.
MELL has also provided vocals to the additional following anime soundtracks: “Hayate the Combat Butler,” “Shakugan no Shana” and “Sky Girls.” Additionally, MELL contributed vocals through Love Planet Five, a sub-group of I’ve’s most influential members: Shimamiya Eiko, Utatsuki Kaori, KOTOKO, Kawada Mami and MELL. Still active, Love Planet Five has released only one maxi-single to date; Tenjou wo Kakeru Monotachi was used for the ending theme of the anime movie “Shakugan no Shana.”
MELL’s edgy, dark style is easily recognizable and is closely followed by her fans. In August 2008, she released her solo album, MELLSCOPE, under the Geneon Entertainment. The album was well-received, and fans are eagerly waiting for more in the near future.
Her appearance at Otakon 2009, in Baltimore, USA, alongside BECCA, HYDE, VAMPS, Kanon Wakeshima among others, sparked fans attention as most know her work through anime. From July 1-4, 2010, MELL appeared as a guest during Anime Expo 2010 in L.A., California. On Friday evening of July 2nd, alongside her appearance at Anime Expo, she performed at the Club Nokia Theater, making it a truly memorable event for enthralled fans.
