imase

Overview

imase (stylized in lowercase; born November 9, 2000, in Gifu Prefecture) is a Japanese singer-songwriter signed to Virgin Music under Universal Music Japan. He writes and composes all of his songs, rose to popularity on TikTok and debuted in 2021. The viral 2022 hit "Night Dancer" earned him the nickname "monster rookie."

Career

After high school, imase joined his parents' company to take over the family business. In November 2020, at 20, he bought a guitar and began making music with no prior instrument experience. In May 2021 he started posting singing videos on TikTok, and in December 2021 he entered the TV Tokyo audition segment of "Dreamer Z," passing the first and second rounds on the same day.

He made his major debut on December 19, 2021, with "Have a nice day," which reached 500 million plays; his second single "逃避行" reached 400 million. By March 2022 his total plays exceeded 1.1 billion. His first EP, Pop Cube, followed in 2022. He wrote "Night Dancer" on August 19, 2022; it became a major hit, especially in South Korea, as the first J-pop song to enter the Top 20 there and the first Japanese song and artist to enter the Melon 100. In 2023 he produced "Jewelry" and "Dresscode" for LE SSERAFIM and moved from Gifu to Tokyo that spring.

On January 31, 2024, "NIGHT DANCER" passed 100 million plays on Oricon's weekly streaming ranking, his first song to do so. His first CD album, 凡才, came out on May 15, 2024. Singles followed, including "メトロシティ" (September 25, 2024), "Dried Flower" (October 11), "アウトライン" (October 25) and "プリズム" (November 8), then in 2025 "EGOIST," "FRIENDS!!!," "Soyokaze," "名前のない日々," "惑星ロマンス," "文通," "ミスター・ムーンライト" and "渦." "Outline" was chosen as the official theme of the 103rd All Japan High School Soccer Tournament, and he performed it live on the final day, January 13, 2025.

After his concert at Nippon Budokan on July 25, 2025, he announced on August 4 a hiatus due to health problems. His first photo book, you&me, was released on September 25, 2025, with a photo exhibition at Shibuya PARCO from September 19 to 29. On September 4, 2026, he announced his return and opened an official LINE account, and his second EP, Hatena, arrived on streaming platforms on October 2, 2026. The singles "青葉" (February 27, 2026) and "青葉 (Movie Ver.)" (March 4, 2026) were also released.

He has also acted and composed: incidental music for the TV Tokyo drama Chaser Game, a cameo in it, a role in Chaser Game W (2024) and an appearance in TBS's Reboot (episode 7, March 8, 2026). His live activities include the online live "Pop Room," "Pop Over," a first showcase in Korea and Tour 2023 "Utopia."

Awards

He received the Excellent Work Award at the 65th Japan Record Awards for "NIGHT DANCER" (2023) and the Sneaker Best Dresser Award, male artist category (2024).

Musical Style

imase favors R&B and pop and cites Gen Hoshino as a major influence. He writes all his own songs, and his lyrics evoke nostalgia and a desire to cherish the present moment, with themes of love and joy.