Tomoe Shinohara (篠原ともえ, Shinohara Tomoe, born March 29, 1979 in Higashimurayama, Tokyo[1]) is a Japanese singer, actress, fashion designer,[2] producer and artist. She is notable for her flamboyant fashion sense[3] and bubbly (sometimes goofballish) personality, as well as her distinctive squealing speaking voice.[4] She is also a close friend of singer Eiko Matsumoto.[3]
Career
In October 1996, Shinohara began as a regular hostess on the FujiTV music variety show "LOVE LOVE Aishiteru". In addition to her co-hostess duties she had her own segments called "PuriPuriPretty". In these segments she interviewed such international celebrities as Tim Burton and Enrique Iglesias.[5]
In the West, Tomoe Shinohara is perhaps best known in the anime world for contributing the single "Ultra Relax" as the second opening theme song for the series Kodomo no Omocha,[3][6] though this single is a small footnote to a larger body of musical work. Aside from music, she has taken parts in several films, dorama, commercials,[7] and TV programs. She is a regular cast member on the children's TV series Monsterdio, from which five albums of cast recordings were released in 2005 and 2006.[8]
Shinohara has also had some experience as an anime voice actor. In 2002, she voiced Hotaru-chan in Ghiblies Episode 2.[3]
In 2005 she formed a music, dance and performance group called PANIKARAQS (which means "Water Ballet" in Urdu) with Yuka Honda (formerly of Cibo Matto), Steve Eto, and Chikage.[9] Focusing on live performance, they have not released any CDs to date.[10] However, in 2005, Shinohara released a solo CD single, "asoFever 2005", which served as the sixth Ending Theme for the anime Zatch Bell!.
Shinohara has had at least one song appearance on the NHK program Minna no Uta.
In a 2005 press conference in France, Tomoe (as she likes to be referred to[3]) expressed a dream to perform with Daft Punk.[3]
Fashion
The characteristics of Shinora fashion are straight, choppy bangs, layered clothing that features bright, primary colors (similar to the UK-inspired fashion trend Super Lovers),[citation needed] shorts and suspenders, crumpled socks paired with hard shoes (similar to Doc Martens), strange make-up, glittery dollar store accessories, toy bracelets and rings, wristwatches, arm patches like the ones sold at carnival booths, pockets crammed with toys, goggles, and knapsacks.
Her style was a major impact on the Decora fashion, which revolves around bright colors and a large collection of accessories. The style has become a face of Harajuku fashion internationally.[11]
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