Discover Sasuke Haraguchi (原口沙輔)
“Hito Mania” (人マニア) may have launched Sasuke Haraguchi (原口沙輔) and his career as a music producer, but he is no newcomer to the industry. Since starting his music career in middle school, he has had a fascinating career as a singer, producer, and musician.
This article answers commonly asked questions about Sasuke Haraguchi and his multifaceted career.
Table of Contents
Who is Sasuke Haraguchi?
Sasuke Haraguchi (原口沙輔) is a Japanese music producer, songwriter, DJ, dancer, and singer. He gained viral attention in the Vocaloid community and beyond, following the viral success of his song “Hito Mania” (人マニア) on social media.
Sasuke discovered his passion for creating music at a very young age and made his music debut when he was still a teenager. Praised for his immense talent, Haraguchi has earned great acclaim and recognition for his multifaceted skillset, reflected in his extensive discography and collaborative projects.
Previously known by the name SASUKE, Haraguchi captivates many with his innovative approach to music production and performance.
Where is Sasuke Haraguchi from?
Haraguchi is from the city of Matsuyama, the capital of Ehime Prefecture in Japan.
For the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, he was selected as one of the torchbearers representing his prefecture. Reflecting on this honor, he expressed, “I’m happy to have had such a valuable experience that only comes once in a lifetime.”
Over 121 days, the torch traveled through all 47 prefectures in Japan.
When did Sasuke Haraguchi begin making music?
Sasuke began making music when he was 5 years old.
He first started making music through voice memos on his iPod, eventually moving to his father’s MacBook to use GarageBand.
As he reached the limits of what the tool could offer, he began learning about music production software through self-study on the internet. When he turned 11, he started posting his songs on YouTube.
How did Sasuke Haraguchi get recognized?
Haraguchi gained recognition at the age of 14, thanks to a video clip of his street performance in Tokyo.
During a TV appearance, Haraguchi recounted the events leading to his recognition. Initially, he had traveled to Tokyo to meet a renowned international DJ. However, when the meeting was unexpectedly canceled, he took to the streets of Tokyo for an impromptu performance.
Videos of this street performance quickly surfaced across the internet, ultimately attracting the interest of prominent record companies in the industry. Just one year later, Haraguchi made his music debut with a major record label.
Check out one of his street performances below.
When did Sasuke Haraguchi debut?
Haraguchi made his major debut in 2018 at the age of 15, while he was a second-year middle school student. He debuted with the song “Influenzer” (インフルエンザー). Check out the song below.
In 2021, he decided to part ways with his record label and transitioned to becoming an independent artist.
When did Sasuke Haraguchi change his artist name?
Previously known as SASUKE, Haraguchi began using his full name in Japanese characters (原口沙輔) in the middle of 2023, to embrace a fresh artistic identity.
As he delved deeper into the music creation process, Haraguchi felt a new shift in his artistic direction. He believed that his name should reflect this evolution in his musical journey.
When explaining his decision, he candidly shared, “I’m the kind of person who is quite extreme, so I thought, ‘It’s better to just change it.'”
Did Sasuke Haraguchi perform in the Olympics?
Haraguchi performed at the Closing Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, held at Tokyo’s National Stadium on September 5, 2021. Alongside this remarkable achievement, Haraguchi played a significant role in music production, responsible for many key components of the closing performance—including the captivating opening video.
Reflecting on the event, Haraguchi expressed, “The reality didn’t quite sink in at first…now looking back, it all went by in a flash, and I was able to perform with all my heart during the actual event.”
When did Sasuke Haraguchi begin dancing?
Surprisingly, Haraguchi’s journey into dancing began even before he started making music, beginning when he was just 2 years old.
At 10 years old, Haraguchi seized an opportunity to showcase his dancing talent at the children’s segment of Amateur Night at the Apollo. His exceptional skills earned him first place for the night, making him the youngest Japanese person to have achieved this remarkable feat.
During a TV appearance, Haraguchi recounted the noteworthy event, revealing that he hadn’t initially planned to perform that night. Rather, he was in New York City for a different dance commitment, deciding to visit the Apollo during his time in town. As he was dancing in the crowd, he got pulled up from the audience onto the stage, capturing everyone’s attention with his remarkable dance skills.
What Sasuke Haraguchi song became popular?
Haraguchi’s first Vocaloid song “HITO Mania” went viral on social media.
Released in August 2024, the song quickly climbed to the top of Billboard Japan’s ニコニコ VOCALOID SONGS TOP 20, where it maintained its number one position for an impressive 15 weeks.
What’s notable is that “HITO Mania” marked Haraguchi’s debut in the Vocaloid music scene. In one interview, he mentioned that he had been a fan of Vocaloid music since elementary school, stating, “It was just a matter of timing. I had been wanting to make [a song] for a long time.” This successful Vocaloid debut added another milestone to his already impressive career.
To kick off 2024, Haraguchi released “Igaku,” which also soared to the top of the above-mentioned Billboard chart. Additionally, it was selected as the number-one song for the 2024 Winter of The Vocaloid Collection (ボカコレ). You can check it out below.
These great initial accomplishments speak to Haraguchi’s great promise and potential in the Vocaloid and broader music scene.
What makes Sasuke Haraguchi special?
Sasuke Haraguchi is a truly multitalented artist.
While many key aspects distinguish Sasuke Haraguchi, one that is frequently referenced is his multitalented skillset. From being a proficient music producer to showcasing his talents as a dancer, he has made his mark across various domains in the industry.
One of Haraguchi’s remarkable features is the breadth and depth of his many skills. His biography is filled with conjunction phrases—he not only created his music but also collaborated with many renowned artists. He doesn’t just dance, but can also sing. He can play many instruments, including the drums, guitar, and keyboard. One music editor notes, “Sasuke Haraguchi’s sphere of activities is so wide that it exceeds what one can capture in writing.”
Yet, his involvement in different facets of the industry is not just extensive; it’s impactful. He’s made the best out of both the unpredictable moments and exciting opportunities, some of which became turning points in his career. When speaking about his music production work, one renowned music producer notes, “[Haraguchi] is tremendously talented, possessing nearly all of the knowledge necessary for producing music.”
“Haraguchi is tremendously talented, possessing nearly all of the knowledge necessary for producing music.”
Koichi Tsutaya
Evident in his numerous accomplishments, Haraguchi’s effort shines in whatever he takes on. Indeed, the depth of his contributions is equally as remarkable as their breadth.
Where can I follow Sasuke Haraguchi?
Follow Haraguchi’s exciting career ahead, using the links below:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasuke_haraguchi
X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/sasuke_maschine
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sasukeharaguchi/
Niconico: https://www.nicovideo.jp/user/51801260
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