Mao Sasagawa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Tofuya (豆腐屋)
- Nagisa (なぎさ)
- mercredi
- Singer-songwriter
- Vocaloid producer
- Music producer
- Graphic designer
- Filmmaker
Mao Sasagawa 笹川真生 | |
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| Born | November 25, 1995 |
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| Years active | 2012–present |
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| Website | maosasagawa |
Mao Sasagawa (Japanese: 笹川真生, Hepburn: Sasagawa Mao) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and Vocaloid producer. He started his career releasing Vocaloid music on Nico Nico Douga under the name Tofuya (豆腐屋; lit. 'Tofu shop') at 17 years old. He switched to the name Nagisa (なぎさ) the following year. In 2017, he started releasing music under his real name (in romanization), mao sasagawa and released his first album, Graduation in 2018. Later that year, he started releasing music with his own voice, under his real name (in Kanji) and released his first major album, New Body (あたらしいからだ) in 2019.[2] Since then, he has released two more albums, Welcome to Sunnyside (サニーサイドへようこそ) in 2023 and Strange Pop in 2025.[3]
Alongside his own activities, he also frequently works on music for other artists, most prominently, Rim from Kamitsubaki Studio.[4]
Mao Sasagawa was born on November 25, 1995, in Kita-ku, Niigata in Niigata Prefecture.[5] He became interested in music after listening to Ling Tosite Sigure in High school, and started producing music on the Nintendo DS app Daigasso! Band Brothers. He claims he wasn't interested in Vocaloid music at first. "To be honest, I didn't like Vocaloid at first, but then I heard a song by someone called saiB and thought, "Maybe it's not so bad," so that was my starting point."[2]
Career
Sasagawa started releasing music in 2012, at 16 years old, under the name Tofuya (豆腐屋). In August 2013, he changed to the name Nagisa (なぎさ) and released his first mini-album End-roll ha Owaranai (エンドロールは終わらない, The End-roll never ends). The CD was sold at that year's Niigata Comic Summit.[6] He released his second mini-album, Kyoumei (共鳴, Resonance) in November.[7]
He joined his University's light music club and remained active there. He also performed live in Niigata under the name Bungaku Shoujo (文学少女; lit. 'literary girl').[2] In July 2017, he changed to the name mao sasagawa and released his first single, "Hakidasu" (はきだす; "vomit").[8] In June 2018, he released his first studio album, Graduation.[9] Sasagawa explained that the album's title was based on his graduation, or departure from the Vocaloid scene.[2] Around the same year, he started producing music for other artists, such as the idol group cana÷biss. In May 2019, he released his first single with his own voice, "Mammy" / "From The New World" (ねえママ / 新世界より, Nee Mama / Shinsekai), under his real name Mao Sasagawa (笹川真生). Sasagawa was chosen for Apple Music Japan's "This week's New Artist" and in June, his next single, "Sex&Food" (官能と飽食, Kannou to Houshoku), was chosen as the first song for Spotify Japan's June 2019 Early Noise playlist.[10] In September of the same year, he released his first major album, New Body (あたらしいからだ, Atarashii Karada).[2][10] Sasagawa explained that the album's title and themes were based on the new freedom he experienced as a singer-songwriter:
"I wanted to do something new, and I wanted to be well-received by the listeners. I was blind, as if my purpose and means had been mixed up, and I was making songs chasing after someone I couldn't see. But I thought I'd stop doing that. It doesn't have to be new, I'll just do what I like... It's a common thing, but I thought, "What's the point of making something I don't like?" So this time, I just wanted to make songs I like."[2]
In December, he wrote the song "You and Me" (ユーエンミー) for Japanese singer and virtual YouTuber Rim.[4] Since then, he has been active as her primary composer. In August 2021, he released the single "Stranger" (異邦人, Ihoujin)[11] and in 2022, he released his own cover version of "Carnivorous Plant" (食虫植物, Shokuchuushokubutsu).[12] In 2023, he released his second album Welcome to Sunnyside (サニーサイドへようこそ, Sanīsaido Youkoso). The CD included three additional cover versions of his Vocaloid songs, "sasayaku" ("Whisper"), "for lust" and "Freud" (フロイデ).[13]
In March 2025, he announced his third album, Strange Pop, which was released on April 16. It is his first release in two and a half years, and includes special appearances from virtual YouTuber Kaf, and guitarist Kimishima Ohzora.[3] Two weeks later, he released the first single from the album, "Thus Scorched" (ですから、灼けました, Desukara, Yakemashita). He also directed the song's music video.[1] Sasagawa described the album as an ambitious experimental work that "goes beyond hyperpop and explodes with more alternatives."[3]
Personal life
Sasagawa studied at the Niigata University of Health and Welfare, but dropped out after deciding to make a living as a music producer. He moved to Tokyo, and lived with fellow musician and former Vocaloid producer Tatsuya Kitani, who he is close friends with, until 2020.[2][14]
Artistry
Sasagawa works from home. For his first album, everything from lyrics, composition, arrangement, recordings and artwork was handled by himself.[15] He uses the Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) Studio One.[2]
He considers Shuntarō Tanikawa a massive influence in his songwriting and lyrics. His style of whispery vocals, popularized by American singer Billie Eilish, was inspired by Japanese musician TK (Toru Kitajima).[2]
