Queen & Elizabeth
Encyclopedia
Queen & Elizabeth is a sub-unit of the Japanese pop band AKB48
consisting of members Tomomi Itano
and Tomomi Kasai
. The unit is named after the fictional characters the girls portray in the Kamen Rider W television series and films. Their only single to date, "LoveWars", reached the top 4 of the Oricon
.
) and Philip (Masaki Suda
) whenever they ares investigating crimes in a high school setting. In January 2010, it was announced that their characters would be releasing an original song for the television series titled "LoveWars". A music video for the song was recorded shortly afterwards.
In episode 23 of the television series, the characters of Queen and Elizabeth performed in a Pop Idol
styled contest called "Fuuuuuutic Idol" for which they performed "LoveWars" to an audience to win a record deal. When they are eliminated from the competition in favor of a much worse musician, they approach Shotaro to investigate why they have lost, discovering that the rumored Radio Tower Clown is to blame. Soon after the case is closed, Queen and Elizabeth manage get their record deal after making another appearance on Fuuuuuutic Idol. At the same time, Kasai and Itano (in character) began hosting an Internet radio
show connected with Double on the fictional Wind Wave radio station titled .
Their single "LoveWars" was released on March 31, 2010, as four different variants: a standard CD single with no bonus tracks, a CD+DVD single featuring a solo rendition of the title track by Itano as a bonus track, a CD+DVD single featuring a solo rendition by Kasai as a bonus track, and a CD+DVD single containing the fictional song Queen & Elizabeth "lost" to from the television series. While each different version of the CD has its own cover, a fifth variant cover exists for the standard CD+DVD release. The DVDs featured in each release include the music video as well as a making-of documentary for the music video.
AKB48
AKB48 is a Japanese female idol group produced by Yasushi Akimoto.The group has achieved enormous popularity in Japan. Its ten latest consecutive singles topped the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart...
consisting of members Tomomi Itano
Tomomi Itano
is a member of the Japanese idol group AKB48, as well as a soloist.- Biography :In 2005, she joined the all-female Japanese idol group AKB48. After becoming a model for the popular woman's fashion magazine Cawaii!, she released her first photo book titled T.O.M.O.row in April 2009. In early 2010...
and Tomomi Kasai
Tomomi Kasai
, born November 16, 1991 in Tokyo, Japan, is a singer, actress, footsal player and a member of idol group AKB48 under Team B. She had a recurring role on Kamen Rider W as Elizabeth, alongside group member Tomomi Itano...
. The unit is named after the fictional characters the girls portray in the Kamen Rider W television series and films. Their only single to date, "LoveWars", reached the top 4 of the Oricon
Oricon
, established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc...
.
History
As fictional characters in Kamen Rider W, Queen (Itano) and Elizabeth (Kasai) made their debut in episode 7 of the television series, acting as informants to the lead characters Shotaro Hidari (Renn KiriyamaRenn Kiriyama
is a Japanese stage and television actor from Yokohama. His debut role was as Bunta Marui in The Prince of Tennis musical Absolute King Rikkai feat. Rokkaku ~ First Service. Kiriyama is also known for his role in Shotaro Hidari, the male lead and half of the eponymous hero of the television series...
) and Philip (Masaki Suda
Masaki Suda
is a Japanese actor from Osaka Prefecture. Before being signed onto the Top Coat talent agency, Suda tried out for both Amuse, Inc.'s 30th anniversary contest and the Junon Superboy Contest. His debut role is as Philip, the male lead and half of the eponymous hero of the 2009/2010 television series...
) whenever they ares investigating crimes in a high school setting. In January 2010, it was announced that their characters would be releasing an original song for the television series titled "LoveWars". A music video for the song was recorded shortly afterwards.
In episode 23 of the television series, the characters of Queen and Elizabeth performed in a Pop Idol
Pop Idol
Pop Idol is a British television series which debuted on ITV on 6 October 2001. The show was a talent contest to decide the best new young pop singer in the United Kingdom, based on viewer voting and participation. Two series were broadcast - one in 2001-02 and a second in 2003...
styled contest called "Fuuuuuutic Idol" for which they performed "LoveWars" to an audience to win a record deal. When they are eliminated from the competition in favor of a much worse musician, they approach Shotaro to investigate why they have lost, discovering that the rumored Radio Tower Clown is to blame. Soon after the case is closed, Queen and Elizabeth manage get their record deal after making another appearance on Fuuuuuutic Idol. At the same time, Kasai and Itano (in character) began hosting an Internet radio
Internet radio
Internet radio is an audio service transmitted via the Internet...
show connected with Double on the fictional Wind Wave radio station titled .
Their single "LoveWars" was released on March 31, 2010, as four different variants: a standard CD single with no bonus tracks, a CD+DVD single featuring a solo rendition of the title track by Itano as a bonus track, a CD+DVD single featuring a solo rendition by Kasai as a bonus track, and a CD+DVD single containing the fictional song Queen & Elizabeth "lost" to from the television series. While each different version of the CD has its own cover, a fifth variant cover exists for the standard CD+DVD release. The DVDs featured in each release include the music video as well as a making-of documentary for the music video.
Albums
- Kamen Rider Double: Special CD-Box - September 22, 2010
- "LoveWars" and its variations are included as tracks on the box set
External links
- Queen & Elizabeth's page at Avex Group
- Queen & Elizabeth's White Heart Mark at Wind Wave