GuitaristJapaneseRock musicEvery Little Thing

Ichiro Ito

Ichiro Ito is a prominent Japanese guitarist, composer, talent, and YouTuber, best known as the guitarist for the rock band Every Little Thing, which debuted in 1996.

1. Life and Career

Ichiro Ito's career began in his youth, leading to his professional debut as a co-founding member of Every Little Thing, where he continues to be an active and integral part of the group.

1.1. Early Life and Education

Ichiro Ito was born on November 10, 1967, in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. He graduated from Kanagawa Prefectural Hatsuse High School, where he was a member of its first graduating class. He stands at 69 in (175 cm) tall.

1.2. Early Music Career

During his high school years, Ito joined a band called 'THE ACE' as a guitarist. They actively performed at live houses along Dobuita-dori in Yokosuka. His early recordings with the band include appearances on the omnibus albums HUNGRY DAYS and HEAVY METAL FORCE IV, both released in 1987.

1.3. Every Little Thing Debut and Activities

Every Little Thing (ELT) was originally planned as a solo debut project for vocalist Kaori Mochida. However, under the recommendation of Masato Matsuura, the group was initially formed as a duo comprising Mitsuru Igarashi and Mochida. Igarashi subsequently requested to include Ito, a fellow bandmate, in the lineup. This led to the formation of Every Little Thing as a trio, officially making their CD debut in August 1996. Ito has since served as the band's guitarist, playing a key role in their musical output.

2. Musical Activities

As a core member of Every Little Thing, Ichiro Ito has made significant contributions to the band's sound through his songwriting and instrument choices, in addition to pursuing his own solo endeavors.

2.1. Composition and Arrangement

Ito is involved in the composition and arrangement of various songs for Every Little Thing. Several of the band's albums feature guitar instrumental tracks that he composed himself. Notably, the secret track "Sleepy time dog" on their first album, commonplace, is unique as it is the only song for which Ito not only composed the music but also penned the lyrics. In 2009, as part of his solo project for his first mini-album, Ito held an online audition on the Nico Nico Douga platform to find a vocalist for one of the tracks.

2.2. Instruments and Equipment

Throughout his career, Ichiro Ito has utilized various guitars. In the early stages of Every Little Thing's career, he predominantly used Ibanez RG550 and 540S models. Currently, his main instrument is the "KG-FIDES," a signature model from Killer Guitars.

2.3. Solo Discography

Ichiro Ito released his first solo mini-album, Diversity, on August 5, 2009. The album achieved a peak position of 133rd on the Oricon Albums Chart and appeared on the chart for one week. The project featured collaborations with various vocalists, including members of Idoling!!!, Ayuse Kozue, Kyogo Kawaguchi, and Heidy, who was the winner of the Nico Nico Douga vocal audition.

3. Media Appearances and Publications

Beyond his musical career, Ichiro Ito has expanded his presence into various media, including television, commercials, and publishing.

3.1. Television and Commercials

Ito has made multiple appearances on television. He was a recurring guest on the Nippon TV variety show Futto Word 10, intermittently appearing as a semi-regular cast member from April 2017. He has also featured in television dramas, including the third episode of "Konnichiwa, Joyu no Sagaraku Ki desu." broadcast on TV Tokyo on March 21, 2017. More recently, he played the role of Mon-san in the Chukyo TV drama Snack Joshi ni Highball wo, which aired from April 5 to June 7, 2024. In the commercial sphere, Ito appeared in a 2015 advertisement for Sega Games' Hortensia Saga: Ao no Kishidan.

3.1.1. Gaki no Tsukai Appearances

Ichiro Ito has made regular guest appearances in Downtown's Gaki no Tsukai annual 24-hour Batsu games. In these events, he often portrays a soft-spoken persona, and frequently finds himself in comedic situations, such as having his nose or ear pinched by a Stag beetle.

3.2. YouTube Channel

Ito launched his official YouTube channel, "ELT Ichiro Ikun TV," on May 30, 2019. The channel primarily features entertainment content. As of May 4, 2022, the channel had accumulated 132,000 subscribers and approximately 19.45 million views. The channel was recognized with the Silver Play Button in 2021.

3.3. Written Works

In August 2019, Ichiro Ito authored a book titled Chotto Zutsu, My Pace. (ちょっとずつ、マイペース。Japanese), which was published by KADOKAWA.

4. Personal Life and Public Image

Ichiro Ito's personal life and unique personality traits have also garnered public attention, contributing to his distinct public image.

4.1. Family and Relationships

Ichiro Ito married an ordinary office worker who was 18 years his junior. The couple welcomed their first child, a son, in 2012. However, as of June 2021, they were undergoing divorce mediation. Ito has an older sister named Yuko, who is three years his senior. Her surname remained Ito even after marriage, as she married a classmate with the same surname.

4.2. Public Persona and Anecdotes

Ito is known for his fondness for peaches, a preference he shares with his bandmate Kaori Mochida. At a fan event on March 2, 2008, he revealed that he had received an entire truckload of chocolates for Valentine's Day. During a concert in Asahikawa on February 28, 2010, Ito presented guitar picks to the audience, an occasion during which Mochida affectionately referred to him as "Pikkun." He has also been described as a junior of the late musician hide. Ito's voice is often noted for its resemblance to that of voice actor and narrator Leo Morimoto. When he appeared on the television program HEY!HEY!HEY!, the comedy duo Downtown playfully teased him for his quiet, mumbling speaking style. Furthermore, Ito has showcased his talent for impressions, performing a Morimoto impression as a special guest on the variety show Monomane Grand Prix.