Japanese pop duo Ikimonogakari (いきものがかり) will digitally release their new song “Sayonara Lala” on July 15, the group has announced. The track serves as the opening theme for the anime “Sayonara Lala,” which began airing on TOKYO MX and other channels from 0:30 a.m. on July 6.
“Sayonara Lala” has already been performed live during the duo’s ongoing concert tour. The single’s digital jacket artwork is based on portraits of the two members drawn by illustrator Hinako Sugiyama (杉山日向子), with the overall design handled by Yuto Hama (濱祐斗).
Ahead of the release, iTunes Store is running a pre-order campaign through July 14. Through a lottery, 100 winners will receive a desk calendar featuring the “Sayonara Lala” jacket art, while everyone who applies will receive a smartphone wallpaper image. A physical CD release is also planned for August 26, in both a limited edition bundled with a Blu-ray Disc and a standard edition, through Sony Music Labels.
Who is Ikimonogakari?
Ikimonogakari is a Japanese pop unit currently made up of vocalist Kiyoe Yoshioka (吉岡聖恵) and guitarist Yoshiki Mizuno (水野良樹). The group was originally formed in 1999 by Mizuno and Hotaka Yamashita (山下穂尊), later becoming a trio with the addition of Yoshioka. After building a following through street performances in their home prefecture of Kanagawa, the group released its first independent CD in 2003.
Their 2006 major-label debut single “SAKURA” became a nationwide hit, followed by their first full album, “Sakura Saku Machi Monogatari,” in 2007. The group made its first appearance on NHK’s “Kohaku Uta Gassen” (NHK’s annual New Year’s Eve music show) in 2008, and their 2009 single “YELL / Joyful” gave them their first number-one on the Oricon daily chart, with “YELL” later winning an Excellent Work Award at the Japan Record Award. Their 2010 compilation album became a million-seller.
Ikimonogakari went on hiatus in January 2017 before resuming activities in November 2018. In the summer of 2021, Yamashita departed the group, and Yoshioka and Mizuno have continued as a duo since. In 2024 and again in March 2026, the pair released collaborative albums reimagining their back catalog with guest artists, and in March 2026 they held their first self-produced festival at Chiba’s LaLa arena TOKYO-BAY to mark their 20th anniversary since debut.
