Haruko Momoi (Halko)

Haruko Momoi began her career in Under17. Along with guitarist Masaya Koike, the duo churned out a huge number of anime and dating-sim themes over their two year or so carreer. A couple of their most memorable tracks were "Kujibiki Unbalance" from the anime-show-within-an-anime show of the same name featured in Genshiken, and "Mail Me" from the rather strange horror film Suicide Circle (aka Suicide Club). The latter was a rather odd choice considering the girl group performing the song is using it to brainwash everyone who hears it into killing themselves. Anyway, the two broke up at the end of 2004 in order to pursue solo careers.

Since then Momoi has indeed gone on with her singing career, releasing several albums full of just about exactly the same style of music as her Under17 days. Being a computer otaku since her childhood, many of her songs are video game related. The best example of both her gaming and anime fetishes are the two Famison 8bit albums of anime cover songs done strictly in 8-bit Famicom style ala YMCK. When not totally immersed in chip-tune land, she sticks to the tried and true super saccharine and chirpy anime-pop style, with techno beats, light guitars and super squeaky vocals. She does mix things up with softer ballads and straight up rock songs, but for the most part she caters to the glow-stick waving, cosplay wearing, meganekko fetish crowd.

She is also an active anime seiyu, voicing a large number of characters in both anime and video games. She made her first visit to the US at Anime Expo in 2007. There was a lot of drama surrounding her appearance (as well as just about every other performer that year) but the show went on, much to the joy of her many fans. She returns to the US at Anime North in May of 2008.

Sunday Early Morning

Buy Momoi releases here! | Listen to Momoi here!

Official Site

Major Releases:
Under17 - Best Album 1 Bishōjo Game Song ni Ai wo!!
Under17 - Best Album 2 Moe Song wo Kiwameruzo!!
Under17 - Best Album 3 Soshite Densetsu he...
momo-i quality (2006)
Haruko☆UP DATE SONGS BEST (2007)
Famison 8BIT (2007)
Famison 8BIT STAGE2 (2007)
COVER BEST (2007)
Sunday early morning (2008)

21st Century