, real name is a

J-Pop J-pop (often stylized in all caps; an abbreviated form of "Japanese popular music"), natively known simply as , is the name for a form of popular music that entered the musical mainstream of Japan in the 1990s. Modern J-pop has its roots in trad ...

singer from

Hokkaidō is the second-largest island of Japan and comprises the largest and northernmost prefecture, making up its own region. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaidō from Honshu; the two islands are connected by railway via the Seikan Tunnel. The ...

, Japan. She is a talent of the Fit One management company and part of the artists' roster of

Rhythm Zone (RZN) is a record label in the Avex Group that releases urban contemporary Japanese music. History The label was founded in 1999 by Max Matsuura with a focus on urban music, signing M-Flo as its first artist, then followed by Exile. In 2000 ...

owned by Avex Entertainment Inc. She originally debuted as "Ruppina". As Ruppina, she recorded the song "Free Will" which was used as the 9th ending theme of the Japanese

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History

* December 2002: Released her first single as Ruppina: Free Will (One Piece 9th ending theme) * January 2003: Officially debuts as Ruppina. * August 2004: Released final single as Ruppina: in the name of love * December 2005: Her music video for "Reborn" is used for the closing theme song of the Japanese TV show ''

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'' beginning with the December 5 episode. She is in the nude throughout the music video. The song is also used as the theme song for the

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. Heavy promotion by Avex continues throughout the month prior to her single debut as Mai at the end of the month. * April 2006: Her second single "Eyes", released on April 12, 2006, seems to continue the "au naturel" theme from the first single, which is reflected in its video. * August 2006: Her third single, Princess ∞ Candy appears in the entire nude music video * November 2007: Her blog was revived and her musical branding was changed Ruppina+. * June 2011: She announced a seemingly indefinite hiatus from singing due to an undisclosed issue with her voice, however she remains active on social media.

Discography

Singles

* Reborn / Squair (December 28, 2005) * Eyes / Rainbow (April 12, 2006) * Princess Candy / Moon Tears (August 16, 2006)

Albums

* Maiself (September 6, 2006)

References

External links

Sites in Japanese

Mai Official Site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mai Japanese women pop singers Japanese women television personalities 1984 births Living people Avex Group artists Musicians from Hokkaido 21st-century Japanese singers 21st-century Japanese women singers