Asian Kung-Fu Generation - Hōkai Amplifier Album

Asian Kung-Fu Generation (Ajian Kanfū Jenerēshon), typeset as ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, is a Japanese rock band formed in Yokohama, Japan in 1996. For nearly its entire career, the band has consisted of vocalist Masafumi Gotō, guitarist Kensuke Kita, bassist Takahiro Yamada, and drummer Kiyoshi Ijichi. The band's musical style has been heavily influenced by seminal indie, punk, and alternative rock acts. As a result, their songs maintain a balance of various elements of the genres, most typically ranging from fast-paced and hard-edged to rhythmic and emotional. Despite the indie nature of their music, the band has enjoyed widespread commercial success in addition to critical acclaim and their songs have come to be been used for memorable opening themes of highly popular anime series.

Hōkai Amplifier and Kimi Tsunagi Five M (2002–2004)
On November 25, 2002, after contributing to the Under Flowers Records compilation, Whatch You Gonna Do?, the band officially released their first major-label mini-album Hōkai Amplifier, enlisting internet radio host and artist Yusuke Nakamura to design and create their single and album covers. The immensely critically-acclaimed EP topped the High Line Records' weekly chart for two consecutive weeks and peaked at number thirty-five on the Oricon indies sales chart. As a result of its success, Hōkai Amplifier was re-released by Ki/oon Records on April 23, 2003. A month later, AKG held their first headline show at Shimokitazawa Club Shelter. That same summer, the band performed at both Fuji Rock Festival 03's "ROOKIE A GO GO" and Summer Sonic '03 in Tokyo and Osaka. On August 6, the band released their first major-label single, "Mirai no Kakera", with their second single, "Kimi to Iu Hana", following shortly after. Days later, AKG held the first of what would come to be many ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION presents NANO-MUGEN FES on August 11th at the Shinjuku LOFT. Their first full-length album, Kimi Tsunagi Five M was released on November 19th. The LP sold over 250,000 copies and landed in the number five spot on the Oricon charts in its first week. As their fame grew, fans began calling them simply Ajikan, shortened version of their full name.

Asian Kung-Fu Generation - Hōkai Amplifier Album
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1. "Haruka Kanata" (遙か彼方, "Haruka Kanata"? literally "far away") – 4:02
2. "Rashinban" (羅針盤, "Rashinban"? "compass") – 2:32
3. "Konayuki" (粉雪, "Konayuki"? "powder snow") – 3:46
4. "Ao no Uta" (青の歌, "Ao no Uta"? "blue song") – 3:52
5. "Sunday" (サンデイ, Sandei?) – 4:03
6. "12" – 4:36