Japanese musical ensemble bless4 AKINO will conclude her tenure with the family group following a graduation concert in December to pursue an independent solo music career. Her departure concludes a 24-year run performing with her siblings, who first debuted together in Japan in 2003 after relocating from the United States. She will stage her final appearance with the group during a farewell concert on December 21, 2026. After that show, her older brother Akashi and older sister Kanasa will continue group activities under the updated name bless∞(Forever) [1].
The bless4 AKINO Graduation Concert
The farewell performance, billed as the AKINO bless4 Graduation LIVE, will take place on December 21, with venue and ticketing details scheduled for release in upcoming weeks. Management company Kawamitsu Art & Entertainment published the announcement image on X on October 21, expressing appreciation to listeners who supported the family unit since its earliest Okinawan appearances. The concert will serve as a public handoff for the siblings. Akino will transition her existing catalog into solo bookings, while her siblings maintain the core ensemble brand [2].
In their Japanese announcement, the group shared their plans for the upcoming change. The post said that “AKINO will graduate from bless4 with the graduation live on December 21,” adding that the group steps forward into a new chapter after 24 years. The concept of graduation remains common in Japanese pop entertainment when members step away from established units to pursue individual projects. A similar transition occurred when Satomi and Nanamori graduated from Strawberry Prince, though AKINO’s departure represents a shift within an Okinawan family group rather than a talent agency roster. Fans of bless4 AKINO will see her focus entirely on her own solo releases once the winter show concludes [3].
Her departure leaves bless4 with two of its original four members after youngest brother Aiki stepped down in April 2022 to care for his family and personal endeavors. The band becomes a duo [1].
Kawamitsu Family Origins in the United States
The four Kawamitsu siblings share a personal and musical history that stretches back long before their Japanese debut. Their father Haru brought the family from Japan to Utah so he could attend Brigham Young University shortly after oldest son Akashi was born in Okinawa. The family later settled in Arizona, where the children grew up in Phoenix. Both Akashi and Kanasa trained in taekwondo, winning Arizona state championships at ages 14 and 12. The entire household joined a taekwondo exhibition team known as the Flying Dragons, blending athletic routines with synchronized stage work [5].
Haru moved the family back to Okinawa in 1997 after feeling a deep spiritual connection to his Okinawan ancestral heritage and cultural roots. The siblings remained active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while developing their vocal harmonies as a quartet in Kawasaki. In May 2003, the four Kawamitsu siblings signed with BMG Japan and released their debut major-label single, Good Morning! Mr Sunshine, on May 7, 2003. Their early Okinawan singles gained regional radio airplay. They followed with the singles “Hashire! Kiseki” and “Gajumaru no Shita de” over the next two years [5].
Seeking greater artistic independence, the siblings founded their own independent company, Kawamitsu Arttainment, in December 2006, appointing older brother Akashi as company president. They later moved their base to Kawasaki in Kanagawa Prefecture. In March 2011, the company registered as a limited firm and opened KAWAMITSU RECORDS. That self-managed structure gave the quartet direct control over their touring, recording schedules, and collaborative projects [5].
Anime Theme Songs from Aquarion to KanColle
Akino launched her parallel solo path in 2005, working with anime music composer Yōko Kanno on opening themes for the robot anime series Genesis of Aquarion. She recorded the signature tracks “Genesis of Aquarion” and “Go Tight!”, which introduced her powerful vocal style to anime fans and karaoke listeners across Japan [1]. She was 15 years old [6].
Her work with Kanno led to more television theme songs over the following decade. In 2006, she performed “A Chance to Shine” for the French-Japanese co-production Oban Star-Racers. She returned to the Aquarion franchise in 2012 with “Kimi no Shinwa ~ Aquarion Dai 2 Shou” and “Paradoxical ZOO” for Aquarion Evol. In 2014, she sang “Extra Magic Hour” for Amagi Brilliant Park, followed in 2015 by “Miiro”, the opening theme for Kantai Collection based on the game by Kadokawa Games. She also contributed “Golden Life” to Active Raid and “Cross the Line” to Izetta: The Last Witch [6].
Video game productions also featured Akino on signature soundtrack releases, expanding her audience beyond television broadcasts. She recorded the track “Scream” as background music for two raid battles within the Pandemonium Abyssos series of Final Fantasy XIV in 2022. In 2024, she returned to the franchise to sing “Smile”, the ending theme for Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail [6].
Throughout these years, listeners associated bless4 AKINO with theme songs for major fantasy franchises. Her solo discography includes three studio albums: Lost in Time in 2007, Decennia in 2015, and your ears, our years in 2021. The 2021 collection spanned three discs and 37 songs [6].
Independent Label Operations and Touring
While Akino built her solo repertoire, bless4 maintained a steady release schedule as a group. In 2009, the siblings recorded “Stitch Is Coming” and “Hitori Ja Nai” for the Disney television anime series Stitch!, with the former chosen as the first season ending theme. They issued their second full-length album, Yume Tsumugi, in January 2011, six years after their 2005 debut album ALL 4 ONE. Every member took on production and video editing duties to complete that self-funded record. In June 2019, they released their third studio album, WE ARE WARRIORS [5].
The band also pursued projects outside Japan and beyond conventional pop singles. In May 2010, they completed a three-city concert tour in South Korea, including live dates in Seoul. Later that year, they released the single “Dandelion” in Europe through the German label Marabu Records, reaching the top spot on the Radio Berlin International charts. Youngest brother Aiki authored a non-fiction book published by Bungeisha in 2010 titled Heart Prints ~inochi no hana~, detailing his experience losing a friend to drug abuse. Eldest brother Akashi arranged an accompanying single for the book release [5].
Recent years brought changes to their output as the music industry shifted toward digital media. The group produced digital tracks such as “Metaverse Let’s Go” and “Fly Away” through their official website store. Kanasa released solo material, including her own version of “Cutie Honey”. In 2025, Akino paired with singer Yoshiki Fukuyama under FlyingDog to release “Genesis of Aquarion Myth of Emotions Ver.”, featuring new arrangements from Chokkaku and Shiro Sagisu with lyrics by Yuho Iwasato [7]. They also contributed music to The Ancient Magus’ Bride [1].
Future Activities for bless4 and AKINO
The December graduation concert opens new chapters for both sides, allowing Akino to operate as an independent solo artist who draws upon her established catalog of anime theme songs and game collaborations. The group takes a different path. Bless4 will rebrand under the stylized title bless∞(Forever), with Akashi and Kanasa carrying the family vocal banner forward while adopting the infinity symbol to symbolize their enduring musical heritage [2].
The Kawamitsu family has navigated member departures before without halting group projects. When Aiki exited in April 2022 after two decades of performing together, the remaining trio adapted their stage harmonies and kept booking festival shows. The transition to a duo will test that adaptability again [1]. Akashi remains president of Kawamitsu Art & Entertainment, letting the agency manage bless∞(Forever) dates while booking solo tours for Akino [2].
The departure of bless4 AKINO marks a new era for both the singer and the band [2]. Management said that additional details regarding venue tickets, guest performers, and streaming access for the December 21 show will appear on official channels as production wraps up. The concert will mark Akino’s final appearance singing alongside Akashi and Kanasa under the bless4 banner. Rehearsals continue in Kawasaki [3].
- ONLINE NEWS Mateo, A. (2026, October 21). Singer AKINO Graduates from bless4; Band Changes Name to ‘bless∞(Forever)’. Anime News Network. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Yomimono. (2026, October 21). AKINO to Leave bless4 After December 21 Graduation Live, Going Solo. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Toshiado. (2026, October 21). 『創聖のアクエリオン』やアニメ『艦これ』主題歌で知られる歌手・AKINOさんがbless4を卒業へ。12月21日の卒業ライブをもってソロアーティストとして活動. Denfaminicogamer. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Sartika, D. (2026, October 22). AKINO Keluar dari bless4, Band Berubah Jadi bless∞(Forever). viv.co.id. [Article Link]
- WEBSITE Wikimedia Foundation. (2026). bless4. Wikipedia. [Article Link]
- WEBSITE Wikimedia Foundation. (2026). Akino (singer). Wikipedia. [Article Link]
- WEBSITE FlyingDog. (2025). AKINO. FlyingDog, Inc. [Article Link]
