DOES
2003 – 2006: Formation and Major Debut Formed in Fukuoka by Wataru Ujihara (Vocals & Guitar), Yasushi Akatsuka (Bass & Chorus), and Kesaku Morita (Drums & Chorus). The band name “DOES” is derived from the word for a female deer (doe). Their raw energy quickly caught the attention of major labels in Tokyo, leading to their major debut with Ki/oon Records (Sony Music) in 2006.
2007 – 2010: Breaking into the Mainstream The band skyrocketed to fame with the single “Shura,” used as the ending theme for the TV anime “Gintama,” debuting at No. 9 on the Oricon charts. Their 2008 single “Donten” climbed to No. 3, becoming a massive hit with over 200,000 digital downloads—a rare feat for a rock band at the time. In 2009, they appeared in the blockbuster film Crows Zero II (directed by Takashi Miike), where they performed on screen. Director Miike praised the band, saying, “DOES is a band of beautiful, stripped-down honesty.” Their 2010 smash hit “Bakuchi Dancer” sold over 100,000 physical copies and remained in the Top 10 for three consecutive weeks.
2011 – 2016: Global Recognition and Hiatus During this period, DOES continued to dominate the anime scene, providing themes for Space Brothers (“Yumemiru Sekai”) and NARUTO Shippuden (“Guren”). They celebrated their 10th anniversary with sold-out tours and the release of their self-titled 6th album DOES. In 2016, following the release of their 10th-anniversary single “KNOW KNOW KNOW” and the 7th album INNOCENCE, the band announced an indefinite hiatus after a final show at Akasaka BLITZ.
2020 – 2023: The Resurrection and Global Expansion On January 1, 2020, DOES officially resumed activities. They returned to the Gintama franchise with “Douraku Shinjou” and “Breakdown” for the film Gintama: THE FINAL (2021), which hit No. 1 on the Oricon Weekly Rock Chart. In 2022, the band took their powerful live show global, headlining the final day of SAUDI ANIME EXPO 2022 in Riyadh to massive acclaim. Their 2023 appearance on “THE FIRST TAKE” went viral, with “Donten” surpassing 5 million views and “Bakuchi Dancer” exceeding 2 million views shortly after release.
2024 – 2025: Current Projects & Asia Expansion DOES continues to be a powerhouse in the Japanese rock scene. In 2025, the band significantly expanded their international footprint with guest appearances at major festivals in Taiwan and Shanghai. Their solo tour “Doppo Angya ~Retsun Asia Chapter~” proved their enduring popularity abroad, selling out venues in Shanghai (1,300 capacity), Guangzhou, and Seoul, marking a new era of global activity for the trio.
Streaming Impact & Global Reach
DOES has established a massive digital footprint, with their signature tracks garnering tens of millions of streams worldwide.
「Donten」(CloudyWeather)：
Over 61 million total streams(33M+ on YouTube / 28M+ on Spotify)
「Bakuchi Dancer」：
Over 29 million total streams (17M+ on YouTube / 12M+ on Spotify)
「Guren」 (Crimson)：
Over 20 million total streams (4M+ on YouTube / 15M+ on Spotify)
Their explosive live energy has also crossed borders, drawing passionate crowds at solo shows across Asia:
Shanghai: 1,300 attendees
Guangzhou: 600 attendees
Seoul: 500 attendees
Key Highlights for International Fans
Streaming Power: Over 130 million combined streams for their top hits across YouTube and Spotify.
Anime Themes:
GINTAMA (Series)
Shura: ED Theme (2007)
Donten: OP Theme (2008)
Bakuchi Dancer: Theme Song for Gintama: The Movie / OP Theme for Yorinuki Gintama-san (2010)
Bokutachi no Kiseki: ED Theme for Gintama: The Movie / Yorinuki Gintama-san (2010)
KNOW KNOW KNOW: OP Theme (2016)
Douraku Shinjou: Insert Song for Gintama: THE FINAL (2021)
Breakdown: Insert Song for Gintama: THE FINAL (2021)
NARUTO Shippuden
Guren: OP Theme (2014)
Space Brothers (Uchuu Kyoudai)
Yumemiru Sekai: OP Theme (2013)
Global Presence: Successful solo shows and festival appearances across Asia and the Middle East (Saudi Arabia).
Film & Media: Featured in Takashi Miike’s Crows Zero II and viral performances on THE FIRST TAKE.
DOES
HP – https://www.doesdoesdoes.com
X – https://x.com/does_official?s=11&t=X0fzAYcHCfwMpR2ga-FflQ
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/does__official?igsh=MWZyNW96NGM1bWhvaw==
Wataru Ujihara (Vocals & Guitar)
X – https://x.com/does_wataru?s=11&t=X0fzAYcHCfwMpR2ga-FflQ
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/wataru_ujihara?igsh=eGFneTc2b2NjZmN0
Yasushi Akatsuka (Bass & Chorus)
X – https://x.com/does_yasu?s=11&t=X0fzAYcHCfwMpR2ga-FflQ
Kesaku Morita (Drums & Chorus)
X – https://x.com/does_keisaku?s=11&t=X0fzAYcHCfwMpR2ga-FflQ
