Sakanaction (サカナクション Sakanakushon) are a Japanese rock band from Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Their music is a fusion of alternative rock, electronic, pop, and New Wave styles, and is thus difficult to classify under one category. The band consists of five members: Ichirō Yamaguchi, Motoharu Iwadera, Ami Kusakari, Emi Okazaki, and Keiichi Ejima.

The name Sakanaction is a portmanteau of "sakana" (魚, "fish") and "action". In the band's own words, their name reflects a wish to act quickly and lightly, like fishes in the water, without fearing changes in the music scene. They are enjoying increasing popularity, hitting mainstream success with their records clinching positions within the Top 10 on Japan's Oricon charts.

Original Posted By Japan Times
Sakanaction’s latest would be a must-buy for the singles alone. Last year’s “Identity” leads off with a catchy (but borderline cheesy) party vibe before hitting a gooey emotional center. “Bach no Senritsu wo Yoru ni Kiita Sei Desu” hits on pure pop pleasure with throbbing electronics and a radio-ready chorus, while “Endless” initially seems like the label-mandated ballad (and first misstep) before about-facing into a jaunty bounce worthy of the nightly Disneyland Electrical Parade. The album’s clear highlight, though, is “Rookie,” the band’s best song to date and potentially the best Japanese song of 2011. Combining the pulse of Underworld’s “Born Slippy” with Sakanaction’s pop chops, “Rookie” synthesizes the group’s rock-meets-dance approach perfectly, and completes it with a massive chorus. ---- (http://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/.../#.UVMzPRdTDqg)

Original Posted By erhyme
When I heard their songs for the first time I begun to think.. 'maybe they are the type of band who has cryptic lyrics'. turns out it's true.. I believe even for this one, the 'flower' is a metaphor.. Ah I like songs like this, in the end the real meaning is up to our imagination >_< I think it's cool.. though making us curious nonetheless. ----- (http://carlenne.livejournal.com/8824....html#comments)

Original Posted By alvin
The band’s name itself is a play of words on Sakana (Fish) and Akushon (Action). Sakan-a-ction, get it? Most of us (major generalisation here but humour me) think of the nu-disco bands who champion the electronica pop/rock genre, with their revised upbeat synth sounds that date back from the 80s (ala New Order style), and Sakanaction follows suit, albeit in a more toned-down, mellow version. Which was what really captivated me, it didn’t sound brash, it didn’t sound overly dancey, and it still retains its rock roots. The synth sounds don’t play the major role in most of the songs, instead they act as an accompaniment, hence there’s a lean towards rock rather than being in a traditional electronica genre role for them.

The album features a few different styles, but here’s the lowdown on some of the tracks that I tend to listen to. Yes No is a typical upbeat electronica/rock fused song, its not dancey per se, and it probably does best when what you want is a nice laidback rock song that isn’t upfront and in your face. ---- (http://lamebpm.wordpress.com/2010/05...3%A7%E3%83%B3/)

Original Posted By Cybacle
I kept hearing their name thrown around on J-Pop review blogs and looked up a few songs, and I really didn’t get the hype. Then I listened to their 2011 album, DocumentaLy, and I was immediately hooked. Their songs are a ridiculously fun, high energy blend of alternative rock and electropop. To me, they’re like the less zany version of POLYSICS, or the more exciting counterpart to school food punishment. No wonder Galileo Galilei frontman Ozaki Yuuki is a fan of them. As for me, I’ll be humming the refrain from Identity well into the new year, for sure… ----- (https://iindesuyo.wordpress.com/cate...c/sakanaction/)

Ichiro Yamaguchi (山口一郎)

• Born in Otaru, Hokkaidō, September 8, 1980
  
• Vocalist and guitarist
  
• Responsible for writing the band's lyrics and music.
  
• Deaf in the right ear after sudden hearing loss in 2010

Motoharu Iwadera (岩寺基晴)

• Born in Sapporo, Hokkaidō, March 11, 1981
  
• Guitarist
  
• Nicknamed Mocchi

Ami Kusakari (草刈愛美)

• Born in Tokyo, April 30, 1980
  
• Bassist
  
• Nicknamed Neesan

Emi Okazaki (岡崎英美)

• Born in Otaru, Hokkaidō, October 5, 1983
  
• Keyboardist
  
• Nicknamed Zakki or Zakioka

Keiichi Ejima (江島啓一)

• Born in Sapporo, Hokkaidō, July 8, 1981
  
• Drummer
  
• Nicknamed Ejii

• On August 9, 2008, Sakanaction performed as one of the main acts on one of Japan's top music stations, Music On! in the event called Summer Sonic '08. Sakanaction performed alongside Paul Weller, The Fratellis, Death Cab for Cutie, Cajun Dance Party, Band of Horses, Blood Red Shoes, and These New Puritans. The show aired just three days before the New Year, on December 29, 2008.
  
• On December 26, 2008, they made it to #9 on Billboard's Japan Hot 100 list with their single Sentorei beating out MAYS's "Kiss: Koi ni Ochite... Fuyu" and coming in just after Greeeen's "Tobira". Over a course of 4 weeks the single moved from #91 to #9. This was a big accomplishment for Sakanaction as they moved forward in the Japanese music industry.
  
• In December 2008, the band announced their third album, Shinshiro, which was released in January, 2009. The album includes their debut single, Sentorei, The album debuted at #8 on Oricon weekly charts, the first time they got into the Top 10. The band held a national promotional tour, Sakanquarium 2009, in February and March 2009.
  
• On January 13, 2010, the band released the single Aruku Around, which hit #3 on the Oricon weekly charts
  
• Sakanaction next released on March 16, 2011, a new single titled Rookie. Almost seven months since their last single Identity, Rookie centered around club music, pop, and rock. It peaked at #6 on the Oricon weekly charts, although sales were affected by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
  
• On March 22, the music video for Aruku Around picked up awards for Best Rock Video and Best Video of the Year from the 2011 Space Shower Music Video Awards, earning the band more recognition
  
• On July 20, 2011, Sakanaction released their second single of the year, Bach no Senritsu o Yoru ni Kiita Sei Desu. (Because I Listened to Bach Melodies at Night). This release helped them to gain even more popularity through Sakanaction's first ever live performance on the popular music variety show, Music Station
  
• Their fifth album, DocumentaLy, was released on September 28, 2011,[14] reaching a peak of #2 on the Oricon weekly charts, the highest the band has ever charted.
  
• On March 20, 2012, Sakanaction took home awards for Best Rock Video and Best Video of the Year at the 2012 Space Shower Music Video Awards for Bach no Senritsu o Yoru ni Kiita Sei Desu
  
• Their sixth single, Boku to Hana, was released on May 30.The titular track was used as the theme song of primetime medical drama 37sai de Isha ni Natta Boku ~Kenshui Junjou Monogatari~, the first time the band has collaborated with a drama.
  
• On 29 August 2012, their seventh single "Yoru no Odoriko" was released. The song was used in Mode School commercials as well as a station ID for Space Shower Television. In addition, Sakanaction was allowed to perform again for the second time on Music Station
  
• Their eight single "Music" was tied up with Fuji TV primetime drama, "dinner", with the titular track as its theme song. The single was released on 23 January 2013, for the first time selling at 500 yen, compared to their usual singles being priced at 1000 yen and above