FlyingDog

FlyingDog
Name	FlyingDog
Founded	2007
Founder	Victor Entertainment
Status	Active
Distributor	Victor Entertainment
Genre	J-pop, Anisong, Rock, Pop
Country	Japan
Location	Tokyo

FlyingDog FlyingDog is a Japanese record label specializing in anime-related music and artist management, established as an imprint associated with Victor Entertainment. It is known for producing theme songs and soundtracks for anime series, collaborating with studios, composers, and performers across the anime industry, music industry and media mix projects. The label has worked with a wide roster of artists, composers, and production committees tied to prominent anime franchises and media companies.

History

FlyingDog traces its roots to the catalog and operations of Victor Entertainment and the legacy of JVC in anime music production. The label was created amid restructurings following corporate changes involving JVC Kenwood Holdings and Victor Company of Japan, aligning with the surge of global interest in anime and anisong in the 2000s. Early projects involved collaborations with studios such as Bones (studio), Sunrise (company), Madhouse (company), and Production I.G on soundtrack releases and tie-in singles. Over time FlyingDog expanded its scope to sign performers from labels like Lantis and work on projects with distributors such as Aniplex and Toho Company, Ltd..

Corporate Structure and Ownership

FlyingDog operates as an imprint under Victor Entertainment, which itself is part of the broader corporate group formerly associated with JVC. The label’s executive oversight has included personnel with ties to major Japanese entertainment corporations such as Sony Music Entertainment (Japan), Avex Group, and catalog partners from Warner Music Japan. FlyingDog’s corporate relationships extend to production committees that include companies like Kadokawa Corporation, Bandai Namco Holdings, and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions for anime soundtrack funding and intellectual property coordination. Distribution partnerships connect FlyingDog to international licensors such as FUNimation, Crunchyroll, and regional labels like Sony Music Entertainment (USA) through licensing agreements.

Artists and Notable Releases

FlyingDog’s roster and catalog include collaborations with artists, composers, and performers associated with series and films by creators such as Makoto Shinkai, Mamoru Hosoda, Hajime Isayama, and Gen Urobuchi. Notable singers and bands whose music has been released through the label or its partnerships include Aimer, Kalafina, Yoko Kanno, Hiroyuki Sawano, LiSA, Eir Aoi, Yuki Kajiura, FictionJunction, ASCA, nano, fripSide, TK from Ling Tosite Sigure, RADWIMPS, back number, Bump of Chicken, Aqua Timez, Sakanaction, UVERworld, SCANDAL (band), FLOW (band), May'n, Maaya Sakamoto, Rie Kugimiya, Nana Mizuki, ClariS, Kana Hanazawa, Yui Horie, Megumi Hayashibara, Kenshi Yonezu, Hiroshi Kamiya, Yoko Hikasa, Yuriko Nakamura, ChouCho, Annabel (singer), Kotoko (singer), Kanako Itō, SawanoHiroyuki[nZk], Hiroyuki Ito (composer), Joe Hisaishi, Taku Iwasaki, GARNiDELiA, Sora Amamiya, EGOIST, Ai Kayano, Milet (singer).

Selected soundtrack and single projects have tied to works like Neon Genesis Evangelion-related tribute compilations, theme singles for Mobile Suit Gundam series, score releases for Psycho-Pass, Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn, Cowboy Bebop-related tribute projects, and music for films by Makoto Shinkai and Satoshi Kon through licensing arrangements.

Genre Focus and Production Practices

The label concentrates on anisong, J-pop, rock, and soundtrack production aligned with anime series, films, and multimedia franchises. Production practices involve commissioning composers such as Yuki Kajiura and Hiroyuki Sawano for orchestral and electronic hybrid scores, employing arrangers from studios like TOHO Music and collaborating with orchestras including the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra and session musicians from Nippon Columbia sessions. Recording often takes place in Tokyo studios associated with Victor Studio facilities and partner studios like Sunset Sound (Japan) equivalents, utilizing mixing engineers who have worked across projects for NHK specials and TBS (Japan) broadcasts. Mastering and licensing procedures align with industry standards practiced by labels such as King Records (Japan) and Universal Music Japan.

Marketing, Distribution, and Partnerships

FlyingDog markets releases via tie-ins to anime broadcast windows on networks including Tokyo MX, NHK, Fuji TV, TBS (Japan), and streaming platforms like Netflix (service), Crunchyroll, and Amazon Prime Video. Physical distribution leverages Victor Entertainment’s supply chains alongside retail partners such as Tower Records (Japan), HMV Japan, and online marketplaces managed by Rakuten. International licensing and distribution involve companies like Aniplex of America, Madman Entertainment, Sentai Filmworks, and streaming partnerships with Hulu (service). Promotional strategies include participation in conventions and events such as AnimeJapan, Comiket, Crunchyroll Expo, and live showcases at venues like Nippon Budokan and Zepp Tokyo.

Impact and Reception

FlyingDog has been recognized for elevating anime music prominence domestically and internationally, contributing to chart success on Oricon (chart) and placements on Japanese year-end lists compiled by Billboard Japan. Critical reception highlights collaborations with acclaimed composers and vocalists, garnering awards and nominations in contexts such as the Seiyu Awards, anime music awards presented at Tokyo Anime Award Festival, and industry acknowledgments from organizations like the Japan Record Awards. The label’s releases have influenced soundtrack production standards and artist development pathways adopted by competitors including Lantis and Sony Music Labels Inc..

Category:Japanese record labels