Leo Ieiri
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Leo Ieiri is a Japanese singer-songwriter known for her powerful vocals, emotionally direct songwriting and guitar-driven pop-rock sound. She made her major-label debut in 2012 at just 17 years old, immediately standing out as one of the most distinctive young voices in Japanese pop.
Her debut single “Sabrina” was used as the opening theme for the anime Toriko, while “Shine” became one of her signature songs. Her early work established a sound that combined the accessibility of J-Pop with the emotional intensity of rock and singer-songwriter music.
Over the years, Ieiri has grown far beyond the image of the teenage singer who first appeared on the scene. Her songwriting has become more introspective and nuanced, exploring uncertainty, relationships, loneliness and the complicated process of growing up. She has also continued to collaborate with a wide range of producers and musicians while maintaining a strong connection to live performance.
In 2026, Ieiri entered a new chapter with 31, her ninth studio album. Named after her own age, the album reflects on the doubts, contradictions and changing perspectives that come with entering her thirties. The entire album was produced by Ryosuke “Dr.R” Sakai, giving the record a cohesive sound while allowing Ieiri to present a more mature version of herself.
More than a decade after her debut, Leo Ieiri remains an important presence in Japanese pop music — an artist whose appeal comes not only from her voice, but from the feeling that her music grows alongside her audience.