Marking ZARD’s 35th Anniversary—The Stories and Appeal Behind Izumi Sakai’s Classic Hits
Special release of treasured photos from the latest photo book!
Art director, music critic, and fan-comedian discuss the charm of the ever-radiant diva
The music unit ZARD, formed in 1991 around vocalist Izumi Sakai (who passed away in 2007 at the age of 40).
As part of the lead-up to their 35th anniversary next February, two photo collections—ZARD -MONOCHROME- and ZARD -COLORS-—were released this June. In February next year, hall concerts are also scheduled in Tokyo and Osaka, fueling a resurgence of “ZARD fever.”
Three people who know ZARD’s appeal especially well—art director Kenichi Suzuki, who has been involved in designing ZARD’s works from debut to the present, comedian Chan Kawai (45, from comedy duo W Engine), a passionate fan, and singer/music critic Takanori Chūjō (41)—spoke about the enduring charm of ZARD.
Chan Kawai: “I first learned about ZARD when I heard Makenaide (released in 1993, 6th single) playing as the ending theme of the Fuji TV drama Reiko Shiratori de Gozaimasu! in 1993.
ZARD has great melodies, of course, but the lyrics are also really captivating. For example, Yureru Omoi (released in 1993, 8th single) expresses the feelings of a woman in those shy, fidgeting moments. Back then, I had just started junior high school and was at a very sensitive age, so for me, ZARD’s songs felt like a textbook for studying women’s feelings.”
Two songs with contrasting origins
Chūjō: “Both songs became massive hits, but the way they were created was very different. Makenaide was originally being developed as an album track. But when Sakai-san added the lyrics, everyone felt, ‘This could work as a single!’ and it was quickly selected to be released as a ZARD single.
By contrast, Yureru Omoi was created with a clear image in mind from the start, as it was commissioned for a Pocari Sweat commercial. The song begins right with the chorus and drives forward relentlessly until the end. At the time, the chorus-first structure wasn’t common, but they used it here. It’s a polished pop song and, in my opinion, a model example of a 1990s hit.”
Chan: “I also think Yureru Omoi is visually stunning as a work. I heard that in the lyrics, the phrase ‘karada juu kanjite’ (‘feel it throughout your body’) was written using the softer phrasing instead of the standard, to emphasize the image of moisture spreading and permeating the entire body. I thought it was amazing that they even paid attention to the nuance of the written characters. The CD jacket too, with that signature ‘ZARD Blue,’ left a lasting impression on me.”
The way you appreciate the songs changes depending on your age when you listen to them
Suzuki: To be honest, it was really difficult to capture that blue. We struggled even more with the jacket for the album of the same title that followed. On a computer screen, the color looked beautiful, but once we converted it into print data, it somehow turned grayish.
At the time, we were in the transition period from analog to digital, and there wasn’t much know-how yet on how to reproduce digital color tones in print. To achieve the desired color, we experimented with mixing fluorescent ink, diluting ink, and worked through trial and error with the printing company staff until we finally managed to complete it.
Chuujou: Personally, I like My Friend (released in 1996, 17th single). Back then, when I was in elementary school, it was the ending theme for the TV anime Slam Dunk (TV Asahi), which I was totally hooked on. Nostalgia plays a part, of course, but even without that, I think it’s a great song.
Since Slam Dunk was adapted into a film in 2022, the TV anime is being revisited worldwide, so there are surely people who are discovering My Friend through it. I believe it’s a song that will continue to remain in people’s hearts.
Chan: The CD jacket for My Friend shows Sakai-san sitting with her legs spread wide open, and I sometimes imitate that pose during location shoots for TV shows (laughs).
I think one of the charms of ZARD’s songs is that the way you appreciate them changes depending on your age when you listen to them. For example, Kokoro o Hirai Te (Open Your Heart, released in 1996, 18th single) — I listened to it as a love song back in high school, but when I listened to it again around age 30, it gave me a very different impression.
At that time, I was struggling with how to deal with people. That song describes in a very concrete way how the heart learns to accept someone else.
I realized that although I wanted to become a comedian who could make everyone laugh, I was actually opening and closing my heart depending on the person I was dealing with. That song helped me feel as if the fog in my mind had cleared — even regarding my own role and position in my work.
From “FRIDAY” August 22/29, 2025
PHOTO： Courtesy of B ZONE