Aoi Teshima

TESHIMA Aoi (手嶌葵) is a voice actor/singer hailing from Fukuoka. She debuted as a seiyuu in the lead role in the anime Gedo Seki, while simultaneously debuting in the music world under the major label Yamaha Music. Her first single, Therru no Uta, reached #5 on Oricon charts. Aoi was born in Fukuoka in 1987. From when she was little she liked watching musicals and Disney movies. Other than this, not much is known about her early life, except that in 2003 and 2004 she entered the TEENS' MUSIC FESTIVAL in Fukuoka. Later on in March, 2005, Aoi once again appeared on stage, but in Korea at the Nikkan Slow Music no Sekai concert. In 2006, Aoi debuted in both the music and voice acting worlds. She voiced the main character Therru in the anime Gedo Senki (Tales from Earthsea), which was made by the acclaimed anime artist Miyazaki Hayao's son Miyazaki Goro. Goro was charmed by Aoi's singing voice from when he first heard it. Hence, Aoi also sings the theme song, Toki no Uta. Aoi's debut single, Therru no Uta, was used in a scene in Gedo Senki, as well as being used in an Asahi Inryo commercial. The song is based upon a poem called 'Kokoro' that was written by the famous Japanese poet Hagiwara Sakutaro. Goro himself composed the tune. The single was also a one-tracked single and extremely low priced (500円), which reached a suprisingly high position of #5 on Oricon charts. Aoi followed up this single with her debut album, Gedo Senki Kashuu (which includes mostly songs that she sang for the OST, including Toki no Uta). This album was released one month after the single's release. Aoi says that she gets her inspiration as a musician and as a Seiyuu from reading books and looking at beautiful paintings.