In 1997, Misia signed a recording contract with BMG Japan and joined the then up-and-coming talent agency, Rhythmedia.

Under the sub-label Arista Japan, Misia released her first single, "Tsutsumikomu Yō ni..." in February 1998,[1] followed by "Hi no Ataru Basho" in May.

[1] In June, her debut album, Mother Father Brother Sister, opened at number three on the Oricon chart.

In addition to "Everything", the album produced two more top ten singles: "Escape" and "I Miss You (Toki o Koete)," Misia's collaboration song with Dreams Come True.

[38][39] Six months later, Misia released her fourth studio album, Kiss in the Sky, which also debuted atop of the Oricon chart,[40] tying Misia with Namie Amuro and Mai Kuraki as the fourth female artist with the longest streak of number one albums since their debut, behind BoA, Hikaru Utada and Ayumi Hamasaki.

[45][46][47][48] Three years later, she released her seventh and last studio album under the Avex partnership, Ascension, which peaked at number two on the Oricon chart and was certified gold.

[55][56] Its lead single, "Aitakute Ima," was chosen as theme song for the anticipated TV drama, Jin, and peaked at number nine on the Oricon chart, making it Misia's first top ten hit since "Royal Chocolate Flush" in 2007.