Consisting of Kazutoshi Sakurai, Kenichi Tahara, Keisuke Nakagawa, and Hideya Suzuki, they made their major label debut in 1992.
[11]On June 1, 1994 a new single called "Innocent World" was released and used a promotional song for the soft drink Aquaerius Ioshisu (アクエリアス イオシス).
[13] Due to the huge success the band received from the album and "Innocent World" single, the groups popularity built up creating the "Mis-chil Phenomenon" (ミスチル現象) in Japan.
The band also released their sixth single "Tomorrow Never Knows" on November 10, 1994 which was used as the theme song to the Japanese drama Wakamono no Subete (若者のすべて).
[14] The next single, "Everybody Goes (Chitsujo no Nai Gendai ni Drop Kick)" (everybody goes -秩序のない現代にドロップキック-) was released on December 12, 1994, though originally intended to be the B-side of "Tomorrow Never Knows".
The single "Kiseki no hoshi" (奇跡の地球) was used as the theme song for the Act Against AIDS campaign, was produced by Mr. Children and written by Kuwata.
To promote the single and the campaign, they held a one-month tour from April 18 until May 14, entitled Live UFO '95 Rock Opera "Acoustic Revolution with Orchestra" Kiseki no hoshi (Live UFO '95 Rock Opera "Acoustic Revolution with Orchestra" 奇跡の地球), where the group did cover songs of many English speaking artists such as The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan.
On February 6, 1996 Mr. Children's tenth single "Namonaki Uta" (名もなき詩) was released, to promote the Japanese drama Pure (ピュア) and also for Daio Paper's Elleair (エリエール) commercial.
Mr. Children's 13th single, "Everything (It's You)", was released on February 5, 1997, with the title track used as the theme song to the Japanese drama Koi no Bakansu (恋のバカンス).
Nakagawa and Suzuki start a side project band called Hayashi Hideo, and joined by Kenji Fujii from My Little Lover and Sawao Yamanaka from The Pillows, went on a club tour.
Finally on October 21, 1998, Mr. Children officially re-grouped and released their 15th single, "Owarinaki Tabi" (終わりなき旅) with the Japanese drama Naguru Onna (殴る女) using it as their theme song.
[12] On August 9, 2000, their 19th single "Not Found" was also used as the theme song to the Japanese drama Bus Stop (バスストップ), followed a month later by their 9th original album Q on September 27, 2000.
[25] Four days following the dual album release, the group launched the ‘Popsaurus’ tour, visiting 10 cities and playing 15 shows, lasting from July 15, 2001 all the way through September 25, 2001.
A month into the tour their 20th single "Yasashii uta" (優しい歌) was released and used to promote the Wonda Canned Coffee by Asahi Soft Drinks.
"Youthful Days" debuted at number-one on Japanese Oricon's Charts in its first week at retail (ahead of Mr. Moonlight (Ai no Big Band) by Morning Musume, from album 4th Ikimashoi!
The b-side for the single, "Drawing", originally had no commercial tie-in, but two years later was used as the theme song to the 2003 Japanese drama Koufuku no ouji (幸福の王子), Starring former Shibugakitai member Masahiro Motoki.
Mr. Children released their 22nd single "Kimi ga Suki" (君が好き) on New Year's Day of 2002 (January 1), which was used as a show song in the Japanese drama Antique Bakery.
[26] The previous single "I'll Be" from the Discovery album was selected to be used as an official theme for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, held in Japan and South Korea.
As Bank Band, Sakurai released a first album, titled "Soushi Souai" (沿志奏逢), which contained covers of two Mr. Children songs, "Hero" and "Yasashii Uta".
On November 15, 2006, the group released their 29th single "Shirushi" (しるし), which was used as the theme song Jyūyonsai no Haha (14才の母), by NTV, a controversial television drama about underage pregnancy.
[53] The album reflected a more personal touch from the group, with "Motto" (もっと) talking about the 9/11 attacks in New York City, and "Anmari oboetenai ya" (あんまり覚えてないや), being inspired by Kazutoshi Sakurai's father who had been sick.
The title track, "Tabidachi no Uta", was used as a theme song for the Japanese movie Koizora (恋空), and a month later also be used to promote NTT Higashi Nihon.
[72] For the beginning of 2008, Sakurai released an album and DVD with his solo project Bank Band, followed a month later by the official announcement of a new song, "Shounen" (少年), used in the NHK Japanese television drama Battery (バッテリー).
[75] Their second single of the year, "Hanabi", released on September 3, 2008, was used as the theme song to the Japanese drama Code Blue, in which Tomohisa Yamashita played a main role.
[84] "Kazoe Uta" debuted at number 1 on the RIAJ Digital Track Chart, surpassing the download sales of AKB48's charity single "Dareka no Tame ni (What Can I Do for Someone?)".
In addition, "Inori (Namida no Kidou)" spent four weeks atop the RIAJ Digital Track Chart, tying the record set by GReeeeN's "Haruka".
The band has collaborated with photographers such as Osami Yabuta, Reylia Slaby and Alfie Goodrich[90] Since their official debut, Mr.Children has engaged in social and charitable causes.
The live was followed up by a collaboration Act Against AIDS charity single with fellow Japanese artist Kuwata Keisuke titled ‘Kiseki no hoshi’ and released on January 23, 1995.
[21] Members Kazutoshi Sakurai and Kenichi Tahara joined together to create Acid Test for the concert ‘Dream Power John Lennon Super live broadcasting’ on October 9, 2001.
[97] The live was part of Yoko Ono’s Dream Power and educational platform where artists came together to hold a charity concert to raise money for school construction funds for children in Africa and Asia.