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Poplar

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Poplar (Music)
Poplar (福田ポプラ) real name Sumiko Fukuda (福田 スミ子) is a Japanese female singer known for her work in various genres, including popular music, jazz, kayokyoku, and anime songs. She gained notable recognition for singing themes for television shows like "G-Men '75" and "Dream Warrior Wingman," as well as for the Disney film "Beauty and the Beast" (1991).

Initially aspiring to be a vocalist in classical music, Poplar received an introduction to the entertainment industry from her sister, which led her to audition with Victor in 1970, debuting under the name Fukuda Poplar. She released her first single "Chibi to Bouya" through the Green City label and held her debut concert at the Tokyo Kouseinenkin Hall in Shinjuku on January 25 of the same year.

In April of that year, she traveled to the Soviet Union as a state guest for three months, performing concerts across 18 republics. After returning from a performance in Moscow, she created Japanese lyrics for a popular folk song there, resulting in her second single "Taparya."

After parting ways with Victor after two years, she moved to the United States in the spring of 1973 to absorb American entertainment culture, returning to Japan in the winter.

She subsequently joined Toho Geino as a singer for package shows and performed as a guest singer with the Nikkatsu Dancing Team. Other performances included various hotels and the nightclub "Cordon Bleu" in Akasaka.

In 1977, Poplar met choreographer Kumi Nakagawa through work with Toho, which inspired her passion for musicals. In 1979, she went to the U.S. again, studying dance at various studios, including those of Martha Graham, Alvin Ailey, and Luigi.

From 1980 onward, she worked with Columbia Records, singing for television theme songs (both dramas and anime) and on numerous image albums related to comics. During the 1980s, her voice was widely recognized on television across Japan.

In 1992, she performed the singing for the character Mrs. Potts in the Japanese release of Disney’s "Beauty and the Beast" and continued in the same role for its sequel.

Since 1997, she has regularly performed live shows, starting at Minami Aoyama Mandala and eventually moving to other venues like STB 139 in Roppongi. Her repertoire includes jazz and pop standards, alongside many songs in Japanese in recent years.

Notable Works:

  • TV Drama Themes: "Haruka naru Tabiji" for "G-Men ‘75"
  • Anime Songs: "Ai yue ni Kanashiku" for "FUTURE WAR 198X"
  • Musical: Various performances in "Hair," "Dancing Heroes," and "Taking My Turn"
  • Voice Acting: Singer for Mrs. Potts in "Beauty and the Beast"
Check out her official website here.

examples

  • Alternative Foreign Theme Song: The Japanese release of DuckTales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp has the song Voice Field.
  • Celebrity Voice Actor: This trope applies to Poplar, as she provided the singing voice for Mrs. Potts in the Japanese version of "Beauty and the Beast." The trope exemplifies actors who lend their voices for singing parts in animated films.
  • Characterization Tropes: As a singer in many anime and dramas, Poplar can be connected to various character tropes that might appear in these types of narratives where the songs often reflect character emotions or story themes (like "The Heart Will Go On" trope).
  • Rags to Riches: This applies to her story of starting with classical music aspirations and moving through various entertainment spheres—from singing in nightclubs to performing in major musicals and contributing to iconic pop culture moments in anime and films.
  • Crossover: Her ability to perform in various genres (pop, jazz, anime songs) demonstrates crossover appeal, a common trope for artists who can successfully transition between different music styles and media.
  • "World's Best" Character: As someone whose voice was widely recognized throughout the 1980s and became synonymous with several major shows and films, Poplar may embody this trope, highlighting artists known for their excellence in their field.
  • The Cameo: Poplar made appearances in various TV shows and films, showcasing her versatility as a performer, which aligns with the trope of artists making cameo appearances.
  • Magic Music: Many of her songs, particularly those in anime, depict this trope where music is used to evoke emotions or propel the story forward.
  • The Chanteuse: Early in her career, she performed in nightclubs like "Cordon Bleu," showcasing this trope about singers who perform in nightlife venues.

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