Supercell

supercell (written without capitalization as often as with) is a Japanese pop/rock band that formed in 2007 which owes much of its popularity to Vocaloid, and to which we owe the existence of Black★Rock Shooter as the franchise is known today. The band's leader, Ryo, is both the songwriter and producer; the ten other members of the band are illustrators and graphic artists who produce PVs, art, and booklets. supercell has no official vocalist; its songs have thus far all been sung by Vocaloid Hatsune Miku or freelance singer Nagi (who made her debut on Nico Nico Douga under the pseudonym "Gazelle").

Ryo and supercell's debut was the Vocaloid smash hit "Melt", a simple love song about a shy girl walking together with the boy she has a crush on. It was first released over Nico Nico Douga in 2007, and has since become considered one of the songs which has established Miku's commonly perceived personality. It was followed up by several more releases, and as supercell gained more attention, they signed a record deal with Sony Music Entertainment. Since their self-titled Vocaloid album, most of their releases have been performed by Nagi, and she is set to be the vocalist for their second album.

supercell and Nagi have provided theme music for several extremely popular anime and games since their debut, among them Bakemonogatari, Cencoroll, and upcoming Nasuverse visual novel Mahoutsukai No Yoru. Their Vocaloid song "Kocchi Muite Baby" was used as the opening for the second Project Diva Vocaloid rhythm game. Ryo also composed "Braveheart", the theme of the Black★Rock Shooter OVA, although it is performed by a different band.

Nico Nico Douga broadcasts

 * "Melt" (December 2007), a song about a shy girl trying to gather the courage to confess her feelings.
 * "Koi wa Sensou", or Eager Love (February 2008), which addresses the need to never give up on love. The kanji title means "love is war", but "Eager Love" is the official English title.
 * "World Is Mine" (May 2008), a song from the perspective of an extremely selfish and spoiled girl trying to appeal to a boy she likes by considering him her prince and demanding that she be treated as a princess in return. The singer is infamously considered to be a Tsundere.
 * "|Black Rock Shooter" (June 2008), which Ryo wrote after being inspired by fellow member huke's illustrations of the eponymous lead character of his original story. Its popularity exploded, to say the least.
 * "Hajimete no Koi ga Owaru Toki (When My First Love Ends)" (December 2008), a melancholy song that is Exactly What It Says on the Tin. The band's last song uploaded to Nico Nico Douga.

Singles

 * "Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari" (August 2009). The first collaboration between supercell and Nagi, after which it was decided that Nagi would provide vocals for their second album. The title track is the ending theme for Bakemonogatari, in which the singer reminisces over and regrets not pursuing an old love. The b-side, "LOVE&ROLL", is used in Cencoroll, and depicts an adventurous girl and her shy boyfriend embarking on Their First Time.
 * "Sayonara Memories" (February 2010). The second single featuring Nagi. The title track shares themes with "Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari".
 * "Utakata Hanabi / Hoshi ga Matataku Konna Yoru ni" (2010). A double a-side single. "Utakata Hanabi" was used as one of the ending themes for Naruto: Shippuden, "Hoshi ga Matataku Konna Yoru ni" will be used as the main theme of Mahoutsukai No Yoru.
 * "Kocchi Muite Baby / yellow" (July 2010). A collaboration single between supercell and livetune, and the first single to feature Hatsune Miku. "Kocchi Muite Baby" is used in Project Diva 2nd, and fans have noted its similarities to "World Is Mine". The single contains a remix of "Black Rock Shooter" using the beta version of Miku Append's soft voicebank.
 * "Sekiraun Graffiti / Fallin' Fallin' Fallin'" (August 2011). A collaboration single between supercell and Dixie Flatline. Will also feature Miku. An animated short PV of Sekiraun Graffiti is available to watch on NicoNico Douga.
 * "My Dearest" (November 2011). A song sung to a friend to reassure them that even if the entire world turns against them, the narrator will never waver. The single features a new lead singer, and the title track is the opening for Guilty Crown.

Albums

 * "supercell feat. Hatsune Miku" (March 2009): This album contains all the Vocaloid songs that supercell released over Nico Nico Douga along with several new tracks.
 * "Today Is A Beautiful Day" (March 2011): The band's first album with Nagi as their vocalist. Contains all the A-side songs from Nagi's singles, as well as eight new songs.

Tropes pertaining to supercell's songs:

 * Age Progression Song
 * All Just a Dream: "Eager Love".
 * Ascended Fanboy: Ryo was a fan of Nagi's voice long before he started posting music on Nico Nico Douga.
 * Be Yourself: "Sekiraun Graffiti".
 * Boy Meets Girl: "Hero".
 * Break Up Song: "Hajimete no Koi ga Owaru Toki".
 * Cannot Spit It Out: Abused frequently.
 * Finally averted in the ending of "Sayonara Memories."
 * Cherry Blossoms: In "Sayonara Memories."
 * Cold-Blooded Torture: "Fukushuu".
 * Fingore
 * Follow Your Heart: Usually explored through songs where the singer is regretting not having done so.
 * Intercourse with You: LOVE&ROLL.
 * Revenge: "Fukushuu".
 * Self-Backing Vocalist
 * Silly Love Song: Ryo has mentioned that even he's embarrassed about some of the lyrics of the songs he writes, but says that if a teenage girl is supposed to be singing the songs, it only makes sense that they would be about romance.
 * Shrinking Violet: The protagonists of Melt and Sayonara Memories.
 * The Slacker: The singer of "Worldwide Love".
 * Tsundere: Common fan interpretation of the protagonists of "World Is Mine", "Kocchi Muite Baby", and "Oshieteageru".
 * Unreliable Narrator: The singer of "Eager Love" spends the entire song talking about how frustrating her relationship is and how her beau barely notices how much effort she puts in, then in the last few lines she says she was kidding and that love is blind.
 * You Are Not Alone: The main theme of "My Dearest".