IKUO, born September 24, 1970 in Shimane, Japan, is a Japanese bass player and singer‑songwriter whose career began in the early 2010s. His debut singles, including "N.S.R" and "What's Up?" in June 2014, introduced his blend of J‑pop sensibilities to the domestic market. In February 2014, he released his first studio album, R.E.D Zone, followed by a string of singles such as "Thunderbird" (July 1, 2014) and "Long Way" (July 29, 2014), the latter serving as the opening theme for the anime The Prince of Tennis. After a five‑year interval, he issued his 2nd album Easy come, easy core!! on July 24, 2019, and his 3rd album, SLAPPIN' DAZE, was released on July 29, 2026.