Warning: I tried to write a proper article, but it just turned into rambling thoughts (as usual). Don’t expect much to flow. This is also a lesson to you kiddies out there – never write while researching simultaneously. =D
Post-millenium, we have seen a significant increase of new and unknown existing artists that have used music-based roles within other parts of the entertainment industry to break into the mainstream market. What’s more stunning is the fact that most of them are coming out with incredible success.
In the past, there were few quick successes such as the ones we see now. The Macross and Neon Genesis Evangelion franchises are some of the more successful series to have strong performing soundtracks associated with them, and were great gateways to success. MEGUMI (a.k.a. Hayashibara Megumi), well-respected voice actress and registered nurse, had a slow start to her singing career, but eventually built a strong following through her numerous lead roles in 
anime and by performing many of the series’ theme songs. Her affiliation with Neon Genesis Evangelion saw further success though, even seeing some of her solo albums into the Top 5 on the Oricon Charts, and having her career peak around the time when Amuro Namie was reshaping the music industry and opening doors for more female solo acts to come. Sakamoto Maaya got her big break in acting and singing when she landed the role of “Kanzaki Hitomi” from Escaflowne. While this was not a singing role, she had her first taste of being a recording artist by singing numerous songs for the series. Initially not garnering much success, she also steadily gained a loyal fanbase through her many musical associations with other popular series.
Returning to the true topic of this article, possibly the most successful singer-actor/actress to forge her singing career from an anime character prior to this new wave was Iijima Mari, who became the voice of “Lynn Minmay” from the original Macross series. This venture to bring life to an animated singing idol opened doors for her music career. Overall, she didn’t garner wild popularity, but it was enough to allow her her albums to enter the Top 10 on ORICON at the prime of her music career.
Fast-forward to 2002, approximately 20 years after Lynn Minmay’s “debut”, Gundam SEED became “the series” to have a tie-in. Unfortunately, the creation of “Lacus Clyne” did not necessarily further Tanaka Rie’s musical career the way it had for Iijima Mari. Gundam SEED and its sequel, SEED Destiny, did turn heads when many of their theme song performances were chart toppers though. It was especially surprising to see many unknown artists get their big break from the series, and renewed success for more established names. Newcomers Tamaki Nami and Takahashi Hitomi made big news with their successful debuts, the former being dubbed the “the Gundam girl” by many, and the latter reaching the top spot on ORICON with her debut single.
Once the Gundam hype died down, it was followed quickly by another sensation, NANA, a triple threat (hit manga/live-action movie/anime series). The popularity of the manga sparked interest in a live-action movie release. The role of “Osaki Nana” was played by chart topping artist, Nakashima Mika, but the role did not go without its benefits. Nakashima’s career, seemingly in a decline at the time, saw an extra boost in her career when her single, “GLAMOROUS SKY” dominated the singles charts in its first and second week of release, giving Nakashima’s first and only No. 1 single (so far) of her career. Met with equal success was Ito Yuna, who made her career debut by playing “Serizawa Reira”. Singing “ENDLESS STORY” helped her in becoming a major name within the entertainment industry at an accelerated rate. In the same vein, the “Nana” and “Reira” of the anime revived the careers of Tsuchiya Anna and OLIVIA, giving them both their first two Top 10 hits.
It does not stop there. Attempt to recreate the 
success of Macross, with better prospects this time around, Macross Frontier was introduced. Enlisting the credible Kanno Yoko as the main composer, good things were expected. Not only were these expectations met, they accomplished much more in the process. Their chart record is impressive, with every single and album released in relation charting within the Top 5 (most being within the Top 3). The now established Sakamoto Maaya set a few new records for herself in the process, but the show was stolen by the voices of the two songstress: May’n as the singing voice for “Sheryl Nome” and Nakajima Megumi made her debut as “Ranka Lee”. May’n had a quiet career prior to this breakthrough role, but the opportunity helped put her name and voice out there. If there was any question about the benefits of being attached to “Sheryl Nome”, it was answered when her first mini-album debuted at No. 2 in its first week (for all you wondering, that’s pretty darn high for a mini-album). Nakajima Megumi is slowly working her way into the industry, having just released her first “official” single, not at all related to Macross Frontier. She’s well within reach of a Top 15 in her debut, and probably many more acting roles knocking on her door in the near future as well.
Anime tie-ins nowadays are playing a more significant role in a recording artists career than ever before. With the large increase of new artists, and an age where artists rise as fast as they fall, this is proving to be a great opportunity to establish an artist and allow them to test the public before they fully dive into their career, or get the big break an existing artist needs. This will not shield anybody from a one-hit-wonder status, but it does help in developing a more secure place within the industry than from another method. Ultimately, only time will tell how long their success lasts.
References:
ORICON Style
Anime News Network
– Written by Tsuki
