Goto Maki

Goto Maki (後藤真希) is an Japanese pop singer, currently signed to Avex Trax's sub-label rhythm zone. Goto originally made her debut in 1999 as part of Hello! Project, and was the only third generation member of Morning Musume.

Her combined CD and DVD sales exceed 2 million copies in Japan alone. She was the second best-selling solo artist in Hello! Project. Early in summer 2008, Goto left Hello! Project and moved to the rhythm zone label. Goto Maki's highest selling single is Ai no Bakayarou selling 434,790 copies and her lowest selling single is Secret selling 14,861 copies.

Early Life
Goto was born on September 23, 1985 in Edogawa, Tokyo, Japan.

1999-2002: Morning Musume
In 1999, Goto Maki joined Morning Musume when she was just 13 years old. She became almost an instant favorite, helping them reach number one with the song "LOVE Machine." She soon established herself as a talented singer and dancer and took the lead on a large number of Morning Musume tracks.

In late 1999, Goto, Yasuda Kei and Ichii Sayaka formed the Morning Musume sub-group Petitmoni. The group released their first single, "Chokotto LOVE," in November 1999.

From 2000 to 2002, Goto participated in various Hello! Project shuffle units: Akagumi 4 in summer 2000, 7nin Matsuri in summer 2001, Sexy 8 in summer 2002.

In March 2001, Goto Maki began her career as a solo artist within Hello! Project. She released her debut single, "Ai no Bakayarou," in March 2001, which ranked #1 in the weekly Oricon charts.

In 2002, she graduated from Morning Musume to pursue a solo career and has since released five studio albums, as well as a number of singles. She was also in the Morning Musume ten year anniversary group, Morning Musume Tanjou 10nen Kinentai. She also formed a unit called Gomattou alongside Hello! Project soloists Matsuura Aya and Fujimoto Miki

2003
In 2003, Goto participated in the movie Seishun Bakachin Ryorijuku as Koguren Hitomi the main character in the movie. She was also in the unit Nochiura Natsumi alongside Abe Natsumi and Matsuura Aya

2004
All Hello! Project members participated in the unit H.P. All Stars and released the single ALL FOR ONE & ONE FOR ALL!

2005
In mid-2005, Goto was part of the unit DEF.DIVA

2007
From April 24-30, Goto starred in the play "Yokosuka Story" alongside Satoda Mai.

On October 28, Nikkan Sports reported Goto's graduation from Hello! Project had been announced by UFA and took place on the last date of her tour. According to the article, her graduation was in response to her brother, Goto Yuki's arrest, as well as different ideas in the direction of her singing career. Later in 2007, after her sudden H!P graduation, rumors surfaced the very next day stating that Avex's CEO, Max Matsuura, had shown interest in signing Goto. During Goto's brother trial, she disappeared from the media's eye.

2008
On March 25, Maki re-opened her blog during her stay in Los Angeles, where she studied and practiced different types of song and dance, including R&B, jazz and hip-hop. Her blog didn't include any reference to Up-Front agency (but was still on the same address), and it was assumed that her contract with Up-Front had expired on March 1st and was not renewed as expected. Her last blog entry was on April 22.

On June 19, after many rumors had circulated, it was released to the press that Goto Maki had signed with the record label Rhythm Zone under Avex.

Maki debuted with Avex when she participated in the company's shareholders' meeting on June 22nd, singing a cover of Whitney Houston's "Saving All My Love for You." She also participated in a-nation'08 (Osaka on August 24th and Tokyo on August 31st) alongside Kumi Koda, Ai Otsuka, EXILE, Ami Suzuki, AAA, TVXQ, Namie Amuro, and Ayumi Hamasaki, among others. On a-nation, she performed the self-written song "Hear me," a song unreleased to the date, drawing media attention for the first time since her graduation.

2009
The SWEET BLACK Project was a cross-media collaboration between J-WAVE, Avex and Mixi. Goto Maki herself chose the logo and the name, which is meant to reflect the “positive and negative” side of the life of today’s women.

On January 5th, J-WAVE premiered “SWEET BLACK Girls,” a 15 minute segment hosted by Goto Maki and Ryu as part of the popular radio show “PLATOn.” The show aired Mon-Fri and focused on the life of women in their twenties. Reception was extremely good, as 30,000 messages were received during the first week alone.

To complete the project, Mixi, the most used networking community in Japan, opened a special space for SWEET BLACK, and Avex launched a web-documentary on YouTube based on Goto’s daily routine as a singer. Immediate success was admittedly beyond expectations.

On January 21st, Goto released her first digital single with Avex: Fly away. The lyrics, penned by Maki herself, are based on Mambo, a story written by young author Hitomi Kanehara, who won the Akutagawa Prize for her 2003 novel "Hebi ni Piasu" ("Snakes and Earrings").

One month later, on February 25th, Goto released her second digital single, Lady-Rise, also penned by herself. This time, Goto collaborated with Sakurazawa Erika, a Japanese manga author whose works are mostly published in josei magazines (comics targeted to young women).

On March 7th, Maki modeled at Japan’s biggest fashion event, TOKYO GIRLS COLLECTION.

2010
After a brief hiatus, Goto returned to the music scene announcing her official debut (as opposed to her collaboration with SWEET BLACK). The mini-album "ONE," was released on July 28th, featuring five new songs. Goto put on a mini-live, which was recorded and streamed live online, in which she discussed the album and performed three songs.

As promotion for this release, Goto appeared on several Television shows. One particular show, Kinyoubi no Suma tachi e, aired a 2-hour special on her life and included interviews with Goto as well as a performance of one of her new songs, 華詩-hanauta-, written for her mother. This episode reached 19.3% ratings for the show, making it the most watched program of the day.

On July 24th, she performed on MelodiX!, a TV Tokyo program.

2011
On May 2, Goto appeared on the TV show "Kamisun!".

On June 22, she announced on her official website that she would be going on hiatus in January 2012. In her blog, she described that she had been looking at her life differently since her mother passed away, and she needed a hiatus to find herself again.

On September 30, Goto Maki attended Takahashi Ai's graduation.

On August 2, an official website for Goto Maki’s pre-hiatus last concert titled G-Emotion FINAL opened. 

On October 17, Goto opened a temporary Ameba blog. The blog was opened for 510 hours (Goto = 510), which is roughly 21 days.

On December 4, her last concert "G-Emotion Final ~for you~" before her last hiatus was streamed live and was open to watch for a small fee. At her last concert, Dream Morning Musume appeared and sang LOVE Machine.

2012
On January 18, Goto Maki's “G-Emotion Final ~for you~” DVD Cover and track list were released. The release date for sale to the public was set for March 7.

On March 10th, Dream Morning Musume held their ‘First chapter final’ live concert titled “Dream Morning Musume Special LIVE 2012 Nippon Budokan~Dai 1 Shou Shuumaku ‘Yuusha tachi, Shuugou seyo’~” at Nippon Budokan. Current Morning Musume members, and OG members, Ishiguro Aya and Tsuji Nozomi made their guest appearance. Moreover, Goto Maki who had been on indefinite hiatus since the end of last year, made a surprise appearance. For this day’s live, a total of 24 former and current Morning Musume members got together on the stage.

2013
On February 21st, Goto Maki returned, promoting Monster Hunter for Capcom. 

2014
On April 21, Goto made an appearance at an event for the 10th anniversary of Monster Hunter.

On April 28, Goto Maki opened her new blog.

Personal Life
Family = Goto has two older sisters and a younger brother named Yuki. Both of her parents are deceased: her father passed away in 1996 from a fall while mountaineering, while her mother passed away in 2010. Her grandmother passed away in 2005.

On October 20, 2007, Goto Yuki, Goto Maki's younger brother and former member of idol group EE Jump, was arrested. He and two accomplices, aged 18 and 19, had broken into a construction site in Edogawe, Tokyo on July 15, 2007 and made off with 80 reels of electric cable worth approximately 1 million yen. According to Flash magazine, Goto and one of her brother's accomplices had been romantically involved for some time, after the two met at Yuki's wedding in 2005. Due to the circumstances surrounding the robbery scandal, they haven't been in contact with each other. The incident eventually led to Goto Maki's graduation from Hello! Project.

On January 23, 2010, Goto witnessed the death of her mother, Goto Tokiko, in their home in Edogawa, Tokyo. Her death was apparently caused by a fatal fall from the third story of their house while Tokiko was under the influence of alcohol. Goto herself found her at around 11 PM, and she was rushed to the hospital before passing away on the 24th. A funeral service was held on the 28th, attended by Goto and several former Hello! Project members.

In mid-2014 various news sources reported that Goto would be marrying a non-celebrity who was three years her junior. Goto confirmed the news on her blog on July 22, 2014.
 * -|Relationships=

On June 17, 2015, Goto announced on her blog that she was pregnant with her first child. On December 7, Goto gave birth to a baby girl.

On October 31, 2016, Goto announced she was five months pregnant with her second child, due in the following spring.

When Goto Maki joined Morning Musume in August 1999, she was in her second year of middle school. She graduated high school in March 2004. She was an alumnae of Hinode Girls Gakuen High School.
 * -|Education=

Profile

 * Name: Goto Maki (後藤真希)
 * Nickname: Gomaki (ごまき), Gottchan (ごっちゃん), Gottsuan (ごっつあん), Gocchin (ごっちん), Goma-chan (ごまちゃん), Makirin (まきりん)
 * Birth date:
 * Birthplace: Edogawa, Tokyo, Japan
 * Blood type: O
 * Height: 160 cm (5'3")
 * Western Zodiac: Libra
 * Eastern Zodiac: Ox
 * Hello! Project Status:
 * 1999-08-22: Member
 * 1999-08-22: Morning Musume Member
 * 2002-09-23: Graduated Morning Musume
 * 2007-10-28: Graduated
 * Years in Morning Musume: 3 Years
 * Nochiura Natsumi Color: Yellow
 * Up Front Agency Status:
 * 1999-08-22: Member
 * 2009-10-28: Graduated
 * 2012-03-10: Member for that Day
 * avex trax Status:
 * 2008-06-19: Member
 * 2009-03-08: Hiatus
 * 2010-06-10: Member
 * 2012-01-02: Hiatus
 * Hello! Project groups:
 * Morning Musume (1999–2002)
 * Gomattou (2002–2003)
 * Nochiura Natsumi (2004–2005)
 * DEF.DIVA (2005–2006)
 * Morning Musume Tanjou 10nen Kinentai (2007)
 * Subgroups:
 * Petitmoni (1999–2002)
 * Hello! Project Shirogumi (2005)
 * Shuffle units:
 * 2000: Akagumi 4
 * 2001: 7nin Matsuri
 * 2002: Sexy 8
 * 2004: H.P. All Stars

Discography

 * See Also: List:Goto Maki Discography Featured in

Albums

 * [2003.02.05] Makking GOLD 1 (マッキングGOLD )
 * [2004.01.28] 2 Paint It Gold (②ペイント イット ゴールド)
 * [2005.02.23] 3rd Station (3rd ステーション)
 * [2007.09.19] How to use SEXY
 * [2011.11.02] Ai Kotoba (VOICE) (愛言葉)

Mini Albums

 * [2009.09.16] SWEET BLACK (SWEET BLACK feat. MAKI GOTO)
 * [2010.07.07] ONE
 * [2011.01.12] Gloria
 * [2011.05.05] LOVE

Best Albums

 * [2005.12.14] Goto Maki Premium Best 1 (後藤真希 プレミア ベスト 1)
 * [2010.08.25] Goto Maki 2001 - 2007

Stage Albums

 * [2003.03.05] "Ken & Mary no Merikenko On Stage!" Original Cast Ban

Solo Songs

 * [2001] Gochamaze LOVE

Singles

 * [2001.03.28] Ai no Bakayarou (愛のバカやろう)
 * [2001.09.19] Afurechau...BE IN LOVE (溢れちゃう... BE IN LOVE)
 * [2002.05.09] Te wo Nigitte Arukitai (手を握って歩きたい)
 * [2002.08.21] Yaruki! IT'S EASY (やる気! IT'S EASY)
 * [2002.12.18] Sans Toi Ma Mie / Kimi to Itsumademo (サン・トワ・マミー)
 * [2003.03.19] Uwasa no SEXY GUY (うわさの SEXY GUY)
 * [2003.06.18] Scramble (スクランブル)
 * [2003.08.27] Daite yo! PLEASE GO ON (抱いてよ! PLEASE GO ON)
 * [2003.11.27] Genshoku GAL Hade ni Yukube! (原色 GAL 派手に行くべ!)
 * [2004.03.17] Sayonara no LOVE SONG (サヨナラの LOVE SONG)
 * [2004.07.07] Yokohama Shinkirou (横浜蜃気楼)
 * [2004.11.17] Sayonara "Tomodachi ni wa Naritakunai no" (さよなら「友達にはなりたくないの」)
 * [2005.07.06] Suppin to Namida. (スッピンと涙. )
 * [2006.01.25] Ima ni Kitto... In My LIFE (今にきっと... In My LIFE)
 * [2006.06.07] Glass no Pumps (ガラスのパンプス)
 * [2006.10.11] SOME BOYS! TOUCH
 * [2007.04.11] Secret

Collaborations

 * [2003.01.29] Ganbacchae! / HEY! Mirai (with Morning Musume and Hello! Project Kids)
 * [2003.03.05] Ken & Mary no Merikenko On Stage! Original Cast Ban
 * [2006.11.22] CARRY THE LIGHT / ALL OF US (with Jya Jya)
 * [2009.02.18] Golden Luv (Ravex feat Goto Maki)
 * [2009.04.08] Fly Away House Nation Mix (House Nation feat Goto Maki)
 * [2009.07.29] Crazy in Love (DJ Mayumi feat. Goto Maki)
 * [2011.10.19] Non stop love Yoroshiku!! (Non stop love 夜露死苦!!) (Ayanokouji Shou & Goto Maki)

Compilations

 * [2001.12.19] Hello! Project - Petit Best 2 ~3・7・10~ (#7 Afurechau...BE IN LOVE)
 * [2002.12.18] Hello! Project - Petit Best 3 (#8 Yaruki! IT'S EASY)
 * [2004.12.22] Hello! Project - Petit Best 5 (#3 Yokohama Shinkirou)
 * [2005.12.21] Hello! Project - Petit Best 6 (#4 Suppin to Namida.)
 * [2006.12.20] Hello! Project - Petit Best 7 (#3 Glass no Pumps)
 * [2007.12.12] Hello! Project - Petit Best 8 (#4 Secret)
 * [2014.01.01] Hello! Project no Zenkyoku kara Atsumechaimashita! Vol. 1 (ハロー!プロジェクトの全曲から集めちゃいました! Vol.1 アイドル三十六房編（南波一海×嶺脇育夫）) (#2 Kimagure)
 * [2014.01.01] Hello! Project no Zenkyoku kara Atsumechaimashita! Vol. 2 (ハロー!プロジェクトの全曲から集めちゃいました! Vol.2 吉田豪編) (#2 Koi no Twist & Waraatsu Chinatown with Kono Tomoyuki, Hiranuma Norihisa, Yuuji (ユウジ), SHU-110)

Digital Downloads

 * [2009.01.21] Fly Away (SWEET BLACK feat. MAKI GOTO)
 * [2009.02.25] Lady Rise (SWEET BLACK feat. MAKI GOTO)
 * [2009.04.27] ...With (SWEET BLACK feat. MAKI GOTO)
 * [2010.10.10] Koi Hitoyo (恋一夜)
 * [2011.07.20] What Is LOVE / SCANDALOUS

Unreleased songs

 * [2008.08.24] Hear Me (A-nation'08, Osaka; A version with different lyrics titled "Mine" was featured on her mini album Sweet Black)
 * [2008.08.24] Shy Guy (A-nation'08, Osaka; A cover version from Diana Kings song Shy Guy.)

Group Songs

 * [2002.03.27] Hajimete no Rock Concert (with Iida Kaori, Yasuda Kei, Yaguchi Mari, Tsuji Nozomi, and Ogawa Makoto)

DVDs

 * [2003.07.24] Goto Maki First Concert Tour 2003 Haru ~Go! Makking GOLD
 * [2003.12.10] Goto Maki Single V Clips ①
 * [2004.02.25] Goto Maki Concert Tour 2003 Aki Sexy! Makking Gold
 * [2004.08.04] Alo-Hello! Goto Maki DVD
 * [2004.09.15] Goto Maki Concert Tour 2004 Haru ~Makkin-iro ni Nucchae!~
 * [2005.01.26] Goto Maki Concert Tour 2004 Aki ~Aa Maki no Shirabe~
 * [2006.01.18] Goto Maki Concert Tour 2005 Aki ~Hatachi~
 * [2006.03.29] Alo-Hello! 2 Goto Maki DVD
 * [2006.07.05] Hello Pro Party! 2006 ~Goto Maki Captain Kouen~ (Goto Maki, Tsuji Nozomi, v-u-den)
 * [2006.10.11] Maki Goto Secret Live at Studio Coast
 * [2007.02.21] Goto Maki LIVE TOUR 2006 ~G Emotion~
 * [2007.04.25] Hello☆Pro On Stage! 2007 "Rock Desu yo!" (Goto Maki, Melon Kinenbi)
 * [2007.11.28] Goto Maki LIVE TOUR 2007 G-EmotionII ~How to use SEXY~
 * [2012.03.07] G-Emotion FINAL ~for you~

Other DVDs

 * [2008.12.14] A-Nation'08: Avex All Cast Special Live (20th Anniversary Special Edition)
 * [2011.12.14] A-Nation for Life

Movies

 * [2000] Pinch Runner(ピンチランナー)
 * [2002] Nama Tamago ( ナマタマゴ)
 * [2002] Koinu Dan no Monogatari (子犬ダンの物語)
 * [2002] Gekijo ban Tottoko Hamutaro: Hamu Hamu Land Daiboken (劇場版とっとこハム太郎 ハムハムハムージャ!幻のプリンセス)
 * [2003] Seishun Bakachin Ryorijuku (青春ばかちん料理塾) (as Koguren Hitomi) 
 * [2004] Promise Land ~Clovers no Daibouken~ (Promise Land ~クローバーズの大冒険~)

TV Programs

 * [2000] Morning Musume no Heso (モーニング娘. のへそ)
 * [2000] Friday Night wa Onegai! Morning (フライデーナイトはお願い!モーニング)
 * [2000-2007] Hello! Morning (ハロー!モーニング)
 * [2004] Futarigoto (二人ゴト)
 * [2007] Uta Doki! ~Pop Classics~ (歌ドキッ! 〜ポップクラシックス〜)

TV Dramas

 * [2001] Mariya (マリア)
 * [2002] Yanpapa (やんぱぱ)
 * [2002] Izu no Odoriko (伊豆の踊子)
 * [2003] R.P.G.
 * [2005] Yoshitsune (大河ドラマ 義経)
 * [2006] Matsumoto Seichou Special Yubi ( 松本清張スペシャル・指)

Theater

 * [2003] Ken & Mary no Merikenko on Stage! (けん&メリーのメリケン粉オンステージ!)
 * [2004] Sayonara no LOVE SONG ( サヨナラのLOVE SONG)
 * [2007] Yokosuka Story (横須賀ストーリー)
 * [2007] Gekidan Senior Graffiti Yokosuka Story (横須賀ストーリー)

Radio

 * [2003-20??] Young Town Douyoubi ( ヤングタウン土曜日)
 * [2003-2005] Goto Maki no Makkinkin RADIO ( 後藤真希のマッキンキンRADIO)
 * [2005-2006] The Moving Radio - Goto Maki no Kyou Mo Gottsuandesu (The moving Radio 後藤真希の今日もごっつぁんです)
 * [2009] J-WAVE（81.3 FM）「SWEET BLACK Girls」 (毎週月～木曜日 23:05～23:15　※「PLATOn」内)

Commercials

 * [2000] Glico Mousse Pocky
 * [2003] Lion Ban
 * [2006] Sea Cop
 * [2011] Monster Hunter

Solo Photobooks

 * 1) [2001.11.06] Goto Maki (後藤真希)
 * 2) [2003.03.20] maki
 * 3) [2003.06.10] more maki
 * 4) [2004.04.25] PRISM
 * 5) [2004.07.23] Alo-Hello! Goto Maki (アロハロ! 後藤真希)
 * 6) [2005.04.27] Dear...
 * 7) [2006.08.21] FOXY FUNGO
 * 8) [2011.11.27] go to natura...

Group Photobooks

 * [2000.12.??] Hamilton Island - (with Abe Natsumi; Iida Kaori; Ishikawa Rika; Kago Ai; Nakazawa Yuko; Tsuji Nozomi; Yaguchi Mari; Yasuda Kei; Yoshizawa Hitomi )
 * [2001.04.??] Petitmoni Photobook - (with Yasuda Kei; Yoshizawa Hitomi)
 * [2002.03.??] Chain! Chain! Chain! Morning Musume - ( with Abe Natsumi; Iida Kaori; Ishikawa Rika; Kago Ai; Konno Asami; Niigaki Risa; Ogawa Makoto; Takahashi Ai; Tsuji Nozomi; Yaguchi Mari; Yasuda Kei; Yoshizawa Hitomi)
 * [2002.03.28] Morning Musume Gonagoto Photobook - (with Abe Natsumi; Iida Kaori; Ishikawa Rika; Kago Ai; Konno Asami; Niigaki Risa; Ogawa Makoto; Takahashi Ai; Tsuji Nozomi; Yaguchi Mari; Yasuda Kei; Yoshizawa Hitomi)
 * [2003.05.25] Morning Musume 5 Shuunen Kinen Memorial - (with Abe Natsumi; Fujimoto Miki; Fukuda Asuka; Ichii Sayaka; Iida Kaori; Ishiguro Aya; Ishikawa Rika; Kago Ai; Kamei Eri; Konno Asami; Michishige Sayumi; Nakazawa Yuko; Niigaki Risa; Ogawa Makoto; Takahashi Ai; Tanaka Reina; Tsuji Nozomi; Yaguchi Mari; Yasuda Kei; Yoshizawa Hitomi)
 * [2003.09.??] Pocket Morning Musume. (Vol. 2) ( ポケットモーニング娘. 〈Vol.2〉) - (with Abe Natsumi, Yaguchi Mari, Iida Kaori)

Essay Books

 * [2002.09.23] Goto Maki myself ( 後藤真希myself)
 * [2002.12.??] Goto Maki Otakara Photo BOOK ( 後藤真希お宝フォトBOOK)
 * [2003.09.23] 99 no Goto Maki (99の後藤真希)
 * [2003.12.??] Goto Maki Seishun no Sokuseki ( 後藤真希 青春の足跡)
 * [2005.04.07] Goto Maki Chronicle 1999 - 2004 (19992004―後藤真希クロニクル)

Nicknames
The following is a list of nicknames that was used to refer to Goto Maki:
 * Gomaki (ごまき): Official nickname, given to her since joining Morning Musume. Used by members and fans.

Trivia

 * Her hobbies are cooking, enjoying movies, and collecting Polaroids.
 * Her favorite colors are Deep blue, gray, yellow, white, and pale pink.
 * Her favorite flowers are baby's breaths.
 * Her favorite foods are Mont blanc, ice cream, and rice. Foods she dislikes are Liver, sea urchin, avocado, and papaya.
 * She had her belly-button pierced.
 * Shares the same last name with THE Possible member Goto Yuki.
 * She has been named the sexiest member in Hello! Project.
 * She is close friends with Koda Kumi and Koda Misono.
 * Maki was part of the SWEET BLACK Project, a cross-media collaboration between Avex, Mixi, and J-WAVE. Maki herself chose the name and the logo.
 * Yaguchi Mari has called Goto "the Koda Kumi of Hello! Project."
 * She once complained that the length of her eyes is too far apart than an average human, after she measured it with a ruler.
 * She posed nude to show her natural side for one of her singles after leaving Hello! Project.
 * She is good at air hockey.
 * She was the second former Morning Musume member to only graduate from Morning Musume and not Hello! Project, the first being Nakazawa Yuko.
 * She is the only Hello! Project soloist with a #1 single.
 * She was also a part of four different units that released #1 singles: Morning Musume, Petitmoni, Gomattou, and DEF.DIVA.
 * She is fan of Monster Hunter and she said that she plays the game all day.
 * "Ima ni Kitto... In My LIFE" is her only single that did not rank in the Top 10 of the Oricon charts.
 * Prior to joining Morning Musume, Goto's ambition was to becoming a singer.
 * During her time in Hello! Project, her favorite songs were "Ai no Bakayarou" and "Suki Sugite Baka Mitai."