re-released Hōkai Amplifier

As a result of its success, Hōkai Amplifier was re-released on April 23, 2003, by the band’s new record label, Ki/oon Records , a subsidiary of Sony Music Japan . A month later, AKFG held their first headline show at Shimokitazawa Club Shelter. That same summer, the band performed at the annual rock festivals of Fuji Rock Festival 03’s “ROOKIE A GO GO” and Summer Sonic ’03 in Tokyo and Osaka . On August 6, the band released their major-label debut single, ” Mirai no Kakera ” ( 未来の破片 ) , with their second single, ” Kimi to Iu Hana ” ( 君という花 ) , following shortly after. Days later, AKG held the first edition of what would become an annual festival, the Nano-Mugen Fes. The event took place on August 11 at the Shinjuku LOFT. The band followed it up by releasing their first full-length studio album, Kimi Tsunagi Five M ( 君繋ファイブエム ) on November 19. The LP sold over 250,000 copies and landed in the number five spot on the Oricon charts in its first week. As their fame and following grew, fans began calling the band simply Ajikan ( アジカン ) , an abbreviation of how the band’s name is rendered in Japanese.