Free-Will

Free-Will (フリーウィル) is a Japanese independent record label founded in 1986 by Color vocalist Hiroshi "Dynamite Tommy" Tomioka, with branches predominantly in Japan and the United States, as well as previously in Europe.[1] It also continues to co-manage many of its artists after they have signed recording contracts with a major record label. Free-Will along with Extasy Records are credited with helping to spread the visual kei movement.[2] Free-Will also produced the 2001 anime adaptation of the long running manga series Grappler Baki.

Free-Will
Founded1986
FounderHiroshi Tomioka
StatusActive
Distributor(s)In Japan:Avex Group, Sony Music Entertainment Japan, King Records, Tokuma Japan Communications, Pony Canyon
In Europe:Gan-Shin, CLJ Records, Universal Music Group
GenreRock, punk, metal
Country of originJapan
LocationRoppongi, Minato, Tokyo
Official websitef-w-d.co.jp

Sub-divisions

The company operates several sub-divisions, some of them for a single band or purpose only. For example, Firewall Div. solely handles material which is released in collaboration with Sony Music.

Under Sony Music

Under King Records
  • PS Company – Kra
    • Indie PSC – Born
  • S'Cube – Baroque, Eile de Mu, Puppet Mammy, Ruvie, Tokyo Michael, Cooky

Under Tokuma Japan Communications

Under Avex Group

Bands or solo artists managed directly
Past

Scandal

On September 14, 2007, the label's founder Hiroshi "Dynamite Tommy" Tomioka was arrested, along with fellow Free-Will official Kazunori Murasaki and Koichi Kaku, a former employee of the Asatsu-DK advertising agency. The trio is accused of defrauding Asatsu-DK of 324 million yen (approximately US$ 2.8 million) by placing false orders for materials for Dir en grey. Kaku has since confessed to the charges, while Tomioka denied any involvement.[3][4][5]

References
  1. "Free-Will Europe Home Page". web.archive.org. 2007-04-04. Archived from the original on 2007-04-04. Retrieved 2007-09-23.
  2. Dejima, Kouji. "Bounce Di(s)ctionary Number 13 – Visual Kei". bounce.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2008-03-01. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
  3. "3 Arrested for Defrauding Ad Company". japantoday.com. 2007-09-15. Archived from the original on 2012-01-25. Retrieved 2007-09-15.
  4. ３億２４００万円詐欺、広告代理店元社員ら逮捕. sankei.co.jp (in Japanese). 2007-09-14. Retrieved 2007-09-23.
  5. ＡＤＫから３億円詐取、容疑の元社員ら３人逮捕. nikkei.co.jp (in Japanese). 2007-09-14. Archived from the original on 2012-01-25. Retrieved 2007-09-24.
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