The drummer for Maximum the Hormone, Nao, is a woman and has been very influential for female Japanese drummers. Akane has said that seeing Nao perform made her realize that she could make a living as a drummer. Akane’s tendency to slump forward, as you noticed, led to her having back problems and if you see more recent videos, she has worked on improving her posture so that she’s sitting more upright. The other thing you noticed, her supple wrist action, always struck me as being pretty amazing.

She's got so much better since then.

She has a drum solo on "Freedom" and "Play" at the start "Dice" also has drum solo at the start =)

The first druming section is a few years old now- c 2016/17. She used to stoop over the drums and this caused her to have a back injury which she has now rectified. Her drums now 2022 are- the main setup is a Tama Starclassic Bubinga Custom with a Ludwig Snare drum. Cybals are as you said- Zildjian A, K and S Custom. Hardwear- dw pedals. Sticks- Wincent. Have fun.

Thank you for the special feature of Akane. If you can search by BAND-MAID, access will surely increase.

The Happiest, most versatile drummer out there.

From what I understand, she has changed the position she sit in. It gave her back problems when she leaned forward like this. Now she is in a more upright position and more straight in the back. A question. Why is she holding the drumsticks this high up? Is it to gain in speed? Doesn't that make it harder to make trills and bounces when you want to do that? Since this video, I have noticed that she is much faster on her feet. Now she seems to love to use doubles and triples in the songs. I don't mind at all - to me it sounds cool and add that little extra to a song. Thanks for a in dept reaction!

There are plenty of Akane only videos on the CD releases...Some come with DVD's with member focused videos....Akane is now sponcered by TAMA..and uses TAMA Star Bubinga Drums ..and Zildjian cymbals...She also uses EVANS skins and has her own signature drum sticks made by Wincent...This MV was made years ago!..Early in BAND-MAIDs career..when some critics said they were not playing their instruments and were faking...So the ladies made individual videos of them playing...Akane played 2 tracks if my memory recalls...The other ladies did some also..But all have gone expect this one and one of Kanami doing a "One Ok Rock" cover.

Love that drummers have a look at Akane, but Akana playing a cover? Well, that's a perfect way to miss everything about why Akane is so great. Anyone can do a cover, but very few drummers can make all their bandmates sound better while making the song sound ten times better at the same time. This is also from a very early time in the life of B-M when they had to make these kinds of videos to show that they really did play themselves. Akane later got a problem with her back and had to change the way she sat and how she played.

Akane is just to much fun to watch

Thanks Drum Guy!

Cool. I liked this insider look at what Akane "The Gorilla" Hirose is doing behind the kit. Speaking of kit, I think that vid is pretty old and not at all representative of her current set up. Akane is currently sponsored by Tama Drums and runs a STAR Bubinga Custom kit. Drum Kit: Tama Star Bubinga 22″ × 16″ BD 10″ × 7″ TT 12″ × 8″ TT 16″ × 16″ FT Snare Drum: Ludwig Black Beauty 14″ × 5″ Cymbals: Zildjian (left to right) 14″ K Zildjian HiHat 18" A Custom Projection Crash 20" K Custom Hybrid Ride 18" S Trash Crash 19" A Ultra Hammered China Not sure if this is still current as the info is a year+ old. Anyway, check out more BAND-MAID. You won't be disappointed.

Oh, yeah, like Toshi said, add BAND-MAID to the title so it shows up in searches. I'm not even sure how I found this reaction/review, but I think it was probably because Toshi typed BAND-MAID into the comments. so.... BAND-MAID! BAND-MAID! BAND-MAID!

It's so strange seeing her so focused and with her head down, she's usually got that big beautiful smile from ear to ear. Either way, she seems to make it look easy! 🤘😁🤘

Their is a picture of Akane with one of the members of Led Zeppelin a few years ago.

Hirose is not pronounced like Heroes. It's He-Row-Say. Akane has the best Gallop in the business!

That's what I love about Akane's drumming....She uses such a standard setup...but creates magic!..No need for these huge kits some drummers have to make them look cool...but suck...She's class.

Its a shame there isn't a larger sample of content for you. I don't think seeing her do a cover of other peoples drum arrangement tells you much about her composition skills though, which are a particular strength. Thanks for the review, your insights are cool :-)

There are a TON of drummer spotlight videos of her. They are just behind a paywall. Band Maid Prime.

if you're touring japanese drummers, you absolutely need to check out Fumiya from Unlucky Morpheus ... he has tons of drum cams and a must-see drum video of 'cadaver/revadac'.

and add to the list tamu murata from japan, drum cover of symphony x nevermore and she is the drummer of nemophila and also try yoyoka a kid drummer in japan thanks for reacting to the gorilla aka akane' hi ro se

You might want to check out Tamu Murata from Nemophila. She has a LOT of isolated drummer cam videos. Also, Yoyoka has covered a lot of excellent tunes. I'd start hit Deep Purple's Burn.

Nice vid i think someone else said murata tamu of nemophila. Also from japan kenada sato and senri kawaguchi. Not forgetting yoyoka, junna and sora great drummers.

If i may i suggest listening to "Rinne", Blooming , Black Hole , No God , Freedom then you will have a brief glimpse at A-chans skill. Akane prefers a small kit so she can remain close to the band members secondly the tuning is intentional also. It keeps sustain to a minimum which after you get further into her style it is instantly recognizable .

Check another next level Japanese female drummer JUNNA(TRIDENT-JAPAN/FREELANCE DRUM COVER DRAGONFORCE) TAMU/NEMOPHILA, YOYOKA (when 8yr old drum cover LED ZAPPELIN song) HARUNA(LOVEBITES) 🤘

Sonor drum kit.

You should consider doing a spotlight on Paulina Villareal the drummer for The Warning, she's a real powerhouse

Join Band Maid Prime. Plenty of videos showing individual members.

Have you checked out the drummer for Nemophila. Her name is Tamu.

since your a drummer i suggest you check junna from japan a cover of dragon force through the fire and flames or tarn softwhip from thailand covering waking the demons of bullet for my valentines

TAMA kit...

This song too easy for her. better BM stuff.

This is NOT a great example of Akane's talent. Just play "Blooming" and you have it!

Never say about band-maid "their management want" nobody tells them.

Just started the video, but... my man, read this, breath and know its not an attack or intended as a dis' but...You cant do the paywall for the video? You are a pro musician who doesn't want to support other musicians? Come on brother! That blew my mind. You are building your business on reviewing other musicians, The cost of the paywall isn't much and its an investment. Seriously man. This is why no one take musicians serious about piracy.