in a Christmas album called Superman Santa in 1986. Takashi Sasaki (ja) (1977–1979) The replacement of Tohru Suzuki, though he is mostly considered the band's original drummer. It is rumored that he left the group because he was used to playing complicated rhythms, and Casiopea's sound was becoming too smooth for his style. Shuichi "Ponta" Murakami (1977–1979, as Live Support Member) Occasionally appeared as a second drummer for the band in a few of their live performances. He was also a famous session drummer in Japan with a well known solo career. Akira Jimbo (1980–1989, 1997–2006, 2012–2022 (as Special Support)) Casiopea's longest-tenured drummer, he was a full-time member from 1980 to 1989, when he and Tetsuo Sakurai left the group to form Jimsaku. He returned in 1997 and stayed almost a decade in Casiopea. Since 2012, he is a special support drummer for the band. Apart from Casiopea, he also plays drums for Issei Noro's backing band Inspirits and for the Nettai Tropical Jazz Big Band. On February 10, 2022, Akira Jimbo announced he will be leaving Casiopea 3rd. His final appearance with Casiopea 3rd was during the April and May 2022 Billboard Tour. Masaaki Hiyama (1990–1992) Joined the group and replaced Akira Jimbo. He left the band because of medical problems. Noriaki Kumagai (1993–1996) Replaced Masaaki Hiyama and played as a Casiopea member until Akira Jimbo returned to the group. In 2004, he became the drummer for Jazz-Fusion Supergroup TRIX, which features bassist Mitsuru Sutoh (from T-Square), Session Musicians Hiroshi Kubota on keyboard and Takeshi Hirai on Guitar (replaced by electone/piano prodigy Ayaki Saito and guitarist Yuya Komoguchi respectively). Hiroyuki Noritake Support drummer between 2005 and 2006, Noritake was once T-Square's first long-tenured drummer (1986–2005). Noritake and Jimbo have performed in Japanese Jazz Fusion concert lineups together (as part of their bands respectively) but were able to collaborate during the "Casiopea vs. The Square" event in 2003. They played as "Synchronized DNA" on Signal, Casiopea's last album before their 2006 dissolution. Yoshinori Imai (2022-present) It was announced on the band's website that Imai would be replacing Akira Jimbo as the band's drummer. Imai was previously part of UK Rampage. Vocals Yukoh Kusunoki (1986–1987) Vocalist in Casiopea that joined during their 10th anniversary tour in 1986, appearing in Casiopea Perfect Live II and Platinum as well, and left after their "Magical Dancing Tour" at the end of 1987 as a