The innocent charm and minimal electronic essence of Aikagi contributed to the excess allure of Japanese indie pop. Debuting using a 1996 self-released cassette entitled Chiccho no Daibouken, Aikagi — signifying “spare crucial” in Japanese — ultimately attracted overseas interest through the U.S. label Blackbean Placenta. Leading to the 1998 EP Starting, the band implemented using their debut full-length entitled Waterproof Leaf in 1999. Smile Information also added in Aikagi’s discography upon the EP Pigs Might Journey that same season.