Editing Asian Kung-Fu Generation (section)

===2002–2004: ''Hōkai Amplifier'' and ''Kimi Tsunagi Five M''===
{{Main|Hōkai Amplifier|Kimi Tsunagi Five M}}
On November 25, 2002, after contributing to the Under Flowers Records compilation, ''Whatch You Gonna Do?'', Asian Kung–Fu Generation officially released their first major-label [[Extended play|mini-album]], {{nihongo|''[[Hōkai Amplifier]]''|崩壊アンプリファー|}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.under-flower.co.jp/uf/uf%20new%20top%20page/underflowerlabel/Uf%20disco5.html |title=Under Flower Label — Release discography |access-date=2008-10-09 |work=Under Flower Label |publisher=Under-flower Co., Ltd |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107011123/http://www.under-flower.co.jp/uf/uf%20new%20top%20page/underflowerlabel/Uf%20disco5.html |archive-date=2009-01-07 }} {{in lang|ja}}<!--Japanese--></ref> The group enlisted [[internet radio]] host and graphic artist Yusuke Nakamura to design and compose their single and album covers.<ref name="digmeout">{{cite web |url=http://www.digmeout.net/artist_e.cfm?id=56 |title=digmeout ARTISTS [Yusuke Nakamura] |access-date=2007-04-07 |work=DigMeOut.net |publisher=digmeout |year=2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071006075642/http://www.digmeout.net/artist_e.cfm?id=56 |archive-date=2007-10-06 }}</ref> The critically acclaimed EP topped the High Line Records' weekly chart for two consecutive weeks and peaked at number thirty-five on the [[Oricon]] indies sales chart.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Rhoades |first=Reginald |date=July 2004 |title=ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION |journal=[[Animerica]] |page=59 |url=http://www.akfgfan.com/pictures/akfgmag02.jpg |access-date=2008-12-14 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

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|Summer Sonic '03]] in Tokyo and [[Osaka]]. On August 6, the band released their major-label debut single, {{nihongo|"[[Mirai no Kakera]]"|未来の破片|}}, with their second single, {{nihongo|"[[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 Festival|Nano-Mugen Fes.]] The event took place on August 11 at the Shinjuku LOFT.<ref name="History | NANO-MUGEN FES. 2008">{{cite web|url=http://www.nano-mugenfes.com/en/history.html |title=History: NANO-MUGEN FES. 2008 |access-date=2008-11-07 |work=Nano-Mugen |publisher=Ki/oon Records Inc. / Spectrum Management Co., Ltd. |date=2008-05-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610055157/http://www.nano-mugenfes.com/en/history.html |archive-date=2008-06-10 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The band followed it up by releasing their first full-length studio album, {{nihongo|''[[Kimi Tsunagi Five M]]''|君繋ファイブエム|}} on November 19.<ref name="ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION: Biography"/> 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 {{nihongo|'''Ajikan'''|アジカン|}}, an abbreviation of how the band's name is rendered in Japanese.