Top 20 Japanese Pop Groups

Official髭男dism

Translated into English as Official HIGE DANdism, or commonly known by the abbreviation Higedan, this band hit the ground running in 2019 with a chart-topping single in Japan: 'Pretender'.

Formed in Shimane in 2012, its 4 male members have struggled since they were very young to get to the place they currently occupy.

Their melodic ballads have taken Japan and Asia by storm, crossing borders thanks to the publicity they have had on social networks.

After mastering the Billboard charts in Japan, his previous works have come to light, recognized for their high quality.

It has not been an easy road, but today Higedan is considered as best japanese pop male group. According to critics, they have the best Japanese pop songs.

They have no less than 9 of his songs between the Japan Top 50, and millions of fans who follow in his footsteps daily.

Genders

J-pop, piano pop, indie and pop rock.

Period of activity

2012 – Present

Members

• Satoshi Fujihara – lead vocals, percussion, keyboards
• Daisuke Ozasa – guitar and backing vocals
• Makoto Narazaki – bass, saxophone, backing vocals
• Masaki Matsuura – drums, percussion and backing vocals

Discography (Albums)

• Showcase – 2018
• Traveler – 2019
• Publisher – 2021

NiziU

NiziU is a very fun group of Japanese singers who do songs with very good vibes.

Although it was born just no time ago, in 2020, it has become one of the best japanese pop groups of the moment, with millions of listeners outside and inside Japan.

The difference NiziU has from other girl groups is that they are composed of no less than 9 members.

They are all singers and dancers, with a very particular kawaii aesthetic, which attracts attention both in its video clips and on social networks.

For the moment they don't have a disk, but they are releasing songs, EPs and video clips at a frantic pace. One of the most energetic Japanese female musicals.

This group has a very original origin. The girls have been chosen through the survival program Nizi Project, aired on Japanese television.

In this program, the final composition of the group was chosen according to the affinity of the girls, from 26 participants of which only 9 have signed with Sony Music discography to jump to fame with their first songs.

Genders

J-pop, k-pop.

Period of activity

2020 – Present

Members

Discography (Mini Album)

Hey! Say! JUMP

Compound by eight members (10 at the beginning), this time male, the group as it continues to act today was formed in 2007.

before this year it was called Hey! Say! 7, until other members joined and some separated to form another band, leaving the current group.

The fame of these boys already came long before their debut as a new group. In fact, his first concert as Hey! Say! JUMP was held at the Yokohama Arena, with thousands of attendees and broadcast on television.

With several albums behind him, and a large collection of famous singles in Japan, Korea and Asia, is a group of Japanese pop idols that is very worth listening to.

His songs in Japanese are very funny, with super kawaii colorful video clips, and a very characteristic aesthetic. If it was just a musical propaganda attempt, they wouldn't have gone as far as these guys have.

The key is in your dances and their harmonious voices, in addition to the innovation in each new song they release.

Arashi

We cannot fail to include in our ranking one of the best male J-pop bands with a long history.

Arashi is based on the musical style of western pop groups such as Backstreet Boy or Nsync, formed in 1999 when this roll of singers and dancers began to succeed throughout the world.

Dissolved in the past year 2020, have been active for more than two decades, bringing to market a lot of hits. Hence they are one of the most famous jpop groups.

These have been heard in all corners of the planet, unseating the greats of Asian pop like BTS, and many American singers.

How have they been able to stay so fresh despite the years and the stiff competition in the world of pop? They are boys who have dared to innovate with fresh rhythms, adding a touch of rock, hip-hop, and even R&B according to current trends.

If you add to that the interesting aesthetics that these guys have, and how well they dance live, you have the perfect pump for a great show!

sakura gakuin

Translated as 'Sakura Academy', this group of female singers it changes each season as the girls 'graduate' from musical school.

It is composed of girls from 10 to 15 years old who deal with issues of school life, who leave the group when they complete their period of compulsory education to make way for other young women.

This novel musical group system has created quite a fan phenomenon in Japan. The girls are dying to get in become part of the main group and its clubs.

These clubs are smaller groups that are formed with some of the members, as is the case of the Babymetal, Sleeppiece or Pastel Wind.

After the graduation of the last members of the group, have finally dissolved forever. The most successful singers have continued their careers in pop music separately.

Even if his video clips and songs continue to be among the most listened to in the Japanese country, worthy of any Japanese idol group.

Hatsune Miku

Hatsune Miku is one of the best known singers in all of Japan. However, she has something that makes her totally different from other artists: she is a japanese virtual idol.

Your voice is created through vocaloid technology, an application that synthesizes songs in various languages ​​such as English or Japanese.

Created by the Crypton Future Media company in 2007, is the most popular and well-known to date.

Through this youtube video You can learn a little more about the origin of this character:

Since the creation of the voice of this character, the next steps have been to design an image to participate in video clips, and even macro concerts in the main halls and stadiums of large countries.

Its name would translate as 'First sound of the future', and it fits like a glove, since it was the first voice created by computer from the voice of another singer.

Once the voice is captured in the sound library, the possibilities are endless, giving rise to all kinds of songs that have been given very varied uses.

Genders

J-pop.

Period of activity

2007 – Present

Members

Discography

• Affairs of Life – 2008
• The Greatest Idol – 2013
• Hatsune Miku Symphony – 2016
• Sakura-2017
• Hatsune Miku 10th Anniversary – 2017

AKB48

Similar to the Sakura Gakuin, AKB48 is a female idol group produced by Yasushi Akimoto.

There are many girls who are part of this band, divided in turn into several teams, Team A, Team K, Team B and Team 4, who are sometimes joined by a parallel team with other female singers.

each team has a captain and sub-captain, whose role is to lead and choose the participants who enter and leave. It is one of the best j-pop groups.

For the election of the members, very varied challenges are made in a program broadcast on television, such as a 'rock, paper, scissors' match.

Dozens of different girls have already participated in this group, catapulting them to fame to continue after his solo career.

In Japan it is very popular. and is followed closely by young people, both in the television program and in their musical tours and new albums.

Namie Amuro

From Japanese pop groups we go to a solo singer of this same genre, known in her country of origin and abroad thanks to her songs that mix japanese and english.

With over 40 years of age, this girl with an incredible voice has been part of several musical groups, continuing her career on her own until today.

In Japan it could be comparable to Madonna, since it is considered the 'queen of J-pop'.

An artist who remains active and at the foot of the canyon despite the passing of the years, innovating with amazing new pop songs. His first single, and one of his most famous, is 'Baby Don't Cry', released in 2007.

Nowadays is retired from the musical world, although since it happened the first time, it is not ruled out that at some point he will release a new album.

His audiovisual productions are a true work of art, with a unrivaled voice throughout the Asian continent.

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu

Kiriko Takemura is a famous J-pop singer and model in her home country, who sings on stage under the pseudonym Kyary Pamyu Pamyu.

He started in the world of music with barely 12 years old, making himself known on his fashion blog and then showing the world the rest of his hidden talents.

This sweet girl was known in the Harajuku neighborhood for her outlandish outfits. Lover of the kawaii style, it is well reflected in his songs and video clips what is the trend that he follows to the letter.

His shows are crazy, with a great display of visual and sound effects that leaves no one indifferent, even if you don't love pop music!

In addition to various studio albums, has a collection of singles as extensive as his musical career.

Too participated as jury and hostess in many television programs, lending his image and his voice on multiple occasions. Quite a success story!

Hikaru Utada

Hiraku is the artist who gives voice to some of the most beautiful japanese songs of all times.

With Japanese roots though born in new york, the vast majority of her records are in her native language, which has made her one of the most important Japanese singers in Japanese history.

With millions of sales, he has several records that he has been achieving during his career. Some as curious as the record of selling songs for mobile phones, and others more current as the over 20 million copies sold of your disc in digital format.

It outnumbers great artists like Rihanna or April Lavigne, and that his career in the West has only just begun in the last decade.

He has been active no less than since 1996, creating and producing their own songs, many of them entirely self-produced.

She is also an expert in guitar, piano and drums, educated in the best United States schools and universities, because since she was little she knew what she wanted to do, pop being her favorite musical style.

Fragrance

Perfume is one of the future pop girl groups most representative of Japan and the most popular Japanese groups with female singers.

Unlike other Japanese pop groups, its 3 members are already mature girls, with a very seasoned voice in traditional Japanese music. If you are looking for interesting Japanese pop groups, you will love this one.

Genders

Future pop, J-pop, synth pop.

Period of activity

2000 – Present

Members

• Ayano Omoto
• yuka kashino
• Ayaka Nishiwaki

Discography (Albums)

Yoasobi

Yoasobi is a Japanese pop-style songwriting duo and with a very Japanese aesthetic.

In this duo participate two great professionals of Japanese music: Ayase, a vocaloid music producer, and Ikura, a renowned vocalist in his country.

Although both they have their own career in parallel, this group was born from an innovative idea to create a different style of music from Japan.

His work consists of 6 video clips that tell short stories through lyrics and animated images. Of course, supported by the great giant Sony Music Japan.

A famous Japanese song of this band is 'Yoru ni Kakeru'. The broadcast of the video clip had an excellent reception in 2019, with thousands of followers waiting for the following musical works.

One more time, japanese pop groups do not disappoint, with a type of art without equal in the Japanese country.

aimyon

Aimyon is a Japanese pop singer-songwriter who began her career at just 19 years old. She herself composes his music and his songs, representing them with an incredible voice.

Not only in the recording studio, but also in the shows and concerts in which he has participated.

Although he has been raised in a musical environment, and has composed songs since high school, his discovery as an artist was by chance.

He participated in an audition in which the critics fell in love with his voice. In the beginning worked with boy group Johnny's West. But shortly after he released his first solo work.

Aimyon has a famous japanese song that has been heard in all corners of the country.

'Anata Kaibou Junaika (Shine)' is the release that made her known, backed by Warner Music Japan company who knew how to see its great potential.

°C-ute

Authors of a style of modern Japanese music, this band of 5 girls is considered to be one of the best japanese pop groups of all times.

A few years ago they dissolved the band. But luckily, they left us fans a great legacy of records, songs and video clips for endless enjoyment.

With a very frenetic rhythm, characteristic of J-pop, the girls move in exuberant choreography that drive teenage girls crazy.

Very few pop groups from Japan have given so much to talk about in recent decades. The japanese pink press He has shown great interest in the private lives of these girls, which is said to have been one of the reasons the group ultimately disbanded.

In replacement of some of the members who founded the group, other voices entered who did a great job.

The stressful career they have had, and the prematurity with which they started it, he has demanded that they make a break despite the fact that their fans keep asking them to come back to at least do a memorial concert.

News

News is a Japanese boy band currently made up of 3 guys, whose name comes from the initials of the cardinal points in English: Nnorth, ANDast, Wis and yesouth.

within japan they are very popular, although no screening has yet to be released in the West, and remains one of the great unknowns with a high level of quality.

Initially was formed by a group of nine members, from which the young people left one by one.

From 2003 to 2020 the group became a trio, with the departure of the last fourth member, Yuya Tegoshi. It is one of the oldest jpop groups that are still active.

even though they are very good singers, and the style of J-pop that they deal with is not entirely commercial, the fame that these boys have acquired has more to do with controversy.

However, we recommend that you give them a chance, especially with their latest works. Is a very elaborate music, and without a doubt one of the best Japanese pop groups you'll hear in a long time.

dish//

Another of the best Japanese pop groups that you should know is Dish//. Currently composed of 4 handsome singers and dancers, is a group created by Stardust Promotion to generate sales.

It was so well received by the youth of Japan that even today they keep releasing records and filling stadiums in the purest Backstreet Boys style.

These guys were picked by a new talent agency through an arduous casting. They showed a very good connection between them, and took their friendship beyond the personal field.

Today they are famous in Japan, but also in China, Korea, and Taiwan, where they have become a phenomenon of online sales and downloads.

Although they don't have too many albums on the market, their collection of singles is quite extensive. The advantage they offer over other Japanese pop groups is that none of their songs are wasted.

you can be hours and hours listening to them without getting bored, because they are absolutely great!

kat tun

We continue with the Japanese pop groups made up of handsome young boys.

Mass phenomenon in the Japanese country, its 6 members have broken the records of the Japanese music industry, earning the top spot season after season thanks to his 17 singles.

They carry active since 2001, so they are no longer children. In his path, the group has gone through several ups and downs, with the withdrawal and return of some of its members, mainly for personal reasons.

The first great success was achieved in 2006, with the launch of his masterpiece. From there the race has been unstoppable. Currently there are 3 members.

The truth is that no one knows exactly what is so successful. His songs are not very different from the ones made by the rest of the Japanese pop groups, and yet, with each album they break sales records.

A very neat image. interesting video clips, and above all voices that combine perfectly with each other, could be the secret of these guys whose career seems to have no end.

Generations from Exile Tribe

Many of the Japanese pop groups come from the selection of several young boys or girls to find the perfect combination of voices.

In the case of Generations, more than a simple casting, they went through a specialized school to form the perfect band, polishing their voices and their style according to the demands of the music market.

In 2011 the group began to form, which did not rise to fame until 1 year later, when they were fully prepared. One of the best Japanese pop bands.

The finalists were those who recorded the first studio album, highly anticipated by their fans, mainly girls from Japan, China and South Korea (the mecca of kpop), where it was made publicity to generate great expectation.

The fruit of 'Exile Tribe' has not disappointed at all. Specialists in J-pop and dance, they know how to encourage their followers to dance with some catchy choreography.

Each of his video clips are a work of art. look at his vintage pop aesthetic and wakaii touches, which have served as a reference for the work of other artists worldwide.

nogizaka46

Similar to the AKB48 group, this japanese idol group made up of girls changes generation as the girls grow up.

Produced by Yasushi Akimoto, the first line-up was created in 2011 as official rival of AKB48, choosing girls with a high level to sing and for the show.

Minors wear uniforms. as if I were schoolgirls, in the purest school style.

Once they graduate from high school, the members leave the group to make room for the entry of other girls, with the recording of new singles, albums and shows.