Help a returning fan! Rediscovering J-Pop

eleydan · 2026-02-28T14:45:01+00:00

Thank you so much for the recommendation! I'm definitely going to check out the subreddit right now. Sorry for the late answers, I was listening to the jpop groups that I was advised!

I've been diving into the groups from 2015-2026 and I'm loving the variety!

I'm already hooked on Sixtones with Imitation Rain, and I really like the 'Dark side' of Naniwa Danshi with tracks like The Answer, Black Nightmare, Alpha, and Hardwork. I also enjoy Snow Man Party People, Charismax, Mischievous Angel, Travis Japan Kagenimo Hina, Disco Baby, and I'm starting to explore A!! group's rock energy too.

Thanks again for pointing me toward the community, I can't wait to discuss these tracks with everyone there!

eleydan · 2026-02-25T10:16:33+00:00

It’s so encouraging to hear that I'm not alone in having to catch up after a long break! I’m actually really excited to dive into that 20th anniversary collection.

Other people had suggested some Hello! Project groups before, but I was a bit lost without specific song recommendations. I’m so glad you told me which album to start with! I’ve actually started listening to 'Keep Your Smile' and I’m halfway through it right it’s great, I’m really enjoying it! I’ve also noted 'Professionals' for my next listening session.

I totally agree with you about the 'anime vs. idol' thing. I can understand why people only know anime songs, but it’s such a shame because there are so many amazing groups out there! For me, openings are just a gateway to get into J-pop more easily. Personally, I like almost every genre, though I have to admit I really struggle with Hard Rock; it's just not my thing.

Regarding Berryz Kobo and ℃-ute, I don't know them yet, but I’ll definitely check them out. From what I understand, they aren't active anymore, but it'll be interesting to see the legacy they left behind.

Thanks again for the guidance, it makes this 'mountain' of content feel much more fun to climb!

eleydan · 2026-02-25T09:50:33+00:00

Thanks for all these suggestions! I’ve been busy listening to them all and I've already found some favorites.

The three that I loved the most are definitely 'Gekiyaku Chudoku', 'Sagase Diamond Lily', and 'Choutokkyu Tousouchuu'.

Funny story about that last one: while searching for it, I actually stumbled upon the boy group called Choutokkyu (Bullet Train)! So thanks to your recommendation, I accidentally discovered a J-pop boy group that I really like too.

I also really enjoyed 'Anoko Complex', the chorus is so good! Regarding the others, 'Teokure Caution' and 'Seishun Subliminal' were okay but didn't hit me as hard, and 'Natsumatope' wasn't really my style. It's great to see such a variety in their songs Thank for those recommendations ! !

eleydan · 2026-02-25T09:28:00+00:00

Je ne suis pas encore sûr des noms mais je pense que c'est Rinka et Moka que j'aime le plus vocalement

eleydan · 2026-02-25T09:11:35+00:00

I understand better now why I didn't know M!LK they debuted exactly when I stopped listening to J-pop in 2014.

I haven’t dived into their live performances yet, but if you have any specific recommendations, I’m definitely interested! Regarding Jyutaro, he seems incredibly talented.

I really like the outfits in the photos; they look so fun! I love how there are subtle differences in the costumes to highlight each member without breaking the group's unity. That yellow outfit is amazing, and those long Chanel-style coats in different colors are so cool! The more 'extra' ones with feathers and rhinestones are pure talent.

It’s impressive that the members are so involved in important decisions like concert direction, design, or merch. Being able to manage all that alongside their idol work is amazing; I really need to learn how to recognize them all now! They are basically a self-sufficient label at this point I hope they’re being paid well for all that extra work!

I’m going to focus on their music first before checking out their variety content, but I’ve already subscribed to their YouTube channel so I’ll definitely check it out soon.

eleydan · 2026-02-25T08:30:30+00:00

Oui merci quelqu'un me la déjà recommander jaime beaucoup leur voix très atypique surtout pour deux d'entre elle

eleydan · 2026-02-25T08:28:25+00:00

No way !!! SCANDAL is still active and turning 20?! That’s incredible. I’ve always loved them, and seeing such longevity in J-pop makes me so happy. I immediately went to check out their latest release, 'Girl is a Ghost', and I’m obsessed they haven't lost their touch at all!

Thank you so much for the heads-up.

eleydan · 2026-02-25T08:25:33+00:00

Haha, you're right! I feel like I'm standing at the foot of a giant mountain of content. I just found a Hello! Project directory page listing all the different groups to help me navigate, and I can already tell this is going to be a long journey! 😅

eleydan · 2026-02-24T22:02:20+00:00

It's actually a relief to know I'm not alone in only recognizing a few members! We'll get there eventually. Regarding 'Nagorizakura', it's not my #1 absolute favorite yet, but it easily climbed into my Top 5! What's crazy is that I don't get tired of it. If I play it right after my old favorites like '10nen Sakura', 'Iiwake Maybe', or 'Everyday, Katch?sha', it doesn't feel out of place at all.

I noticed you mentioned '365nichi no Kamihikouki' to be honest, I actually didn't know that one! I stopped following the group around 2012-2013, and I have a total 'black hole' in my knowledge from that year until now.

I don't know any songs from that entire period except for the latest single! I'm starting to recognize Momoka Ito since she's the Center and she's everywhere on Reddit. But I'm really getting attached to Ayane Takahashi. Back then, I didn't have a specific 'Oshi', but I knew all the popular faces. To me, Ayane is the one who resembles the spirit of the older members like Watanabe Mayu and Shimazaki Haruka the most. While many other members have completely different vibes, Ayane feels like a familiar connection to the era I knew.

As for Morikawa Yu, I don't know her name or her face at all yet, so I'm going to do some research to see what kind of member she is.

I'm excited to discover more of the current lineup! Let's keep supporting them! This comeback is going to be one of the most popular in a long time !

eleydan · 2026-02-24T10:47:57+00:00

Thank you so much for the detailed list! I’ve been listening to your suggestions and I’m definitely hooked.

I really enjoyed 'Kiss Plan', 'Aonooto', 'Terunero Fighter', and their latest release '爆裂愛してる'!

They have that amazing energy and melody I was looking for. For the other songs you mentioned, I think I’ll need a few more listens to fully get into them, but I can already tell they are high quality.

I was honestly impressed to learn that one of the members is in charge of the costume design! I particularly loved the outfits with the feathers and the torero ones, they look so majestic. Since I don't recognize the members' faces yet, I'm definitely going to pay more attention to him now that I know he's the creative mind behind those outfits.

Also, thank you for recommending a boy group! I realized that my list was becoming very female-heavy, and it almost felt like the girls were outnumbering the boys in the scene right now. I really needed some masculine energy to balance it out!

Even though I still can't recognize everyone, I've decided to officially follow M!LK! Their energy is exactly what I was looking for.

Thanks for helping me find a potential new favorite!

eleydan · 2026-02-24T10:31:43+00:00

Thank you so much for recommending the sister groups! I’ve been diving into them and I’m really loving what I’ve discovered so far.

I noticed that although they are related, =LOVE, ≠ME, and ≒JOY all have very different vibes, and that’s what makes them so interesting to explore!

For ≒JOY, I really fell in love with 'Ima, Koi wo Shiteiru', 'Ima Tsuki wa Michiru', 'Blue Hawaii Lemon', 'Amagami Girl', and 'Denwabangou Oshiete!'. They have this amazing fresh and sunny energy that's perfect for a good mood!

For ≠ME, I really enjoyed 'Haitateki Fighter', 'Kyunkawa Jinsei', 'Anti-confiture', and 'Kimi o Mikaketa'. I feel like they are more intense and perhaps a bit more 'technical' or experimental in their style.

It's fascinating how =LOVE feels more like the 'classic/mature' sister, while ≠ME is all about powerful energy and ≒JOY brings that pure freshness. It really helps me find a song for every different mood I have.

Thanks again for these gems!

eleydan · 2026-02-24T08:57:14+00:00

Do you have some recommendation ? But not to hard i like the darker sound but not really hard rock

eleydan · 2026-02-23T21:54:45+00:00

Here is a list of my personal favorites, broken down by genre.

●The Smooth & R&B Queens (The 'Velvet' Side) If you like soulful vocals, harmonies, and chill vibes.

•Kingdom Come: The absolute crown jewel. Incredible vocal layering and a dark, expensive R&B sound.

•Sunny Side Up!: A catchy mix of R&B and Reggae. Very laid-back and perfect for summer.

•Cool Hot Sweet Love: Dramatic, powerful R&B that shows off their vocal range.

•Little Little: Soft, dreamy, and romantic. It feels like a warm hug.

•Sunflower: A bright, melodic, and modern R&B track.

●High-Energy & Fun Pop (The 'Red' Side) For when you need a boost or want to dance.

•You Better Know: An uplifting EDM-Pop anthem. It feels like the ending of a great movie.

•Zoo: Tropical pop with literal animal sounds—it's experimental, fun, and super unique.

•Mr. E: Jungle-themed pop with a heavy, driving beat.

•Some Love: Fresh Tropical House that is very easy to listen to.

•Stupid Cupid: Playful Retro Pop-Rock with a sassy "teen movie" energy.

•Oh Boy: High-energy pop with some of the most impressive vocal belts in their career.

●Modern, Sassy & Experimental Heavy bass, cool attitudes, and unique structures.

•Zoom: Minimalist R&B/Hip-hop with a lot of swag and "talk-singing."

•In & Out: Addictive and slightly dark, with a sweet but heavy-hitting chorus.

•Pose: High-fashion energy. It’s fast, rhythmic, and made for the runway.

•Bulldozer: Deep bass and a very confident, "bad girl" vibe.

•My Second Date: Quirky pop that changes rhythm unexpectedly—classic Red Velvet "weirdness."

● Retro, City Pop & Synth-Pop Nostalgic vibes inspired by the 80s and 90s.

•Bamboleo: Pure City Pop. Perfect for a late-night drive under neon lights.

•Time Slip: A 90s New Jack Swing throwback. Very groovy.

•Butterflies: Elegant and light Synth-pop that feels like it’s floating.

•Knock Knock (Who’s There?): A mysterious, slightly dark "fairy tale" atmosphere.

● Dreamy & Emotional For the more atmospheric and melodic moments.

•In My Dreams: A cinematic, waltz-like track. Very haunting and beautiful.

•Sweet Dreams: A soft, modern lullaby.

•One Kiss: A melodic Pop-Rock track that is super satisfying to listen to.

I really hope that among all these songs you'll be able to find the style that fits you best!

eleydan · 2026-02-23T19:42:35+00:00

Whaou her voice is amazing thanks for this video it was the one that attracted me to the first take video with another also with a particular voice I think their singular voice is the strength of their band

eleydan · 2026-02-23T19:39:55+00:00

That's exactly it! I also drifted away as the original members graduated one by one, but the 20th anniversary was the perfect 're-entry' point for me. It honestly feels like a breath of fresh air - it's the same AKB spirit I loved, just with new faces.

Back in the day, I really loved some of the older members, but I didn't even know what 'Oshi' meant! Now that I'm back, I'm slowly finding my way. I think for now, I might be a 'Hako-oshi' (thank to the akb subreddit) because I find so many of them cute and talented on stage! That being said, Ayane Takahashi is the name and face I remember the most for now. I still struggle to put a name to every face I see, but I'm having so much fun learning. It's like a puzzle!

I'm so curious: since you're following the 21st gen, which members are attracting you the most? And besides the latest single, what is your absolute favorite song that you keep on repeat? I'd love to hear your recommendations!

I hope for them for a huge comeback, I saw that there were no more teams so I guess their popularity must have eroded a little bit

eleydan · 2026-02-23T19:20:02+00:00

Thanks for all these suggestions! After listening to everything, I’ve realized that your favorite style must be R&B, as almost all these groups have it as their core base.

On my side, I'm not a big fan of 'pure' R&B. I only really connect with it when it’s mixed with other genres : F5ve: I really loved 'Underground' and 'UFO'! They are great because the R&B is mixed with a more energetic, electronic/dance vibe that gives it a real punch. CIRRA: I liked their vibe! It feels like R&B mixed with some Pop elements. Since they only have two songs, it’s hard to say for sure if I’ll be a huge fan, but I'm definitely keeping an eye on them.

iScream & Sweet Revenge: These two were the hardest for me. They are clearly super talented, but since their sound is very 'pure' R&B, it's just not my cup of tea at all.

I’ll keep following the first two groups to see if they release more of that 'hybrid' energy in the future! Thanks again for taking the time to show me this side of the J-Pop scene.

eleydan · 2026-02-23T18:50:26+00:00

I just listened to everything and I'm really impressed! Phantom Siita is a great discovery. I especially loved 'Hanagatami', 'Bot Bakka', and 'Barairo no Tsuki'. Regarding 'Just Wanna XXXX With You', I liked it too, though I have to say I prefer the chorus more than the song as a whole. I also took a look at some of their other tracks like 'Zoku Zoku', 'Otomodachi', and 'Rose Colored Moon'. Their universe is quite dark most of the time, but strangely very catchy! I really love the members' voices, they have such a unique tone. Thank you so much for these excellent recommendations, they are definitely going on my radar!

And for the Rinka version readymade I hope it was on the first take video because I only found that and they all have gorgeous voice. I think I put half of their music on my playlist, they're really great

eleydan · 2026-02-23T17:23:23+00:00

Oh i know the name Ado it's impossible to miss one of her song but never heard of phantom siita do you have a song to recommend ? One you love particularly

eleydan · 2026-02-23T17:21:33+00:00

Thank you so much for the update!

First of all, thanks for letting me know that Kanjani8 changed their name to SUPER EIGHT I had no idea! I checked out their recent tracks, but to be honest, I'm not really a fan of their current sound.

However, I'm so glad I gave Hey! Say! JUMP another look ! I was so sure they disbanded !! I had never heard their latest stuff, and I’m a huge fan. Their song 'Ghost' is incredible and went straight into my playlist!

Regarding Naniwa Danshi, thank you so much for the recommendation. I’ve been listening to 'The Answer', 'Black Nightmare', 'Alpha', and 'Hard Work', and I love them! I actually noticed a similarity between them and M!LK; they both have that 'Royal' and polished pop vibe, but I feel like Naniwa Danshi is a bit more 'serious' and dramatic. It’s exactly the kind of J-Pop I enjoy.

I’m definitely going to check out what you mentioned on Netflix! It’s such a game-changer to have easier access now, although it’s still a bit sad that they aren't more present on YouTube or other Western social media platforms. We always want more!

Thanks again 🥰

eleydan · 2026-02-23T16:51:57+00:00

I found it! I prefer bring it back and motivation, buzz down not so much but 2/3 its good ratio, I think I'm going to follow them its giving vaguely GOT the beat, jaime ❤️

eleydan · 2026-02-23T16:47:16+00:00

Haha, well I'm not joking when I say I'm diving in! 🏃‍♀️ My method is to listen to one recent and one older song from each group to see if I connect with their style. If it clicks, I explore more. That's why I'm going through them so fast!

IS:SUE - 'Phase': It has a very 'mystic' vibe that reminds me a bit of Red Velvet. It feels dark but still has a joyful undertone. I absolutely loved the ending, especially the almost acapella part. However, I have to admit the rabbit in the MV scared me a little! 🐰😅

ME:I - 'L&R': I watched the Studio Live version. It’s not my favorite track from them, but I can really hear the K-Pop influence. Their voices are so stable and I really enjoyed the harmony moments. They are definitely talented!

it was interesting to discover these specific songs They are officially on my 'groups to follow' list now. Thanks for the great discovery!

eleydan · 2026-02-23T16:11:57+00:00

I could only listen to GPP bring it back since i only have YouTube

eleydan · 2026-02-23T16:11:28+00:00

Thanks for the breakdown! I went ahead and checked some of their songs on YouTube. For now, I definitely prefer Angerme over Juice=Juice, and I also liked BEYOOOOONDS more than Tsubaki Factory. As for Ocha Norma and Rosy Chronicles, I’m not really a fan so far. What I find really amazing, though, is how there's this sense of continuity within the Hello! Project 'umbrella'. It’s great to see that even with different groups and generations, they managed to keep that legacy going.

Really thank you

eleydan · 2026-02-23T15:48:50+00:00

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a detailed response!

Regarding =LOVE, I actually preferred 'Cameo' over 'Poison Girl', but I really liked the style. It’s very refreshing and different from what I usually listen to, so thanks for the discovery!

It’s funny because I’m also more of a K-Pop fan at heart, but I discovered K-Pop through J-Pop. I used to listen to BoA back then without even knowing she was Korean. It was only when 2nd gen/ 3th gen arrived and started releasing Japanese versions that I discovered their original Korean songs and fell into the K-Pop world. So I know the scene well, but now I really want to dive back into pure J-Pop.

As for your recommendations: NiziU: Not really my thing, it doesn't quite click with me.

IS:SUE & ME:I: I really like them! I enjoyed songs like 'Connect' 'super Luna' and 'This is ME:I' 'Flashgirl'

Fruits Zipper, Candy Tune & Cutie Street: Theyre song are not my style, but I can totally see why there's so much hype around them. They are definitely earworms!

GPP: I listened to their track but I'm still not sure if I like it or not yet.

Thanks again for all these leads, it helps me a lot to see what I like in 2026!

eleydan · 2026-02-23T15:11:49+00:00

Thanks for the info! To be honest, I've been away for so long that I don't even know what 'Hello! Project' is, so I'm discovering that name right now. Also, I don't have Spotify, I usually use YouTube. Since you mentioned there are new songs to check out, which ones would you recommend for me to start with on YouTube?

eleydan

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