Article: Top Ten Japanese Rock Bands You Should Listen To

Japan is known as the land of rising creativity and technological innovation. The Japanese entertainment industry is not far behind in contributing its best work to music and acting projects. There are many music groups in Japan. In addition, the Japanese music industry boasts of numerous versatile and talented musicians spread across diverse genres of music. The Japanese music scene is experiencing an influx of pop, rock, ballad, classical, folk, folk metal, and many more exciting and indulging music styles. Moreover, the Japanese music industry is known to have produced some of the most popular musical acts and rock artists in the previous and present decades. Here is a list of the top ten Japanese rock bands you should listen to.

1. Scandal

Scandal is a four-member all-female Japanese rock band that debuted in 2006. The band is composed of four members, Haruna (main vocals and rhythm guitar), Mami (lead guitar), Tomomi (bass guitar), and Rina (drums). Scandal has been active in the Japanese rock scene for more than ten years. Their 15th-anniversary album "Mirror", released in 2022, is evidence of their highly active and robust career in Japanese rock music. They have carried out various international tours due to their ever-growing global fanbase. Some of their popular songs include "Shunkan Sentimental,” "Harukaze" and "Sayonara, My Friend.”  Scandal is an influential all-female rock band, and their music is loved by Japanese rock fans worldwide.

2. One Ok Rock

The band’s name is stylized in full caps as ONE OK ROCK. The Rock band was formed in Tokyo, in 2005. Currently, there are four members of the band: Takahiro Moriuichi (vocalist), Toru Yamashita (leader and guitarist), Ryota Kohama (bassist), and Tomoya Kanki (drummer). The band has received an abundance of love and appreciation in their home country and across the globe. Their sound is spread across genres such as alternative rock, pop punk, and post-hardcore. Their seventh album, 35xxxv charted on US billboards. A few of their most popular tracks include "The Beginning,” "Wherever you are,”  "Stand Out, Fit In”, and much more. They have achieved numerous awards including the "Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards,” in 2016.

3. Band-Maid

There are many music groups, and each group thrives with a unique musical style. Band Maid's uniqueness is on another level, as their concept combines rock music and the maid image. The band consists of Saiki Atsumi (vocalist), Miku Kobato (vocalist, guitar), Kanami Tono (lead guitar), Misa (bassist), and Akane Hirose (drums). The band was formed in 2013 and has continued to receive musical success. Their most recent release was the full album "Unseen World." Their high-quality music production includes genres such as pop rock, heavy metal, and hard rock. They have achieved great appreciation and attention for rock music and have won the "Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards,” in the "Japan Next Generation" category. Their must-listen tracks include "Thrill,” "Choose Me,” "Domination" and "Sense".

4. Asian Kung Fu Generation

One of the earliest rock bands to receive commercial and international success, Asian Kung Fu Generation is one of the most famous rock bands among fans. The band was formed in 1996 in Yokohama and currently consists of four members: Masafumi Gotoh (lead vocalist, main songwriter, rhythm guitar), Kensuke Kita (lead guitar), Takahiro Yamada (bassist), and Kiyoshi Ijichi (drums). Their sound includes elements of alternative rock and indie rock music. Their most recent achievement was winning an award at the "Space Shower Music Awards" in the "Best Respect Artist" category in 2022. Their tenth studio album, "Planet Folks", was released in March 2022. There are many songs in their discography, such as "Re:Re:", "Right Now”, and "Eternal Sunshine”, that are loved by fans of the band.

5. Back Number

The band was formed in 2004 and consists of three members: Iyori Shimizu (lead vocals and guitarist), Kazuya Kojima (bassist), and Hisashi Kurihara (drummer). Back Number’s musical style incorporates emotional and slice-of-life lyrics. They have a wide range of musical styles, including rock, pop rock, and elements of J-pop. Their 7th studio album, "Humor,” was released in January 2023. Fans love the highs and lows of emotions that Back Number puts into their music. A few of their many great tracks include "Christmas Song”, "Phantom Thief”, and "Velvet."

6. Spyair

The Japanese rock band was formed in 2005. The band consists of three members, UZ (guitar, programming), Momiken (bassist, leader), and Kenta (drums). They have produced and performed such as rock, emo, pop rock, electronic rock, etc. Their songs have been used as themes for anime and dramas, such as "Believer" and "Imagination" for the anime "Haikyuu.” Their recent EP, "Wadachi”, was released in 2021.

7. Mutant Monster

The band was formed in 2008 and currently consists of BE (vocals, bassist), Meana (guitar, vocals), and Chad (drums, chorus). The band’s music style includes rock and punk rock. They have released numerous albums. Some of them are "Follow Me,” "True Tone,” "Dotsuzen Heni,” "Girl’s Fight,” and "Abnormal.” Their must-listen tracks include "Abnormal,” "Nekokaburi,”  "Hanashite Ageru," and much more. Mutant Monster is one of the most sought-after female Japanese rock fans. Rock fans all over the world always look forward to more albums and songs by the trio.

8. Mrs. Green Apple

The band was formed in 2015 and currently consists of three members: Motoki Ohmori (guitarist and vocalist), Hiloto Wakai (guitarist), and Ryoka Fujisawa (keyboardist). They have released many remarkable works in their music career, including five studio albums and four mini albums. Some of the most notable albums include "Twelve,” "Mrs. Green Apple,” "Attitude,” "Progressive" and "Unity.” Their album "Twelve" was hugely successful and ranked 10th on the Oricon Charts in Japan. Their popular tracks include "Speaking" and "No. 7" from the album "Twelve.” Other songs by the band are "SimPle,” "Hug" and "Soranji.”

9. Official Hige Dandism

Official HIGE DANdism is a Japanese rock band. The band consists of Satoshi Fujihara (keyboards, percussion, lead vocalist), Daisuke Ozasa (guitar, supporting vocals), Makoto Narazaki (bassist, saxophone, backing vocals), and Masaki Matsuura (drums, percussion, supporting vocals). The band has provided opening themes for the anime "Tokyo Revengers" and "Spy X Family.” Since their debut, they have released four studio albums and eight extended plays. The track "Cry Baby" is most popular among anime fans. Their other tracks include "Subtitle,” "White Noise" and "Mixed Nuts.”

10. Seven Oops

The band was formerly known as "7!!". The band debuted in 2011. The band currently consists of three members:  Nanae (vocals), Maiko (drums), and Keita (bass). They have released five studio albums and many singles in their music career. Their first studio album was "Doki Doki,” released in 2013. They have released many songs and their popular tracks are "Bye Bye,” "Lovers" "Falling in Love" and "Orange.”