J-MELO Season 18, Episode 1: BiS and Kaya

CRAZY KEN BAND

Today, we bring you a special live performance by Crazy Ken Band. The group of 11 members is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The band's style that covers a wide spectrum of music genres attracts fans of various age groups. The band's leader and vocalist, Yokoyama Ken, is also known as a brilliant melody maker, providing songs to many famous artists in Japan. Please enjoy their exclusive interviews and live studio performances.

Liella! and ONE N' ONLY

We feature two groups that are getting lots of attention this year through anime and social media. The first group appears on the internationally popular "Love Live!" school idol project series. They're called Liella!. The other group, ONE N' ONLY is a six-piece dance-and-vocal group. Their style of music is not J-pop or K-pop. It's a unique style called JK-pop. Please enjoy their exclusive interviews and live studio performances.

Miyazawa Kazufumi and Takeuchi Anna

We have two guests on the show. Appearing first is a singer-songwriter, Miyazawa Kazufumi. One of his signature songs, Shima Uta ("Island Song,") was a huge hit selling more than one and a half million copies. With also cover versions made abroad, the song has been sung all over the world. Our second guest is Takeuchi Anna, an up-and-coming singer-songwriter who has been performing internationally, making an appearance in one of the biggest music festivals in the United States. Please enjoy their exclusive interviews and live studio performances.

Morning Musume｡’22

Today is a special show featuring one of the top pop idol groups in Japan - "Morning Musume.'22." "Morning Musume." was originally formed in 1997 through a TV audition show, and they now perform as "Morning Musume.'22." They keep evolving, as members graduate, or in other words leave the group, and new members join in. And now they celebrate their 25th anniversary. Please enjoy their exclusive interviews and live studio performances.

28 min

Higuchi Ai + J-RECOMMENDS

In today's show, we feature Higuchi Ai, a talented singer-songwriter. She made her major label debut in 2016. She is known for her dramatic lyrics that reflect a unique perspective. And this year, her song "Akuma no Ko," or "Child of Evil," became the closing theme on the latest series of the TV anime "Shingeki no Kyojin," or "Attack on Titan." Please enjoy our exclusive interview with Higuchi Ai and her live studio performances.

28 min

Moriguchi Hiroko and fhána

We have two guests with us on the show. Our first guest is Moriguchi Hiroko. The singer made her debut with the theme song for the TV anime series "Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam" in 1985. And today, she will be singing the theme song for the latest Gundam movie, which was released this June. And for our second guest, we have fhána, a group which is known for singing many anime songs. Today, they will be performing a song from their latest album that was released this April. Please enjoy their exclusive interviews and live studio performances.

28 min

Atari Kousuke and Fudanjuku

Join May J. for Japanese music! In the studio this week: Atari Kousuke (a singer from the Natural World Heritage island of Amami Oshima) and Fudanjuku (a 7-piece female idol group who dress as men).

28 min

Tokyo Rikisha and NEMOPHILA

Join May J. for Japanese music! This week: 2 groups creating a big buzz. Tokyo Rikisha are 4 real-life rickshaw men. NEMOPHILA are an all-girl band with a hard sound and an international career.

28 min

Omoinotake and Not Equal ME

Join May J. for Japanese music! Two acts are coming to chat and perform. Omoinotake are a piano-based three-piece band with a growing fanbase. Not Equal ME are an idol group with a just-released fourth single.

28 min

Kawaguchi Kyogo and Miyamoto Karin

We have two guests with us on the show today. First up is Kawaguchi Kyogo. He is a singer-songwriter who delights people with a singing voice that seems to wrap them in a warm embrace. His signature song "Sakura" has been covered by artists in Japan and abroad. And our second guest is Miyamoto Karin. She is a former member of an idol group called juice=juice. She left the group and went solo in 2020. She has a richly expressive singing voice. She started touring as a solo artist even while she was still with the group.

28 min

hana*hana and JUNNA

We have two guests with us on the show. First up is hana*hana. This year marks the 22nd anniversary of the major-label recording debut of this female duo. Their debut song "Ah Yokatta" is still loved by people across a wide age range. And our second guest is JUNNA. Currently a university student, she's a singer who is well known in the anime song world. She made her debut on a major label five years ago at the age of 15. She is now attracting attention for her powerful singing.

28 min

FANTASTICS from EXILE TRIBE and BRIDEAR

We have two guests with us on the show today. First up is FANTASTICS from EXILE TRIBE. They are a dance-and-vocal group, originally formed in 2016. Last year, they gained attention after covering "Choo Choo TRAIN," a dance number that's very popular in Japan. And our second guest is BRIDEAR. They are a five-piece, all-female heavy-metal band. They're getting lots of attention overseas, expanding the international fanbase for the Japanese metal sound known as J-metal.

28 min

TWEEDEES and ASAKA

Join May J. for Japanese music! In the studio this week are the pop duo TWEEDEES and the singer ASAKA, who's in the spotlight for singing the opening theme to the anime "Laid-back Camp Season 2."

28 min