[2026] Enka’s Seventh Generation! A roundup of young enka singers

Suddenly, but did you know that enka singers known as the “Seventh Generation of Enka” are hugely popular in the Reiwa era?

There isn’t a strict definition of this “Seventh Generation,” but it generally refers to enka singers—mainly in their 20s—who began to stand out from the late 2010s.

Some say the name is modeled after the “Seventh Generation” in the comedy world.

As representatives of this “Seventh Generation of Enka,” five artists—Soichi Futami, Leon Niihama, Yuto Tatsumi, Arata Aoyama, and Saishu—have been jointly holding concerts that are drawing great popularity.

In this article, we introduce those five along with other up-and-coming young enka singers to watch.

If you want to know what’s happening in enka right now, be sure to check it out!

Playlist

[2026] Enka’s Seventh Generation! A roundup of young enka singers
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	The Last Train at MidnightFutami Souichi		Souichi Futami, a next-generation enka artist
2	Being a woman is hard.Aoyama Shin		Aoyama Arata, a rising young star in the enka world
3	Snow, Moon, and Flowerstatsumi yūto		Yuto Tatsumi, a rising star singer in the enka world
4	Catch me tonight.Shinhama Reon		Leon Shinhama, a new star of enka, transcending generations
5	EbisuSanada Naoki		An enka singer gaining attention for their distinctive husky voice
6	The Bridge of Lingering AttachmentsMiraseiji		A singer who fuses enka and visual kei
7	I long for Southern HokkaidoKoyama Yudai		Enka singer from Sapporo, Yudai Koyama, makes his debut
8	Hamakoyan ShigureKadamatsu Miyuki		The rise and appeal of Miku Kadoshō, a new enka star
9	Heartbreak LongingMochizuki Ruka		Ruka Mochizuki is a rising star who preserves the traditions of enka while venturing into new forms of expression.
10	Ginjirō, the Traveling SparrowSaisei		Ayao from Hokkaido draws attention with his threefold mastery.
11	Osaka LonelinessTanaka Aimi		Aimi Tanaka, gaining attention with her new enka style
12	Alone on the Ban-etsu West Lineumetani kokona		Kokoa Umetani, a Shōwa-era kayōkyoku girl debuting in the Reiwa era
13	Even though you have no intention (of doing it).Fujii Kaori		The charm of Kaori Fujii, the rising star of the enka world
14	Fool’s TavernSatono Suzune		Major debut of the young enka singer, Suzume Satono
15	PhoenixHarada Namito		From Wakayama, Enka Gen Z rising star Harada Namito
16	promiseNakazawa Takuya		Takuya Nakazawa, active as an enka singer and racer