A special feature on 1980s girl bands: trailblazing music and distinctive charm

As their name suggests, all-female “girls’ bands” now include many acts that have become popular worldwide, and here in Japan a wide variety of bands—from major-label to indie—are thriving.

In the history of Japanese pop and rock, girl bands that debuted from the late 1970s to the early 1980s paved the way; by the mid-80s, at the height of the band boom, some even dominated the hit charts, sparking a full-on girls’ band craze.

This time, we’re spotlighting essential 80s bands you can’t leave out when talking about the history of Japanese girls’ bands—from household names to hidden gems known only to die-hard fans!