A 90s girls' band. A popular Japanese band.
In the 2020s, all-female bands are thriving in Japan across pop, rock, and metal scenes.
Back in the 1980s, during the band boom, groups that dominated the mainstream—like Princess Princess and SHOW-YA—also emerged.
So what kinds of girls’ bands appeared and flourished in the 1990s? While there weren’t as many as there are today, there were a great many distinctive bands.
In this article, we’ll focus on the history of 1990s girls’ bands, including those formed in the late ’80s and those still active today!
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- Classic and hit J-pop songs from the nostalgic ’90s
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Girls' bands of the 90s. Popular Japanese bands (1–10)
YUKIWhiteberry
They’re a coming-of-age girls’ band who shot to fame when their 2000 release Natsu Matsuri became a smash hit, reaching No.
3 on the Oricon charts.
Of course, Natsu Matsuri is a cover of that classic by JITTERIN’JINN! Although they formed in Hokkaido in 1994, it took them a long time to break through—truly a hard-working, persevering band.
Vocalist Maeda’s cute voice, Inazuki’s guitar that ties the songs together, and Kawamura’s gentle, girls-band-style drumming—all add up to plenty of charm.
Their cover of Unicorn’s Jitensha Dorobou is another highly recommended track!
winnersG・GRIP
G・GRIP, who rose to prominence after appearing on Ikaten, is a four-member group formed in 1988 whose name derives from the beauty of actress Greta Garbo.
Spanning genres from J-pop and rock to anime songs, they were highly praised for their vocal ability—each member could sing lead—and their skillful choral work.
They debuted in 1990 with the single “Hoshikuzu-tachi no HEAVEN / Tsubasa,” and released the album “DREAM HORIZON” the same year.
Their 1991 songs “I’ll Come” and “Winners,” which served as theme songs for the TV anime Future GPX Cyber Formula, understandably earned fervent support from anime fans.
In episode 17 of the same anime, a character is portrayed as a fan of the group and their music is featured—an interesting example of media tie-in.
If you want to discover the appeal of early ’90s girl bands, they’re a must-check act!
saloonRorīta 18-gō
Although I’m writing under the umbrella of ’90s girl bands, Lolita No.18 is of course still active.
In 2021 they released a new album, “It’s No Comfort to Be Mourned After You’re Dead”! Even before their major-label debut, they stood out for their energetic activities—opening for Shonen Knife and performing at the largest music event in the U.S.
After various twists and turns, Masayo Ishizaka is now the only original member, but their musical spirit recalls the days of their debut.
“Saloon” is a strange, catchy song that really sticks in your head.
If you haven’t heard it yet, you should!
90s girl bands. Popular Japanese bands (11–20)
Dance!!Reg-Wink
Reg-Wink, who debuted after winning a Sony audition, captivates audiences with Mayumi Fujii’s husky vocals and an all-out, high-energy performance.
Hailing from the Kansai region, they also keep the crowd entertained with their lively MC work.
Vanish Your BeingYELLOW MACHINEGUN
A three-piece girls’ band that made their major-label debut in 1996 and gained popularity with a heavyweight sound you’d never guess from their looks.
Their aggressive tracks and piercing death growls make you realize how limiting it is to define musicality by gender—you can almost forget they’re a girls’ band just from the sound alone.
Their tight, technical performances are especially irresistible for hardcore fans.
With a consistent musical identity that electrifies audiences, they stand as one of the few genuine hardcore bands in Japan’s girls’ rock scene.
GET A CHANCE!!NORMA JEAN
Above all, Dynamite MARI’s violent yet sexy vocals delivered a one-of-a-kind performance.
They were the kind of band driven by the vocalist, with real charisma to boot! On TBS’s hit show “Miyake Yūji’s Ikasu Band Tengoku,” they even rose to become the 11th Ikaten King, so their talent is beyond question.
In addition to “GET A CHANCE!!,” they had plenty of great songs like “TOMORROW” and “Kumori Nochi Hare.” Although they went on hiatus in 1994, they’re truly a band whose comeback is eagerly awaited! By the way, Norma Jean is Marilyn Monroe’s real name.
InaOOIOO
Born from a magazine project, OOIOO is a girls’ band led by Boredoms’ Yoshimi on vocals, continuously creating unique music.
“Ina” is a track from the album “Feathers Float,” characterized by the use of many instruments and phrases with a folkloric/ethnic feel.