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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Girls' bands of the 90s. Popular Japanese bands (1–10)
ThingsSoftball
In the 90s girls’ band scene, SOFTBALL shone with striking brilliance.
Formed in 1998 in Funabashi, Chiba, they began as a trio of active high school students.
Their sound was rooted in fast-paced punk rock, distinguished by catchy melodies fused with social messages.
They made their indie debut in March 1999 with the mini-album “Kurage,” and went major in July 2001 with the single “JUST TRY IT.” Their album “Lamp,” released in January 2002, reached No.
20 on the Oricon chart and sold over 40,000 copies.
The fact that their album “Tenku” was released across the U.S.
by Asian Man Records attests to their talent.
If you’re looking for solid, hard-hitting girls’ punk, you should definitely give them a listen.
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!
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.
90s girl bands. Popular Japanese bands (11–20)
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.
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!