2026: Next Break to Watch. Japanese Artists to Check Out Early
When you listen to music, do you actively look for new tracks?
Even in today’s age of streaming, where you can play anything instantly, many of us still end up looping our favorite artists’ songs.
So in this article, for those who are thinking, “I want to discover artists I’ve never heard of before!”, we’ll introduce next-break artists who are all but guaranteed to surge in popularity.
We’ve picked out a wide range—from acts already starting to break through to singers gaining buzz among music fans—so be sure to check out their music now while you’re ahead of the curve!
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[2026] Next Break Artists to Watch. Japanese Acts You Should Check Out Early (61–70)
GREENAPPLE4na
4na is a singer-songwriter who broke through thanks to her online presence on platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
She began by posting “tried singing” cover videos and later started releasing her own original tracks.
Her work spans a wide range of styles—from rock songs with sharp, punchy guitar sounds to tracks featuring mellow, synth-driven atmospheres.
Her vocal work is diverse as well, with some songs showcasing rap, so be sure to check out a variety of her tracks.
Boys Don’t CryYOAKE
YOAKE is a band project that operates with a style of featuring different vocalists for each song.
They made their major debut in 2023, and combined with their mysterious band image, they’ve been generating a lot of buzz.
Among their works, the signature track “Nee,” released in 2022, went viral online, and its music video has surpassed 10 million views.
In addition to its romance-themed lyrics, the song’s easy listening quality and replayable charm have captured the hearts of many listeners.
Duckykankan
The mysterious singer Kankan is also an artist to watch.
Their gender hasn’t been officially disclosed, but photos they once posted have led people to believe they are male.
In 2018, their first cover song video went viral, instantly boosting their popularity.
They then took on an ambitious “30 days of consecutive uploads” challenge, gaining many subscribers.
The momentum didn’t stop—just three months after their first post, they reached 10,000 subscribers.
Since then, they’ve been consistently releasing hit songs.
stoppage timeNoda Megumi
Singer-songwriter Emi Noda has been active in music since her student days, consistently achieving excellent results in various auditions.
In addition to her own work as a vocalist, she energetically contributes songs to other artists as well.
Her greatest appeal is undoubtedly her outstanding vocal ability that grabs your attention from the first listen.
More and more listeners are being captivated by her mature, atmospheric voice.
You can fully appreciate her charm not only in her original songs but also in the cover videos uploaded to her YouTube channel, so if you’re interested, be sure to check them out.
mid-20syui nishio
Yui Nishio, who is based in Nagoya, is one of the hottest singer-songwriters right now.
She participated in the talent discovery project ‘SONG’S NAGOYA 2016’ in 2016, and went on to take part in a series of auditions, including ‘KimiUta — I Want to Hear Your Song —’ in 2017 and ‘Hanjuku Audition 2018’ in 2018.
Along the way, she steadily built her reputation and skills, and in 2022 she won the LINE NEWS AWARDS 2022.
Her clear, translucent voice is sure to capture your heart.
With you, on Earth8
Hachi, a next-generation singer based in Nara Prefecture.
In 2023, he released his song “Kimi to Chikyuu de” on his own TikTok account, and it went massively viral.
The track later received a music video as well.
One of his biggest appeals is his relatable lyrics.
He portrays down-to-earth love stories while infusing them with a warm message.
Another hallmark of his is that he posts a lot of short-form videos.
Starting from those is definitely a good option.
Anthem of CounterattackRyukku to soine gohan
Ryukku to Soinē Gohan, also known by the nickname “Ryukuso,” are a guitar rock band.
The turning point that made them known to many rock listeners was winning RO JACK, the audition that awards a performance slot at ROCK IN JAPAN in 2019.
Still in high school at the time, they delivered an impressive performance on the big stage and quickly drew widespread attention.
Their songs are packed with highlights: catchy guitar riffs, superb song structures that make you want to replay them, and finely crafted arrangements for each instrument.
They’re a talented rock band that not only appeals to younger listeners but is one adults should definitely check out as well.