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)
grand opening performanceKobayashi watashi
Mr.
Watashi Kobayashi is a singer-songwriter active across a wide range of fields, including solo work on YouTube and singing on collaborative tracks with various artists.
Many of his songs are created around themes drawn from everyday life, and he releases works with a certain poetic allure.
He writes and composes his own music, characterized by a genre-defying appeal and vocals that make the most of his deep voice.
His guitar-and-vocal videos of original songs and covers, as well as casual talk videos, helped attract attention from listeners.
With lyrics that evoke a sense of real life and a voice that feels like he’s speaking directly to you, he is an artist who crafts a unique world of his own.
Starry NightYuka
Yuka is a next-generation artist who debuted at the age of 21.
She began composing at 17, and her participation in the audition project “NEW CINEMA PROJECT” at 19 led to her debut.
Her debut song, “lullaby,” also drew attention for being produced by Toru, the guitarist of ONE OK ROCK.
Then in 2023, her release “Hoshizukiyo” sparked a surge in popularity.
Her beautiful singing voice is a must-hear.
Don’t get my hopes up.maharājiyan
If you’re seeing him for the first time, his appearance might surprise you! He’s Maharajan, a singer-songwriter known for his turban trademark and retro-pop sound.
He had been active in music before, and since 2019 he has been releasing tracks under the name Maharajan.
He’s well-regarded for his pleasant, immersive sound and lyrics full of humor.
He’s also released covers of famous songs like “MONKEY MAGIC,” so some of you might know him from those.
run.CVLTE
How about some sophisticated, modern music? This is CVLTE, a band from Sapporo, Hokkaido.
A four-piece consisting of vocalist aviel kaei, guitarist Takuya, bassist fuji, and drummer HAL, they started their activities around 2018 and have released popular tracks like “paradise.
(feat.
demxntia),” “hedonist.,” and “run.” Their sound is distinctive for incorporating elements of EDM and loud rock.
I’m super excited to see what they do next!
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.
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.
ObsessedAyumu Imazu
Ayumu Imazu shines with a musical style that blends dance performance with roots in R&B and pop.
Starting dance at the age of six and having studied abroad in New York, he is a globally minded talent.
He made his major debut in August 2021 under Warner Music Japan’s label etichetta, drawing attention with his bilingual vocals in Japanese and English.
A true multi-talent, he handles everything from songwriting and composition to choreography himself, and he received the Planning Award at the 66th Japan Record Awards.
His dance challenges have spread across Asian countries on social media, and he continues to rise as a leading artist of Gen Z.
He’s highly recommended for those interested in the fusion of dance music and R&B, and for listeners seeking a global sound.