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!
- Popular Band Rankings [2026]
- [2026] A must-see for music lovers! Up-and-coming artists to watch
- [2026] Fast-Rising Music: A Roundup of Trending Songs
- [February 2026] Trending Songs: A roundup of the hottest viral tracks right now
- [2026] Popular Songs Among Today’s Youth [J-Pop]
- [2026] Recommended Breakout Artists: A Roundup of Era-Defining Singers and Groups
- Ranking of Popular Japanese Music/J-POP Artists Among People in Their 20s [2026]
- Recent songs sung by male vocalists in Japanese music [2026]
- [2026] Recently trending boy groups. List of male group singers
- [2026] A lineup of next-generation artists! Autumn songs we want people in their 20s to hear
- [Ones to Watch in 2026!] Recommended Female Singers & Recent Female Artists
- [2026] Latest and Noteworthy J-Pop R&B Tracks
- Lesser-Known but Amazing Singers | A Ranking Focused on Pure Talent
[2026] Next Big Breaks to Watch: Japanese Artists You Should Check Out Early (71–80)
300 yenotonari ni ginga keikaku
A band formed by four people who met at a music school, Otonari Niginga Keikaku.
They formed in February 2023 and soon released their first EP.
Since then, they have been actively working based in Nagoya.
Their songs tend to give a happy impression, which may be one reason they’re supported by many people.
Otonari Niginga Keikaku also runs various social media accounts, so it might be a good idea to check out whichever ones interest you.
Selfish girlfriendAkiyama Ritsuki
Ritsuki Akiyama is a singer-songwriter from Saitama whose relatable vocals and innocent musicality have earned strong support.
She won the Grand Prix at the 2017 rock festival event “Mikakunin Festival,” drawing significant attention.
Since then, she has performed actively and, from 2021, has been releasing music videos and live footage on YouTube.
She was also named in a Spotify initiative highlighting artists expected to break through in 2022, making her a talent to watch in the coming years.
rendezvousshaitoopu
ShyTorb is a rock band that delivers songs about everyday struggles and love stories.
Their 2023 release “Rendezvous” sparked buzz mainly online, becoming a viral hit on TikTok and Spotify.
With the warm sound of a three-piece—leveraging guitar, bass, and drums—and lyrics that depict scenes from daily life, they’ve gained popularity especially among young listeners.
The band’s appeal also lies in the emotional vocals of lead singer So Sasaki, whose voice conveys the bittersweet feelings that dwell in the heart.
[2026] Next Big Break to Watch: Japanese Artists You Should Check Out Early (81–90)
The whereabouts of my beloved.bokula.
bokula.
is a rock band from Hiroshima Prefecture known for their refreshing vocals and catchy, breezy guitar-rock sound.
Among their songs, “By My Friend” became a huge hit—especially on social media—propelling them into the spotlight with younger listeners.
Formed in 2019, they secured a major-label debut just four years later in 2023, making them one of the hottest up-and-coming bands.
Even if you don’t usually listen to rock bands, many of their tracks are easy to get into, so if you’re curious, why not take this chance to give them a thorough listen?
Sweet RainWOLF HOWL HARMONY
The audition “iCON Z ~Dreams For Children~” was held by LDH, and WOLF HOWL HARMONY is the vocal and rap group formed from its participants.
The group’s name was chosen because it’s made up of members who are like wolves howling.
Their appeal lies in their stylish style that fuses singing and rap into one.
Give them a listen and see for yourself.
Summer Snowkrage
Krage is also a next-generation artist who’s getting a lot of attention right now.
She originally performed as part of a band, but made her solo debut as a singer-songwriter in 2020.
Her popularity took off after cover song videos she posted on YouTube caught on.
Since then, she’s been very active, including handling the opening theme for a popular anime.
She released her first mini-album in 2022, so starting with that is recommended—you can fully enjoy her beautiful singing voice.
Enjoymei-chan
Mei-chan is a singer and artist who is active as a member of the YouTuber group “Niku Chomolungma,” alongside fellow utaite Gero.
She also has a background as a Vocaloid producer, showcasing solid composition skills and her versatility as an artist.
Having continued her career as an utaite for many years and gradually gaining recognition, Mei-chan’s popularity surged further with the 2023 song “Enjoy,” provided by Yujin Kitagawa.
Its selection as a theme for Fuji TV’s “Mezamashi 8” was also significant, helping her become known across a wide range of age groups.
Her light, buoyant singing voice is one of her defining traits, and you can strongly feel her joy for music through her vocals and performance.
