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 Big Breaks to Watch: Japanese Artists You Should Check Out Early (51–60)
New DimensionShin-Tōkyō
A rising guitar-less band formed in 2021.
Comprised of current university students, they won the Grand Prix in an Eggs contest the year they formed.
Riding a wave of momentum, they made their live debut at Zepp Tokyo and released their debut single.
Their unique approach to songwriting—first discussing a theme, then crafting songs around it—is also compelling.
They’ve been steadily gaining attention, having been featured on TV Asahi’s “Kanjam Kanzen Nen SHOW” and taking the top spot on a J-WAVE program.
A must-listen for anyone who wants to feel the current of new music.
STARSw.o.d.
Riding a huge wave of momentum, the band w.o.d.
scored a hit with “STARS,” the opening theme for the popular anime BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Separation.
The name w.o.d.
stands for “webr ing odd duckling,” meaning “a duck that can’t swim.” They reportedly picked cool-sounding words from a dictionary and forcibly rearranged them to create it.
The trio from Kobe consists of vocalist-guitarist Takuya Saito, bassist Mackay, and drummer Motoyoshi Nakajima.
If you love unadulterated, high-precision grunge rock, they’re a must-check!
it takes twoego apratment
Ego Apartment is a musical unit consisting of three members: Dyna on bass, Peggy Doll on guitar and vocals, and Zen also on guitar and vocals.
If you were to translate “ego apartment” into Japanese, it might be something like “a dwelling for the self.” Each member writes songs, which suits the name perfectly.
It’s hard to categorize their music as R&B, electronica, hip-hop, or anything else—no matter which track you listen to, it undoubtedly feels one-of-a-kind.
If you listen to one of their signature songs, “it takes two,” you’ll definitely be hooked!
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.
[2026] Next Break Artists to Watch. Japanese Acts You Should Check Out Early (61–70)
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.
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.