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!

Playlist

2026: Next Break to Watch. Japanese Artists to Check Out Early
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	catnapLeina		A 19-year-old singer from Machida, drawing attention with delicate lyrics and musicality.
2	Bunny GirlAKASAKI		An 18-year-old singer-songwriter from Aichi, a rising prodigy drawing attention in the music scene
3	agitationretororiron		Four-piece band with diverse musical backgrounds and a unique sound
4	nevermindmuque		muque, a band from Fukuoka with diverse musicality
5	Indomitable FlowerjioOji		The music of jioOji, a rising star from Tottori
6	Send To Youluv		A five-piece band from Kansai with a 90s-style soul sound
7	Heisei Romance of the NightFirst Love is Never Returned		A five-member band from Hokkaido, advancing with rich musicality
8	dark; obscure; dim; the netherworld (poetic/literary)Chevon		The moving music of the up-and-coming rock band Chevon
9	Tonight’s fightmeiyo densetsu		Honorary Legend attracting attention with a new music style
10	Music PrisonerSabasusutā		The new music of a rapidly rising girls' band
11	Dancing on the MirrorTomei		A new female singer recommended by Yojiro Noda is popular on TikTok.
12	First Love Killernozomi		Multi-creator Noshii draws attention with her unique music.
13	Flying TokyoCHO CO PA CO CHO CO QUIN QUIN		The unique charm of CHO CO PA CO’s blend of electronic and folk music
14	A cowboy’s catchphraseInoue Sonoko		From Shonan, stirring the heart with original music
15	I’m about to cry.The Otals		A rising star unit specializing in shoegaze
16	Ainori Reunionpachae		The achievements of the genre-blending band pachae
17	Last live showBurandē Senki		The rise and allure of an emo rock band from Osaka
18	Diveziproom		A hip-hop unit from Kobe taking on the world
19	To You at DawnTOMOO		Piano-rock charmer TOMOO draws attention with her songs
20	salad bowlAooo		Aooo is a musical collective of distinctive members.
21	YOUNG TOWNPEOPLE 1		PEOPLE1, a colorful and modern music group
22	See with inner double eyelidsHaku.		Haku, an Osaka-born band drawing attention for their youth and originality
23	Love markerPenthouse		A twin-vocal band from the University of Tokyo; their music is outstanding.
24	SchoolChilli Beans.		Chilli Beans. is a three-member band that moves people
25	Azure Swimnishina		Nishina’s singing voice is drawing attention.
26	CheckmateCLAN QUEEN		CLAN QUEEN, where music and visuals converge
27	tuki.		tuki.'s song is gaining attention on the music charts
28	AtamiKroi		A genreless, catchy music band
29	Today’s recommendationrikon densetsu		A Japanese duo known for their original, captivating music
30	Dinner Songtuki.		The music of tuki., active on the internet
31	Reincarnationrokudenashi		Carrot's Vocaloid Producer Project
32	I don’t suit youyutori		Yutori: A band from the 'relaxed generation' is gaining attention.
33	The long skirt billowsConton Candy		Three-piece band Conton Candy from Tokyo
34	TokyoYukiguni		A band from a snowy country gaining attention for their delicate music
35	paletteeill		eill, a highly anticipated solo artist representing the Reiwa era
36	Useless crossjo0ji		The heartfelt musical activities of jo0ji from Tottori
37	How to Love AfterimagesTele		Tele, who is taking the music scene by storm with literary lyrics
38	Reason for existenceKokona -KOKONA-		Young singer Kokoro Ai's emotionally rich musical activities
39	Two-Person PlanWurtS		A musician whose social media presence has made them popular, transcending genres.
40	fragrant olive (silver osmanthus)murasaki ima		A multitalented rookie artist drawing attention with a husky singing voice
41	transparentLaura day romance		A band with the scent of J-pop and UK alternative
42	RippleAo		Ao, whose singing voice is clear and richly expressive
43	backlightBILLY BOO		Black music from Sendai, a unique sound
44	crashSugawara Kei		Kei Sugawara, a rising singer drawing attention from YouTube
45	Crush CoreTyrkouaz		Twin neo-mixture rock band
46	I want to be your lover.Chōkyūmei		Cho Kyumei, a rising young band
47	Suzunari Memoriesthe molars’		The Appeal of Hiroshima Punk Band the 奥歯’s
48	STARSw.o.d.		Introduction to the band w.o.d., performers of the theme song for the anime BLEACH
49	Tokyoyangusukinii		Young Skinny, a four-member band formed through social media
50	stoppage timeNoda Megumi		Emi Noda, a singer-songwriter with outstanding vocal ability
51	Delusional scriptwriting activityasmi		asmi is a highly anticipated young singer
52	D♡VE QUEENSARM		Jazz-oriented female artist SARM makes a major breakthrough
53	MoveYukichi Kasaku/men		Experimental music created by multi-creators
54	Anthem of CounterattackRyukku to soine gohan		The success of backpack and sleeping-together rice
55	SSMEPK shampoo		A noisy, captivating rock band on the rise
56	Summer breeze, you and I in lovekatakoto		A skilled middle school rock band born in 2000
57	super wobblyNekura Tōkī		Nekritalkie, poppy and distinctive
58	accent colorBialystocks		A duo band that fuses visuals and music
59	LOG OUT4s4ki		4s4ki, an innovator in music and fashion
60	mid-20syui nishio		A rising singer-songwriter from Nagoya
61	Starry NightYuka		Rising artist Yuka draws attention with her beautiful voice.
62	Toryanseatarashii gakkou no rīdāzu		Sailor-uniform dance unit, original
63	New DimensionShin-Tōkyō		A guitarless college band, an up-and-coming new act
64	grand opening performanceKobayashi watashi		A distinctive singer-songwriter active on YouTube
65	Boys Don’t CryYOAKE		A band that uses a different vocalist for each song
66	it takes twoego apratment		A three-member music unit with a captivating, distinctive musical style.
67	ObsessedAyumu Imazu		While rooted in R&B and pop, dance…
68	Let’s keep smilingkawanishi natsuki		A singer from Nara known for their captivating mid-to-low vocal range
69	SCREAMWENDY		WENDY is a rock band from Setagaya.
70	Duckykankan		Mr./Ms. Kankan, a mysterious singer, is popular.
71	run.CVLTE		CVLTE, a modern music band from Sapporo
72	With you, on Earth8		Mr. 8, popular on TikTok, captivates with relatable lyrics.
73	Don’t get my hopes up.maharājiyan		An eccentric singer-songwriter wearing a turban
74	ShortcutPerushikaria		Led by indie rock band frontman Yui Yaguchi
75	Selfish girlfriendAkiyama Ritsuki		Ritsuki Akiyama from Saitama, a singer in the spotlight
76	Sweet RainWOLF HOWL HARMONY		A vocal and rap group with wolf-like howls
77	GREENAPPLE4na		Singer-songwriter originating from the internet
78	TokyoTetsukaze Tōkyō		Introduction to the musical activities of the Sendai rock band Tetsukaze Tokyo
79	300 yenotonari ni ginga keikaku		A four-member band from Nagoya is active.
80	rendezvousshaitoopu		Shytope, a rock band that sings about everyday life
81	A sky from some dayA Natsume		A soothing artist of the rooftop
82	Summer Snowkrage		Pay attention to the music of next-generation artist krage
83	The whereabouts of my beloved.bokula.		The young rock band bokula. is gaining attention.
84	Enjoymei-chan		Mei-chan, a versatile singer and composer
85	Baby, baby, baby!neguse.		A four-piece band from Nagoya, known for their charming smiles and music.
86	Your Dreamland4s4ki		The appeal of 4s4ki, known for her diverse music
87	From here onkepura		Kepla is a rock band full of youthful vibes.
88	Future IslandMori Calliope		Hololive rapper Mori Calliope is active in the English-speaking world
89	A world without youto shiki		Toshiki, popular on social media, draws attention with songs that evoke empathy.
90	0 to 10Bleecker Chrome		The music of Bleecker Chrome, a prodigy honed in New York
91	In Love with the Mirrorraisan		A band garnering attention for its distinctive music and praise
92	Don’t die!kocchi no kento		Kento Sugo, who performs music under the name “Kento.”
93	Sentimental KissShio Reira		Reira Shio, a rising new artist gaining attention for her unique music
94	Double Double FIGHT!CANDY TUNE		The idol group CANDY TUNE, popular on social media
95	DropHANA		New diversity-focused idol group HANA is thriving
96	CANDYICEx		A teen music unit born from EBiDAN
97	Rock This Partytimelesz		13-year group evolves as timelesz
98	Wonderlandkyururin tte shite mite		A next-generation idol group for the social media era—one to watch!
99	Youth Fantasy PoemHakanasono		The Music and Allure of Hakanen, Singing of Youth’s Ephemerality
100	I knowammo		Ammo, a three-piece band from Higashi-Osaka, a group of highly skilled musicians