Recommended Japanese bands for teenage boys

Raise Your FlagMAN WITH A MISSION

MAN WITH A MISSION 『Raise your flag』

I feel like MAN WITH A MISSION has a lot of anime tie-ins.

“Raise Your Flag” is the opening theme for the anime Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans.

Even if you haven’t listened to their songs before, I think when you go through their albums you’ll find yourself thinking, “Oh, I know this one.”

IdentityMY FIRST STORY

MY FIRST STORY – Identity (Audio)

MY FIRST STORY is a four-piece rock band formed in the summer of 2011 in Shibuya, Tokyo.

They’re known for powerful vocals, fast-paced melodies, and lyrics that are both heartrending and passionate.

They released their first album, “MY FIRST STORY,” in April 2012 and have steadily built their career since.

Their 2016 album “ANTITHESE” debuted at No.

4 on the Oricon Weekly Chart.

That same year, they attracted 12,000 fans at a successful concert at Nippon Budokan.

The band’s leader, Hiro, is the third son of former celebrity couple Shinichi Mori and Masako Mori, and his older brother is Taka from ONE OK ROCK.

With fiery live performances and relatable lyrics, their music is a perfect fit for teenage boys.

Highly recommended if you want to dive headfirst into music.

confessionMy Hair is Bad

My Hair is Bad – Confession (Official Music Video)

It seems the vocalist, Shiiki, is hugely popular among young girls, so it’s definitely a band that guys should check out.

I think Shiiki is handsome, but the lyrics are basically on the whiny side.

And for some reason, he’s generally timid.

A handsome guy you can empathize with.

Perfect-Sense DreamerONE OK ROCK

ONE OK ROCK "The Totally Sensational Dreamer"

You hear a lot of ONE OK ROCK in commercials and such these days, don’t you? Their recent songs have a lot of English lyrics, but many of their older tracks are pretty easy to sing at karaoke.

Among them, “Kanzen Kankaku Dreamer” is catchy and highly recommended.

Theory of the Mindful HeartRADWIMPS

RADWIMPS – A Theory of Heart [Official Music Video]

Many people may have come to know them through the movie Your Name.

You probably know “Zenzenzense” and “Sparkle,” but I hope you’ll also give their older songs a listen.

Their lyrics and unique worldview are captivating, and I think you’ll quickly get hooked.

To tell the truth,SHISHAMO

SHISHAMO “Actually, I…”

“SHISHAMO” is a girls’ band, but these two songs told from a boy’s perspective are highly recommended, so I’d love for everyone to give them a listen.

“I Got a Girlfriend” is said to be followed by “Actually, I…,” so try listening in that order.

It’s a love story that looks pure but isn’t pure at all.

Sus4Silent Siren

SILENT SIREN「Sus4」 MUSIC VIDEO

SILENT SIREN, a four-member girls’ band originating from fashion-reader models, enjoys overwhelming popularity among junior and senior high school girls, especially around Harajuku.

They made their major debut in November 2012 with the single “Sweet Pop!” In 2015, they headlined a solo concert at the Budokan in the shortest time in girls’ band history, and have since held shows at Yokohama Arena as well as world tours across Asia and the United States.

While radiating a glittering aura, they’ve also evolved technically and now offer a diverse range of songs.

Each member’s individuality stands out: Aina Yamauchi is also an author of picture books; Sumire Yoshida writes lyrics; and Yukako Kurosaka is active as a DJ—showcasing talents that go beyond the band’s framework.

They’re a perfect band for teenage boys who are just starting to get into music.