akamonkai_online Introduction
Learning a new language is not always easy. In fact, from time to time, it can become stressful. A lot of it revolves around showing up to lessons, taking notes, speaking, reading, listening, writing, and a lot of practice to internalize all of it.
Sometimes, learning a new language can get overwhelming, and the process can feel repetitive. Learning Japanese does not have to be that way, however. The rich pop culture of the country comes with a lot of entertainment, making it possible to study Japanese online while relaxing. Music is one way you can do this.
We will be going over some of the most popular musical genres in Japan, as well as some prominent artists for each genre. The Japanese music scene is massive, although this is a good starting point. Here are some Japanese music genres & artists for those looking to study Japanese online while having a good time. You might find some familiar names!
J-pop
Japanese Pop, also known as J-pop, includes a wide range of sounds, such as pop, electro, dance, rock and it even has elements of traditional Japanese music. Its Japanese roots give the genre a unique sound, which has succeeded in reaching world-wide popularity. This is largely due to the genre’s massive industry, as well as its ability to blend elements of the Western pop sound within its own vibrant mix. This is a well-rounded genre to look into, if you want music to help you study Japanese online!
Hikaru Utada
Hikaru Utada, born in NYC to a family of musicians, broke into the scene in the late 90’s. She is a pioneer of J-pop, famous for incorporating R&B into her music. Utada’s bicultural background gave her a unique vision that would become extremely influential for the genre, but that is not all. Being bilingual, she writes lyrics in both English and Japanese, which gives her a lot of international reach as well. Some of Utada’s most popular songs are “First Love”, “Automatic” and “One Last Kiss”.
Arashi
Arashi(which translates directly to “storm”) are a J-pop boy band, famous for dominating the charts in Japan, as well as selling millions of albums worldwide. The group consists of five members. Their self-titled breakout single came out in 1999, and to this day they maintain over a million monthly streams on Spotify. The influence of Arashi is known for shaping the J-pop music genre into what it is today. If you’re looking to study Japanese online while enjoying a creative approach to the J-pop sound, check them out!
Yoasobi
Speaking of worldwide fame, Yoasobi is a more modern J-pop group, formed in 2019. Their song “Idol” was the first Japanese song to land on the Billboard Global charts. Yoasobi are a fun duo to listen to while you study Japanese online, as their musical concepts usually revolve around short stories and novels.
J-rock
Japanese rock, or J-rock, is a popular genre of music in Japan. It is also one of the Japanese music genres with the most international reach. J-rock incorporates influences from Western rock in the 1960’s, though the genre has evolved to a point where it is incredibly unique and impossible to replicate.
Without further ado, let’s go over some of the biggest J-rock artists in Japanese pop-culture:
Babymetal
If you enjoy mashups, Babymetal might be your band. They are a group of three whose discography is built on a fusion of Japanese idol pop and heavy metal. This sound is recognized as “kawaii metal”(which translates to “cute metal”), and it has stood the test of time. The upbeat, yet intense energy of Babymetal has won the hearts of many listeners worldwide and built a loyal audience for the trio.
One Ok Rock
One Ok Rock are a pillar of modern J-rock, still active to this day since their debut in 2005. Their discography is mostly consistent to J-rock, with some punk, alt and emo influences. They are known for their incredible energy while performing live. You may notice this fun fact if you study Japanese online:
The band’s name was originally “One O’Clock”, though there is no “L” sound in Japanese, which led the band to rolling with the mispronunciation and renaming themselves to “One Ok Rock”.
The Gazette
The Gazette is a J-rock band famous for their experimental discography, and their creative approach to making music. They are known for consistently evolving their sound while remaining true to the visual kei rock style that defines their sound.
Japanese Hip Hop
Japanese Hip Hop is the term that encompasses the rap scene of Japan. The genre is quite popular within the country, and it has been making international waves as well. The distinct production, captivating flow, and masterful pen game has given Japanese Hip Hop artists a lot of shine over the past few decades, in Japan and worldwide.
The world play that is prominent in the hip-hop genre, together with the slang and pop-culture references, make the genre very accessible for learners looking to study Japanese online through music.
Teriyaki Boyz
The Teriyaki Boyz are an influential Japanese Hip Hop group, with a unique mix of members. The group consists of Ilmari and Ryo-Z from Rip Slyme, Verbal from M-Flo, rapper Wise and DJ Nigo, who is also the founder of the popular fashion brand “A Bathing Ape”. The Teriyaki Boyz have an accessible discography, partially thanks to their numerous collaborations with world-famous artists(Daft Punk, Jay-Z, Kanye West etc). Reading into their lyrics allows you to study Japanese online while listening to artists you’re familiar with. Their biggest song is “Tokyo Drift” from the movie Fast & Furious.
RIP SLYME
Rip Slyme is a Japanese Hip Hop group, consisting of five members in its prime: Ryo-Z and Ilmari(who are also in Teriyaki Boyz), Pes, SU & DJ Fumiya. Their classic hip-hop sound, colorful production and innovative vision makes their music very easy to connect with. Music from Rip Slyme can be found all across Japanese pop-culture, in shows, games, films etc. They have a loyal fanbase, and are a great group to look into if you want to study Japanese online while enjoying a passionate performance.
AK-69
AK-69 is an influential Japanese Hip Hop artist, who is known to have a loyal following both locally and internationally. His music is known for its versatility and substance, which are qualities often lacking in the Hip Hop genre. AK-69’s dedication to his craft over the past two decades solidifies him as one of the most influential rappers in the Japanese scene today.
Anison
The anison genre has a unique standing in the Japanese music scene. It consists of typically energetic songs that play before the episode of Japanese anime TV shows. Therefore, if a song is selected to open for a show, it is considered “anison”.
The “genre” is not bound to one style of music, although most of it is high-energy J-pop and J-rock. With the rise in popularity of anime as a media, there are a vast amount of hits that fit this category, as well as prominent artists who built their discography upon it. Although the following artists fit into other genres, they are in this category due to how iconic their work is to this industry.
The music videos for this genre often include lyrics in English, kanji and romaji, which makes them very easy to follow for those looking to study Japanese online.
UVERworld
UVERworld are a J-rock band, whose contributions to the anime scene are beloved by viewers around the world to this day. Notably their debut single, “D-Technolife”, is a fan-favorite opening song from the massively influential “Bleach”. Other hits from them include “Core Pride” from “Ao No Exorcist” and “The Promised Neverland”. UVERworld’s distinct style and emotional songwriting make for an immersive experience for those looking to study Japanese online with the help of music.
LiSA
Risa Oribe, known artistically as LiSA, is one of the most recognizable artists in her field, famous for her tracks “Gurenge”, “Homura”, as well as her various openings in the “Fate” series, “Angel Beats” and “Sword Art Online”. It does not end there, though. She has over 30 songs in this genre! Her voice has captured the hearts of many, and several of her tracks are in the conversation of the most recognizable songs in this genre. Her music has elements of J-pop, J-rock and punk.
SID
Although not strictly an anisong band, SID are responsible for some of the greatest hits within the genre. Some of their biggest tracks in the scene are “Ranbu No Melody” in “Bleach”, “Rain” from “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood”, “V.I.P” from “Magi” and “Monochrome No Kiss” in “Black Butler”. Each of these songs are over a decade old, yet they remain beloved by their community and contend for the “fan favorite” title. SID are primarily a visual kei rock band, with a strong discography consisting of 10+ albums and ~40 singles.
Conclusion
Regardless of what kind of music you’re into, the Japanese music scene has something for everyone. If you want to engage yourself more with your Japanese lessons, try to study Japanese online by simply listening to songs. The artists mentioned earlier are a good starting point, and there are no limits.
Feel free to explore your music taste, and learn some Japanese along the way! This will be refreshing, you will feel more engaged with learning the language. Additionally, it will supplement the knowledge you acquire in your classes. If you are looking for a place to study Japanese online, take a look at Akamonkai Japanese Language School!
Are there any artists that should’ve made the list? Let us know in the comments!