I want to hear how you got into listening Japanese music!
For me, I can barely remember where it started. I knew about the existance of girlgroups like AKB48 and anison since I was a kid due to my sister being into anime but it never clicked much with me.
But somewhere 2017~2018 I somehow started to listen to Chanmina, who I still like. I have no clue how I got there anymore. Around that time, I also started listening to TeddyLoid and a few others.
2021 was the real turning point. I was mainly listening to Kpop at the time and releases where a bit dissapointing lately. Then Koda Kumi’s Doo-Bee-Doo-Bob got recommended on my YT list and I was hooked. 2 years later she’s my 2nd most-listened artist of all time, with only Bruce Springsteen above her. Having a 20 year long discography really gives you a lot of stuff to listen to 😅.
But it also showed me a whole other side of Jpop that was quite clicking with me. Up beat, high attitude, and not-cute. I got into more singers like Ayumi Hamasaki, Namie Amuro, Mika Nakashima, Tomomi Itano, Faky, Happiness, and more. Jpop has become a common genre I listen too, and a big part of my CD collection.
How about you guys?!
Fishmans, because that live is amazing and legendary (probably found it in some comment on some other obscure song on Youtube). And also anime movies from big name studios and directors. I don’t know more than 3 words in Japanese and it’s probably for the best. Easier to enjoy and make up my own lyrics based on the feel I get from a song.
PS. I’d appreciate if more of you used links for the media you mention in comments (to your favorite song if it’s an artist, movie, etc), it’s easier to expand the knowledge by just middle-clicking than copy-pasting, and also easier for those like me that don’t know any Japanese - searching in hiragana / katakana isn’t easy
I’ve added some links! Tried to go for something iconic/representable on my fav list and tried to choose one with MV if possible. Koda Kumi got 2, an iconic one and the specific one mentioned. I skipped AKB48 since I don’t listen to that so I can’t really choose something iconic and representable for their style as well and I don’t want to do them dirty.
Springsteen isn’t Japanese at all, but I added a link for the sake of it.
Also added 2 more artists, because why not.