Ooooff, I don’t even know where to begin… I have too many things I like in Japanese music.(Hypnosis Mic best music anime)
In the “mainstream” media, I’ve been in love with LiSA’s work since I first started watching anime with SAO, so she’s been my n°1 for a while. As for male singers I’d go with “Kenshi Yonezu”. Outside of the “mainstream”, I’m obsessed with Saori Hayami so I’m constantly hearing all of her albums and “Character songs”. I also really like “Konomi Suzuki” songs.
Recently I also got into Visual Kei since the genre of music is right up my alley. I really enjoy “KAMIJO” and “HIZAKI”, from their solo work to their participation in bands.
As for Japanese bands:
- For Power Metal, I enjoy “Galneyrus”, “Unlucky Morpheus”, “Concerto Moon” among some others.
- For J-rock my all-time favorite is “FLOW”. I also like “Back-on”, and “Man with a Mission”, Crush 40, (and many others). And “Wagakki Band”, these guys are amazing.
- For J-pop BoA is my favorite, but I can listen almost anything. And “DEEN” as well.
- For J-folk, “Shikata Akiko” is the best thing I ever heard, she is sooooooo freaking good. I also enjoy “KOKIA” a lot.
- For J-musical projects, “Hypnosis Mic” is my n°1, but I quite enjoy “Ensemble Stars” and “ACTORS”.
- For J-rap/hip-hop I like “DOTAMA”, his voice is really unique. “R-Shitei” is also really good.
Now for the big boi… Japanese composers since it’s what I listen to the most.
I don’t quite have a favorite, there are waaaaaay too many I like:
-
“Falcom Sound Team jdk”. (Legend of Heroes games). Only bangers produced…
-
Yuki Kajiura (composer of SAO, KnY, Fate, Madoka, Xenosaga)
-
Yasuharu Takanashi (Naruto, Fairy Tail, Log Horizon)
-
Joe Hisashi (Ghibli)
-
Keiichi Okabe (NieR, Darkengard)
-
Yasunori Mitsuda (Xenoblade/saga/gears, Chrono Cross/Trigger)
-
Nobuo Uematsu (Square/Enix)
-
Go Shiina (Tales of Zestiria/Legendia/Luminaria, God Eater, KnY)
-
Motoi Sakuraba (waaaay too many to mention)
-
Koji Kondo (a.k.a LEGEND, Nintendo)
-
Shoji Meguro (ATLUS games)
-
Junichi Masuda (Pokemon)
Conclusion. I FREAKING LIVE JAPANESE MUSIC!!! It’s simply TOO good, I’m always listening to it. And I feel bad for not mentioning many others.