If you’re an anime fan, then you’ve probably seen a lot of anime openings and know almost half of the words to the song – in Japanese. If you haven’t noticed by now, there’s a lot of fans (and we do mean a LOT) who love K-pop and J-pop. From virtual pop star Hatsune Miku to the all-too-familiar TM Revolution, fans can’t get enough of these awesome musical artists who hail from the land of the rising sun. Tonight we’re going to bring you our Top 5 Japanese Music Artists; who are bands, singers, groups, or DJs!

Number 5: TeddyLoid (Japanese DJ/Producer)

If you’ve ever heard of a little gem called Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt, then you might’ve heard the transformation sequence song that’s tied to the show. TeddyLoid along with Taku Takahashi (who is a part of the Hip-Hop group “M-Flo”), produced the PSG Original Soundtrack as well as PSG: The Worst Album. He’s also done “Me!Me!Me!” along with several other albums and EPs. If you ever get the chance to go to one of his shows (either here in the U.S. or in Japan), you’ll be in for one epic time!

Number 4: The Pillows (Japanese Rock Band)

These guys are kind of a big deal now; especially with the one and only FLCL anime coming back with a second and third season (which you can see on Toonami). If you’ve familiar with this band, then you’ve probably heard the ending track of FLCL called “Shooting Star”. The Pillows have more tracks for the second and third seasons of the anime, plus other songs and albums as well.

Number 3: LiSA (Japanese Singer-songwriter)

You might have heard her voice in a few songs from a few titles like Angel Beats! and Sword Art Online. Risa Oribe better known as ‘LiSA’ is a singer-songwriter from Seki, Gifu who is signed to Aniplex under Sony Music Artists. One of her hit songs “Crossing Field” can be heard on the well-known anime title Sword Art Online (SAO) as it’s opening. There are some anime conventions (like Anime Expo) where fans can see her perform live, so if you’ve never gotten the chance to do so, make it happen! 😉

Number 2: Puffy AmiYumi (Band)

You’d have to go back to the early/mid 2000’s era of Cartoon Network if you’ve never heard of these girls before. Last we checked this band had it’s own cartoon show known as the Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi Show, and later on Teen Titans performing it’s main theme song. Although that era is long gone, these girls can still rock out loud on stage!

Number 1: T.M. Revolution (Music Artist)

Anyone who knows Soul Eater has heard and sung the lyrics to the opening theme at least a thousand times or more. He’s been to and performed at numerous events and cons; especially at Baltimore/Washington’s Otakon. His full name is Takanori Nishikawa, but many of us know him of course as T.M. Revolution. To really get a sense of the type of energy he brings to a crowd, you would have to go to one of his live shows at an anime convention, or even a huge concert.

And there you have it guys n’ gals! That will do it for our Top 5 segment on our favorite Japanese music artists. We’re not through yet however, as we’ve got more exciting filler posts coming up later this week!

Stay gold, my friends! 🙂