J-MELO: Season 17
Season 17 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of J-MELO Season 16.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 17 Progress Shield
JOHNNY'S WEST
Apr 5, 2021 · 28 min
Join May J. for great Japanese music! This week, seven-member all-male group JOHNNY'S WEST are coming to chat and perform. They'll be performing 4 songs in the J-MELO studio.
Crystal Kay and Yoshizawa Kayoko
Apr 12, 2021 · 28 min
Join May J. for great Japanese music! In the spotlight this week are Crystal Kay and singer-songwriter Yoshizawa Kayoko. They'll both be in the J-MELO studio to chat and perform.
LAST IDOL and Suzuki Konomi
May 10, 2021 · 28 min
Join May J. for great Japanese music! This week, female idol group LAST IDOL and prolific anime singer Suzuki Konomi are coming to chat and perform.
HKT48 and MARiA
May 17, 2021 · 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! Two acts are coming to chat and perform. One is the idol group HKT48. The other is MARiA. She's the vocalist in the duo GARNiDELiA, who've sung lots
ZOC
Jun 7, 2021 · 28 min
Join May J. for great Japanese music! This week, six-member idol group ZOC are in the J-MELO studio to perform three songs including their new release.
SHISHAMO and NMB48
Jun 14, 2021 · 28 min
Join May J. for great Japanese music! This week, three-piece all-female rock band SHISHAMO and Osaka-based idol group NMB48 are in the J-MELO studio to chat and perform.
NGT48 and Chris Hart
Jul 5, 2021 · 28 min
Join May J. for great Japanese music! This week, Niigata-based idol group NGT48 and singer-songwriter Chris Hart (back on the music scene after a two-year hiatus) are coming to cha
ANGERME and Not Equal ME
Jul 12, 2021 · 28 min
Join May J. for great Japanese music! This week, 10-member idol group ANGERME and Sashihara Rino-produced 12-member idol group Not Equal ME are coming to chat and perform.
BIGYUKI and JO1
Sep 6, 2021 · 28 min
Join May J. for great Japanese music! This week, New York-based keyboard player BIGYUKI and 11-member boy band JO1 are coming to chat and perform.
Hikawa Kiyoshi and Takagi Reni
Sep 13, 2021 · 28 min
Join May J. for great Japanese music! This week, ever-evolving singer Hikawa Kiyoshi and Momoiro Clover Z member Takagi Reni are coming to chat and perform.
Kaizo Ryota and MATSURI nine.
Oct 4, 2021 · 28 min
Join May J. for great Japanese music! This week, super-talented singer Kaizo Ryota and the 4 Nagoya-based entertainers of MATSURI nine. are coming to chat and perform.
SKE48 and SCANDAL
Oct 11, 2021 · 28 min
Join May J. for great Japanese music! This week, Nagoya-based idol group SKE48 and four-piece all-female band SCANDAL (now celebrating their 15th anniversary) are coming to chat an
Bullet Train and NAKANEKANA
Nov 8, 2021 · 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! In the studio this week are five-piece dance-and-vocal group Bullet Train and a duo called NAKANEKANA, who are blowing up on social media thanks to
SalsaGumtape and PassCode
Nov 15, 2021 · 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! In the studio this week are rock band SalsaGumtape, who've been playing for over 25 years, and four-piece group PassCode. Both acts are coming to ch
GARNiDELiA and Suzukisuzuki
Dec 6, 2021 · 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! In the studio this week are GARNiDELiA (a duo who work in fields as diverse as Anisongs and fashion) and Suzukisuzuki (2 brothers whose online video
NEW ROTE'KA + J-RECOMMENDS
Dec 13, 2021 · 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! Punk-rock band NEW ROTE'KA are coming to play 3 songs ahead of their first show at the Budokan (after 38 years together). Plus: artists to look out