J-MELO: Season 19
Season 19 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 18.
- 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 19 Progress Shield
OxT and Hayami Saori
Feb 6, 2023 · 28 min
Join May J. for great Japanese music! This week: digital rock duo OxT and singer (and voice actor) Hayami Saori. Both acts work on anime, and they’ll both be in the J-MELO studio t
Nagie Lane and Nakajima Takui
Feb 13, 2023 · 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! This week: six-piece a cappella group Nagie Lane, who blend city pop and dance music; and rock singer Nakajima Takui, who writes songs for Hello! Pr
wasuta and LOVEBITES
Mar 6, 2023 · 28 min
Join May J. for great Japanese music! This week, wasuta (a four-member idol group requested by viewers outside Japan) and heavy metal band LOVEBITES will be in the J-MELO studio to
STU48 and YABIxYABI
Mar 13, 2023 · 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! This week, STU48 (a Setouchi-based idol group formed six years ago) and YABIxYABI (a two-piece band with addictive lyrics and music) are coming to c
Mashiko Tatsuro and EBiDAN
Apr 10, 2023 · 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! This week, Mashiko Tatsuro (a singer-songwriter who made his songwriting debut 21 years ago) and EBiDAN (a collective of young artists) are coming t
GALNERYUS and Terashima Yufu
Apr 17, 2023 · 28 min
Join May J. for great Japanese music! This week, Terashima Yufu (a solo idol since 2013) and five-piece metal band GALNERYUS are coming to chat and perform.
Masa Takumi and MANOA
May 8, 2023 · 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! This week, Masa Takumi is performing two pieces from an album that won a Grammy this year. Plus, we'll meet MANOA, a newcomer who just made her majo
Mayumura Chiaki and Tielle
May 15, 2023 · 28 min
Join May J. for great Japanese music! This week: Mayumura Chiaki (an idol who sings with her guitar and self-made backing tracks) and Tielle (a singer getting attention for anime a
ASTERISM and KIM SUNGJE
Jun 5, 2023 · 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! This week: three-piece band ASTERISM, who are creating a buzz with metal covers of anisongs; and solo singer KIM SUNGJE, who's also in South Korean
THE SUPER FRUIT and LEGO BIG MORL
Jun 12, 2023 · 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! This week: seven-piece boy band THE SUPER FRUIT, who win fans on social media; and three-piece rock band LEGO BIG MORL, who made a second major-labe
MAZZEL and ukka
Jul 3, 2023 · 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! This week: dance-vocal group MAZZEL, who had over six million views for a music video before their debut; and idol group ukka, who made their major-
Ishikawa Kurena
Jul 10, 2023 · 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! This week: bassist-vocalist Ishikawa Kurena (a rising jazz star discovered by renowned pianist Ozone Makoto); and a performance by May J. of our clo
THE 50KAITENZ and Murakami Keisuke
Aug 7, 2023 · 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! This week, Osaka-based three-piece rock band THE 50KAITENZ (together for 19 years) and soulful-voiced singer-songwriter Murakami Keisuke are coming
FRUITS ZIPPER and Gakugeidai Junes
Aug 14, 2023 · 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! This week: FRUITS ZIPPER (an idol group with 800 million social media video views) and Gakugeidai Junes (a dance-vocal group who move between two an
Aida Rikako and NINGEN ISU
Oct 2, 2023 · 28 min
Join May J. for great Japanese music! This week, artist and voice actress Aida Rikako and internationally popular rock band NINGEN ISU are coming to chat and perform.
hockrockb and Tokyo Rikisha
Oct 9, 2023 · 28 min
Join May J. for great Japanese music! This week, hockrockb (a hot young rock band) and Tokyo Rikisha (a group who also share Japanese culture as rickshaw pullers) are coming to cha
Psycho le Cému and Miyamoto Karin
Nov 6, 2023 · 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! This week: 5-piece rock band Psycho le Cému (together for 24 years) and super-expressive ex-Juice=Juice idol Miyamoto Karin. Both acts are coming to
meme tokyo. and Kizuki Minami
Nov 13, 2023 · 29 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! This week: meme tokyo. (a six-member girl group who made their major-label debut in 2021) and Kizuki Minami (a hugely talented singer from the islan
WENDY and natuecoco
Dec 4, 2023 · 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! This week: young rock band WENDY (together since 2020) and virtual creator natuecoco (popular for social media livestreams). Both acts are coming to
Qujila Yoluno Machi and Keichan
Dec 11, 2023 · 28 min
Join May J. for great Japanese music! On the show this week: Qujila Yoluno Machi (a band that creates fantasies) and virtuoso freestyle pianist Keichan. Both acts are coming to cha