J-MELO: Season 22
Season 22 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 21.
- 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 22 Progress Shield
Virtual Artist Special: HIMEHINA
Feb 8, 2026 · 28 min
Experience the cutting edge of Japanese entertainment as we turn the spotlight on virtual artists. This week, a female duo with over 600 million video views: HIMEHINA.
Virtual Artist Special: HOLOSTARS
Feb 15, 2026 · 28 min
Experience the cutting edge of Japanese entertainment as we turn the spotlight on virtual artists. This week, the all-male VTuber group HOLOSTARS.
Anisong Special
Mar 15, 2026 · 28 min
Join May J. for great Japanese music! This week: a special packed with anisong fan favorites. Plus, popular anisong act MYTH & ROID are in the studio to chat and perform.
Omiya Hiyori, GOOD BYE APRIL, and nishina
Mar 22, 2026 · 28 min
Join May J. for great Japanese music! This week, three exciting young acts who are all on the rise: Omiya Hiyori, GOOD BYE APRIL, and nishina. Plus, May J. sings!
MAZZEL and Moriguchi Hiroko
Apr 5, 2026 · 28 min
Great Japanese music this week: rising eight-member dance-vocal group MAZZEL; and Moriguchi Hiroko, who debuted with the MOBILE SUIT Z GUNDAM theme and has celebrated her 40th anni
NOA and DEZOLVE
Apr 12, 2026 · 28 min
Great Japanese music this week: NOA, an up-and-coming singer, dancer, and actor who trained in South Korea before debuting in Japan; and DEZOLVE, a young fusion band with dazzling
WHITE SCORPION, Mahiru, and BIGMAMA
May 10, 2026 · 28 min
Tune in to J-MELO for Japanese music! This week: a live special with exclusive performances from idol group WHITE SCORPION, singer-songwriter Mahiru, and five-piece rock band BIGMA
GLIM SPANKY and ailly
May 17, 2026 · 28 min
Tune in to J-MELO for Japanese music! This week: GLIM SPANKY (known for their one-of-a-kind rock sound) and singer ailly (also popular as a member of the all-female band Gacharic S
Tsubaki Factory and Fukuhara Miho
Jun 7, 2026 · 28 min
Tune in to J-MELO for great Japanese music! This week: Tsubaki Factory (a popular group in the Hello! Project collective) and Fukuhara Miho (a singer-songwriter with a soulful voic
Aoi Eir and GPP
Jun 14, 2026 · 28 min
Tune in to J-MELO for great Japanese music! This week: Aoi Eir (an anisong diva with a brand-new release) and GPP (an 8-piece all-female group with their sights on going internatio
Live Special Vol. 2
Jul 5, 2026 · 28 min
Tune in to J-MELO for great Japanese music! This week, a live special with four diverse acts: three bands (FIELD OF VIEW, SHE'S, and NEGISHIO TONDON) plus the sana solo project saj
MindaRyn and FREDERIC
Jul 12, 2026 · 28 min
Tune in to J-MELO for great Japanese music! This week: rock band FREDERIC, whose 2014 hit "oddloop" has topped 200 million video views, plus Thai-born anisong singer MindaRyn.
ANGERME and LOVEBITES
Aug 2, 2026 · 28 min
Tune in to J-MELO for great Japanese music! On the show this week: popular Hello! Project idol group ANGERME and internationally acclaimed heavy metal band LOVEBITES.
Yuika and MADKID
Aug 9, 2026 · 28 min
Tune in to J-MELO for great Japanese music! This week: MADKID, a leading male dance-and-vocal group on the anisong scene; and Yuika, a singer-songwriter with a rapidly growing inte
Ado
Aug 23, 2026 · 28 min
Tune in to J-MELO for great Japanese music! This week: Ado, the most-streamed Japanese artist overseas. Discover what makes her unique as an artist.
Live Special Vol. 3
Oct 4, 2026 · 28 min
This week, a live special with four-piece vocal and rap group WOLF HOWL HARMONY from EXILE TRIBE, all-female group MISS MERCY, all-female heavy metal band Zilqy, and Jimbo Akira's
ANRI
Oct 11, 2026 · 28 min
This week, we welcome ANRI, one of Japan's most celebrated female vocalists, who is also popular overseas. We explore the timeless appeal of her music as she celebrates 48 years si