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.