A huge thanks to you guys and to CyberGhostVPN for sponsoring the video. You can check out the offer through the link below! www.cyberghostvpn.com/NihonJohn
Any chance you could make a video on Momoclo (or the individual members)? It's hard to find info on them and any info is vague but as far as I know is they are the biggest in Japan with their huge concerts and various tv shows and being big enough to go against Kohaku, and also being voted most popular female group 2012-18 and 2020-22 so wanted clarification on this and know more about them as they also can get married but continue with success which is different to idol groups, so I think it would be an interesting video.
It would be interesting to see a video on the very unique sort of sex-appeal of the AG act. On the one hand it trashes the schoolgirl fetish thing, on the other it seems to drive guys crazy.
Nice history, but you should have mentioned that in 2019 AG! were dropped by their Japanese record label, Victor Entertainment. They have spoken about that being a difficult time for them as they didn't have much funding and were performing to audiences of just a few people. Signing with 88Rising and working with Money Mark in California seems to have reinvigorated them and opened their eyes to the world outside Japan.
@@nodreams_5258 Not right now. Their newer music is distributed digitally by 88Rising and is available on Spotify, etc. There is a direct to consumer vinyl LP of AG! Calling.
After being a fan for a few years and finally seeing them in concert a few nights ago, these girls truly don't get enough recognition for how skilled, talented, and hardworking they are. Great video!
Thank Money Mark, Klang Ruler and Yonkey. They’re a lot better and know what they’re doing now. They made it more theatrical in their concerts in the US. It’s more transparent than it used to be.
And there is also a thing that you don’t know: Ado and Suzuka (AG) are old friends, from the time when they were not famous, but were just starting out
I always find either completely unpopular channels or popular ones, this is my first time coming across one that’s getting their first sponsor and in the middle of reaching fame LOLOL Great video btw :3
I just saw them in Boston and my God I was blown away. One of the best live performances of music and dance that I've ever seen. These girls are TALENTED. Congratulations on your sponsorship! Your videos are top-notch and you deserve it ^_^.
I saw them at HITC LA last year and it was brutal hot but they danced like champs on stage. They outshined groups like XG and other kpop dancers in the heat. Also they were featured in one of captain disillusions's videos
The costume IS fundamental: Four different people, all wearing the same thing: No leaders, yet all wearing a striking red arm-band. Their dancing is ballistic: flying off in all directions and then forming back together in perfect drill order. It´s military one moment, teen-agers the next. They are excellent actors, and seem utterly genuine. It´s GENIUS, whether planned or by accident. If it was all planned, I hope someday to learn who planned it.
We just seen AG! in Chicago a week ago. The show was fantastic, and their stage performance was out of this world. So glad we made the trip it was a once in a lifetime experience.
Great channel and congratulations on your sponsor. You do a great job, speaking English and Japanese with legit pronunciation (I assume I am not Japanese). Your research of AG's "mysterious" origin story and deconstruction is best I have heard. Like these lady, very entertaining. I only know of Tokyo calling. Big Band Maid fan. Japanese girl groups rock.
another great video!! I like that your data is checked and that you are not the typical channel that gives uncheckable information just to cause morbidity. It is also appreciated that you choose this type of bands, for Latinos or at least for me it is quite difficult to find out about these things from this side of the world. I hope one day you make a video about Minami 373off, she is my favorite Japanese artist. Greetings from Argentina!
I will always be curios about how they actually met, but even without knowing the truth, I know that these girls have worked their absolute hardest to achieve everything that they have achieved. These girls have seemingly been through the TRENCHES and I only hope that they continue to grow and reach their very highest of hopes and dreams. They deserve all of it, and more!!!!!
Big fan since 2021, last June I got the chance to watch them live in Barcelona They were amazing and one of the highlights of this years Primavera Festival outcrouding Charlie XCX
i discovered them about a year and a half ago i followed them on Instagram and tiktok and i never though i would see them live but now i have seen them twice during this tour, now i am addicted to them
ATARASHII GAKKO !!!🔥🎶 AG! One of a kind! SUZUKA! 🤘💖 Salute to these four unique, authentic, talented and very entertaining ladies. Thank you for this awesome video.
They have more in common with some of more indy Japanese female rock bands - hanabie most notably and also bandmaid who came together in their early twenties and never had a conventional idol/Jpop style contract. I think this is the way ahead. Much higher level of independence but still with the Japanese principle of "practice practice practice". "I get up and do 30mins of guitar exercises, then three hours of guitar and three hours of composition" kanami tono of bandmaid, eleven years into her career in the band. They now are entirely under their own management company. This is the way ahead. I think scandal did something similar (but it might be someone else).
I saw them at a secret performance at Contact in Dogenzaka before the place got shut down. Never before had I ever seen a room full of people rave with 4 girls dressed in all-black schoolgirl uniforms. Without a doubt one of if not the greatest nights of all time I've ever had in Tokyo.
I'm proud to say that I've been a fan when no one knew who they were, and they were just starting off on UA-cam doing comedy skits. It was through their silly videos that I was introduced to their music, and I've been hooked ever since. As always another great video by a great Channel❤
If you're thinking of Seishun Academy it's not that old. IMO their older videos when they perform as underground idols are better (search for the live at The Roxy from 2018)
@Emeric62 I've been following them at least for 5 years. Possibly longer, my sense of time isn't the greatest. I believe this was after their first album, and they were running around making comedic videos on UA-cam. When I first saw them . it was through comedy, not music. That's the funny part.😃
There is absolutly nothing wrong with the leaders....absolutly nothing. Fact: They bring tons of Joy to more and more people in the world and that really counts !!!!
i like them a lot even tho their music is different from what im used to listen to but they still have bangers still waiting on my request for kuromiya rei and kaneko rie who are duo as REIRIE now and used to be ladybaby keep the vids coming 🤘
Excellent video but left a bunch of stuff out and felt a little rushed. I have been a fan since last year (I first saw them on Kimmel), and finally got to see them live at the Seattle show, where, at one point, Suzuka ran right up to me! One of the best concerts I’ve seen outside of Bowie, and all their hard work and dedication shows!
A request for another japanse group you should do a video on: "Avantgardey". A dance group who's signature is: "A mysterious school uniform with bob hair" who in my mind REALLY became world known when they participated on America's got talent in 2023 but also also when the collaborated with Steve Aoki at the GMO music festival in Japan in 2023
@@korosuke1788 LOL, that's funny. Did you see Perfume's new album Nebula Romance Part 1? It's outstanding. The group has been around for 25 years. Longer than the girls from Atarashii Gakko have been alive and they are still fantastic. Sure people get hyped over the latest greatest thing (not discounting the work Atarashii Gakko put in). But they haven't hit the level of somebody like Perfume, AKB48, KPP or many others. If Atarashii Gakko "graduated" or whatever in the next few years in a decade or so most won't remember them. But the groups I mentioned are iconic in the history of Jpop. AKB48 is hitting 20 years next year. They are updating the theater and I expect big things.
Nice video, just popped up in my recs, big fan of this group; have you done any videos on BiS? I had a scroll but didn't see any, that's another group with a very individual vibe, and their film fictionalising their formation is very entertaining too. Nogizaka46 have some good films and shows too, maybe a video on film and drama works by idol groups would be possible?
They're hardly sticking out. Having experienced the stigma of sticking out in Japan, I take issue with that statement. They conform very nicely to Japan's "weird" niche so while they may not be seen as mainstream, they're very well accepted.
Atarashii Gakko! not idols, legit music and dance live perfomers: Suzuka is a Rock star! All of them, Rin, Kanon, and Mizyou are Superstars! 🙌 2023, and 2024 they broke through with legendary live performances!
Congrats John on getting your sponsor! It's well deserved. I do want to point out a few things. First, I think the "most famous girl group" from Japan currently is Perfume, not AG. Nothing against the group, but they don't have museums that tour Japan built in their honor, nor have they even come close to what Perfume has done and continues to do. But I get it... saying that AG are the most famous girl group makes for a catchy title for the UA-cam video. Just a minor shake of the head on that one. The more important thing I want to point out is that AG certainly carried themselves as idols until they exploded, thanks to their labels putting in a lot of hard work to push them everywhere in Japan a few years back. I have been working in the idol industry here in Tokyo for many years, and I remember very clearly AG constantly performed with groups like Lilii Kaona and Yanakoto Sotto Mute, and weren't even the headliners in these shows. Of course, I also remember every idol who appeared on these taibans would come out of the gakuya and watch AG perform, and AG certainly had their share of fans, but they were kind of mid-tier idols for a long time. I hate that they gave up on calling themselves "idols," as though that word is a dirty word or a bad thing to be considered. They were chika idols and acted as such, doing cheki and playing with chika idols. In the case of Perfume doing the same thing, it made sense, given that Perfume made an appropriate switch to the "artist" label in Japan, which that distinction is important for many reasons I won't list here. But Perfume didn't toil in the chika idol scene like AG did, and I think AG owes a lot of their success to being idols and performing to many people who spread word about their live events via word of mouth from going to their underground shows. I mean, I'm a nobody, and I even could talk freely with them at live events and did several times (The girls were always really funny, but also kind of shocked to see a white dude in the chika idol scene way back when there was all but two total gaikokujin in the industry. I remember Suzuka kind of having a really funny reaction to me first, thinking I snuck into a live event before a show started, until the producer of the show told them I was staff. Even then she couldn't wrap her head around it). Anyway, my two cents. They are and most certainly will always be idols to many people who remember back when that's all they did was perform with idols and act like idols and associated with idols. Overall, good job with another kind of basic video introduction to this group. Keep up the good work!
I respectfully disagree. Perfume is still going incredibly strong globally. AG are right now really hot which is great for them. However, I wonder about their staying power? Perfume has been a global name for YEARS. And with no sign of slowing down either, having released their latest album and preparing for another major tour. It is not so easy for Perfume to tour overseas due to their often elaborate electronic stage setup. AG are a one trick pony, offering dance only as a visual stage wise (though they are incredible dancers… even if they don’t dance in heels like Perfume do). Not to mention Perfume’s producer is a bona fide genius who has given Perfume hit album after hit album. AG are trending now. And I think I can name one song by the group. I think saying Perfume is passed up is not really a comparison that can be backed up. Case in point: i saw exactly zero foreign fans at so many live events in Tokyo when AG! Were chika idols. Now they got the Japanese culture loving foreign fan squad repping them. But Perfume overseas fans are legions of fans who have been holding Perfume up globally for DECADES. It remains to be seen if AG will pass up Perfume, simply because the fanbase they have now are brand new fans who I wonder if they can even name more than one song like I can, or even quote lyrics. I am not bashing the fans though! Just please support AG! And remember always who paved the way for groups like AG! to be heard globally. Much love to all of you!
@@DerekVasconi I'm a Japanese AG fan. I think AG also started with auditions, like discovering idols. However, what makes them different from other Japanese idols is that they themselves have taken singing and dancing lessons since childhood. SUZUKA said she wanted to be a comedian who could sing and dance, and the other three said they wanted to be dancers or dance teachers. I don't think their original dream was to be an idol. When I say idol, I mean a woman who wears costumes that make people aware of her breasts, waist, and buttocks, and is a symbol of the opposite sex that she admires. And as AG became more famous, some people in feudal Japan began to feel a repulsion towards them because they looked like idols and didn't look like idols. AG had fun using the girls' dance skills to express the worldview of the song. If they do that, they will face backlash in Japan if they are considered a group that doesn't look like idols. Because of that background, MIZYU doesn't care what you call it. However, we answered in interviews that we want to be artists of expression. I think there are differences in the nuances of idols in Japan and overseas.
@@petitbois2272 I want to address two of your points. First, you mentioned that what makes them different from other idols is that AG have been taken singing and dancing lessons since childhood. That doesn't make them different at all than other idols. In fact, I personally know at least 100 or so idols who have been singing and dancing since they were kids and in fact wanted to grow up to be idols or do something with standing on a stage and performing. One girl in particular is probably the best vocalist I've ever heard, pro or amateur, because her mother taught her how to sing when she was just out of diapers and she's never stopped training. So no, AG is not different at all than other idols for this reason. However, this statement you said: " idol, I mean a woman who wears costumes that make people aware of her breasts, waist, and buttocks, and is a symbol of the opposite sex that she admires" --- Whaaaaat? Did you seriously just write this? I work in the idol industry here in Tokyo. I've been in the industry a long time. This kind of statement is absurd. Idols are not defined by their issho, even if it is sexy. I work with a ton of idols who don't show anything at all to their fans as far as their body goes. In fact, they pride themselves on not doing so, because they want their fans to focus on the music and their dancing abilities. Please check this kind of irrational thinking at the door. As for AG, I'm a fan, okay? Not trying to tear them down at all. I am just saying that I knew them before they became "artists" and also saw them at shows I worked at many times in which they weren't even the headliners and were mid-tier on the taiban card and they fully embraced being idols back then. I wish they would continue to do that now, or at the very least, not reject the idea of being an idol group, since there is nothing wrong with being an idol group. The problem is when people adapt insanely judgmental and completely wrong ideas about what "idols" are because they probably watched too many videos of stupid youtubers going to Japan and attending an idol show and then having a typical "Westerner" reaction to what they saw, with virtually no context whatsoever of what they had just seen, as idol shows carry with them the need to understand the long history and culture behind it. AG should be proud of the fact that they were idols, not try to hide it, because they certainly did hide that fact when they were taking money from their fans when doing cheki with them at those taibans. I remember.
Were you in the idol industry? If that's the case, I think there is a difference in perception between people in the industry and the general public. I don't know if AG is hiding the fact that she was an idol. However, if they declared themselves idols, I think it was inevitable that they would receive backlash if they didn't act like regular idols. Because even in AG's hard-core Gakuran performance video, it would have been better if SUZUKA-chan had done this in a kunoichi costume. Because I found this comment from a man. Japanese idols must first be appreciated by men. Isn't this trend still very strong here in Japan?
I always thought that Suzuka is the leader. I think I even saw some YT videos, that said that shés the leader. If not, I would have guessed RIn… but Mizyu I wouldńt have guessed.
I know your channel is about otaku culture but can you make a video about Junichi Kato cheating scandal? It’s looks like he go through situation unscratched when Ai Hongo(mistress and JAV actress) go radio silence
They’re not idols. They’re iconoclastic. They overturn the image of a quiet schoolgirl. It’s satire and social commentary that school sucks. They’ve actually improved now and moved out of the Seishun era, an updated perspective.
as expected, you dont become idol by packing your school buddies in a garage like music band, you become idol only if you train: sing, dance, model, actor and get hired in child show industry. often below 12yo. then you need good work, skill, tenacity, and also luck, because you dont choose what you perform, adult choose for you.
Obviously, you don't know Suzuka is not the only talent in her family and actually has an older sister (Sakika) who was rather famous before her, leading the pop-rock band "Girlfriend" as singer/guitarist. Both (and their third elder sister too) attended the Caless Vocal & Dance School in Osaka (... just like Scandal actually).
If it wasn’t for Money Mark, Klang Ruler and Yonkey we wouldn’t get really great best hits. Unfortunately Snacktime was their weakest album and In humble contrast the song Fantastico was really good.
These girls are kind of the antidote to them - especially their new Maximum the Hormone collab. Babymetal are part of a great live performance but they are absolutely created and their early history is pretty cringe. Not disrespecting the members nor the Kamiband but the Fox God is absolutely in charge. Kept them totally incommunicado and in the dark regarding their future during covid and while they came of age and able to sign in their own names - very manipulative. Only their personal relationship with big name western artists probably prevented them being switched out for other young kids well before they grew up. They're more successful because they didn't but that wasn't plan A. They seem to have had virtually zero socialising with other Japanese female rock artists, but the Kamiband are friends with bandmaid and others. Like I say they're really nice hardworking young women but there is a lot wrong in their history. They got lucky I think because the festival scene meant they formed direct relationships with established older artists who knew how showbiz worked. Just my opinion, I'm sure they've had some great times but not always. Covid came at exactly the right time for their managers.
Idk if i like them yet or not.... the music is kinda generic pop and not that interesting, and the dance moves in the music videos seem repetitive across their music video catalog.
Search for their older music from the Victor Entertainment era like Koi Geba, Koi No Shadanki. It looks like their new label has discovered the formula that sells and now they stick to it
Well, within the Japanese structure they are being very individualistic. They are wearing school uniforms that had regulations, and the one thing that wasn't regulated was the socks, so they made that their own. Even the uniforms themselves are them being individualistic, because when they were formed, they didn't like the over sexualized and gaudy outfits that asobisystem wanted them to wear, so they stuck with their school uniforms.
@@roberthradek7100 There are some early photos of AG! in really garish costumes and I'm glad they decided on the school uniforms and let their personalities and talent be the most prominent things about them.
I think they were more creative under Victor Entertainment, like they where tryng in every direction. 88rising found the formula to monetize them, I'm happy for their success, but they got a bit too mainstream for me and it shows that they catter for their new audience (english words in every song, gimmick dance moves, less daring music choices). As @cuttysark says they "opened their eyes to the world outside Japan". It was fun around 2018 to watch them perform in underground venues in front of real Otakus, now they perform at Coachella and that's not the kind of stuff I'm into (I like underground idols with a strong interaction with their audience - like the girls who bring water guns to shoot at their fans 🙃- which makes the live sessions infinitely superior to the studio). Also that VFX guy Captain Disillusion made their channel completely mainstream, it was interesting to read meaningful comments from long-time Japanese fans, now it's plastered with comments from noobs like "what's the name of the short one"...
I feel you 1000% unfortunately. They were so much more interesting musically before. Now they just cater to the mainstream TikTok/K-pop masses. Which is great for them, I have nothing but respect for their hard work, that's just not what I'm interested in.
A huge thanks to you guys and to CyberGhostVPN for sponsoring the video. You can check out the offer through the link below!
www.cyberghostvpn.com/NihonJohn
Any chance you could make a video on Momoclo (or the individual members)? It's hard to find info on them and any info is vague but as far as I know is they are the biggest in Japan with their huge concerts and various tv shows and being big enough to go against Kohaku, and also being voted most popular female group 2012-18 and 2020-22 so wanted clarification on this and know more about them as they also can get married but continue with success which is different to idol groups, so I think it would be an interesting video.
It would be interesting to see a video on the very unique sort of sex-appeal of the AG act. On the one hand it trashes the schoolgirl fetish thing, on the other it seems to drive guys crazy.
Nice history, but you should have mentioned that in 2019 AG! were dropped by their Japanese record label, Victor Entertainment. They have spoken about that being a difficult time for them as they didn't have much funding and were performing to audiences of just a few people. Signing with 88Rising and working with Money Mark in California seems to have reinvigorated them and opened their eyes to the world outside Japan.
California loves them (I live here)
wait so they don’t have a japaness label now?
@@nodreams_5258 Not right now. Their newer music is distributed digitally by 88Rising and is available on Spotify, etc. There is a direct to consumer vinyl LP of AG! Calling.
After being a fan for a few years and finally seeing them in concert a few nights ago, these girls truly don't get enough recognition for how skilled, talented, and hardworking they are. Great video!
Where did you see them? Just saw them at their first appearance in Boston.
@@Michael_Audie I saw them in Boston too.
@@jaked8792 I put some videos from that show up on my channel.
@@jaked8792 me three. I was very happy with the Roadrunner location too. The show was incredible.
@@Michael_Audie Same here! From being a fan for about a month to craving another concert! Such a great show!
Not gonna lie. They make non-stop Bangers. 🔥
I'm old and they got me spinning my cane around like I was Fred Astaire.
Thank Money Mark, Klang Ruler and Yonkey. They’re a lot better and know what they’re doing now. They made it more theatrical in their concerts in the US. It’s more transparent than it used to be.
And there is also a thing that you don’t know: Ado and Suzuka (AG) are old friends, from the time when they were not famous, but were just starting out
are they? if i remember correctly, they weren't friend, but Ado was fan of them , she watched AG's concert before they get famous.
I have a lot of respect for these girls. Been a fan of them only a couple of weeks ago. Wish them nothing, but the best.
I always find either completely unpopular channels or popular ones, this is my first time coming across one that’s getting their first sponsor and in the middle of reaching fame LOLOL
Great video btw :3
Thanks :3
I found them on UA-cam around 2019 and been a fan ever since.
They stole my ❤️ with their cuteness, music, voices and vibes. Amazing girls!
This group deserves the world.
i think they are at a point where they can make their own label
I just saw them in Boston and my God I was blown away. One of the best live performances of music and dance that I've ever seen. These girls are TALENTED.
Congratulations on your sponsorship! Your videos are top-notch and you deserve it ^_^.
Thank you! 😁
Not really into Japanese music, but I always watch new AG videos because their choreography is so good. I could never move like that.
Just saw them in concert on Thursday. They are such a talented group of performers and I highly recommend seeing them in person if you can.
I saw them at HITC LA last year and it was brutal hot but they danced like champs on stage. They outshined groups like XG and other kpop dancers in the heat.
Also they were featured in one of captain disillusions's videos
The costume IS fundamental: Four different people, all wearing the same thing: No leaders, yet all wearing a striking red arm-band. Their dancing is ballistic: flying off in all directions and then forming back together in perfect drill order. It´s military one moment, teen-agers the next. They are excellent actors, and seem utterly genuine. It´s GENIUS, whether planned or by accident. If it was all planned, I hope someday to learn who planned it.
their rebellious message makes sense since they did a video with MTH
We just seen AG! in Chicago a week ago. The show was fantastic, and their stage performance was out of this world. So glad we made the trip it was a once in a lifetime experience.
Great channel and congratulations on your sponsor. You do a great job, speaking English and Japanese with legit pronunciation (I assume I am not Japanese). Your research of AG's "mysterious" origin story and deconstruction is best I have heard. Like these lady, very entertaining. I only know of Tokyo calling. Big Band Maid fan. Japanese girl groups rock.
Thank you!!🙏
These girls are amazingly talented! I was so happy to see them live just a couple weeks ago!!
Cheers on your first sponsor and thanks for the documentaries
another great video!!
I like that your data is checked and that you are not the typical channel that gives uncheckable information just to cause morbidity. It is also appreciated that you choose this type of bands, for Latinos or at least for me it is quite difficult to find out about these things from this side of the world.
I hope one day you make a video about Minami 373off, she is my favorite Japanese artist.
Greetings from Argentina!
Thank You 🦊
.
👍
Just saw them live in Atlanta. It was so fun
Suzuka is forever a QUEEN
They are very lucky, as their work has finally paid off. ❤❤
Ever thought of doing a LiSA video? Great work on the channel!
Thanks! 😁
I will always be curios about how they actually met, but even without knowing the truth, I know that these girls have worked their absolute hardest to achieve everything that they have achieved. These girls have seemingly been through the TRENCHES and I only hope that they continue to grow and reach their very highest of hopes and dreams. They deserve all of it, and more!!!!!
Some of what they went through made me feel more than a little sad, to be honest.
Saw them live on their world tour, absolutely amazing, the best show in my life
Great video!
Thanks!
Just saw them live yesterday in Washington D.C. 👍
Big fan since 2021, last June I got the chance to watch them live in Barcelona
They were amazing and one of the highlights of this years Primavera Festival outcrouding Charlie XCX
Saw them in Boston last week. Incredible.
i discovered them about a year and a half ago i followed them on Instagram and tiktok and i never though i would see them live but now i have seen them twice during this tour, now i am addicted to them
ATARASHII GAKKO !!!🔥🎶
AG! One of a kind!
SUZUKA! 🤘💖
Salute to these four unique, authentic, talented and very entertaining ladies.
Thank you for this awesome video.
👍
Solid stuff there. I dig AG, but I also dig good research and background. Thanks.
👍
lets goooo atarashll gakko tokyo calling
i am a fan since late February this year and finally waiting for the world tour finale in los Angeles. looking forward to see them finally live
Great video! Just one note: there technically isn’t a single leader in Atarashii Gakko because all of them are leaders!
They say it themselves so it’s true she is the leader, but they mean it in a non-serious way which is why I said it as quote unquote leader.
hell yeah I can’t wait to see them next week
Loved this video! Seeing them in Austin TX 10/15!!!!!
They have more in common with some of more indy Japanese female rock bands - hanabie most notably and also bandmaid who came together in their early twenties and never had a conventional idol/Jpop style contract. I think this is the way ahead. Much higher level of independence but still with the Japanese principle of "practice practice practice".
"I get up and do 30mins of guitar exercises, then three hours of guitar and three hours of composition" kanami tono of bandmaid, eleven years into her career in the band. They now are entirely under their own management company.
This is the way ahead. I think scandal did something similar (but it might be someone else).
I saw them at a secret performance at Contact in Dogenzaka before the place got shut down. Never before had I ever seen a room full of people rave with 4 girls dressed in all-black schoolgirl uniforms. Without a doubt one of if not the greatest nights of all time I've ever had in Tokyo.
They were also on Jimmy Kimmel Live
i just was in their concert ❤ i love Suzu so muuch!
I'm proud to say that I've been a fan when no one knew who they were, and they were just starting off on UA-cam doing comedy skits. It was through their silly videos that I was introduced to their music, and I've been hooked ever since. As always another great video by a great Channel❤
If you're thinking of Seishun Academy it's not that old. IMO their older videos when they perform as underground idols are better (search for the live at The Roxy from 2018)
@Emeric62 I've been following them at least for 5 years. Possibly longer, my sense of time isn't the greatest. I believe this was after their first album, and they were running around making comedic videos on UA-cam. When I first saw them . it was through comedy, not music. That's the funny part.😃
@@franzhaas5597 When I first saw them, I wondered why they claimed to have No Leader when Suzuka was clearly the leader 🤣
@@Emeric62 that's what I first thought😃
I always thought Suzuka was the leader lol
They’re awesome. Hannako was the video that introduced me to them. Been a fan since.
Congrats on your first sponsorship 🎊 🎉
Thanks! 😊
Malaysia Love Atarashii Gakko!!!Atarashii Gakko the best group in the world💪🔥♥️💪🔥🇲🇾💪🔥💪🇲🇾♥️🇯🇵
I do like me some Atarashii Gakko. They got some good songs and I enjoy the music they have done.
I recently saw them at a sold out show. It’s kinda like they came out of nowhere and just blew up. I consider them an anti-idol group.
There is absolutly nothing wrong with the leaders....absolutly nothing.
Fact: They bring tons of Joy to more and more people in the world and that really counts !!!!
First Babymetal after atarashi gakko. This alternative girl groups AWESOME
I first heard of them from the captain disillusion video with them in it.
My fav girl group lets go
My girls! I love them
i like them a lot even tho their music is different from what im used to listen to but they still have bangers
still waiting on my request for kuromiya rei and kaneko rie who are duo as REIRIE now and used to be ladybaby
keep the vids coming 🤘
Have girls on each song on 3 productions choreography (small, medium and large hall). And they do choreography for other bands
Congrats for the sponsorship! Can you do Beruha (Bellring Shoujo Heart) next?
Excellent video but left a bunch of stuff out and felt a little rushed.
I have been a fan since last year (I first saw them on Kimmel), and finally got to see them live at the Seattle show, where, at one point, Suzuka ran right up to me!
One of the best concerts I’ve seen outside of Bowie, and all their hard work and dedication shows!
After seeing the last video, I was gonna ask if you were planning to do a video on AG! The timing is perfect for that Part Two World tour.
Ah! I love this band! Nice
A request for another japanse group you should do a video on: "Avantgardey". A dance group who's signature is: "A mysterious school uniform with bob hair" who in my mind REALLY became world known when they participated on America's got talent in 2023 but also also when the collaborated with Steve Aoki at the GMO music festival in Japan in 2023
They also went to Americas got talent or something similar to that.
Not a school uniform. Just a uniform.
@@BentoBoxBobbyTV And they almost won.
I'm a fan of Atarashii Gakko but I wouldn't call them Japan's most famous girl group. AKB48 and Perfume are more well known as an example.
He probably asked 15-year olds. They are very famous among teens. But yeah, I agree. They are not at the top.
@@korosuke1788 LOL, that's funny. Did you see Perfume's new album Nebula Romance Part 1? It's outstanding. The group has been around for 25 years. Longer than the girls from Atarashii Gakko have been alive and they are still fantastic. Sure people get hyped over the latest greatest thing (not discounting the work Atarashii Gakko put in). But they haven't hit the level of somebody like Perfume, AKB48, KPP or many others.
If Atarashii Gakko "graduated" or whatever in the next few years in a decade or so most won't remember them. But the groups I mentioned are iconic in the history of Jpop.
AKB48 is hitting 20 years next year. They are updating the theater and I expect big things.
Nice video, just popped up in my recs, big fan of this group; have you done any videos on BiS? I had a scroll but didn't see any, that's another group with a very individual vibe, and their film fictionalising their formation is very entertaining too. Nogizaka46 have some good films and shows too, maybe a video on film and drama works by idol groups would be possible?
Great video, John!! Thank you for all your hard work and research!!! Please do a video on Going Steady / Ging Nang Boyz!!!
They're hardly sticking out. Having experienced the stigma of sticking out in Japan, I take issue with that statement. They conform very nicely to Japan's "weird" niche so while they may not be seen as mainstream, they're very well accepted.
7:45 -- ayo what??? 😭😭😭
Going to see them in...9 days in Hollywood.
Atarashii Gakko! not idols, legit music and dance live perfomers: Suzuka is a Rock star! All of them, Rin, Kanon, and Mizyou are Superstars! 🙌 2023, and 2024 they broke through with legendary live performances!
because idols aren't "legit music and dance live performers" ? lol
@@TheLeomarti 😙
Very interesting would you be able to do a video about Gackt please 🙏
Great video, but there is one tiny mistake: "Snacktime" isn't a single, it's an EP.
Unfortunately that was their weakest album expressed by heresay in the Reddit community.
Their collab with Maximum the Hormone (a J-Metal band!) made me admire these girls for their versatility.
Congrats John on getting your sponsor! It's well deserved.
I do want to point out a few things.
First, I think the "most famous girl group" from Japan currently is Perfume, not AG. Nothing against the group, but they don't have museums that tour Japan built in their honor, nor have they even come close to what Perfume has done and continues to do. But I get it... saying that AG are the most famous girl group makes for a catchy title for the UA-cam video. Just a minor shake of the head on that one.
The more important thing I want to point out is that AG certainly carried themselves as idols until they exploded, thanks to their labels putting in a lot of hard work to push them everywhere in Japan a few years back. I have been working in the idol industry here in Tokyo for many years, and I remember very clearly AG constantly performed with groups like Lilii Kaona and Yanakoto Sotto Mute, and weren't even the headliners in these shows. Of course, I also remember every idol who appeared on these taibans would come out of the gakuya and watch AG perform, and AG certainly had their share of fans, but they were kind of mid-tier idols for a long time. I hate that they gave up on calling themselves "idols," as though that word is a dirty word or a bad thing to be considered. They were chika idols and acted as such, doing cheki and playing with chika idols. In the case of Perfume doing the same thing, it made sense, given that Perfume made an appropriate switch to the "artist" label in Japan, which that distinction is important for many reasons I won't list here. But Perfume didn't toil in the chika idol scene like AG did, and I think AG owes a lot of their success to being idols and performing to many people who spread word about their live events via word of mouth from going to their underground shows. I mean, I'm a nobody, and I even could talk freely with them at live events and did several times (The girls were always really funny, but also kind of shocked to see a white dude in the chika idol scene way back when there was all but two total gaikokujin in the industry. I remember Suzuka kind of having a really funny reaction to me first, thinking I snuck into a live event before a show started, until the producer of the show told them I was staff. Even then she couldn't wrap her head around it).
Anyway, my two cents. They are and most certainly will always be idols to many people who remember back when that's all they did was perform with idols and act like idols and associated with idols.
Overall, good job with another kind of basic video introduction to this group. Keep up the good work!
Perfume may be the most famous inside Japan, but globally, AG has way passed them up.
I respectfully disagree. Perfume is still going incredibly strong globally. AG are right now really hot which is great for them. However, I wonder about their staying power? Perfume has been a global name for YEARS. And with no sign of slowing down either, having released their latest album and preparing for another major tour. It is not so easy for Perfume to tour overseas due to their often elaborate electronic stage setup. AG are a one trick pony, offering dance only as a visual stage wise (though they are incredible dancers… even if they don’t dance in heels like Perfume do). Not to mention Perfume’s producer is a bona fide genius who has given Perfume hit album after hit album.
AG are trending now. And I think I can name one song by the group. I think saying Perfume is passed up is not really a comparison that can be backed up. Case in point: i saw exactly zero foreign fans at so many live events in Tokyo when AG! Were chika idols. Now they got the Japanese culture loving foreign fan squad repping them. But Perfume overseas fans are legions of fans who have been holding Perfume up globally for DECADES. It remains to be seen if AG will pass up Perfume, simply because the fanbase they have now are brand new fans who I wonder if they can even name more than one song like I can, or even quote lyrics.
I am not bashing the fans though! Just please support AG! And remember always who paved the way for groups like AG! to be heard globally. Much love to all of you!
@@DerekVasconi
I'm a Japanese AG fan.
I think AG also started with auditions, like discovering idols.
However, what makes them different from other Japanese idols is that they themselves have taken singing and dancing lessons since childhood.
SUZUKA said she wanted to be a comedian who could sing and dance, and the other three said they wanted to be dancers or dance teachers.
I don't think their original dream was to be an idol.
When I say idol, I mean a woman who wears costumes that make people aware of her breasts, waist, and buttocks, and is a symbol of the opposite sex that she admires.
And as AG became more famous, some people in feudal Japan began to feel a repulsion towards them because they looked like idols and didn't look like idols.
AG had fun using the girls' dance skills to express the worldview of the song. If they do that, they will face backlash in Japan if they are considered a group that doesn't look like idols.
Because of that background, MIZYU doesn't care what you call it. However, we answered in interviews that we want to be artists of expression.
I think there are differences in the nuances of idols in Japan and overseas.
@@petitbois2272 I want to address two of your points.
First, you mentioned that what makes them different from other idols is that AG have been taken singing and dancing lessons since childhood. That doesn't make them different at all than other idols. In fact, I personally know at least 100 or so idols who have been singing and dancing since they were kids and in fact wanted to grow up to be idols or do something with standing on a stage and performing. One girl in particular is probably the best vocalist I've ever heard, pro or amateur, because her mother taught her how to sing when she was just out of diapers and she's never stopped training. So no, AG is not different at all than other idols for this reason.
However, this statement you said: " idol, I mean a woman who wears costumes that make people aware of her breasts, waist, and buttocks, and is a symbol of the opposite sex that she admires"
--- Whaaaaat? Did you seriously just write this?
I work in the idol industry here in Tokyo. I've been in the industry a long time. This kind of statement is absurd. Idols are not defined by their issho, even if it is sexy. I work with a ton of idols who don't show anything at all to their fans as far as their body goes. In fact, they pride themselves on not doing so, because they want their fans to focus on the music and their dancing abilities. Please check this kind of irrational thinking at the door.
As for AG, I'm a fan, okay? Not trying to tear them down at all. I am just saying that I knew them before they became "artists" and also saw them at shows I worked at many times in which they weren't even the headliners and were mid-tier on the taiban card and they fully embraced being idols back then. I wish they would continue to do that now, or at the very least, not reject the idea of being an idol group, since there is nothing wrong with being an idol group. The problem is when people adapt insanely judgmental and completely wrong ideas about what "idols" are because they probably watched too many videos of stupid youtubers going to Japan and attending an idol show and then having a typical "Westerner" reaction to what they saw, with virtually no context whatsoever of what they had just seen, as idol shows carry with them the need to understand the long history and culture behind it.
AG should be proud of the fact that they were idols, not try to hide it, because they certainly did hide that fact when they were taking money from their fans when doing cheki with them at those taibans. I remember.
Were you in the idol industry?
If that's the case, I think there is a difference in perception between people in the industry and the general public.
I don't know if AG is hiding the fact that she was an idol.
However, if they declared themselves idols, I think it was inevitable that they would receive backlash if they didn't act like regular idols.
Because even in AG's hard-core Gakuran performance video, it would have been better if SUZUKA-chan had done this in a kunoichi costume. Because I found this comment from a man.
Japanese idols must first be appreciated by men. Isn't this trend still very strong here in Japan?
PLEASE DO A VIDEO ON KYARY !!!! 🩷🩷
I always thought that Suzuka is the leader. I think I even saw some YT videos, that said that shés the leader.
If not, I would have guessed RIn… but Mizyu I wouldńt have guessed.
bom video
I know your channel is about otaku culture but can you make a video about Junichi Kato cheating scandal? It’s looks like he go through situation unscratched when Ai Hongo(mistress and JAV actress) go radio silence
2015 is also the same year K-Pop girl group Twice was form
Imagine watamote character become music group tomoko as leader 😂😂😂😂😂
Any bad words about our girls and we're done.
they might be racist
What's the mysterious part of this? I just watched the video, but must have missed that point.
It is never made public how they really met and formed this group. Have they been casted or did Mizyu form the group, who plays the music?
Can you make a video on yonezu kenshine ?
I already did! :)
Don’t slander my girls please
Fr
i hope to one day to be their friend :)
The Ginyu Force.
😂
The Ginyu Force is a parody of Sentai heroes, and going back even further, the poses of Sentai heroes have their roots in Kabuki.
@hiro-zg9tb i don't think I would have ever drawn that inference if you didn't mention it. That's so cool.
YOOOOOOOooooooooooooooo!
Pink Lady. Perfume. AKB48. BabyMetal.......................
They’re not idols. They’re iconoclastic. They overturn the image of a quiet schoolgirl. It’s satire and social commentary that school sucks. They’ve actually improved now and moved out of the Seishun era, an updated perspective.
as expected, you dont become idol by packing your school buddies in a garage like music band,
you become idol only if you train: sing, dance, model, actor and get hired in child show industry. often below 12yo. then you need good work, skill, tenacity, and also luck, because you dont choose what you perform, adult choose for you.
Obviously, you don't know Suzuka is not the only talent in her family and actually has an older sister (Sakika) who was rather famous before her, leading the pop-rock band "Girlfriend" as singer/guitarist. Both (and their third elder sister too) attended the Caless Vocal & Dance School in Osaka (... just like Scandal actually).
BABYMETAL is Japan's most famous girl group.
That was... 2015?
not even close xD
do boa i be happy so
Most famous girl group? I highly doubt that statement.
Which group do you think it is? 🙂
@@DudeJericho AKB48
@@michaelweston1042 Like 10+ years ago...
@@DudeJericho They are the 5th largest selling girl group in the history of the world. According to wiki.
they are great but far from most famous group in japan 😅
Damn
If it wasn’t for Money Mark, Klang Ruler and Yonkey we wouldn’t get really great best hits. Unfortunately Snacktime was their weakest album and In humble contrast the song Fantastico was really good.
Still waiting for babymetal story
There is already plenty of on youtube
These girls are kind of the antidote to them - especially their new Maximum the Hormone collab.
Babymetal are part of a great live performance but they are absolutely created and their early history is pretty cringe. Not disrespecting the members nor the Kamiband but the Fox God is absolutely in charge.
Kept them totally incommunicado and in the dark regarding their future during covid and while they came of age and able to sign in their own names - very manipulative.
Only their personal relationship with big name western artists probably prevented them being switched out for other young kids well before they grew up.
They're more successful because they didn't but that wasn't plan A.
They seem to have had virtually zero socialising with other Japanese female rock artists, but the Kamiband are friends with bandmaid and others. Like I say they're really nice hardworking young women but there is a lot wrong in their history. They got lucky I think because the festival scene meant they formed direct relationships with established older artists who knew how showbiz worked.
Just my opinion, I'm sure they've had some great times but not always. Covid came at exactly the right time for their managers.
Easy tutorial to know if a person/group is an idol or not
do they have any sort of originality/personality? if yes, not an idol
Lol alt-idol does exist and there are a number of idols who do not follow traditional idol ‚rules‘ at all.
@@SebastianW458 alt-idol/anti-idol
>not an idol
lmao you're clueless 😂
alt-idol isn't an actual thing by the way, just a term made up by foreigners who don't know the idol scene
@@TheLeomarti Did you hear? any male singer/group is also a boy band
@@cgigammez5749 Not sure I follow, but I’m not interested in boy bands
Idk if i like them yet or not.... the music is kinda generic pop and not that interesting, and the dance moves in the music videos seem repetitive across their music video catalog.
Search for their older music from the Victor Entertainment era like Koi Geba, Koi No Shadanki. It looks like their new label has discovered the formula that sells and now they stick to it
You’ve never been to a concert. Been there 4 times and it’ll change your mind. Suzuka is crazy.
It’s not something to overthink. You like them or you don’t. I do.
2:49 individuality, but they're all dressed the exact same lmao ok
There is also personality but sure lol
Well, within the Japanese structure they are being very individualistic. They are wearing school uniforms that had regulations, and the one thing that wasn't regulated was the socks, so they made that their own. Even the uniforms themselves are them being individualistic, because when they were formed, they didn't like the over sexualized and gaudy outfits that asobisystem wanted them to wear, so they stuck with their school uniforms.
@@roberthradek7100 There are some early photos of AG! in really garish costumes and I'm glad they decided on the school uniforms and let their personalities and talent be the most prominent things about them.
not always
@@roberthradek7100that was the best idea. They overturn the quiet schoolgirl stereotype.
I think they were more creative under Victor Entertainment, like they where tryng in every direction. 88rising found the formula to monetize them, I'm happy for their success, but they got a bit too mainstream for me and it shows that they catter for their new audience (english words in every song, gimmick dance moves, less daring music choices). As @cuttysark says they "opened their eyes to the world outside Japan".
It was fun around 2018 to watch them perform in underground venues in front of real Otakus, now they perform at Coachella and that's not the kind of stuff I'm into (I like underground idols with a strong interaction with their audience - like the girls who bring water guns to shoot at their fans 🙃- which makes the live sessions infinitely superior to the studio). Also that VFX guy Captain Disillusion made their channel completely mainstream, it was interesting to read meaningful comments from long-time Japanese fans, now it's plastered with comments from noobs like "what's the name of the short one"...
I feel you 1000% unfortunately. They were so much more interesting musically before. Now they just cater to the mainstream TikTok/K-pop masses. Which is great for them, I have nothing but respect for their hard work, that's just not what I'm interested in.
This post reeks of "I listen to bands that haven't even been born yet" 🤣