Top 10 Favorite Jpop Artists

Ah, this post.

This is something that I’ve actually been meaning to do for some time but have somehow neglected to do so. Actually, I meant to list my “Top 20” aka The JPM Way but I was too tired to do it. So yeah, in the future, there may be a Top 11-20 Fav Jpop Artists. Lame, right?

And for those wondering where the hell I’ve been (yeah, all three of you)-the truth is, I’ve been completely out of tune with the Jpop world. That’s right, I haven’t listened to any new releases since JUNE. I don’t even know what I’m missing besides the new Perfume album. I hope this isn’t a signal for my permanent leave from Jpop but for now…yeah…

So without further ado, here’s my incredibly pathetic Top 10!

1). BoA:

Is anybody surprised by this? I mean seriously, anyone? Okay, so sometimes I get on my Nana-chan StanFan Glasses but BoA’s steeel mah number one. I mean I’ve liked her since I was eleven. I’m seventeen now and she’s  sadly been the most consistent part of my life. And really, what’s hard NOT to like about her? She’s got the vocal talent, dance moves, and LOOKS. “Packaged” as many people say but hey you know what, I’ll take my good and packaged pop with porkchops.
Favorite Song: Kiseki

Favorite Album: VALENTI

2). Nana Mizuki:

Unsurprise #2. I may be vocal about my criticisms (actually I’m like that with everyone) but my fangirl level is through the roof. Nana’s such an amazing singer with consistent (and good) songs and incredible stage presence and performance skills. While her voice may not be the most divalicious of divas, it’s powerful and unique. And really, that’s what sets her above all the other seiyuu and singers.

Favorite Song: Astrogation

Favorite Album: ALIVE&KICKING

3). Namie Amuro:

While I’m not too fond of pre-baby mama Namie (her old style of singing is annoying), hot mama Namie has proved that she is like a musical Jpop goddess with her urban-influenced dance pop songs, awesome dance moves, and sexy low tone. Oh yeah, and she proved that she can, like, belt too. So there goes my tale as a semi-closet fan and I must say that I can’t wait for the $65 BEST FICTION blu-ray to be delivered to my doorstep.

Favorite Song: WILD
Favorite Album: PLAY

4). ayaka:

Besides having a voice to die for, ayaka has songs (that I) think are bloody amazing. While she may not have the clubbangers like those up above, her songs usually grow on me and are great for listening too when I feel sentimental or whatever. Yeah, the First Message era left me wholly unimpressed but by the time Sing to the Sky rolled around, I was sold. I know I’ll miss her terribly when she goes on haitus, the poor girl.

Favorite Song: I’m alone

Favorite Album: Sing to the Sky (she’s got two so far…)

5). Tenjo Chiki:

-4 sexy and talented girls. Check.
-Awesome dance moves. Check.
-Hot dance songs. Check.
-Catchy, amazing ballads. Check.
And it doesn’t help that I have a major girl-crush on LINA. Tenjo Chiki is the BEST Asian girlband in my group (yes, they are Korean) and nothing can change my mind about that (unless another group can prove they’re better). Now if they were just to get rid of DANA…

Favorite Song: Sweet Flower

Favorite Album: Graceful 4

6). Jyukai:

Sometimes all it takes is a live performance to solidiy one’s fandom. And while I was already a big fan of Jyukai, Anime Expo 08 solidified my fandom. Unlike most of the artists above, Jyukai’s music isn’t necessarily as blaring and look-at-me! obvious. Their sound is more of the gentler, polished pop/soft-rock variety. And it’s really damn good. Also their concert at AX made me realize how much Manami’s smooth vocals adds to the quality of their music. It’s a shame that they are so underrated, though with their long hiatus; it was well deserved. But they are releasing their third album in winter so make sure to give them the pity sales they need.

Favorite Song: Sakasete wa Ikenai Hana

Favorite Album: Harvest

7). K

Another Korean? Well yeah and there’s a fun little story behind him too. So I “discovered” him (I feel like I’m talking about a rock now) during the m-net concert in Budokan. Yeah, at that time, I had NO FRIKIN CLUE who the hell he was and was there for BoA. But I was pretty amazed that unlike most of the other pretty-boy, lipsynching acts; this dude could SING. And his songs were GOOD. Oh and he was cute (in a non-plasticy way) too. I guess those are three factors that kept my fandom through his tanking career (though song quality also tanked a lot with it). What can I say, he’ll always be the guy that made me jawdrop back in Japan and that’s what keeps his place here.

Favorite Song: Over..

Favorite Album: Beyond the Sea

8). SOULHEAD

First off, WHERE THE HELL ARE THESE GIRLS? I swear they sailed off the edge of this planet. Anyways, I discovered them through an ANIME MAGAZINE out of all the places (bloody random) and since their discography has been musical crack for me. They are consistent song after song with their polished R&B and AMAZING harmonies that are just great to listen to after a long day of work. And the girls can both sing and RAP well. It’s a shame this talent duo is MIA right now because I’m still waiting for their comeback.

Favorite Song: Step to the New World

Favorite Album: Naked

9). Miho Fukuhara

Hello, newcomer to the list. Yeah, Miho wouldn’t be anywhere in this list pre-2009 since I didn’t even know she existed then. But her AMAZING debut album, Rainbow, and soulful, Christina Aguilera-reminiscent vocals (though admittedly less talented than Xtina) sealed the deal for me. I don’t think she’s released a single song that’s disappointed me (except for b-sides) and I’m expecting more awesomeness from her in the future.

Favorite Song: HANABI SKY

Favorite Album: RAINBOW (by default)

10). w-inds.

HAHAHAHAHA. Yeah, w-inds. has been more something of a “past love” for me (think back to 2004/2005) but fact is that they have TONS of amazing, catchy dance songs that outweigh most of the recent crap they’ve been sprouting these days. And unlike most boybands, they have a vocalist (Keita) that can SANG. WELL (and there’s the catch). A part of me is semi-embarassed that they’re on the list but with releases like CAN’T GET BACK, it gives me hope.

Favorite Song: CAN’T GET BACK

Favorite Album: PRIME OF LIFE

Useless Statistics:
Anison Artists: 2/10
Male Artists: 2/10 (WTFFFFFFF, seriously)
Artists That Can’t Dance to Save Their Lives: 5/10
Artists That Can Sing Well: 10/10 (HELL YEAH)
Seiyuu: 1/10
Artists That Regularly Sell More 10k Copies: 7/10
Korean Artists: 3/10
Fugly Artists: 2/10

All right now. It’s YOUR turn now, kiddos. What’s YOUR Top 10 List of Jpop Artists?