HANABIE.

Formed in Tokyo in 2015, HANABIE. brings together four musicians from the same high school: Yukina on vocals, Matsuri on guitar and vocals, Hettsu on bass, and Chika on drums. They first came together through a shared love of Maximum the Hormone in their school’s light music club. After starting out as a cover band, HANABIE. quickly moved on to writing their own material and self‑released a debut single in 2016, then independently built a catalog blending metalcore, hardcore punk, and nu metal. That heavy, rhythm‑driven foundation is paired with J‑pop‑leaning melodies, electronic passages, and a visual aesthetic drawn from Harajuku fashion—summed up by the band as “Harajuku‑core.” A first album arrived in 2021, followed by HANABIE.’s signing to Epic Records Japan (Sony Music Japan) and, in 2023, the release of their second album, Reborn Superstar!, which coincided with expanded tours and festival appearances outside Japan. In 2024, HANABIE. became the first Japanese band since X Japan—and the first all‑female Japanese band—to perform on Lollapalooza’s main stage. Several of the band’s songs have been used in the drama Kenshiro ni Yoroshiku, the variety show Kannai Devil, and as opening themes for the anime series Momentary Lily and Araiguma Calcal‑dan.