While you may expect J-pop Idols to only be found in Japan, you’d be surprised by the amount of groups overseas working on their dance and singing skills to spread their love of Japanese music and idol culture to their own cities.
In Toronto, there were probably groups before this (especially at Anime North, along with maid cafes that previously existed in Markham), but the trend came to stay when opened his maid cafe that had a full time maid idol group, and the group went on to perform outside of the restaurant.
I fell in love with kawaii Japanese songs and dances when I was in high school, around 2010, and started learning some dances on my own. I couldn’t find people with me to join a group and got restless waiting, so I recorded some on my alternate channel, BlackeRoid, around 2016, with my last cover being uploaded after my solo trip to Japan in 2018.
The year after, I saw that Dolly Momoiro was hosting another Japanese event. I attended one as my guitar friend, Yumiko Kurosawa, was performing and he introduced me to her. I asked about dancing and she invited me to be a guest member of Toronto Harajuku Style Dance Team (now rebranded as THS.Go!).
I got to connect with other idols and watch other groups perform then as well. Having felt so along for so long, it was the first time I really felt like I had a community of people who loved Jpop and idol dances as much as me <3 While I did like and learned lots of Kpop dances too, Jpop just has this really sweet charm that really draws the audience in and makes them happy ^_^
So if you didn’t know they existed and are interested in seeing them, read on! If you’re interested in starting your own, hopefully this will inspire you to move forward with your dream 🙂 If you look around on Instagram, you’ll probably find some new groups that are scouting too!
Groups From Ontario
5ynchroniz3
Facebook | Instagram | Youtube
If you love Perfume, this is the local cover group for you! While they haven’t uploaded a cover since before the pandemic, their Facebook and Instagram pages are alive, so they’re here to stay.
9 STarz Idols (Ontario)
Previously named and debuted under “Angelic Angels”, 9 Starz has had some lineup changes. They’re still sorting things out, but feel free to follow them and check out their dances from the Pretty Heroes Convention!
Armonia Idols
Instagram | Youtube
Armonia Idols are a Love Live cover group that got together in 2021. I’m hoping to hear more about them!~
Iota
Facebook | Instagram | Youtube
IOTA is an active performing group in Toronto. They’ve been together since 2017 and according to their Instagram, they do Jpop, Kpop, and Cpop! They have put together some beautiful covers, so be sure to check them out!
R6yale
(Formerly “Mahou Dreamers”)
Linktree | Instagram | Youtube
Mahou Dreamers are a Love Live dance cover group. I first noticed them as they were posting covers and photos during the pandemic, and now they are back it. They have hosted the Pretty Heroes idol showcase twice now and are very active around the city! Be sure to follow them and check them out!
PanPanPancake
Instagram | Youtube
PanPanPancake Dance Group is a J-pop and Vocaloid dance cover group based in Toronto. This group is formed in 2023, and the members have been active at Anime North and Anime Festia. The members hope to spread the joy and passion of J-pop and Vocaloid to you.
RCvde
Facebook | Instagram | Youtube
I can’t believe this group slipped through during my initial research, especially since they were active just before the pandemic started, but I was happy to meet them and see them perform when we both performed at Idol Revolution; The Reunion!
In their own words “We are R•C∀DE (pronounced as arcade). We love to cover jpop, kpop, vocaloid and more. We really don’t set limits to the types of dances we will perform, as we love and accept people of all languages and dance styles! The ∀ of our name is a mathematical equation meaning “for all”, so we pride ourselves to be entertainers for all ages and identities. We believe in dance being a safe place for every one, of every skin colour, gender identity and more. Let’s all have fun and enjoy the world of dance together!
Seraphine Idols!
Website| Instagram
According to their website, “Seraphine Idols is a GTA-based Love Live Idol Group striving to Fly High Together! We perform for idol fans of all kinds at local conventions, make and sell our own merchandise and create plenty of other idol content for our Serafans to enjoy! We have big plans to soar high as we possibly can and bring smiles to people everywhere. We hope you’ll support us along the way!”
Solar Bloom Project
Instagram | TikTok
Solar Bloom is another post-pandemic group on the scene. They have 9 members and they cover Love Live dances. They already got a handful of covers and a couple lives under their belt, so be sure to keep an eye on them!
Sweet Dreamin Cafe
Facebook | Instagram
Similar to Uncle Testu and ACT102, this group is associated with the Sweet Dreamin’ Cafe which would pop up during Anime North, however, they too went beyond and have performed at other events and conventions. They were on hiatus, but they are back! You can catch them at Oishii Sweets‘ pop-up anime & maid cafes.
THS.Go!
Instagram | Youtube
THS Dance Team started with one of the biggest Japanese fashion organizers in Toronto, Toronto Harajuku Style, ran by Dolly Momoiro, probably the biggest creepy-kawaii fashion influencers in the country. They refer to themselves as Monster Magical Girls and Anti-Idols. Compared to many groups on this list, they tend to cover cooler and creepier dances, usually to J-rock music. After the pandemic, they’ve been going strong, performing at Japan Festival Canada and recently with my band at Idol Revolution; The Reunion!
Velvet Fates
Instagram | Youtube
This u’s/Love Live cosplay group appears to have gotten together half a year before the pandemic started, so they only have a few socially distanced covers up, but I’m sure they’ll come together to perform live when we are in the clear. Be sure to support them!
Vespertine Dancers
Instagram | Youtube
You could tell this group takes their cosplay and dances very seriously. Sailormoon seems to be their main cosplay, but they have done Kyoshi Warriors (Avatar) and Gerudo (Zelda) as well. They appear to be professional dancers with a love of anime, so if you’re looking for original acts, especially one with props and an artistic or cultural feel, check this group out!
Groups From Other Provinces
AiDolls (Manitoba)
Instagram | Youtube
This may be one of the oldest established groups in the country, and they are still going strong. From Winnipeg, Manitoba. They have over 15 members and are sister groups with “Ur’s” listed below. Compared to Ur’s, this group seems to be dedicated to covering Love Live songs.
Estella! (British Colombia)
Linktree | Instagram | Youtube
Estella! is a 5 member group based in Vancouver that debuted in 2023, and they are the first in the area to cover Liella from Love Live Superstar!! They also cover songs from Vocaloid, Vtubers, and anime, and are preparing to broaden their horizons to groups like μ’s and Aqours!
Ice Qream (Quebec)
Facebook | Instagram | Youtube
Ice Cream is one of the older and more established idol groups in the country. They even travel around Canada to perform, so don’t be surprised if you hear they’re in down!
LoveLive Sunrise (quebec)
Facebook | Instagram | Youtube
LoveLive Sunrise is a pretty big group from Montreal, Quebec. They have been together since 2016 and I think they have the most Youtube covers out of all the groups on the list (definitely top 3 if not) so you can bet they’re working hard to entertain you. If you’re in their city, definitely go out and support them!
Majestix Idol Project (Winnipeg)
Facebook | Instagram | Youtube | TikTok
Majestix Idol Project is a 9 member group mostly focusing on dances from the Love Live series. According to their Facebook, they went on hiatus in 2018, and came back with only 4 members, but they now have a full team and are going strong!
Non Sweet (British Colombia)
Facebook | Instagram | Youtube | Spotify | Website
As I was updating this article after a recent gig where I discovered new groups in my city, my views were high, but they were Google referrals. So I did a search on ‘Jpop groups in Canada’ and discovered this VERY BIG group from Vancouver, and I mean almost 20k followers big! They’re a professional 5 member group who makes their own music! They started performing in 2021 and are actively promoting now, so definitely check out their Youtube channel and Spotify!
Nonets (Winnipeg)
Facebook | Instagram | Youtube
Nonets formed in 2016, and while they appear to focus on Love Live dances, their bio states that they also cover Jpop, Kpop, Cpop dances!
We Are Urs (Winnipeg)
Facebook | Instagram | Youtube
Ur’s is a love live, J-music and Anime based dance group that is going strong. They previously had 9 members but have grown to 15 as of now. Since they formed in 2015, they performed every year at Ai-kon and Winterfest in Winnipeg.
Disbanded
1, 2, Shine
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube
1, 2, Shine! had over 100 videos on their channel and were actively promoting on Instagram. They have performed quite a bit at different events and conventions, but they’ve been on hiatus since the pandemic. I was hoping they would come back but no updates so it appears they have disbanded.
ACT102
Website | Instagram | Youtube
As mentioned in the intro, ACT102, which means “Angel Cafe Toronto”, was once an established group made of Uncle Tetsu employees, and they would put on full shows every week. During the pandemic, they were doing live shows on their Youtube channel every week, but as of 2022, they officially announced their disbandment.
Astra Luna (Ontario)
Instagram | Youtube
Astra Luna is another Love Live cover group that I discovered browsing around. They have done some lives, but they only have one cover on their Youtube channel. They also haven’t made any Instagram posts since the end of 2019. I thought maybe they would make a comeback after Covid restrictions lifted, but no signs yet, so I’ll assume they have disbanded.
Pastel (Ontario)
If you’ve been to any J-music events, you’ve probably heard of Pastel. They started as a trio, all girls from Japan hoping to spread love for Japanese Idol culture in Toronto. They were one of the first idol acts I’ve seen live, and they were definitely adorable and know how to engage a crowd. They also sang live! Sadly, two decided to graduate, and then Minnie held her last show in 2019.
Twin Scoop (British Columbia)
Facebook | Instagram
Here’s an act that has performed on big stages, such as Japan Festival Canada. It appears they were part of a bigger group named Seishun Youth Academy, but Ally & Sally became a duo. Right now all their Instagram accounts have been privatized and they haven’t made any content on their Facebook since 2020, so while they haven’t made an official disbandment message, I don’t know if they’ll upload again.
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