Being A Japanese Music Fan Has Been A Lonely Path

Hi! My name is Nostalgia 🙂 If this is your first time coming across my blog, you’re in for a treat. I do share beginner guitar tips and music theory lessons, but I mostly write about Japanese and anime music. I’ve been listening to mostly Japanese music since 2006, so it has been the perfect niche for me, especially since there’s no real competition. But the fact that there is little to no competition already says a lot.

Yes, anime is huge for sure, and there are some popular anime songs most people will know like Unravel, Blue Bird, Hikaru Nara and so on, but that’s such a small amount of music compared to all that is being produced in Japan every year. I never got to discuss releases, or share my favourite artists, or play those ‘guess the song’ games with others, cause our music tastes never matched.

Thankfully, I’ve kinda found a community in recent years, and I love seeing how much Jmusic has spread since back then, but it’s still hard finding real Jmusic fans. I just figured I would share my story. Maybe it will resonate with some of you <3

My Lone Wolf Days
(Middle School to Post Secondary)

For me, I was a fan of anime since childhood, and like many 90s kids, we were watching anime without knowing it was anime. Only when I gave Digimon a second chance and came across the Japanese opening in the recommendations one day were my eyes opened.

Compared to the English opening, the Japanese was much more beautiful, in music and in lyrics. I got really curious about Japan and it’s music since then. My school’s were super multicultural, so we learned a lot about different cultures, but my schools didn’t have Japanese kids. Thus, it was a country I didn’t really notice until then.

As I would watch new anime and rewatch some childhood favs, I would pay attention to the openings and find other songs by the artists of the themes I liked. I’ve gotten to discover Asian Kung-Fu Generation, UVERworld, Stereopony, Veltpunch, Scandal, Yui and a few other artists back then. But again, no one really knew about them.

I took music all through school, and I always loved playing instruments. In Grade 6, I saw a rock band practicing in the music room and since then, I’ve wanted to do the same. But it was in that same grade when I discovered Japanese music, so an anime cover band was also a dream of mine. Sadly, I didn’t really have musical friends, and the few that did play something didn’t want to be in a band or play on stage, so that was also quite lonely, outside of my music extracurriculars.

Considering Japanese music was all that I knew and I wanted to perform, naturally I did go on stage and performed to some of them. Did one dance to “Dancin’ and Dreamin” by Hinoi Team with a non-fan who lacked rhythm and memory…it was a disaster. We got through but I’m so thankful no one recorded it LOOOOL But then Grade 12, a couple otaku friends and I choreographed a bokken sword fight, and it was probably my favourite performance, but no one recorded that either ;____;

Below was Grade 11. The year before, one of my late music teachers offered violin and viola classes after school. I kind of forgot about the announcement, but when looking for my friends after school, they were there. I’m like why not? There were only 2 violas available and that was all that was left…the disrespect lol

We learned the basics and had fun for a few months. She changed schools the following year but I wanted to do something with what I learned. So I learned to play Every Heart from Inuyasha by ear and performed it for that year’s Multicultural assembly.

Still, as the years go by, I didn’t really have people I could connect to. Everyone I know liked English songs. Well, later in 2011, as I started Grade 12, I got more involved with my friend’s friends who were obsessed with Kpop. It was understandable why Kpop was more appealing to western fans compared to Jpop, but still, it wasn’t really my thing, especially the boy groups.

But then they wanted to do a dance mashup for an assembly and asked me to join them. I’m down for anything. Through that, I discovered more girl groups and thought their choreography was a lot cooler and funner, so I got more into it since then. At that time though, I only watched dance videos. I didn’t watch MVs or cared to know anyone’s names back then. We didn’t end up performing though..

Around this time, I went to Pacific Mall for the first time. This is the biggest Asian mall in North America, and they had a pretty big arcade that featured many Japanese Japanese rhythm games that I couldn’t play elsewhere. My favourites were Para Para Paradise which is a dancing game, and Drummania. They also have GuitarFreaks, which is like Guitar Hero, but the Japanese game was what inspired Guitar hero.

My friends weren’t big on games and would rather eat or shop around, look at Kpop albums, but I didn’t mind hanging out in the arcade alone, especially since I rarely got to go there. Outside of that place, the only other arcade game I got to play was Dance Dance Revolution at Yorkdale mall. If I was every running errands or shopping, I would always stop by to play a few songs.

Around 2015, I wanted to make a Jpop dance group, and I made ads online quite a few times, but no one responded. When I tried to make a KPop group instead, I found 4 people in like 2 days! We did practice quite a bit but it fell apart and we never got to record anything. Years after, I got restless and just uploaded a few Jpop solo dances, though I definitely liked the duet songs I learned way more.

I’ve just always felt out of place for my interest in music. I didn’t mind as I already stuck out in a lot of ways, such as being a tomboy who liked sports and video games…but music was a passion of mine, and it felt like I had no one to share it with. I’ve recorded a few covers of songs, usually on keyboard, but I really wanted to make a band with people who had similar music tastes.

Backtracking just a bit, I started self-learning Japanese in Grade 11 because I wanted to learn Japanese so I could understand the lyrics more. Anime will always have subs, but I couldn’t understand the music without looking up the lyrics. After 2 years of studying alone, I took a course in University. I was the only black person, (what’s new? haha) but I’m always happy to be around other otakus!

When Things Started To Change (Post 2015)

I will say 2015, when I first attempted to make an anime band, was when I first started to build a Japanese music community. I played keyboard back then and we played a few K-On!! songs. We only had one rehearsal, as everyone had different schedules, and the experienced musicians had other commitments, but still, I got to meet and connect with new people and get a taste of band life.

In 2018, I was feeling eager to live more. I’ve lived a pretty safe and boring life so far, especially since I was a broke kid, but now my debts were paid and I had more money to spare. I decided to go to Japan. While I had many friends who want to go to Japan, they weren’t able to go with me…so I went alone. Life is short.

It was fun getting to see some real life Digimon locations, and I made sure to record one dance there as well. Made sure to check out the arcades as well and play some new Jmusic games. It was probably a lot better that I went alone anyways, as there’s lots of things I did that I doubt my friends would care for. It was great planning my trip my way.

But back to my first band attempt, one of those members, the lead guitarist, later invited me to watch him at 2 or 3 different Japanese music/fashion events, and it was the first time I’ve really been around that kind of people. As weird as the light stick fanboys can be, it’s just nice seeing people appreciate Japanese music outside of anime.

He also introduced me to the host and creator of Toronto Harajuku Style. Years later, she was hosting another event called Idol Revolution which was focused on Japanese music. I asked if I could dance, and she invited me to be a guest on her team. We didn’t have much time to prepare, and I had absolutely no lolita stuff in my closet…I borrowed a wig and it did NOT fit my skin tone, but it was fun.

Getting to finally do Jdances with a group brought that part of my life to completion. I also got to meet some idols from other Jpop dance groups around the country. They probably won’t remember me, but again, just nice being around people who appreciate Japanese music.

I got to see ONE OK ROCK in person literally a week after that. I’m not a concert person, but I had it on my bucketlist to see them at least once. I missed a couple of their previous concerts as I had no idea, but once a friend told me about this one, I got it right away.

While the venue wasn’t that big (especially compared to the ones they sell out in Japan), it was nice just being around people who loved the same band as me, and I could sing along with them ^_^

The following year, for my 2020 New Year Resolution, I picked up the guitar again to make the final thing on my bucket list come to life: play in a band and perform on stage. While the venue and audience size didn’t matter, I knew it had to be Japanese music. I just wasn’t passionate to play much else, and everything else has like 50 cover bands anyways.

A few months later, my little cousin came by and she saw my guitar out. She was curious and interested, saying she wanted to play guitar instead of piano that her parents put her in. I taught her how to take her piano knowledge on the guitar and taught her Hot Cross Buns.

I then asked what music she liked or wanted to play, and to my surprise, she said Fuwa Fuwa Time from K-On!! I didn’t know she was an anime fan, but I knew her love for guitar was real.

I brought her to the music store as I had something to return anyways, and her grandma got her a guitar not long after that. I definitely wanted to inspire her as well.

When I started to recruit people to try the band again, one member from my first band was still interested. I also targeted one girl who I met through the Kpop dance group. She loves to sing in many languages, especially Japanese as she’s an anime fan too, and she had a singing group that didn’t get anywhere, so she too has unfinished dreams. Managed to find other people online to complete the group.

I started a 2nd job more recently, and I’m not ashamed to tell people I like Japanese music or am in a Jrock band. Some are anime fans and find it cool, other’s know someone who is an anime fan.

Of course, they may ask about the very common and popular songs, like Silhouette or Gurenge, but hey, we’re still getting somewhere. It’s cute when people much older are trying to recall an anime they watched or a song they really liked, as if trying to appeal to me haha

My new coworker, a younger girl, said she was exploring Japanese music recently and her favourite was ONE OK ROCK, which has been my favourite band for 10+ years now. While I do love their older stuff more, I think them making more English/International albums will definitely help spread the love and interest of Japanese music. <3

Japanese Music Is Finally Spreading ^_^

I will say though, thanks to Tiktok/Reels, Anime, and Video Games, Japanese music has been trending quite a bit. Whether it’s Miki Matsubara’s Stay With me and City Pop, or YOASOBI’s Racing through the Night, or Crying in the Rain from Domestic Girlfriend, anything helps.

Short videos on social media have also been great for the anime community. For years, we were considered dorks and weebs, as losers even, and many (including myself) have been teased or bullied for liking anime so many kept it to themselves.

The only time they would reveal themselves is at conventions or places with like minded people, but now we can be as loud and as bold as Kpop fans. Being able to upload Japanese music in the background definitely helps spread the music as well.

Conclusion

Just wanted to put this out there. For others who are into niche underground music, or who favor music from another country, I feel you. You love music, and there’s probably some elements in it that is just so attractive, but you can’t really talk about it with anyone. When people ask you to play something, or give you the Aux cord, you have to contemplate if you should play what you really like or what yo know they would like.

But regardless, hold on! Love what you love and be proud of that. It may be hard finding like minded people, but they are there. And if by chance, you find someone who is new and wants to know more, you’ll be ready to spread your knowledge.

And if you like Japanese music, hopefully my blog can be a place of support for you! You’ll be able to discover more artists, understand why Jmusic sounds the way it does, and just get a lot of insight on the language and culture behind the music. Definitely check out my Japanese Music Resources page where I compile all those articles. Also join my “Let’s Study Japanese Music” Facebook group ^_^

Be proud of what you love and never hesitate to share it with others <3