
Anyone familiar with East Asian girl groups knows that the region produces a lot of cute idol concepts. But while that trend has been changing lately for South Korean and Chinese groups, the same can’t exactly be said of Japan. As of 2022, the country’s most famous local idol groups were Momoiro Clover Z and Nogizaka46, a rival group of the more established AKB48 group. Unsurprisingly, both of these homegrown groups have relatively tame concepts compared to their neighboring countries’ groups.
So is there room for groups that aren’t “kawaii” in the traditional sense of the word? Atarashi Gakko!, an experimental music band, has proved there’s room for ‘weird’ in the world of J-pop. While edgier “un-cute” artists have seen some degree of success before, as in the case of Suki Suki Daisuki artist Jun Togawa, few of them have had the global reach of Atarashi Gakko!
Who Are Atarashii Gakko!?

Atarashii Gakko!, or ATARASHII GAKKO! as they’re known on their international branding, is a J-pop band that started sometime in 2015 before officially debuting in 2017 with their first single, Dokubana. Locally, they are known as Atarashii Gakko no Leaders, which is why they’re sometimes referred to as ‘Leaders’, but would have a slight name change for their international promotions. The band would later make an international debut in January 2021 under 88rising, a California label known for signing talents of Asian descent, as ATARASHII GAKKO!.
Little is confirmed about the Atarashi Gakko!’s origins, but there are videos of them getting their start by performing in smaller festivals in Osaka, Japan during the early days of their career.
The band’s brand of pop is a little different from most other female J-pop groups as the band incorporates jazz, hip-hop, and even a pop-rock sound that will remind you of Disney Channel rock movies but in a good way. Another notable thing about the band is the lead singer Suzuka’s voice. The 21-year-old artist has a deep voice that makes the band stand out even more from other J-pop girl groups.
All of Atarashii Gakko!’s Members

Atarashii Gakko! has four members: Mizyu, Rin, Suzuka, and Kanon. All of the members of the band sing and dance, but Suzuka and Mizyu provide most of the vocals for their songs. Both Mizyu and Rin have a background in modeling, with Mizyu even being a former backup dancer for ‘Cherry Bonbon’ star Kyary Pamyu Pamyu.
- Mizyu
- Stage Name: MIZYU
- Position: Leader
- Birthday: December 22, 1998
- Birthplace: Tokyo
- Twitter: @mizyuzyun
- Instagram: @mizyu_leaders
- Rin
- Stage Name: RIN
- Birthday: September 11, 2001
- Birthplace: Saitama
- Twitter: @dsk_rin
- Instagram: @rin_leaders
- Suzuka
- Stage Name: SUZUKA
- Birthday: November 29, 2001
- Birthplace: Osaka
- Twitter: @suzuka3sister
- Instagram: @suzuka_leaders/@Ssszzzkkkszk
- Kanon
- Stage Name: KANON
- Birthday: January 18, 2002
- Birthplace: Gunma
- Twitter: @BW_Kanon
- Instagram: @kanon_leaders
Who Really Writes the Music for Atarashii Gakko!?
According to Atarashii Gakko!, in an interview with Bandwagon, Many songs from their early days were written by keyboardist H Zett M.
“All of H Zett M’s songs challenged us in that each song required new ways of expression.” The group shared with Bandwagon. Atarashii Gakko! performed their song ‘Okami no Uta’ with the keyboardist back in 2018.
The band seems to have grown more involved in the creation of their music since those days as they are credited as composers for the song ‘Nainainai’. Atarshi Gakko! Continues to collaborate with other artists for new songs and creating new versions of existing songs as in the case of the Spanish version of ‘Free Your Mind’ which was made with Mexican-Japanese artist Money Mark.
Atarashii Gakko!’s Discography
Maenawaranai (2018)
Released on March 20, 2018, Maenarawanai was the first album released by the band under Victor Entertainment. The album contained the following songs:

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- Sekiga Gattuso (席替ガットゥーゾ)
- Kimiwaina’17 (キミワイナ’17)
- Koi no Shadanki feat. H ZETTRIO (恋の遮断機feat.H ZETTRIO)
- Wakaranai (ワカラナイ)
- zzz
- Dokubana (毒花)
- SNS24ji (SNS24時)
- Toumei Girl (透明ガール)
- Saishujinrui (最終人類)
- Pirotei (ピロティ)
Wakage Ga Itaru (2019)
Released on March 6, 2019, Wakage Ga Itaru was the second Atarshii Gakko! album released under Victor Entertainment with the following songs:
- Shiken Zen’ya (試験前夜)
- Mayoeba Totoshi (迷えば尊し)
- Masage Cannavaro (まさ毛カンナヴァーロ)
- Koi Geba (恋ゲバ)
- Amayo no Seppun (雨夜の接吻)
- Stripper ni Eikou wo (ストリッパーに栄光を)
- Ookami no Uta (狼の詩)
- Chirachirachiramii ~Shiken Tojitsu~ (チラチラチラミー ~試験当日~)
- Toumei Boy (透明ボーイ)
- Rakuen nite, Watashi Jigoku (楽園にて、わたし地獄)
- Shiritai (知りたい)
SNACKTIME (2021)
Released on November 12, 2021, SNACKTIME was Atarashii Gakko!’s third album and marked the band’s international debut with 88rising.
- Pineapple Kryptonite
- Free Your Mind
- CANDY
- Fantastico
- Happy Hormones
ICHIJIKIKOKU (2023)
Released on April 12, 2023, ICHIJIKIKOKU is the band’s fourth album and the first one to be released under the ATARASHII GAKKO! Label. The album came with the songs:
- Giri Giri
- JANAINDAYO
- SEISHUN WO KOROSAKU HADO
- OTOME NO BIGAKU
- ODORU HONNO 001
- OTONABLUE
- Suki Lie