About this season
J-MELO is a weekly Japanese music television program broadcast by NHK. It is recorded entirely in the English language. It began broadcasting on October 7, 2005. The program is available on NHK's World Service television station, Radio Japan, Digital Educational TV and on its Domestic General Channel.
Episodes (20)
1. all at once and Coda Mahiru
Aired 5 February 2024 • 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! This week: all at once (a vocal duo who create lots of anime songs) and Coda Mahiru (a singer-songwriter, model and actor). They're both coming to chat and perform.
2. Okayu and TSUKEMEN
Aired 12 February 2024 • 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! In the studio this week: Okayu (a singer-songwriter with cover albums including city pop and anisongs) and TSUKEMEN (an internationally active three-piece ensemble).
3. FIVE NEW OLD and sajou no hana
Aired 4 March 2024 • 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! This week, FIVE NEW OLD (a four-piece rock band from Kobe) and sajou no hana (an act getting lots of attention for anime theme songs) are coming to chat and perform.
4. FES☆TIVE and LE VELVETS
Aired 11 March 2024 • 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! This week, FES☆TIVE (a 6-piece idol group who perform mainly in Asia) and LE VELVETS (a 4-piece vocal group with baritone and tenor voices) are coming to chat and sing.
5. Nagayama Yoko and MYTH & ROID
Aired 7 April 2024 • 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! This week: enka singer Nagayama Yoko, who debuted as a pop idol 40 years ago; and MYTH & ROID, who work on themes for internationally successful games and anime shows.
6. SKE48 and Tomioka Ai
Aired 14 April 2024 • 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! This week: idol group SKE48, who are marking their 15th anniversary; and Tomioka Ai, who's a university student and a singer-songwriter with an international fanbase.
7. Murasaki and Fragrant Drive
Aired 5 May 2024 • 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! This week: Murasaki (members: Chisa, who's a voice actor in the "Umamusume: Pretty Derby" franchise, and songwriter Ramseeni); and 7-member idol group Fragrant Drive.
8. ICEx and REIKO
Aired 12 May 2024 • 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! This week: 8-piece dance-and-vocal group ICEx, who've marked a year together in the EBiDAN music collective; and Philippine-born singer REIKO, who debuted last October.
9. Kishita Kohshi and BAND JA NAIMON! MAXX NAKAYOSHI
Aired 2 June 2024 • 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! This week: Kishita Kohshi (a guy with great piano skills and a soulful voice) and BAND JA NAIMON! MAXX NAKAYOSHI (a six-piece idol group with a ninja-themed new single).
10. CANDY TUNE and Inaba Manaka
Aired 9 June 2024 • 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! This week: seven-piece idol group CANDY TUNE, who have a big, young fanbase on social media; and Inaba Manaka, who left Juice=Juice in 2022 to launch a solo career.
11. mol-74 and Tamai Shiori
Aired 7 July 2024 • 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! In the studio this week: Kyoto-based four-piece rock band mol-74; and Momoiro Clover Z member Tamai Shiori, who launched a parallel solo career in January last year.
12. TAKANE NO NADESHIKO and Hayashibe Satoshi
Aired 14 July 2024 • 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! This week: TAKANE NO NADESHIKO (a 10-member idol group making a buzz on social media) and Hayashibe Satoshi (a singer who has fans across a wide age range).
13. HAGANE and Momoiro Clover Z
Aired 4 August 2024 • 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! This week: four-piece heavy-metal band HAGANE, who've rebooted with new members; and four-piece idol group Momoiro Clover Z, who've worked on many songs for anime hits.
14. SARD UNDERGROUND and Lienel
Aired 11 August 2024 • 28 min
Join May J. for great Japanese music! This week: SARD UNDERGROUND (a tribute band who play songs by legendary J-pop group ZARD); and Lienel (a six-member dance-and-vocal group who debuted last year).
15. Suzuki Konomi and Yui Nishio
Aired 6 October 2024 • 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! This week: Suzuki Konomi (a great singer who has sung lots of anime songs) and Yui Nishio (a singer-songwriter whose everyday-life lyrics appeal mainly to young women).
16. Niihama Leon and KiSS KiSS
Aired 13 October 2024 • 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! On the show this week: Niihama Leon (a singer who brings his powerful voice to Showa-era pop) and KiSS KiSS (a super-kawaii female idol group who debuted last year).
17. Rei and Ieiri Leo
Aired 3 November 2024 • 28 min
Join May J. for great Japanese music! In the studio this week: singer-songwriter and guitar star Rei; and singer-songwriter Ieiri Leo, who brings a unique sensibility and a great voice to her music.
18. BRIDEAR and Matsuura Kodai
Aired 10 November 2024 • 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! This week: BRIDEAR (a five-piece all-female heavy metal band with a growing fanbase in Europe) and Matsuura Kodai (a singer with an astonishingly versatile voice).
19. WONK and Sato Masaki
Aired 1 December 2024 • 28 min
Join May J. for great Japanese music! This week: WONK (a four-piece band with a soulful sound that goes beyond genres) and Sato Masaki (a Morning Musume.'21 alum who's a great singer and dancer).
20. Haku. and XinU
Aired 8 December 2024 • 28 min
Join May J. for Japanese music! This week: Haku. (an Osaka-based four-piece band praised for their unique lyrics and sound) and XinU (a smoky-voiced singer with a sound that blends diverse elements).