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 (8)
1. Virtual Artist Special: HIMEHINA
Aired 8 February 2026 • 28 min
Experience the cutting edge of Japanese entertainment as we turn the spotlight on virtual artists. This week, a female duo with over 600 million video views: HIMEHINA.
2. Virtual Artist Special: HOLOSTARS
Aired 15 February 2026 • 28 min
Experience the cutting edge of Japanese entertainment as we turn the spotlight on virtual artists. This week, the all-male VTuber group HOLOSTARS.
3. Anisong Special
Aired 15 March 2026 • 28 min
Join May J. for great Japanese music! This week: a special packed with anisong fan favorites. Plus, popular anisong act MYTH & ROID are in the studio to chat and perform.
4. Omiya Hiyori, GOOD BYE APRIL, and nishina
Aired 22 March 2026 • 28 min
Join May J. for great Japanese music! This week, three exciting young acts who are all on the rise: Omiya Hiyori, GOOD BYE APRIL, and nishina. Plus, May J. sings!
5. MAZZEL and Moriguchi Hiroko
Aired 5 April 2026 • 28 min
Great Japanese music this week: rising eight-member dance-vocal group MAZZEL; and Moriguchi Hiroko, who debuted with the MOBILE SUIT Z GUNDAM theme and has celebrated her 40th anniversary.
6. NOA and DEZOLVE
Aired 12 April 2026 • 28 min
Great Japanese music this week: NOA, an up-and-coming singer, dancer, and actor who trained in South Korea before debuting in Japan; and DEZOLVE, a young fusion band with dazzling virtuoso chops.
7. WHITE SCORPION, Mahiru, and BIGMAMA
Aired 10 May 2026 • 28 min
Tune in to J-MELO for Japanese music! This week: a live special with exclusive performances from idol group WHITE SCORPION, singer-songwriter Mahiru, and five-piece rock band BIGMAMA.
8. GLIM SPANKY and ailly
Aired 17 May 2026 • 28 min
Tune in to J-MELO for Japanese music! This week: GLIM SPANKY (known for their one-of-a-kind rock sound) and singer ailly (also popular as a member of the all-female band Gacharic Spin).