In the 2010s, musical segmentation in Japan’s underground idol scene spread rapidly. BiS brought rock elements into idol culture, with their manager and instigator Junnosuke Watanabe introducing not only Japanese rock but also UK rock, alternative, US punk, melodic hardcore, and grunge to the idol scene. As a result, Japanese rock fans began attending BiS’s live shows, where the performances became intense, featuring stage diving and moshing.

BiSH took this concept further, making it both more radical and widely popular. Their sound blended rock with melodic elements, sometimes incorporating epic orchestral arrangements, demonstrating a wider musical range than BiS. As a result, they captured the hearts of many through mainstream media, including television, while still maintaining the raw intensity of BiS. At the height of their popularity, they disbanded in June 2023 in front of 50,000 people at the Tokyo Dome.

Now, nearly two years after their disbandment, a number of rock idols heavily influenced by BiS and BiSH have emerged, signaling the rise of a new scene. This column introduces some of the rock idols to watch out for in 2025.

Vol. 1: BABYTANTS

This first installment introduces the twin rock idol unit, BABYTANTS.

The duo, consisting of older sister Raku and younger sister Kyuu, debuted in February 2024. They write lyrics, compose, arrange their own songs, and choreograph their own performances. Their goal is to perform at Nippon Budokan within five years of their debut. The official fan name is “Moony Man.”

On social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, they post videos of themselves performing street covers of BiSH and other WACK groups, but they have also released a number of original songs. On Tuesday, February 18, 2025, they held their first-anniversary solo live event, I wanna be a ROCK STAR, at MARZ in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

Their signature song, Donto Kaiten, is a fast-paced rock tune with a strong BiSH influence on its sound, while BABYBABY features lyrics that strongly reflect WACK’s musical style. Their songs are predominantly upbeat, featuring simple choreography where fans can raise their hands in the air. Their costumes are a bold mix of red and light blue, reflecting WACK’s signature visual style.

BABYTANTS’ defining characteristic is their strong vocals and harmonies. In their live performances, their voices are as powerful as the instrumentals of their live shows. With only two members, they have the freedom to move around the stage effortlessly, engaging the audience. The energy in the crowd feels just like that of a live rock band.

Another defining feature of BABYTANTS is their Showa-era inspired mid-tempo melodies, as heard in songs like Innocent. While influenced by WACK, this song takes on a slower tempo, adding a nostalgic touch to their sound.

After watching their live performance, I felt that the two members of BABYTANTS have always loved music from the bottom of their hearts, which explains why they chose to become idols. They express the “cool,” “interesting,” and “passionate” music they have experienced as audience members through their self-written lyrics, compositions, arrangements, and choreography. This is why their performances feel so alive.

The trend of idols taking charge of their own production is gradually increasing. However, it is still rare for idols to handle everything themselves, from songwriting and composition to arrangement and choreography. BABYTANTS, who are working towards their goal of performing at Nippon Budokan in 2029, are definitely a group to keep an eye on in the future.

Text:Hiroo Nishizawa