In the 2010s, BiS introduced rock elements into Japan’s underground idol scene, while BiSH took this further by refining it with a broader popular appeal. Now, a wave of rock idols heavily influenced by BiS and BiSH signals the emergence of a new scene. In this series, we highlight the rock idols to watch in 2025.

Vol. 2: SOMOSOMO

The idol group featured in Vol. 2 is SOMOSOMO, who formed in May 2019 and debuted on 1 Jul of the same year. With the concept of “frolic with all their might,” they have gained attention for their rock-oriented songs and high-energy live performances.

The group consists of seven members: Ultimate Miki, Gogono Kotoko, Tsukuyomi Keiko, Komorebi Hiyori, Shanshan Mai, Aoi Aone, and Tomaranai Chihiro. Their fans are collectively known as “Somomon.”

Although the members’ katakana names strongly reflect WACK’s influence, SOMOSOMO belongs to a new agency, HASYAGE jp, which was established in December 2022. The company was founded by producer Sakai after he and the members became independent from their previous agency.

Sakai originally worked as a comedian. While he had been involved in idol-related activities, such as serving as an MC at idol event talk stages, he never aspired to become a producer. However, one day, he happened to see Ultimate Miki performing on the street as part of her self-unit practice. This encounter became the catalyst for him to establish SOMOSOMO independently while continuing his career as a comedian, making rock sound one of the core elements of the group.

Currently, as the independent operator of SOMOSOMO, Sakai is highly conscious of WACK’s influence. In a recent interview, he stated, “In our lineage, WACK is at the top. I believe that surpassing WACK will lead to the creation of a new scene and have a significant impact.” This awareness is reflected not only in their music but also in their 24-hour live performances and the way they actively engage their fans.

In February 2025, SOMOSOMO successfully held a solo live performance at Ebisu Liquid Room for the second time in the group’s history. Liquid Room, with a capacity of around 1,000 people, is a live venue that serves as a crossroads between major and indie music for both idols and bands.

Only a select few idols can fill Zepp Shinjuku, which has a capacity of around 1,500 people. During their performance, SOMOSOMO announced on stage that they would be holding a solo live concert at Zepp Shinjuku on 6 February 2026.

As they continue toward Zepp Shinjuku next year while maintaining their independent stance, what kind of story will SOMOSOMO create? We will be watching their journey closely.

Text:Hiroo Nishizawa