My Top 5 Female Japanese Guitarists

My Top 5 Favourite Japanese Female Guitarists! Let me know what you think of the list in the comments. Thanks for watching!
Please let me know your top 5 and any other top 5 video suggestions! Think this will be a fun series of video’s to do between the tutorial and cover videos.
Please find below some links to the video’s that I have used. Watch the video to the end if you want the surprise of finding out what my Top 5 are!
#5
• Judas Priest / Painkil...
• "Drive in the Starry N...
• D_Drive YukiがXperia XZ...
#4
• Loud Twin Stars /DOLL＄...
• Ｍｅｒｒｉｌｙ　Ｈｉｇｈ　Ｇｏ　Ｒｏｕｎｄ/...
• ギター教則『一緒に弾ける！ロック・ギター超入...
#3
• Mary's Blood / Marione...
• Mary's Blood - Burning...
• Mary's Blood SAKI デモ演奏①
#2
• BAND-MAID / alone (Off...
• BAND-MAID / Daydreamin...
• BAND-MAID / YOLO (Offi...
#1
• BRIDEAR - IGNITE [Offi...
• BRIDEAR | Remedy (Guit...
• Video
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Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. All rights belong to the composers, musicians, artists, bands and their record labels!

[@sacluvsBM]

Number one bassist Misa Number one guitarist Kanami Tono Number one hard rock band on the planet today Band-Maid

[@gloomy9728]

Ehh, there's one bassist that I forget the name of that showed better technique and skill than Misa (barely though lol). I'll edit this post once I find her name. Edit: Found her. She's from Gacharic Spin. Kogu, I believe.

[@AntaresVampire13]

@@gloomy9728 F Chopper Koga (Gacharic Spin, Doll$Boxx, Metallic Spin, ex-Pink Panda) real name: Michiko Koga

[@me262talon2]

@@gloomy9728 Misa"TheAssassin" is still currently taking lessons. Thanks.

[@ronnieguitar99]

Yes, a true maidaholic. Number one drummer is Akane Hirose of course. They are going to be close to me in September. Sold out, can't afford $400 a ticket anyway. Is Bridear coming to the USA?

[@crackerican69]

@@ronnieguitar99 I think Bridear was in the states mid-summer. I remember seeing some of their twitter posts in NYC, just can't quite recall exactly when

[@virajelix]

GODDESS KANAMI has her uniquely innovative and creative way of picking guitar. For me speed comes after creativity and innovation. Talent comes first on creativity and innovation. Therefore my Goddess Kanami is all there is.

[@ronnieguitar99]

Exactly! You nailed the Kanami style perfectly. Not the same old same old licks that sound like everybody else who are just judged on who plays the same old licks the fastest. Kanami also writes the music so Band-Maid's music is unique, their own genre, and they are the best.

[@kungphu1207]

Although not as fast or technical as the other great guitarists, Kanami’s solos touches the heart and soul just like the great David Gilmour.

[@AxeJapan]

Agreed, she has a ton of feeling in her playing. Even though she can shred the house down she plays what's right for the song 🤘🖤

[@riloh58]

kungphu1207 - I’m so interested to hear you say this as my guitar hero for the longest time has been David Gilmour and now he shares the podium with Mincho. I think they’re similar in many ways though on the face of it seem quite different. I’m glad to hear someone else thinks like I do and I’m not going insane.

[@cepho8349]

She isn't the only one who does.

[@cepho8349]

@@PinD-PANIC Well, if you think so, then so be it.

[@monstergirl7695]

I'm 55 years old and I knew nothing about these Japanese bands until very recently. I'm blown away by all the incredibly talented female guitar players from Japan. Actually, every woman in the band is amazing, the drummers, and the bass players. Amazing. Thank you for bringing all this great new music to this old lady!

[@AxeJapan]

That's amazing! 😊 I'm glad I could help you discover more Japanese music! I agree and I plan on doing more of these videos for singers, bassists and drummers. There are so many with so much talent out there. Hopefully if you keep an eye on this channel you will discover even more! 🤘.... Also 55 is not old 😉 thanks for watching!

[@route-ty2zr]

It is the same to me , I'm more than 60 years old and i never heard anything About Japanese Music until i discovered this About three years ago . My first Encounter was kumi adachi

[@monstergirl7695]

I was always a fan of Sho-Ya, but had no clue about these new all-female Japanese bands until very recently. I'm very impressed with their musicianship. I'm an old school rocker and not really a fan of today's music, but I'm having fun watching these young women play. There weren't many all-female hard rock band back in my day. It's great to see them now.

[@DS-xk6yr]

Drums? Not in a rock band as far as I know but, Senri Kawaguchi. I mean damn, Buddy Rich reincarnate. @@AxeJapan

[@AxeJapan]

@@DS-xk6yr I think she's surpassed Buddy! Amazing talent

[@Dtagcity]

Kanami's solos almost always gets me on the feels. Maybe its coz of how well they meld into the song or it might be the almost childlike blissfull expression and body language she has on while playing but something about her makes it so that everytime she plays, it resonates with me almost instantly While I have no technical knowledge, ever since I fell in love with instrumentals more than a decade back i have listened to countless number of them ranging from orchestral pieces to movie scores and rock guitar solos, but she is the first guitarist to literally bring me to tears in the span of a short solo in the very first listen and not just once but twice (Daydream and Awkward) and though i still can't wrap my head around it, i knew that she's got something great going for her I just hope that she doesn't lose it over time amidst the glitz and glamour of the music industry

[@band-maidfan2176]

Shred with a bit of melodies is the best guitar solo IMO. A lot of guitarist can shred at the speed of light but only a few can shred with a soulful melodic sound in it, and for me, Kanami is doing it perfectly.

[@xsundayxcore6137]

You probably haven't heard Mary's Blood's Wings yet.

[@band-maidfan2176]

Saki Core well for the record I didn't try to compare Kanami with Saki. Also I've already heard of it and I do think Saki is an incredible guitarist, it's just a personal reference that I'd pick Kanami over Saki.

[@chrisreyes823]

Lisa X is precise and melodic. Absolutely superb!

[@kyrosite1810]

For me its kanami cz i really can feel her passion and soul through her guitar playing she put everything in there

[@AxeJapan]

Absolutely! I feel it too ☺️

[@ronnieguitar99]

Another Maidaholic like me.

[@cepho8349]

That is not unique to Kanami.

[@revistapalco]

Tono Kanami is the best

[@cepho8349]

Based on what?

[@PinD-PANIC]

@@cepho8349 Why not reply with who YOUR favorite is instead of just commenting negatively to a BAND MAID supporter? Because you are just a hater, incapable of appreciating ANY music.

[@estebana7x265]

for my kanami is the best, is my favorite guitarist, I love her jajajaja thanks for showing me saki, I loved it. Good top

[@AxeJapan]

Thank you so much! Kanami is amazing for sure! :) Glad I introduced you to Saki and Mary's Blood!

[@saldiven2009]

Which show did you see Band-Maid at? I saw them at the J-Pop Summit in San Francisco last September, and then saw them in Nagoya in April.

[@DaElfer]

not only is kanami a brilliant guitarist she is such a great composer

[@dansweeney17]

When I hear Kanami, I hear great music that complements the song well. The others often seem to be solo acts showing off technical skills rather than making music. That's why I like Kanami so much.

[@packerjip9665]

The fact that Kanami, along with her talent at guitar, writes songs for Band Maid is something that has to count, with the group's popularity, as mentioned in the video.

[@cepho8349]

@@packerjip9665 So does Miyako from Lovebites. And I'm sure that some of the others do as well.

[@packerjip9665]

@@cepho8349 I do not know some of the others, but Miyako and "Lovebites" do write good songs, but as much as I do like "Lovebites", Kanami and her musical writings along with "Band Maid', have more of my attention.

[@packerjip9665]

@@PinD-PANIC I will just ignore.

[@packerjip9665]

@@PinD-PANIC Ignoring him will do the same thing. If more people do, he will go away.

[@lurkmerchant]

I don't disagree with your pick on no.1. She's just as versatile and more technically precise than everyone else in the list. I still love kanami's guitar playing the best, because it stirs up my emotion, and she's still improving.

[@AxeJapan]

I really appreciate that you didn't just say "Kanami is the best!!!" Like a lot of people. Yes she is improving all the time! I plan on doing a new updated Top 5 as this one is quite old now. Thanks for watching!

[@NeckarPirate]

All amazingly talented. Nice to see the ladies in Japan carrying the hard rock torch!!

[@50X262]

I'm a 60-year old Japanese woman, born and raised in Japan but spent most of my adult life in the States. I went to concerts featuring Iron Maiden, Peter Frampton, Guns N' Roses, Static-X, Slayer, Alice Cooper, Megadeath, and yes Joe Satriani (twice) and others. I often go back and was even working in Tokyo between 2014 and 2018. But I've never encountered these solid metal bands completely run by girls! What an awesome discovery this was! I wonder who were their teachers! I can't fathom them practicing these skills at school! I feel so bad overlooking their talents at home for years. Thank you for this post!

[@AxeJapan]

Hi! Yes there has been a surge of these female musicians in the past 10 years or so, it’s very exciting. I know that ESP Japan (the guitar manufacturer) have a school for training guitar gods 😂

[@KiRiMa64]

There's a lot of metal guitarists on this list and that's fine,but as far as infusing different genres into their music,Band Maid has combined that element seamlessly into their songwriting and that impresses me about Kanami . All in all , all of these ladies kick total ass!!!

[@noborukatoh1272]

皆さんとても印象的な素晴らしいギタリストです。3年後の現在聴いても凄い！！ でも、一歩引いて、バンド全員を押し出し、曲調を浮き立たせる、みんちょ=KANAMIは正に天才だと思ってます。フレーズが綺麗で、センスが良い。 メタルにならないように配慮してますよ！🤗🤗🤗

[@Buzzramjet]

I have to say the same WHAT is in the water in Japan. The ladies are killing it with heavy rock and metal.

[@DS-xk6yr]

Whisky and wasabi man, whisky and wasabi.

[@armynurseboy]

Well that, and the fact that they put their kids into formal music education at a very young age.

[@kusomegane3937]

kanami is favorite ever..

[@benoitespinosa2545]

Hello!I like all these japanese guitarist for me the best is Miyako from LOVEBITES and Kanami

[@lucacavalli8298]

I like how you highlighted the guitars they played

[@viaverde3153]

I love Saki`s space technic and the perfect lightness of the Misa play (from Bridear, because there is another Misa, great bass player from Band Maid), but Kanami's musical imagination, taste and versatility puts her on the top in front of others. She said that she loves and learn from Santana and Vai, but for me she reminds a bit Jimmy Page, really. The ways that she can flautless change the tune, pace and mood are impressive, unique and impossible to forge.

[@Mike_Hoffmann]

Via Verde yeah Misa from Band Maid rocks hard.

[@cepho8349]

How do you know that only Kanami is capable of that? I bet you aren't even familiar with the other guitarists on the list.

[@PinD-PANIC]

@@cepho8349 I bet we all are. You are only familiar with hating BAND MAID. Too bad.

[@cepho8349]

@@PinD-PANIC Nah, it's unrealistic to expect people to be familiar with them all. And when I say familiar I mean more than just "having heard them play once".

[@PinD-PANIC]

@@cepho8349 you can continue to post nonsense because as I have told you before you have zero credibility with this group. Most people here have more musical knowledge in their little finger than you have in your whole body.

[@treejjp]

Great list. Love Midori and Saki. Amazing guitarists in any gender or nationality. I hope you also check out Miyako from Lovebites. She sounds exotic like Marty Friedman with a touch of Gary Moore's blues feel. Also amazing pianist. Love these ladies!!!

[@AxeJapan]

I know Miyako well, yeah she is really awesome 👌

[@martinafan64]

All great choices. I can't believe how many awesome guitarists they have in Japan. Rock and Metal music are alive and well over there. Why can't we have guitarists and music like that here in the US? I don't speak a single word of Japanese, but all I listen to is J-Rock/Metal. My Top 5: 5. Tie between Yashiro (Mary's Blood), Marin (LoVendoЯ), & Misa (Bridear) 4. Kanami - Band Maid 3. Yuki - LoVendoЯ 2. Yui - Cyntia 1. Saki - Mary's Blood Scandal is actually my favorite J-Rock band, and my favorite all-female band, and probably always will be. But even though Mami Sasazaki plays very clean and smoothly, she doesn't "shred" the way that the guitar goddesses in my list do. Misa from Bridear would probably be a little higher on my list if I liked more songs by Bridear, but I'm not a big fan of the demonic growl in a lot of their songs. I wish I could have built a time machine and brought one of these talented ladies back when me and my band were looking for a lead guitarist in 1986. Unfortunately we had to settle for me, and I'm a natural rhythm guitarist who felt out of place playing lead guitar. Now 30+ years later I'm finally learning how to shred properly lol!

[@riloh58]

Thanks for the heads up on these. Some I have not heard of and will take a listen to. My guitar heart belongs to Mincho and Band Maid 🖤💜🤍. Completely agree with your assessment that she isn’t the most technical but that’s not what attracts me to her playing and for the same reasons I can see why you like Misato’s playing. She’s amazing.

[@AxeJapan]

Thanks for checking this out! I hope you discover some new music you like through these 😁 I'm planning on doing another one if these soon as this video is quite old and tastes change. Misato isn't playing music like this anymore which is a shame. She's more a singer/songwriter now. Still great but yeah its definitely time to update this list 👍 Kanami has evolved so much since this video too!

[@riloh58]

@@AxeJapan - Excellent. I will look forward to it when you get to it. From memory you have a bit on. I am still working through all your existing Kanami/Band Maid videos. Learning as I go. Trying to get better so I can at least cover some of her parts. Long way to go yet. The best luck I've had so far is with Choose Me (going through it myself trying to transcribe). Really love that solo. I'm not sure which note she's hitting for the pinch harmonic just before the ascending run. I will keep trying to work it out and keep practicing the rest of the piece and refer to your videos for more "practice". Thanks for the content.

[@AxeJapan]

@@riloh58 you're welcome 😊 its awesome you're getting so much from the videos. I think the note she plays before that pinch harmonic is just the same just no harmonic. I just re watched my cover of it but I didnt do the harmonic but I think I tried 😂

[@riloh58]

@@AxeJapan Ha! I feel you man. I'm just holding on right now trying to keep up with her on that solo (you are much more advanced in your playing than me) and I always miss the pinch getting to the run. Need to get faster. Thanks for the tip, and that would make sense that it's just the same note. I will give it a shot. And she always looks so serene when she's playing it. Wonderful.

[@cholatse6745]

Hell yes, finally someone who knows what he‘s talking about. Great little collection and I‘m glad that you recognized Tomo-Zo (usually mostly underrated but very versatile and complete guitar player, she’s a very mature musician who doesn’t push herself in front) and Misa from Bridear. Have all 5 Ladies seen live too. As whole guitar package with a lot soul in the strings my number one would be Kanami, no doubt and Tomo-Zo second, but ranking in the top 5 is a bit silly anyway, guess I would just say top 5 in an alphabetical order ... but 👍 sir

[@victorduffy4459]

Kanami is my favorite and probably is on my personal top 5 for all guitarists, but Yuki is the one I want to see in the morning.

[@BickKoxing]

Kanami Tono will always be no.1 in my heart. You're right maybe her technique is still not the best, but i'm sure no one dare to say that they are better than Kanami. She just have been playing guitar for 12 years ( her real strong point is PIANO for 18 years playing, since she was a kid), but just in 12 years playing guitar, Kanami has reached in top level, we can only name 2 or 3 guitarists are better than her, but there will be thousands of guitarist wish to be her, her imagination is incredible and she can do more and more than we can expect. The most important thing is, she always play with 200% of energy and passion, her melting face whenever she solos on stage is the most gorgeous thing you can see!

[@DS-xk6yr]

The thing is Tono IS also technically brilliant. She might not do a lot of shredding but that's only because, I think, she's mastered the art of brevity in her solos. You like what you hear and you want more, right? It takes a lot of musical maturity to get to that point so it's surprising to see it so early in her career. Short and sweet, sometimes less really is more.

[@BickKoxing]

@@DS-xk6yr ya if she always plays with all she got it won't be fun,just like i said there wouldn't anyone dare to challenge her, cuz Kanami can do better and better by showing just a little

[@DS-xk6yr]

True. Maybe I'm wrong but from my experience there's no shortage of technically brilliant guitar players out there. But there IS a shortage of technically great players who know how to write a brilliant SONG and arrange it, craft it if you will. That's why Tono gets my top pick - she's got the two elements of 'great guitarist'- the technical and the creative - and she's got them in spades. It's very rare. In short, she knows when to step back and best serve the song. Some pro musicians go their entire careers without coming to that realization. @@BickKoxing

[@ChickenTendie624]

@@BickKoxing trying putting her up against syu lol. Syu is the best Japanese guitarists in Japan and kanami would get rekt. This man has shred combined with feel.

[@xsundayxcore6137]

Nah,Saki is way better than Kanami, she has everything, feel, speed and technique

[@_BAND-MAID_fan]

Wow! You definitely chose from the awe inspiring end of the Spectrum, and came up with a showcase of serious talent. Imho, all are top players and well qualified to be on such a list. -Um. With that said... Ka Na MI... Ka Na Mi... Ka Na Mi🤘

[@riloh58]

Dorian - I suspected you might say that and who am I to disagree. My guitar heart belongs to Mincho.

[@rizuwanakelinang4419]

It's not fair to compare all of them..bcoz they are super talented ladies...

[@stevefromlondon4949]

What a great list! I know I'm extremely late to it but yeah, that was a really enjoyable watch, and hard to disagree. I think my top 5 would be: 1. Miyako/Midori - Lovebites (can't separate them, so I'm cheating lol) 2. Kanami - Band-Maid 3. Toki - Aldious 4. Narumi - Destrose/Disqualia/solo 5. Saki - Mary's Blood But it's tough to drop Misa and Tomo-zo, so let's call it a top 7, lol. I've never listened to D_Drive so I'm straight off to check them out because those clips you showed were fantastic :)

[@greenbile1960]

I think Miyako is better

[@ThrillingTwo]

@@greenbile1960 There's an incredible video of Miyako playing at NAMM. Highly recommended!

[@justinbowe38]

Kanami Tsunami is #1 for me. She is incredible and plays with such joy

[@AxeJapan]

Justin Bowe she really is an amazing player! Also quite a creative genius 👌

[@justinbowe38]

Axe Japan yeah she does.all.the arrangements, and they are so fresh and artistic!

[@TempleOfFive]

Introduced me to quite a few new bands there. Haven't honestly heard of any of them but will be checking them out. Gotta echo someone else below that the 2 girls from Lovebites should have been on here. Based on what I saw of your list though, I liked Kanami best.

[@AxeJapan]

That's great I hope you find some new music you like through it. I did mention Midori from Lovebites at the end of the video, I do like both of them though. Bridear have almost a completely new line up now but still amazing. Misato Ono (my #1) is a solo artist now and has just started releasing new music. Very different but still awesome. Definitely worth checking out! 😁

[@ramair3judge]

Toki from Aldious is pretty bad ass. Her style reminds me someone from eighties hair metal band. You are right though about the females in Japan. I have never seen so many all female hard rock and metal bands all in one era.

[@fredericrivoal3929]

Thank you for this very interesting video wich made me discover incredible musicians!

[@jbartyparty7398]

These are all sensational guitarists and I really like what I'm hearing from Saki of Mary's Blood, which I'm just starting to get into, but man, what is it about Kanami Tono?? Her solos just make the hair stand up on the back of my neck and sent tingles down my spine...she takes me to this higher plane of transcendence...full sensory intoxication!

[@world_traveller61]

Kanami, Band Maid is the best by far !!!

[@다곤X]

@@cepho8349 nejsi nemocný?

[@killersquirrel3036]

Love the list....although my favorite right now is 15yo Hal-Ca from Asterism.....if you haven't heard her yet, you should check her out.

[@AxeJapan]

I have! Yeah she's seriously good. I can't wait to see how she's going to be In a few years. A lot of people are commenting on her to me just now, who knows she might make the next top 5?? 🤔 Thanks for watching! 🤘

[@jonsaunders9526]

She's coming fast...

[@robertlucchesi2665]

かなみさんは最高の女性ギタリストです.

[@redsox4life]

#5, Yuki is gorgeous. I think KANAMI should be #1. Kanami is very talented and beautiful. Kanami can put Eddie Van Halen to shame.

[@THINKNOTHING]

I agree about Yuki been a gorgeous lady. Kanami not so beautiful in Japanese standard. She is an average or less. However, I can understand that some BAND MAID fans been bias about her. Kanami has a buck teeth that most of us Japanese do not consider as beautiful.

[@dougmetko1453]

Kanami!

[@johnroberts1616]

I have to agree, Kanami is awesome not just because of her lead guitar but because of her creative rhythm guitar and the creativity and imagination of all of her guitar playing. She plays with heart and soul as well as mind and technique. She is expressive and always knows just what to play to make a great song even better. Lots of people can learn techniques and tricks but Kanami can take six strings and paint a masterpiece .

[@alicemystery5520]

I think the list is perfect. This makes me want to visit japan and just hit the clubs and check out the scene. I'd add Hal- Ca from Asterism for her guitar pyrotechnics.

[@rahmatsyachaz1361]

yoshi and toki aldious harmonic guitarist.... with ESP Rock N Chunpa

[@teteafanai9614]

kanami is my no1..my favorite ❤️

[@teikpohsee5356]

My top 5 are : 1. Yuki (D_Drive), 2.Miyako (Lovebites), 3. Kanami (Band-Maid), 4. Misato Ono (ex-Bridear), 5. Marin Miyazawa (LoVendor)

[@gigmcsweeney8566]

Kanami Tono is in a league of her own in every respect.

[@AxeJapan]

This video is in serious need of an updated version 😉

[@PinD-PANIC]

@@cepho8349 Nope, no links ... not a single one. Sent ? Sent where? Try again. Start by just posting one. Personal attacks (poor ones at that) on your part don't count. So ... I can only assume in your view posting "BAND MAID" is insulting to you and your fellow fans who follow LOVEBITES? I doubt they would find that inciting a riot ... yet you have responded to comments like this with insults, name calling, and worse. Yeah you're done all right. Like I said, busted. Let the wolfpack eat you alive. What a glorious sight.

[@PinD-PANIC]

@@cepho8349 Lol, OMG you have now just resorted to flat out lying ... RETREAT! RETREAT! You never posted anything ... as evidenced by the fact you can't produce a single thing now. First you claim "you are going to present evidence" ... but now you claim otherwise because you and I both know none exists. What a bubblehead. People are not that gullible.

[@PinD-PANIC]

@@cepho8349 Sorry loser. In case you have not noticed this is KZbin. No one is going to follow Reddit links to exonerate you. I don't visit Reddit so I already know none of my comments are in there ... and I doubt you can tie any of those comments to anyone here ... so you are just going around and insulting people because your little feelings got hurt somewhere along the way and like a child, you need someone to take it out on. BTW, I know Chase you had better be careful misquoting him. It was NOT BAND MAID fans who attacked him. I'll be letting him know you are trying to use him as a pawn in this discussion. He won't be happy. As for the rest of your BS and unfounded claims, no one here is even going to read it let alone give you the time of day. They know know you are a butthurt LOVEBITES fan and though your anger has nothing to do with LOVEBITES, your unstable posts reflect on them.

[@PinD-PANIC]

@@cepho8349 Ok, show of hands! Who wants to go to Reddit to help this ... person "prove his innocence" ... anyone ... anyone? No? didn't think so. Please go get some of your fellow LOVEBITES fans you have embarrassed and see if they are interested ... be sure to explain the situation well to them. I'll wait.

[@jamesnettleton68]

Very hard to pick the best.This sort of skill is at a whole new level for many great guitarists.You made very sound judgement on the List of players.The new wave of Japanese guitarists, are enjoyable listening . I like Tomo-zo from dolls box,has a good way about her style .Thank you for putting this video together ,very interesting.

[@Karma-kr5dd]

Kanami. Speed isn't everything.

[@band-maidfan2176]

Karma 7 shred with a bit of melodies is always my kind of solo, and Kanami is doing it perfectly. A lot of guitarist can shred at the speed of light but only a few can make a very soulful melodic sound while shredding.

[@funnyrailroadcrossing2767]

yeah, but I see a lot shredders can did jazz, hardrock, blues. I want see Kanami shredd with 30 seconds ++.

[@zolitoth2458]

@@cepho8349 You try in your comments always against Kanami (or Band Maid) but rhe stats don"t lie! You're boring/

[@PinD-PANIC]

@@zolitoth2458 Cepho is just a hater. We should both report him for being a troll.

[@mikethebike6928]

To me Kanami is number one. But hey, who cares. Excellent video, man, thank you! And I love the Babymetal poster!

[@AxeJapan]

Thanks man! Yeah you are not alone there 😂 everyone loves Kanami 💜

[@bowhunter0762]

MISA, KANAMI, & MITSURU 🤘 😍🤘😍🤘😍🤘😍🤘

[@andyg9859]

SAKI *****super hot super talented

[@ryryry82]

Was looking on your page after hearing you play Ignite by Bridear which was a fantastic cover! you are awesome on guitar! Great choices for your top 5 female Japanese guitarists. I recently found out about Yuki from D_Drive. She can be very tuneful, fast, and does a really fast tapping technique too. Has some fantastic riffs too and "Voices" is superb, although "Unkind Rain" is also amazing. I see they have a new album coming out. Tomo-Zo is great, so tiny but she really packs a big punch with her guitar. Gacharic Spin has some nice songs although I'm not the biggest fan of that type of music, is some nice guitar solos amongst it and it doesn't quite showcase her guitar skills as much as Doll$Box did. That album from Doll$Box is amazing, from all the girls, solid production, Mary's Blood Saki wow!! I have their "Fate" album and wow, she is a guitar goddess for sure! So fast and really shreds her guitar. "Bite the Bullet", "Wings" , "Marrionete" Amazing solos, and some of the riffs too are fantastic. The live cover of Campanula is amazing, the riff is great and the guitar solo is much slower than normal, but really tuneful. Her image really rocks, and she always belts out a massive smile and wave to the fans (with the videos i have see) after doing her solos. Band Maid are great, and probably one of the most famous girl bands from Japan. I think Kanami has really grown since they started, that shes getting to explore her talents more and it's coming together nicely. Some amount of songs too they have released, must be like 3 or 4 albums already? Misa, what a girl! Great riffs, tricks, solos. I read it was her that was composing most of the music for Bridear and some of the songs like.. "Remedy", "Trace of Tears". Ignite etc.. wonderful songs, I have listened to those tracks so much. She also looks so focused on playing, i really hope she goes on and creates something even more wonderful than Bridear (although i hope they still do great too). Midori I really like her. She's fast and really creative, some of her songs with Gekijo Metalichhee were fun, but i always found the guitar solos to be interesting. Again, i think shes really grown which leads me onto LoveBites. Midori and Mi-Ya are so amazing together. Midori might be faster and has more tricks, but i think Mi-Ya is more tuneful and a better composer. How she can do LoveBites, Sonic Lover Reckless and 21G at the same time and doing the guitar work and solos is beyond me, really talented. Rie Suzaku is also great, shes like the Joe Satriani of the Japanese Rock ladies. Really hope Lovender do more stuff with guitar playing, i forget their names but they have some instrumental songs with 2 girls playing guitar, really tuneful and inventive stuff. But I don't think they have enough material out there to be considered top. Really like Yoshi from Aldious (Ground Angel is so awsome) too. Jeeze, a top 5 is really difficult!

[@AxeJapan]

Heyy! Thank you so much! I'm glad you liked the cover ^_^ Thank you for all your thoughts on my top 5 female guitarists, we are definitely on the same page with al of them! Thank you also for mentioning Rie Suzaku, I had not heard of her so I checked her out and she's awesome! It is so hard to pick a top 5! Haha. Thank you so much for supporting the channel!

[@Ivorydour]

Thanks Man! I'm just discovering this world of Japanese Female Metal bands and you've given me a lot to explore! Keep up the great work! How about a top 5 Female bass players list!

[@AxeJapan]

Pete Johnson No worries dude! So happy you liked the video 😁 and glad I could introduce you to some new music. If your only just getting into Japanese rock and metal then you have a lot to look forward to!

[@AxeJapan]

I do plan on doing a top 5 for bass, vocals and drums 👌

[@davidarcus5131]

Great list, and thank you for introducing me to Yuki. For me personally, my most favorite guitarist emerges according to what music I want to hear at any given time. That means the top spot shuffling will be among Miyako & Midori or Saki & Hazuki, because guitar interplay is an important aspect of musicianship in rock. Speaking of guitar interplay, another accolade for Kanami is her expert teaching of her brilliant "student" Miku. As Miku's guitar work has developed, Band-Maid later songs have involved her as a second guitarist, so the arranging has to be done carefully with that in mind. The same must be said for Tomo-Zo and Hana in the more recent songs of Gacharic Spin, now that Hana is playing second guitar. If you were to do an updated Top 5, I suspect young guitar wizards Haruka (Hal-ca) and Li-Sa-X would be strong contenders.

[@AxeJapan]

Thank you! Yeah my top changes all the time 😂 and you are spot on what you said about Miku and Hana. I actually did do a more updated list so you might be right about some of your predictions 😉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGrcnIiJhJtoj9k

[@emkayg612]

They are all extremely good guitarists but often only technique and speed are not enough.Kanami Tono has this inside ... "I really have something to say". as only the most talented composers have. You must possess this gift of nature or you cannot invent it even by exercising your whole life.

[@AxeJapan]

I totally agree 👍 that's why she's so high up the list

[@fernandoloya6325]

For me it's and always will be Kanamincho Tono #1 Band Maid -Thanks for your vid keep rocking bro

[@ocelotlilynectarine]

Narumi is one of my favourites. She understands restraint. And space. And melody. And then there's Motoko 'Motifour' Kida, absolutely my favourite guitarist. She's magic. And different. Somewhere between early Talking Heads, Wire, and the Gang of Four. With a little Number Girl thrown in for fun.

[@AxeJapan]

I know Motoko shes in tricot? Yeah shes amazing! I hadn't heard of Narumi before so I checked her out. Really like her playing! She definitely falls into the "modern player" category. I'll definitely check out her ep. Thanks for the suggestions!

[@ocelotlilynectarine]

Welcome. Narumi can play anything, from metal to jazz and Allah knows where else. When I saw her filling in for Toki with Aldious, she was adding all kinds of flourishes AND subtlety. And Tricot? They're the best band of any kind in the world today--in my mind anyway. I haven't loved a band this much since the 1980s even if I have no idea what they're saying, ever :)

[@JDsHouseofHobbies]

Thanks for giving me new Japanese bands to investigate. I love Band-Maid and BABYMETAL and just started getting in Aldious. Mary's Blood and Doll$Boxx look very interesting!

[@門奈泉-s9t]

People are free to choose their own preferences, but I can't believe Kanami isn't in first place.

[@AxeJapan]

If you look at my recent videos you will find a more up to date version of this list 😉

[@sylvainrousselot9434]

Kanami pour toujours!!!!!

[@vin-metal5192]

My top 3 is the same as yours but in a different order (Saki #1) and Yuki is probably the most beautiful guitarist anywhere!

[@AxeJapan]

Vin-Metal I know It is really hard to choose between them! 😫😂

[@redsox4life]

My favorite from the list is the guitarist from Band-Maid. Their music is awesome. Have you heard of a band called Scandal? They're from Japan. Mami Sasazaki is a good guitar. They may not be metal. But, they're still a good band.

[@musiktrio]

Fun to see that I had the same choices if I had to choose, awesome players all of them, like the two players from Aldious too

[@AxeJapan]

Great minds! 😉👌 Yeah I like them a lot too! Thanks for watching!

[@terryfuller7568]

Absolutely possible list, but really well done sir, I l really liked your choice.

[@AlecWalker007]

I´m so glad that Misato Ono aka "Misa from Bridear" is your number one, i´ve met her three times, and it was stunning. It´s so sad that she left, but i will always support Bridear and Misa aswell. The future will bring us what´s up to them, can´t wait, hopefully they perform in germany again. I´ll get the "new" Misa a chance, but either way, if our "ExBridearMisa", is visiting Europe again, i´ll try to see and hear her, so outstanding. BTW Great Vid, Thumbs up.

[@AxeJapan]

Awesome man thank you so much! I met her last year in London on the last Bridear tour. So glad I got to meet her and she told me she had actually seen my guitar cover of Ignite so I was ecstatic! She's amazing and I'm sure whatever she does will be also. Definitely will be going to anything she does if she comes back to the UK!

[@cha_aseldo]

Awesome list man! Also checkout Yumiki Erino (now with Kirinji) and Hanako Fujiwara from Octavia Grace. These two are my current favorite.

[@AxeJapan]

Cha Aseldo Thank you so much got the suggestions I haven't heard of them so I'm excited to check them ou! I'll let you know what I think when I'm back on my pc! Thanks for watching! 🤘😊

[@andreperron8466]

Kanami is so fucking amazing

[@daniellundberg2875]

Funny thing, I came here hoping to find some new music to listen to, but as it turns out I'm already listening to 4 of 5 of these bands.

[@AxeJapan]

You have good taste! Check out my "Japanese Bands" play list on the channel, you might find some new music 😊 also there is a Facebook group called "the Japanese music experience" you will find a lot of new stuff there too. I'll be doing more top 5 videos covering other genres so keep a look out. Thanks for checking out the channel!

[@andreaspedersen3952]

Oh… In my case i would claim that Miho and Midori are a little better than Kanami on the technical aspect. But i prefer Ms. Tonos creativity, always stepping up from year to year, riffmaster and the key to Band-maids sound. I like Tomo-zo also.

[@danielwong7417]

SAKI (MARY'S BLOOD) and KANAMI (BAND-MAID), two of my favorite guitarists/bands in top 3 (cool). 👍

[@AxeJapan]

daniel wong You have good taste bro! 🤘

[@raymonsmith252]

Oh yeah dude I think kanami of band maid is number one to me. I am a bassist and I think misa of band maid one of the greatest female bassist I would like to play the bass guitar like her.

[@silviogutierrez631]

I like the lead guitars from (exist trace, Aphasia, Destrose.)

[@camel9189]

kanami(●^o^●)

[@RoosterIB]

Love the BABYMETAL poster!

[@Voldrani]

No. 1 for me is Hanako from Octaviagrace. Tasteful, beautiful, but can also shred. Mi-ya from Lovebites is also amazing. This is a great list. They're all amazing and I can't argue with Misa at the top.

[@AxeJapan]

I hadn't heard much of Octaviagrace but Ivrvjust been check out a lot of there stuff and yes I agree she is amazing 😍 might have to learn one of their songs for the channel! 😁 I love Mi ya aswell! Thank you for your comment and giving me a new band to listen to! 🤘

[@Voldrani]

@@AxeJapan Hanako was also in a short lived band called Albion, which is a little more symphonic. They had one video. It's called: Albion【全てを知らせる鐘と迷宮に惑わされし者 】MV. She was also in the better known Destrose for a hot minute before that. I can't find much more on her, sadly, because I don't read or write Japanese.

[@sizwanabubakar786]

I would be happy just to be able to hold and strum a C chord. Daaaaaaaammmmmmnnnnnn these ladies are amazing musicians. Lots of love from Malaysia.😘

[@AxeJapan]

sizwan abu bakar "Daaaaaammmmmmnnnnn" is definitely the word to describe them 🤘😂 much love to you too dude! ✌️

[@sizwanabubakar786]

Axe Japan Totally🤘😎

[@kerrylewis7964]

great video I follow these bands and would like to see your take on their drummers, These girls are saving rock music

[@AxeJapan]

Thanks so much! Agreed! Yeah i definitely want to do a top 5 drummers video soon. Bassists and vocalists too 🤘

[@vincentgallagher7562]

Kumi Adachi. A very fine guitarist from Kyoto. On occasion, plays with Senri Kawaguchi, one of the most talented drummers on the planet.

[@Haempe100]

Good top men, nice video

[@AxeJapan]

Thank you man!

[@DS-xk6yr]

Yes a good breakdown.

[@gibsoneb3]

They all are inspiring - western industrial complex can learn a ton from them!

[@Deilwynna]

i would put both toki and yoshi from aldious on my list of best female japanese guitarists but first place would definitely go to kanami from band-maid. tbf though, my love for toki and yoshi probably comes from aldious being the first all-female japanese metal band i heard

[@ronnieguitar99]

Should have did 10. How about the teen-age prodigies Lisa-X and Hal-Ca. The other guitar player from Bridear is good too and Misa left and the girl who replaced her is good too.

[@salvadorsarmiento2202]

Top 5?? Are you serious?? There are many more great female guitar players, but your list is good!!

[@peterkarargiris4110]

Awesome video. Very nicely put together. I've never heard of most of these ladies. Saki from Mary's Blood blew me away. Must check them out.

[@AxeJapan]

Peter Karargiris Thank you so much man! Glad you liked it 😁 Yeah Mary's Blood are so awesome and actually have a new album coming out in April. Definitely one to check out! 🤘🎸🎶

[@TheHokkaidogaijin]

Love Tomo-zo, seen them live 4 times and got tickets again for March! P.S. it's not Graphics Spin it's Gacharic Spin like Gotcha Rick. Great Video~ Check out Rie Suzaku

[@AxeJapan]

Haha! You're right ..... wow I've been calling them that for years ... I'm dyslexic so it's ok :p Thats awesome man! Where did you see them? Did you see her with Doll$Boxx any of the times? Where is the gig in March? Thanks for the support man, I'll definitely check her out.

[@TheHokkaidogaijin]

Haven't seen Dollsboxx yet, they did a mini tour in Tokyo but haven't made it to my area yet. All of the times I have seen Gacharic Spin have been in Hokkaido, where I live. In March I will see them in Sapporo. Love your channel and keep up the great videos.

[@brucedavis191]

Axe Japan Doll$boxx is just gacharic spin with fuki from light bringer. basically the dancers are on a break.

[@sacluvsBM]

Give Band-Maid's new song Ren-nie (Reincarnation) from the upcoming new album to be released on December 11th a listen and you will see why Ms. Tono is number one.

[@Nekoyama69]

Miki "Sun-go" Igarashi from Show-ya, Narumi from Destrose.

[@yushida03]

Different era perhaps.. but still great guitarist.

[@timgove5337]

Narumi #1!

[@AntaresVampire13]

Narumi is in Disqualia and plays in Rami (live)...

[@apaajaayo8759]

For Me 1. Kanami, Best Performamce 2. Saki, Style & Speed 3. Yuki, Talented Best Duo : Yoshi & Toki New Era of Cacophony 😋

[@thissailorja]

just found and subbed. keep up the great work.

[@alanretamales1587]

Where is Miki Igarashi from Show Ya?

[@dancan6622]

WOW a lot of great talent in Japan. My personal favorite is HAL-CA from Asterism, at only 16 she is not just a great shredder but her her compositions are very ''musical''. Check them out I think you will be impressed

[@risingmoon3387]

Hal-ca is also my favorite guitarist, what an exceptional talent. And with Asterism she creates a kind of music that is far more mature and sophisticated, as you would expect from a teenage girl.

[@Karma-kr5dd]

Kanami.

[@tructo547]

Please do a *Top 10 Female Japanese Drummer* ... make sure to put *Senri, Tamu, Kanade, Yuna, Nao, Akane, Yoyoka,* and ... 🤘🤣

[@AxeJapan]

😂 Thanks for the suggestion! I definitely will do a top drummer list.... I can only count to 5 though 🙄😂 🤘

[@oceansideDOODS]

great list

[@AxeJapan]

Thanks man!

[@viaverde3153]

You should not forget about Hisako Tabuchi. In my opinion, she is a pure guitar genius. Her best times ended when the "Number Girl" was disbanded in 2002, but what she played at the time, especially at gigs, is unforgettable, and you can find that on YT. And besides, she is not retired and you could have been find something like that last year - kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZCWoGqmbJ2Chbs an example of how a brilliant guitarist can to do something special with a trivial song.

[@MrStanwo]

Cool 5.

[@screamindemon71]

This top 5 is on point! I like and listen to all of these bands so I really don't have a favorite. They all have the sound that I know and love

[@NaZaReNo87]

Concuerdo contigo man mis tres favoritas Misa, Kanami y Saki

[@metal7031]

凄い❗よく日本のガールズバンドを理解していますね(^-^)v゛同感です🎵！

[@prezooom4307]

Choice of color in the letters made it really difficulto read Who they are. Do you have a list for the visual unfortunate? Thanks for this and I loving Band MAID

[@AxeJapan]

I'm sorry! I'll try and make that better for future videos. Here is the list 😁.... 5) Yuki - D-drive 4) Tomo-Zo - Dolls Boxx / Gacharic Spin 3) Saki - Mary's Blood 2) Kanami - Band Maid 1) Misa Ono (ex Bridear) Thanks for watching!🤘

[@prezooom4307]

@@AxeJapan thanks for the list !!! Saki's my New Crush . Thur ur video I've been doing some research on each artist !!!! Next Mesa though I'm still trying to observe Kanami

[@johnmiezejewski81]

Late to the party but my two cents. Glaring omission is Haruka Noma (HAL-CA) of Asterism. An absolutely amazing left hand. The fact she is still in her teens is mind boggling.

[@AxeJapan]

She is pretty amazing. Had I done this video now she would probably be in the list 🙂🤘