Story of ATARASHII GAKKO! | The Girl Group's Unorthodox Journey to Popularity

[@colorblindphotographer]

Let us not forget their First Take with Otona Blue. 55+ million views. ... I've seen them three times in concert and I will see them again this fall. They are addictive in their sound and performance.

[@redcomn]

Idol ❎ Leaders ✅

[@user-sc3oh1bw4z]

i'm happy that they are getting popular. but i'm also sad because they are also getting toxic "fans". recently i found some people blame suzuka for taking alot of spotlight. said that she should shut up and let other girls sing. i really hate this stupid toxic kpop fans mindset that say all members a singing-dancing groups have to get singing part. people from kpop fandom should just keep kpop group's rules away from jpop. jpop has its own rule..

[@Kushunjpop]

@@user-sc3oh1bw4z I think it's fine if people want other members to get more singing opportunities, but blaming SUZUKA makes no sense at all.

[@keithy_is_tired]

that hate toward Suzuka is so unnecessary... all four members decide which parts each member should sing depending on the message and mood of the song. they've said it themselves in interviews that they make the decision together; Suzuka isn't taking the spotlight by "stealing" it from the others, all of them seem to be in agreement with her being the lead vocalist and front-woman. she didn't make the decision on her own; too bad those toxic fans can't understand that

[@keithmajor7525]

There fans have gone from hundreds to literally millions in a very short space of time. Always going to be a few people who are pathetic trolls. Vocally Suzuka is kind of centre stage but Rin is getting a lot more rapping exposure. Mizyu and Kanon are also very good singers but for me they stand out as a group

[@coolbrotherf127]

​@@Kushunjpopespecially since the girls themselves decide who sings what parts. If they clearly have a preference for what kind of singing each girl likes to do, and Sazuka is really good at singing lead parts of songs.

[@user-sc3oh1bw4z]

​@@Kushunjpop they should perform song like "zzz", "rakuen nite watashi jigoku", "wakaranai", etc in overseas concert too, tbh. one song at one concert shouldn't take much time.

[@timriley4543]

I’m a 63 year old lifelong studio musician and I love these ladies. They got the whole package going for them, especially their pop songwriting skills. That’s what originally drew me to them. Onward and upward, girls. I’m one of your older fans.

[@Pastor_Disaster]

Thank you for this video. I'm a fairly new fan of AG. I don't really listen to much music at all, and have never been particularly into the k-pop or j-pop scene. No shade, it's just not my thing. But seeing AG's joy and freedom to be silly and outrageous, I became an instant fan. It's always a pleasure to find artists who see no contradiction between having exceptional artistic skill and having a sense of humor.

[@Kushunjpop]

Understandable that J-pop isn't for everyone, but also that's what makes AG so refreshing and unique!

[@slavvalb3933]

I am addicted to their songs. Their energy is what gives me energy ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Kushunjpop]

Same!

[@chuckufar1ey]

i have been listening to AG for only about a year or two now, but even here in oklahoma AG is finally getting heard by people. i think its amazing

[@Kushunjpop]

You know it's world domination when AG is reaching Oklahoma

[@joelm1246]

Their performance on First Take was so mesmerising and fun. Been hooked with AG songs and content since then.

[@Kushunjpop]

It was a rly amazing way of utilizing the space. And SUZUKA barging into other member's shots was my favorite.

[@pipeledzeppelin]

They are the best in the world

[@Alchemetica]

ATARASHII GAKKO! the best group to bring a new perspective to music and break the conventions of "girl groups". They delve into a wide selection of music. Their high energy dancing with choreography that includes the influences of Japanese arts, such as, Kabuki. Butoh, Noh, martial arts, movies, and way of life. They have totally captivated me.

[@Kushunjpop]

Couldn't put it better myself. There are other "unconventional" groups, but it's usually under the producers influence. I'd say the greatest thing about AG is their creative freedom.

[@kidbleau]

Well done, thank you! I'm from the MISSISSIPPI Delta, USA, birthplace of Blues. 64 years old. 22:21 I love this group, from the first note. You are so informative. Keep up the good work!

[@aluncurtis6124]

Saw them in London and their live show blew me away. Have been a fan since nai nai nai.

[@philipebbrell2793]

I was there too! I drew the performance.

[@slavvalb3933]

Suzuka reminds me so much of another JPop legend, Jun Togawa. My most beloved Japanese singer. Attarashi Gakko' is my ❤️ as well. Incredible girls !

[@quickorangefox]

This came up in my recommendations and I was really impressed that it was from such a new channel. You're totally understandable, you don't need to worry about your voice/audio too much. As a pretty recent fan of jpop it's cool to get this kind of perspective on a group I like. Looking forward to your future videos.

[@Kushunjpop]

Thanks! That means a lot. Welcome to the world of J-pop, hopefully I can keep providing useful information while entertaining you.

[@oji_weeb]

As a huge AG fan who’s been following them for a couple of years, I really enjoyed your presentation. Looking forward to your follow-up video.

[@Kushunjpop]

Thank you! Hopefully I've covered the most important parts of their history.

[@scttschlz]

The channel is an instant sub for me. I apparently watch enough AG! to have this video hit my feed, and thoroughly enjoyed the guide to the group who I'll be seeing again next month. I did then immediately check out the KANA-BOON video, and enjoyed it as well. (As an American born and raised, I have absolutely no issues understanding your accent, btw.) I did not know the group though I had seen The First Take videos with Maguro and Mossa. It sounds like your list of future "Story of ..."s is well in hand. I particularly look forward to your takes on Ado, BiSH/AiNA THE END, and Milet. I might nudge you to add Necry Talkie, but that's just me. Once you get comfortable with your production process, it might be nice to do a "Story of J-POP" as a milestone at some point way in the future. My favorite nugget of the history of J-POP is that the whole no-dating thing (that infests both j-idol and k-idol culture) goes back to a train executive, Ichizō Kobayashi, in Osaka in 1913 who wanted more people to travel to his terminus station in Takarazuka, and so he set up the all-female Takarazuka Revue to perform musicals there. Since adult women were still not allowed to act but girl students were, he set it up as part of a school, and the members of the revue were expected to "graduate" when they got married or started dating (and so some stars would be "students" for decades before "graduating"). Johnny of Johnny's adopted many of the same elements (including the no-dating rule) of the Revue fan culture when he started his agency in the early 60s, and so the rule was extended to boy groups under his "watch" as well (and it's well known what was going on in the background at this point). And so the rule became a part of the general idol scene in the subsequent decades.

[@Kushunjpop]

Thank you for the detailed comment! I'm glad you watched that many AG videos as well. And hope you have a good time at their concert. I'm saving Ado, BiSH and the likes of YOASOBI for special occasions cuz their vidoes will likely go over 30 mins. Plus Im still building the groundwork of this channel so videos of Ado and YOASOBI this early on don't feel natural to me, more like clout chasing. I'll certainly put Necry Talkie on the list as well. That's absolutely a great idea. Although band introductions will likely be a huge focus of this channel, I do wanna put out more idol related videos. Direction-wise artists and music will be my priority right now but I'll definitely consider making industry/culture/controversy themed videos in the future as well.

[@GaryAa56]

I love Atarashii Gakko. This was a great video and really did the group justice! I love all four personalities!

[@Kushunjpop]

Thank you! One of the rare cases where I love all members almost equally👍

[@GaryAa56]

I started out loving Myzui, then I feel in love with Kanon, I absolutely love Rin! Suzuki is a little quirky but, she takes her glasses off and she's so beautiful!

[@theplasticnoodle]

Underrated channel. As a fan of AG and Jpop, i really enjoyed this video. Thank you for featuring AG and these talented ladies. Can you also feature AKFG. ❤

[@Kushunjpop]

Thank you for the kind words. They more than deserve videos dedicated to them! AKFG are on the list for sure! But I can't guarantee when I'll be making it so hope you stick around. If anything I did name drop them a couple times in my KANA-BOON video.

[@theplasticnoodle]

@Kushunjpop Yeah I saw your kana-boon video too after seeing this. Keep them coming! Subbed.

[@Kushunjpop]

@@theplasticnoodle Will do. Thanks!

[@solarmoth4628]

I’ve been listening to them since around 2019/2020 but I don’t tend to follow Jpop singers super intensely (except Ado, I’m a big fan and have been following her for years) so I didn’t know much about them beyond their names before this video. When I saw them preform on youtube I was blown away by their dancing.

[@calebshaw6007]

piano music in the background is fire

[@Kushunjpop]

Glad you liked it! I left the BGM channels in the description so feel free to check them out.

[@larssachibui]

I saw a show clip that Rin cries and cleans the eyes quilcky. I think that she's thinking how long the group went after the "dark days of fight". It's so pretty to see they having the success that they fight to gain, AG deserved because the wonderful talent !

[@Lmanyakaa]

I saw their collab with Dr. Disillusion and immediately understood they are a different breed of group: one that is not created by concept artists in a big label. They have genuine character. I'm happy they are finally recognized. I'm also glad their management is extremely capable of moving them around the world. They just concluded their NA tour, and it feels like they will be back soon!

[@Kushunjpop]

@@Lmanyakaa Good management that knows what's best for the artists and care about them might be an even rarer breed, glad they got one of them!

[@ShivJG13]

This is a great video, especially for new fans like myself. I forget when I first heard it, but Tokyo Calling was the first song of theirs I heard, and thought it was awesome. I went straight onto KZbin and looked for more of their stuff and was glad I found them. Their music, not being fixed to one style, and their vocal styles and the choreography and videos make them very entertaining even to older people like myself. I managed to buy their first three albums when I was in Japan earlier this year, but sadly wasn't able to get the latest one, I'll hold on to get that when I go again next year. So far I haven't heard a song by them which I didn't like, which makes listening to their albums all the way through much better. :)

[@Droxcy]

I remember them popping up on my tiktok feed in 2020, and I was instantly like eh kinda lame, but diving deeper into their catalog and learning more about them now I'm stuck on them. Their music is so awesome and the energy is infectious. Saw them at Coachella finally also!

[@tackle47]

I find it interesting in how AG has integrated themselves outside of traditional J-Pop fan bases. I for example listen to almost exclusively metal. I stumbled into AG through consuming so much J-Metal. The J-Metal scene is excellent and has a deep pool of super talented bands. Many of those bands were female bands and as I consumed music and started following many of those bands like Babymetal, Nemophila, Hanabie, Lovebites, Mary’s Blood exc…I would find in KZbin comments “check out AG”. This was about 4 years ago. Other metal fans were suggesting a J-Pop group which is rare for metal fans to suggest pop. 1st heard Koi Geba, then Otona Blue and Dokubana and I was hooked. I still have zero interest in pop music but damn these ladies just click with me and so many other metal fans. I think it is a combination of strong individuality and meshing of genres. Also got to give credit to Babymetal for opening the idea of choreography in metal.

[@Kushunjpop]

Hi thank you for sharing! I don't listen to metal maybe except BABYMETAL but I can tell their music is metal just by my impression of the genre. However I've seen many people describing OTONABLUE in many genres but never metal, could you explain how the song is categorized as metal as well? It is very intriguing.

[@tackle47]

@@Kushunjpop AG has no songs that are metal, some heavy rock guitars but no metal. That is why it is so surprising they do many metal fans are fans of Ag. Their brilliance is that they overcomes the fact that I and many like me are not usually fans of pop.

[@Kushunjpop]

@@tackle47 Oh that's really interesting. Literally just hits different I guess.

[@philipebbrell2793]

I found my way to Jpop via Mikiko-Metal who choreograph's for Babymetal and Perfume, who I saw last year in London. My favourite group is Kolme, who I have met in Japan.

[@PervertHeart]

As someone who follows them since 2017, I'm really happy to see the girls finally breaking through the mainstream and becoming big. Tho I gotta admit, their new songs do sound different than their old material.

[@potahto-potatoh4655]

they said in an interview they were discovered in a concert and when they played koi geba is when the "head hunter" (I guess you can call them) was like "yeah I want them" :)

[@Kushunjpop]

You know whoever dropped them be punching air since 2020

[@whycyber]

thank you. As an AG!, I appreciate your work on this. ARIGATO!

[@jamesslaughter7859]

I saw them in Dallas live I was stage side. Best concert of my life!

[@Kushunjpop]

No doubt! God I'm jealous😭

[@uyenmeowrua]

I've been following AG! for a long time so I'm very picky when watching information videos about them. It's really rare to see a video as neat as this. The content you put together is really great and helpful. Thank you very much for your hard work 👅, ARIGATO

[@coolbrotherf127]

I first heard about them right after the Snacktime EP release and I've been following them ever since. I think I listen to their music at least once a day. I can't wait to one day to go a concert.

[@jokiga]

I’ve never gotten into Jpop, the only name I recognized here other than AG was Yoasobi. anyways… I HAVE BECOME OBSESSED WITH ATARASHII GAKKOOO. Ive known about AG for a couple years now just because I thought they were fun to watch on social media, but didn’t really dive into their discography until recently. Way too much AG media has been consumed in the last week, this kicked off last week when I found out they were world touring and were going to be in SF soon. Idk if I’m gonna go Bcs idk how I feel about going alone as a white dude and it’s expensive. Anyways… I really like how inspiring they are, and fuck with their music heavily especially after reading English translations and it getting my soul activated on a deeper level. Every song makes me wanna dance and gets me hyped up. I also really like their old stuff that isn’t as hype, but just as groovy. Also it’s super surreal seeing them because they’re literally my age. Anyways, good video, was cool to see more about their history and come up, my algorithm has been infected and brought me here LOL.

[@Kushunjpop]

It is a really is an amazing feeling to discover your new favorite artist who's got an extensive history and discography, so much to explore! I hope you'll find out more about other J-pop artists through AG tho👍

[@briangilliver2197]

Hi from England, I really found this very interesting and informative, as now a fan of the ladies having found them on Instagram shorts, with their pineapple Kryptonite dance routine and investigating further found onta blue, at first take, to meeting them and having photo with them. VIP, when they came to London this June 10th, and their show was Fantastico, . Thanks again for this insight, look forward to your next one.

[@Kushunjpop]

Thank you for sharing! They really reward their international fans like no other.

[@anorax001]

This is an excellent video essay about the group. Thank you.

[@kinzdarell5447]

ado and AG collab would be legendary

[@catherine1756]

Thank you for this! They're the same age as many of my former students, they give me hope for the future of Japan!!! Are you considering covering any older singers from the 80s/90s?

[@Kushunjpop]

Thanks for the comment. I'm definitely making a Mr.children video at some point, maybe Utada Hikaru and some other artists who are still very active right now. But for artists who might not be as well-known internationally, like Oda Kazumasa, I might make videos covering multiple artists.

[@AndrewHartley]

Nice video. Thanks! I've been a fan for almost 4 years!

[@inprisonforsparkling4679]

i've been a fan since NAINAINAI - i saw a video talking about them and it said to "stream NAINAINAI", so i took a look, and i've been hooked ever since! thanks for this video :D

[@MerryOlSoulGigglesmith]

This video reminds me so much of Miku from Band Maid. Such determination and drive got them to glory.

[@Kushunjpop]

Fan or not, artists who became successful with unconventional methods deserve a lot of respect.

[@Davey-Boyd]

Po!

[@ruditann]

nice video ❤❤

[@_JimS]

Finding them in my Band-Maid algorithm, at first I though they were so unique, but was luke warn to their style until one video came out that just blew me away.... " ATARASHII GAKKO! - Night Before the Exam (Single-take performance)" That was just so badass!!! I've been a fan ever since. These girls are amazing.

[@TNPhan]

Your The First Take video brought me here, aside from the information being very well presented. I looooove your music choice in every single video that you have been uploaded so far. Subbed.

[@Kushunjpop]

Thank you!

[@DJ_Black_Tourmaline]

being a fan of members "both collectively and individually beyond their performances" is a good description of how idol fans experience idol. that is the essence of idol to me.

[@Kushunjpop]

Many people even some AG fans still have colored glass around the word "idol" but being invested without music is a great feat.

[@cpuuk]

I first saw them way back when they were doing the live school type concerts. They are unique, they are a little crazy, they are entertaining. I hope they continue to have huge world success.

[@あじあ-n4s]

Discovered them when they were the opening act for a music fest called Otonoko in 2018 (might be 2017?), which, at the time, was rather odd considering it was an electronic music festival and most of the performers were DJs. One of the songs they performed was 恋の遮断機 and the song had really stuck with me ever since. Very cool to watch them see this level of success since then.

[@Kushunjpop]

The fact that they can perform at any type of music festival without feeling out of place speaks volume to the diversity of their discography

[@airlinesecret6725]

Thank you, really enjoyed that, can you do BAND-MAID next PO ?

[@Kushunjpop]

Glad you liked it! They are on the list but since I've just done Story of AG and next video is also about AG as well, it might be a few cycles away til I make a video about them, hope you stick around til then!

[@eva02soul]

It's funny you mention Ano-Chan, because I became a big fan of hers from listening to AG and seeing her on a panel show they did. Now I'm a fan of her and I's as well.

[@Kushunjpop]

One does not make a video about AG without mentioning Ano😂

[@bernardotomo3946]

AG are amazing !!!!!

[@realdocloco]

Following them since februari 2021 (Nai Nai Nai). I'm so glad for their success even if I have to admit I slightly prefer their early days and couple of first albums - there was even more madness! But anyway - they're great!

[@Kushunjpop]

Must be great being part of the journey! I expressed a similar sentiment in the follow up video😂 I do miss the time when they sang rock songs

[@raihanlazuardi6632]

Can't wait for your video about Aimyon ❤❤❤ As a big fan of her, I surprised that she has written a song for AG. I didn't know this😅.

[@Kushunjpop]

She writing songs for everyone😂

[@ingridbmangubat]

New subscriber here! This is the second video I watched from this channel and I'm a fan! YES PLEASE MAKE A VIDEO ABOUT YORUSHIKA!!! I haven't found an English docu video about them. Can you also consider making one for Eve too??? 🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️

[@Kushunjpop]

Def making both of them!

[@ingridbmangubat]

@@Kushunjpop OMG YAAAAAY! I really hope your channel blows up! It's such great quality! ✨✨✨

[@cardboard7741]

Love your video dude! I've only been a fan for a year but their impact is something I hold dearly :> They've been a positive force in my life and for sure others as well :>> One question though: Where did you find the longer version of their tagline (kousei ya jiyuu de, hamidashiteiku)? It's a really good line and I wanna know the context of it, thank you!

[@Kushunjpop]

Thanks! Happy for you, they definitely make people's lives better. I found it on Japanese websites talking about them, I believe Japanese version of Wiki also has it as well.

[@cosmicpeach7080]

My favourite band ❤ Thank you for this video! Also if I could give an advice, maybe you should speak with a more enthousiastic and dynamic voice, it's very monotonous to be honest 😅

[@Kushunjpop]

@@cosmicpeach7080 Thank you for the comment! I'm aware of that🥲 If you're interested in general J-pop it would be great if you could check out my more recent videos where I try to sound less robotic and give me feedback if I've improved🙇‍♂️

[@iBleedsMetal]

Thank You 🦊 .

[@Fanaro]

Their energy is unrivalled.

[@Smoses_senpai]

Ado calling recent fans of Atarashii Gakko shallow because she has been a fan long before that is really funny to me😂

[@깍트]

이미 세계제패 접수 중 입니다.❤

[@bitfreakazoid]

Yooooo That reference to the Tomioka Dance Club song. lol Nice.

[@Kushunjpop]

Glad you know about them👍

[@bitfreakazoid]

@@Kushunjpop Oh yeah. My wife is Japanese, from Osaka, and I was stationed in Japan when it became a bit. Loved the part where you mentioned Osakan comedy. Those stations are what my wife mostly watches. Lol

[@Kushunjpop]

Hahaha comedy is almost a form of art to them

[@Lisi_Gilby]

Opinion from Italian observer... these girls find their way to be idol... without be idol! personally i love this group. And Babymetal (discovering Babymetal world i discover Japanese music and i start study your language), Phantom Siita (and Ado!!!!), Yoasobi...🤘🦊

[@RedColdRitsu]

Given what the point of AG! is, I personally would say ATARASHII GAKKO! is my favorite punk band ever.

[@hinten7431]

I'd like to see the Mrs. Greenapple or Babymetal video as they are my favorite bands!

[@justani]

売れるまではコンテンツもどんどん作って貯めておけば良いのです。 Perfumeのときもそうでした。ぁあ楽しい世界だ・・・

[@Kushunjpop]

とりあえず頑張る！みたいな感じですね、今の僕もとにかく動画を作ります😂 Perfumeの紹介もいつか作りたいです、音楽を聴き始めてから好きなユニットですからな。

[@justani]

@@Kushunjpop 解説、後追い後推しブースト動画助かります。

[@jnrbonezio]

They pull top class comedy facial expressions.

[@mayelo316]

Ahí hay un error bueno varios, pero ado si estuvo en evento de fin de fin de año junto a AG! Ella estuvo en equipo blanco y canto the show

[@Kushunjpop]

Hola. Do you mind explaining more? I'm having trouble understanding through Google translate😅

[@R_Uto]

Request: Can you do Yorushika backstory/how the band created? I just not see much channel talking about their backstory outside Japan...

[@Kushunjpop]

Thanks for the comment. Can't guarantee when but absolutely! They're massive in Japan but should get more recognition internationally following Frieren.

[@R_Uto]

@@Kushunjpop Yeah they're less popular outside Japan but after doing Frieren OP2 they just getting more recognized, also thanks!

[@autohmae]

I see many similarities to Babymetal. And I think Mizyu is a Babymetal fan and Momoko is a AG fan. As a Babymetal fan, the most I look into AG, the more parallels I see. It clearly doesn't stop with them having a singer called Suzuka. 🙂

[@yoohoo909]

I really loved them for their weird hijinks and flubbs. Like one where they showed doing high kicks where one of their sneakers flies off and another ad libs atop a ladder flipping a jacket over the act. It was hilarious. Since they started getting J-Poppy/K-Poppy, my love for them alas, has waned. :( Still wish them the best though. :D

[@Kushunjpop]

They're very focused on live shows and mainstream artists stuff right now so unfortunately don't put in as much effort into the tiktok side anymore

[@chazhartwayne6493]

I only recently dsicovered them thanks to MAXIMUM THE HORMONE but they really fit the metal vibe and the lead singer has a crazy good voice

[@Kushunjpop]

They're one of the only artists that'll never look out of place no matter what genre they're performing👍

[@earlybird3668]

They are stars. Nothing bizarre about Suzuka's behavior. They are a charsmatic multi talented group. Worldclass performers.

[@Kushunjpop]

Bizarre is great😂

[@earlybird3668]

@@Kushunjpop 😄 yes.

[@OrreFan54]

Wow did not know that full story

[@Kushunjpop]

Now you do🫡

[@gorkipork4112]

Damn did Otonablue catch me

[@bitfreakazoid]

Kanon is... very pretty.

[@brunzgschirrzamhaenger1936]

they not idols they are superstars arround the world

[@guntherhochleitner3177]

Yes, but who were the grownups way back in 2015 who came up with idea? How much Chinese capital is behind 88 rising? Who OWNS the act? That's always a mystery.

[@arthur_changes3813]

Can u do one on tm revolution or takanori nishikawa its the same person

[@Kushunjpop]

Can't guarantee when but I'm definitely making one!

[@komachi-san7615]

Asian Kungfu Generation pls🙏🙏

[@IBLIZA23]

Where can I find the full ado all night nippon talk with suzuka?

[@Kushunjpop]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWPJomaJr99qnbM

[@hjnay5613]

TOGENASHI TOGEARI

[@Kushunjpop]

2nd album coming soon!

[@sadirun-ez6rn]

next story of BiSH please..

[@Kushunjpop]

@@sadirun-ez6rn Won't be next unfortunately😅 But BiSH was my fav group for a rly long time so I'm saving them for special occasions, also it's gonna take a lot of time and effort for this special project.

[@Fanaro]

Also, when you're standard dress is a long skirt, showing your knee is outrageous.

[@_URBAN_GROVE]

👀

[@zuzda85]

I really wanted to watch this and I'm sure you did a great job but that piano music is so distracting in the "background" or just too loud for your speech level that I couldn't focus at all :(

[@Kushunjpop]

My apologies, I'm still experimenting with the volume, I'll tune it down for future videos, in the meanwhile I hope captions help🙇‍♂️

[@zuzda85]

@@Kushunjpop That’s nice of you but It might be just me. Will give it another try at some point. 😉🤙🏻

[@bleedsmetal]

Thank You 🦊 .