When the topic of metal fashion comes to mind, what do you envision? Do you think of guys repping black tank tops, ripped skinny jeans, and long, unkempt hair? Maybe full-leather outfits with spiked jackets and five pounds of chains and jewelry? Or how about baggy shirts, zero hygiene, and enough skull-themed paraphernalia to make your grandmother cry? Whatever you came up with, go ahead and throw it all away because this Tokyo-based, all-girl metal act intentionally breaks all the standards in all the best ways possible.
After forming during their first year of high school in 2015 and now entering their eleventh year together as a group, HANABIE has been shattering expectations with their massive crowds overseas and worldwide recognition in the rock scene, most notably from Limp Bizkit and Bring Me the Horizon. Last year, HANABIE released “Tasty Survivor” as the opening to the anime Momentary Lily that began airing last January as their first anime tie-in, and it likely won’t be the last with the amount of steam these girls have picked up. For any band, having their music featured in an anime is a badge of honor, and it has only furthered their success after its release. The four-piece group consists of Yukina on heavier lead vocals, Matsuri on guitar and melodic vocals, Hettsu on bass and backing vocals (and nightly beer chug), and Chika on drums. Since its formation, HANABIE has rotated only its drummer, with Chika becoming the latest to join the band in 2023.
"Harajuku-core" - plenty of sugar and even more spice!
HANABIE is a tantalizing fusion of hardcore and metal music with Japan’s iconic Akihabara fashion and street culture, and the band brings every facet of their local culture to life in both their sound and stage presence. Akihabara, one of Tokyo’s most popular neighborhoods, is widely regarded as the world capital of video games, idols, and anime (also generalized as “otaku culture") and draws millions of visitors from across the globe every year. The band’s main fashion style comes straight from the Harajuku shopping district in Shibuya, Tokyo, packed with vibrant colors, eccentric “kawaii” styles, and dazzling accessories. The band says the generic “metal” look never really suited them, and I honestly couldn’t see any of the members repping that kind of style either. With all the inspiration they’ve drawn from across Japan, HANABIE blends these visual and musical styles to create a new genre they’ve dubbed “Harajuku-core” and are now bringing that experience back to the United States with a headlining tour, supported by Nekrogoblikon and Enterprise Earth!
"John Goblikon" of Nekrogoblikon (left), Travis Worland of Enterprise Earth (right)
This past Monday night, The Ritz welcomed the girls back onto its stage after a year; following two incredible opening performances, it left every single fan star-struck after just their first song, “NEET GAME.” Comparing this show with the first time I saw them last year, the number of first-time fans in the crowd completely dominated that of the returning fans; the energy was simply electric, and the lights were poppy and vibrant - perfect for an idol band of their style. It’s a rarity at the Ritz to see the merch line fold three times across the venue, yet HANABIE pulled it off with their fans just raving to get their hands on apparel, which included traditional Japanese hand fans (sensu), posters, tees, photo cards, and gachapon machines. Multiple mosh pits opened up throughout the show, and one pit split into a conveyor belt for crowdsurfers as they gave the bouncers a run for their money with an endless stream of fans gliding to the barricade.
With idol culture being such a phenomenon in Japan and now overseas, the fans of idol groups hold their stars to high expectations - and HANABIE did not disappoint. It’s as clear as day that every member tirelessly rehearsed the show and is a master at playing off of the others’ stage presences. They bring a lot of traditions to the stage as well, with the most notable one consisting of Yukina leading the crowd into crouching during the final buildup in "This Is the Year to Be a Gal (Early Summer version)” and then jumping right as the chorus hits, sending shockwaves throughout the entire venue. It was an absolute pleasure seeing it a second time from the back of the crowd rather than the front, and witnessing just how many people banded together for this moment made it all the more special. Fans of the band, new and old, may know that the bassist, Hettsu, adores an ice-cold beer. She’s the big drinker of the group and makes it a point to chug a can of it in the middle of every show without much notice. Monday’s show was no exception, and cheers erupted from the crowd as Hettsu cracked open a cold one between songs and downed the whole thing in the blink of an eye.
The rest of the show kept the playful mood going as Yukina, Matsuri, and Hettsu jumped and skipped across the stage to smile and wave at the fans, and Yukina herself even descended between the stage and barricade to hand out high-fives to the people lucky enough to get front-row spots. After playing their final and most popular song, “Osaki ni Shitsurei Shimasu,” HANABIE teased an encore for a few minutes, and the girls burst back out onto the stage to blast their second most popular song, “We Love Sweets.” As arguably the band’s first big hit, it was met with thunderous applause and even drew fans with half a foot out the door back into the crowd to headbang along for the last 200 seconds of the show.
With a newly released EP at the start of this year, another headlining tour across the USA, and the biggest crowds the band has ever seen, it’s as clear as day that HANABIE has a lot more in store for Japanese metal fans of all ages. While they may not be close to dethroning BABYMETAL as the reigning champion of J-metal, the amount of momentum they’re building up and their vast difference from the rest of the genre prove to the world that these four gals are a powerful force to be reckoned with. It’s amazing to see how much they’ve grown in my five years of being a fan, and their style of cutesy chaos has only become more infectious since. I’m excited to see what they’ll pull off next, and I’m sure we’re all looking forward to rocking out to their next record when it drops! またね！！
