Artists like PENPALS

The Pillows were a Japanese alternative rock band formed in Hokkaido in 1989. Originally a quartet, vocalist and rhythm guitarist Sawao Yamanaka, lead guitarist Yoshiaki Manabe and drummer Shinichiro Sato continued the band as a trio for another 33 years, following the departure of bassist Kenji Ueda in 1992. They are best known in the West for providing the soundtrack for the anime series FLCL. The Pillows suddenly announced their disbandment at the end of January 2025, and Sato died from cancer in March 2026.

Number Girl was a Japanese rock band from Fukuoka Prefecture, formed in August 1995 by vocalist and guitarist Shutoku Mukai. They first disbanded in 2002 following bassist Kentaro Nakao's departure from the band.

Nico Touches the Walls was a Japanese rock band formed in 2004. The band members were: Mitsumura Tatsuya, Sakakura Shingo, Furumura Daisuke & Tsushima Shotaro. In the same year, they won the Lotte Prize at the Yamaha Teen Music Festival. Rising quickly, they signed to "Senha & Co." before signing to Sony Music Japan's Ki/oon Records in 2007. Their debut single, in a major label, "Yoru no Hate", was released in February 2008.

Ellegarden is a Japanese rock band formed in December 1998 in Chiba Prefecture. Its lineup consists of vocalist/guitarist Takeshi Hosomi, guitarist Shinichi Ubukata, bassist Yuichi Takada, and drummer Hirotaka Takahashi. After releasing five studio albums, including the Oricon number one Eleven Fire Crackers (2006), the band announced an indefinite hiatus in 2008. In May 2018, Ellegarden announced a reunion and held their first national tour in 10 years.

Man with a Mission is a Japanese rock band which was formed in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan, in 2010. The band currently consists of five band members, with stage names of Tokyo Tanaka, Jean-Ken Johnny, Kamikaze Boy, DJ Santa Monica and Spear Rib (drums). Their distinguishing feature is that all of the members wear differently designed wolf masks during both their concerts and their music videos. Many of their singles have been used as theme songs for a variety of anime, live-action movies, and video games.

Back-On is a Japanese rock band from Tokyo, Japan. They are known for performing opening themes to anime and games, such as the Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology 2 opening theme, "fly away"; the Air Gear opening theme, "Chain"; the Murder Princess opening theme "Hikari Sasuhou ", and the Eyeshield 21 opening theme "Blaze Line". They have also written ending themes for both anime and TV shows, including "flower" and "a day dreaming..." for Eyeshield 21, "Butterfly" for the late-night TV drama Shinjuku Swan, "Sands of Time" for the mobile robot TV drama Keitai Sousakan 7, and "Strike Back" for the anime series Fairy Tail.

Zazen Boys is a Japanese rock band formed by former Number Girl guitarist and vocalist Shutoku Mukai. Stylistically, their music consists mostly of complex rhythmic songs reminiscent of math rock, as well as extended improvisational songs during live performances.