BABYMETAL is a Japanese kawaii metal group formed on November 28, 2010. Initially a sub-group of Sakura Gakuin, an idol group with a school concept, BABYMETAL quickly gained a unique following with their fusion of J-pop and heavy metal elements.
Their first single, "Doki Doki Morning," released in 2011, became an instant hit on YouTube, surprising both fans of Japanese idol music and the metal community. The video’s rapid success led to a wider international audience, gathering thousands of comments from countries such as the United States, Russia, and Finland.
In 2012, BABYMETAL released the collaborative single "Babymetal × Kiba of Akiba," which topped the independent music charts in Japan. Shortly after, they released the single "Head Bangya!!," which reached the Top 20 on the Oricon music charts, marking their initial breakthrough into mainstream recognition.
January 2013 saw the release of their major debut single, "Ijime, Dame, Zettai," which sold nearly 19,000 copies in its first week and debuted at No. 6 on the Oricon Singles Chart. This momentum continued with their second major single, "Megitsune," which debuted at No. 7, showcasing their growing popularity.
BABYMETAL’s worldwide success was solidified with the release of their self-titled debut album in 2014. The album reached No. 4 on the Oricon Albums Chart and became the highest-selling Japanese album in North America for that year. It also made history on the Billboard 200, making BABYMETAL the youngest Japanese artists to chart at that level.
In recognition of its impact, the album was certified Gold by the RIAJ in Japan for selling over 100,000 copies. Their success paved the way for a new era of "kawaii metal," inspiring a blend of seemingly incompatible genres and gaining a dedicated international fanbase.
