JpopAsia Music Awards 2013

• 
  #1. SCANDAL
  This year’s favorite artist/band is none other than Scandal, making it the third year in the row that the girls have taken the award. The girls group has had a really busy 2013, releasing 3 singles, 1 album, 1 compilation album and appearing in various music festival such as KAWAii!! MATSURi 2013 and Rock in Japan Festival. 2013 has also bought Scandal out of Japan for their tour in Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand that JpopAsia has covered.
  

  SCANDAL wins Favorite artist/band #JpopAsiaAwards http://www.jpopasia.com/awards via @jpopasia
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  #2. KAT-TUN
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  #3. Yuya Matsushita

• 
  #1. Akihisa Kondo
  Having his major debut in 2012, Akihisa Kondo has already become a successful artist with 4 amazing releases in 2013: his first full-length album "You &" and three singles, "Rahen", "Ai" and "Black Night Town".
  
  Akihisa Kondo started playing the acoustic guitar in junior high. Upon finishing school, he found a music-related job at one of the Tokyo live music clubs and eventually started performing on the streets. In 2009, the future singer won the Grand Prix award at the music audition hosted by MySpace. Akihisa was appearing at many music festivals, had his own regular radio show and was also designing jacket covers for releases of other artists.
  
  Akihisa's major debut single "Fleur" was played on 30 radio station across the nation and ranked 1st on lyrics search engines. His second single "Tete" (released only two months after "Fleur") was used as an ending theme for anime series "Space Brothers" and topped many music charts, ranking 1st on M-ON and 2nd in Cable Inquiry Ranking.
  
  Leaving behind such established singers as Yuya Matsushita and Jin Akanishi, rookie Akihisa Kondo emerges as the winner in this year’s Best Male Solo category.
  
  

  Akihisa Kondo wins Best male solo #JpopAsiaAwards http://www.jpopasia.com/awards via @jpopasia
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  #2. Yuya Matsushita
• 
  #3. Jin Akanishi

• 
  #1. Mika Nakashima
  Born and raised in a small town in Kagoshima, Mika Nakashima dreamed of working for a fashion magazine. She decided not to attend high school and moved to Fukuoka at the age of 15. Two years later, Mika went for an audition and was chosen to take part in a 2001 drama "Kizudarake no Love Song", whose theme song "Stars" was asung by Mika. Later on, Nakashima debuted under Sony Music with "Stars", becoming her best-selling single. In the following years, six of Mika Nakashima's studio albums, one of her mini-albums and one of her compilation albums have reached number one on Japan's Oricon album charts.
  While Mika Nakashima only had a few release this year, they were all amazing in terms of musical arrangement, lyrics and vocals. Her studio album "Real” reached 1st on the Oricon weekly charts and charted for 16 weeks, while her two singles, “Ai Kotoba” and “Boku ga Shinou to Omotta wa Na”, performed modestly.
  
  

  Mika Nakashima wins Best female solo #JpopAsiaAwards http://www.jpopasia.com/awards via @jpopasia
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  #2. Ms. OOJA
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  #3. Che'Nelle

• #1. Awanai Tsumori no, Genki de ne (会わないつもりの、元気でね)
  SCANDAL
  Having taken home many awards this year, fans will be happy to know Scandal won the best MV for 2013 with the music video for “Awanai Tsumori no, Genki de ne”.
  
  The music video is stripped down to its bare minimum, featuring only the band rocking out to the song. Despite the lackluster surroundings, the lighting makes the whole thing quite interesting.
  
  Because of the surroundings, the music video relies heavily on different clips focusing on the members as they do their own thing. It's hard not to see the passion of the band members as they rock out to “Awanai Tsumori no, Genki de ne”.
  
  
• 
  #2. FACE to Face
  KAT-TUN
• 
  #3. SWEET LOVE
  Yuya Matsushita

• 
  #1. Awanai Tsumori no, Genki de ne
  SCANDAL
  Scandal is really unstoppable in this year's JMA. Having won multiple awards, the band has also managed to win an award for “Awanai Tsumori no, Genki de ne”.
  
  Being the girl-band's first single in 2013, it was released all the way back on May 22nd. However, the release date didn't hinder the single for nestling its way into fans' hearts.
  
  The single comes with the title track, an instrumental version of the title track as well as “24 Jikan Plus no Yoake Mae”.
  
  
• 
  #2. FACE To Face
  KAT-TUN
• 
  #3. Kagen no Tsuki
  SCANDAL

• 
  #1. STANDARD
  SCANDAL
  Despite being released on October 2nd, the album definitely made the band stand out in this year’s JMA. Containing the singles, “OVER DRIVE”, “Kagen no Tsuki”, and “Awanai Tsumori no, Genki de ne”, it's no wonder why the album is a fan-favorite.
  
  
• 
  #2. 楔 -kusabi-
  KAT-TUN
• 
  #3. #musicoverdose
  Yuya Matsushita

• 
  #1. KAT-TUN
  KAT-TUN may have debuted in 2006, but that hardly means their popularity has waned. In fact, the opposite has happened. The group members have focused on multiple personal endeavors throughout the years, the most recent being Hottake Band which Kazuya Kamenashi has worked on alongside Koji Tamaki.
  The group most recently released the album “-kusabi” on November 27th, preceded by the singles “FACE To FACE” on May 15th and “EXPOSE” on Feburary 26th, 2013.
  

  KAT-TUN wins Best boyband #JpopAsiaAwards http://www.jpopasia.com/awards via @jpopasia
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  #2. Arashi
• 
  #3. Hey! Say! JUMP

• 
  #1. SCANDAL
  
  

  SCANDAL wins Best girlband #JpopAsiaAwards http://www.jpopasia.com/awards via @jpopasia
• 
  #2. AKB48
• 
  #3. Perfume

• 
  #1. Yuya Matsushita
  Probably best known for his songs “Trust Me” and “Bird”, the ending themes for the anime “Durarara!!” and “Kuroshitsuji” respectively, Yuya Matsushita is an artist that has definitely kept busy this year. Besides performing in the musicals “THE ALUCARD SHOW”, “Kuroshitsuji: The Musical”, and “Watashi no Host-Chan Musical”, Yuya also released the single “SWEET LOVE” in July and the album “#musicoverdose” in August. With no signs of slowing down, this multi-talented artist’s popularity only continues to grow. With so much potential for the future, Yuya Matsushita is the Most Promising Artist of 2013!
  

  Yuya Matsushita wins Most promising artist/band #JpopAsiaAwards http://www.jpopasia.com/awards via @jpopasia
• 
  #2. LoVendoЯ
• 
  #3. Chiaki Kuriyama

• 
  #1. Mami Sasazaki
  Mami Sazasaki's talents are multidimensional. Not only is she's a fantastic guitarist, she also lends her vocals to the band's songs. It's hard to argue that it takes skills to multitask like that, not to mention doing it as well as she does. Without a doubt, Sazasaki compliments the main vocalist, Haruna Ono, very well. Everyone who voted in the JMA seems to believe so as well, which is why the talented woman has won the award for the best musical ability.
  

  Mami Sasazaki wins Best musical ability (vocal, instrumental, etc.) #JpopAsiaAwards http://www.jpopasia.com/awards via @jpopasia
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  #2. Haruna Ono
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  #3. Kazuya Kamenashi

• 
  #1. Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
  Kyary Pamyu Pamyu is definitely a contemporary artist. With her extravagant stage presence and quirky style, it's not that hard to imagine she would be having quite a presence on social media sites.
  
  The internet loves the quirky, and they really love Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. Her official Twitter account is extremely close to breaking the 2 million mark, and if that's not a tell-tale sign of her abilities to use social media to her advantages, there's nothing that will be able to tell.
  Not only does she have a Twitter account, Facebook account, Google+ account, she also has a blog on Ameblo! She truly is a social media queen, and that's why she wins the award for the best use of social media.
  
  

  Kyary Pamyu Pamyu wins Best use of social media (facebook, twitter, etc.) #JpopAsiaAwards http://www.jpopasia.com/awards via @jpopasia
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  #2. Yuya Matsushita
• 
  #3. Jin Akanishi

• 
  #1. Hottake BAND
  Hottake Band is a unit formed by KAT-TUN’s Kamenashi Kazuya and Tamaki Koji for the 2013 NTV drama “Tokyo Bandwagon”. The duo acted as father & son in the program and provided the show’s theme song, “Sayonara☆Arigatou”.
  
  The song topped the Oricon charts upon its release, showing the duo’s popularity wasn’t just contained to the show. The single’s PV format played off the duo’s role in the show. The image of a loving father performing with his son resonated with viewers.
  
  

  Hottake BAND wins New artist/band of 2013 #JpopAsiaAwards http://www.jpopasia.com/awards via @jpopasia
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  #2. FLOWER FLOWER
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  #3. Juice=Juice

• 
  #1. Kazuya Kamenashi
  Earning his third consecutive win as the sexiest male artist is KAT-TUN’s leader, Kamenashi Kazuya. Known for his slender yet masculine body, the idol has won the hearts of many fangirls not only with his good looks, but with his distinctively sexy voice, which is also deemed as one of his main appeals.
  
  Apart from his handsome features, Kamenashi Kazuya is also one of the most active members in the group through various activities such as drama and movie appearances. His acting skills have been applauded by both the Japanese and international audience alike. A jack of all trades, it’s not a surprise that the award goes to Kamenashi Kazuya.
  
  

  Kazuya Kamenashi wins Sexiest male singer #JpopAsiaAwards http://www.jpopasia.com/awards via @jpopasia
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  #2. Yuya Matsushita
• 
  #3. Hyde

• 
  #1. Haruna Ono
  
  

  Haruna Ono wins Sexiest female singer #JpopAsiaAwards http://www.jpopasia.com/awards via @jpopasia
• 
  #2. Mami Sasazaki
• 
  #3. Rina Suzuki

• 
  #1. Mami Sasazaki
  
  

  Mami Sasazaki wins Most want-to-be girlfriend/boyfriend #JpopAsiaAwards http://www.jpopasia.com/awards via @jpopasia
• 
  #2. Haruna Ono
• 
  #3. Rina Suzuki
• 
  #1. Kazuya Kamenashi
  
  

  Kazuya Kamenashi wins Most want-to-be girlfriend/boyfriend #JpopAsiaAwards http://www.jpopasia.com/awards via @jpopasia
• 
  #2. Yuya Matsushita
• 
  #3. Tatsuya Ueda

• 
  #1. ONE OK ROCK
  ONE OK ROCK debuted in 2005 and has been going strong throughout the years. Where other bands disband, ONE OK ROCK just keeps getting more and more popular.
  
  2013 saw the release of ONE OK ROCK’s best-selling album to date, “Jinsei x Boku=”. The album debuted at the #2 spot on the Oricon album chart upon its release, and went on to become the 24th bestselling album of 2013, outselling other popular artists such as Ikimonogakari and NEWS.
  ONE OK ROCK’s continued rise in popularity wasn’t just contained to Japan. Internationally, the band has struck a chord with listener, allowing the band to spend a large amount of time touring not only in Asia, but in Europe and the US as well.
  
  

  ONE OK ROCK wins Favorite artist/band #JpopAsiaAwards http://www.jpopasia.com/awards via @jpopasia
• 
  #2. the GazettE
• 
  #3. GACKT

• 
  #1. GACKT
  Having always been a fan-favorite, it's not surprising that GACKT managed to win the award for the Best Solo singer in this year's JMA.
  
  While 2013 was a fairly quiet year for GACKT and his fans in terms of musical releases, he still managed to release two best-of albums, “BEST OF THE BEST vol.1 -MILD-” and “BEST OF THE BEST vol.1 -WILD-”. The best-of albums were filled to the brim with the very best and most recognized works from him and definitely made fans feel nostalgic.
  
  With the promise of six new releases in 2014, we can't wait to see what the iconic singer will bring to the table in the coming year!
  
  

  GACKT wins Best solo #JpopAsiaAwards http://www.jpopasia.com/awards via @jpopasia
• 
  #2. Miyavi
• 
  #3. KAMIJO

• #1. Deeper Deeper
  ONE OK ROCK
  
  
• 
  #2. FADELESS
  the GazettE
• 
  #3. CLAYMORE
  GACKT

• 
  #1. Deeper Deeper/Nothing Helps
  ONE OK ROCK
  
  
• 
  #2. FADELESS
  the GazettE
• 
  #3. Louis
  KAMIJO

• 
  #1. Jinsei x Boku=
  ONE OK ROCK
  
  
• 
  #2. BEAUTIFUL DEFORMITY
  the GazettE
• 
  #3. Sex, Blood, Rock N' Roll
  VAMPS

• 
  #1. ONE OK ROCK
  
  

  ONE OK ROCK wins Best rockband #JpopAsiaAwards http://www.jpopasia.com/awards via @jpopasia
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  #2. UVERworld
• 
  #3. VAMPS

• 
  #1. ONE OK ROCK
  
  

  ONE OK ROCK wins Best rock act #JpopAsiaAwards http://www.jpopasia.com/awards via @jpopasia
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  #2. the GazettE
• 
  #3. GACKT

• 
  #1. Taka
  With ONE OK ROCK sweeping many of the awards this year, it should hardly come as a surprise that the band’s vocalist won one of his own. Using his vocals to express the emotions in the songs, Taka keeps swaying fans along with the band's distinct sound.
  Not only is Taka a great vocalist, but his English is also superb, blending well with the Japanese songs the band produces. Instead of feeling obtrusive, the songs get taken to another level with the blending of the two languages.
  
  Without a doubt, Taka is well deserving of the award for the best musical ability in the JMA 2013.
  
  
  

  Taka wins Best musical ability (vocal, instrumental, etc.) #JpopAsiaAwards http://www.jpopasia.com/awards via @jpopasia
• 
  #2. GACKT
• 
  #3. Miyavi

• 
  #1. Aoi (the GazettE)
  
  

  Aoi (the GazettE) wins Best use of social media (facebook, twitter, etc.) #JpopAsiaAwards http://www.jpopasia.com/awards via @jpopasia
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  #2. GACKT
• 
  #3. Ruki

• 
  #1. VANIRU
  Debuting in March of 2013, Vaniru is a bit different from the “normal” J-rock and Visual-kei bands. Their music is described as “electro/goth rock” and it was a hit with the international fans. With their unusual sound, the duo stands out in a good way and brings much needed variation to the music scene. The future seems bright for Vaniru and hopefully we'll see much more from them in 2014.
  

  VANIRU wins New artist/rock band of 2013 #JpopAsiaAwards http://www.jpopasia.com/awards via @jpopasia
• 
  #2. AvelCain
• 
  #3. CHEESE CAKE

• 
  #1. Kai (the GazettE)
  The award for the sexiest rocker goes to no other than Kai from The GazettE. Being the drummer of a band would most likely put you quite far back in the spotlight, but that's not the case here. Kai's appeal has many dimensions. Many love his smile, his words of wisdom, and his general quirks when playing his favorite instrument. And obviously they like his outward appearance as well. Because of these reasons and many more, Kai from The GazettE is the sexiest rocker of 2013.
  

  Kai (the GazettE) wins Sexiest rocker #JpopAsiaAwards http://www.jpopasia.com/awards via @jpopasia
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  #2. Taka
• 
  #3. GACKT

Thanks everyone for participating!