Zepp Haneda (TOKYO)

Babymetal is a Japanese kawaii metal band formed in Tokyo in 2010. The group consists of Suzuka Nakamoto as "Su-metal," Moa Kikuchi as "Moametal," and Momoko Okazaki as "Momometal." The band is produced by Kobametal from the talent agency Amuse Inc. Their vocals are supported by instrumentation performed by session musicians known as the "Kami Band." Babymetal was created to combine elements of heavy metal and Japanese idol music. It originated as a sub-unit of the Japanese idol group Sakura Gakuin, which features school-aged members who leave upon graduation. The band became an independent act in 2013 after Nakamoto's graduation from Sakura Gakuin. The original lineup included Yui Mizuno as "Yuimetal," who left the band in 2018 due to health issues after being absent from live performances for nearly a year. During her absence, the band performed with backup dancers, and Momoko Okazaki, a former Sakura Gakuin member and one of those dancers, officially joined as a member in 2023.