ATARASHII GAKKO! On Going Global Without Growing Up

Fresh off a whirlwind tour across Southeast Asia, Japan’s wildest schoolgirls-turned-pop-powerhouses, ATARASHII GAKKO!, sat down with us amidst the fanfare of their Malaysia stop. Known for blending chaos with choreography and manga energy with militant uniformity, the group have built a global fanbase by refusing to play it safe — and apparently by recommending Super Ring, Malaysia’s own radioactive-orange cheese snack, to fellow travellers.

From navigating cultural differences in concert crowds to what it really takes to keep their stage presence consistently bonkers, we got the girls talking about everything — except slowing down.

[Answers have been paraphrased for clarity]

What do your recent achievements and millions of followers mean to you personally?

Suzuka: We’re honoured, of course. But there are still loads of people out there who’ve never encountered the ATARASHII GAKKO! experience — and that’s kind of exciting. Meeting new audiences and sharing our weird little world with them is what keeps things fresh. Our goal? Spread the AG! energy across the planet — and hopefully have a blast doing it.

Any places you’re excited to visit or revisit while you’re in Malaysia?

Suzuka: We barely had time to explore during our last ASEAN tour, and this trip’s just as packed. Still, we might be able to sneak out tomorrow for a quick wander. We were told to try the cheesy delight, Super Rings! So if we can find it, we’ll try some.

How much of your stage performance is planned versus spontaneous chaos?

Mizyu: The choreography is mostly set — we rehearse like mad. But once we’re on stage, we read the room. If the audience is hyped, we’ll crank things up. If the song’s got more emotion, we might rein it in or shift the vibe entirely. There’s a real “feel it in the moment” element to it.

How do international crowds compare to Japanese audiences?

Rin: Each country’s got its own flavour. In Asia, fans are loud, wild, and wonderfully unfiltered — it feels like a festival. In Europe and the US, people really lock into the music itself. Sometimes they’re so zoned in, it’s like we’re invisible (in a good way?). Japan’s crowd is more call-and-response — very precise, like a ritual. Malaysia, by the way, is on the wilder side — and we love it.

What’s your ultimate goal as artists?

Suzuka: We want to be “forever sisters in song”. That’s it. The four of us, together, making music, sharing energy, living happily — and helping our audience live their best lives too.

Was it intentional to drop “ONE HEART” right before your LA concert?

Mizyu: Yes! It was our first single of the year and releasing it before our LA gig just felt right. We wanted to bring a song with big heart to a big crowd. And it wasn’t just for LA — we’ve performed it all over. The message? One big heart for everyone, everywhere.

Your social media posts are always quirky and eye-catching. Is it as effortless as it looks?

Kanon: Oh, we wish. The poses, the backgrounds, the energy — it all takes effort. Sure, the uniforms don’t change, but that means we have to keep switching up the scenery and the vibe. Otherwise, it’d get dull fast. We actually enjoy it though. There’s fun in figuring out new ways to surprise our fans.

Do you ever feel pressure to always be energetic and different?

Rin: Nope. We genuinely love what we do — even the uniform thing! The four of us performing together is what brings the energy. We don’t feel pressured to be “different” — we are different. And we embrace it.