M!LK

Overview

M!LK (pronounced "Milk") is a five-member Japanese male idol and dance-vocal group managed by Stardust Promotion. The group was formed in 2014 from members of EBiDAN 39, and its fans are known as Milkys ("Mi!rukīzu"). Launched from a segment of the EBiDAN 39 regular show "EBiDAN Amigo!" after the unit Clash, disbanded, M!LK is effectively Clash,'s successor. The name carries the meaning "able to be dyed any color," and the group's concept is a shape-shifting unit that blends with many styles.

In 2025, "Ii Jan" went viral on social media; its phrase "Kyō mo bijū ii jan" ("You look great today") became an internet meme, helped by simple choreography that thrived on TikTok. On February 25, 2026, "Bakuretsu Aishiteru" reached number one on the Billboard Japan Hot 100, the group's first chart-topper. At Music Awards Japan 2026, M!LK received five awards, including Best Boys Idol Culture Artist.

Members

Current members are Hayato Sano, Jinto Yoshida, Daichi Shiozaki, Shunta Sono and Jyutaro Yamanaka. Former members are Haruki Yamazaki, Mizuki Itagaki and Ryubi Miyase.

Career

2014–2017: Formation and early years

M!LK formed on November 24, 2014, with Mizuki Itagaki, Hayato Sano, Daichi Shiozaki, Haruki Yamazaki and Jinto Yoshida, and made its first appearance at Seidansai 2014 at Nippon Seinenkan. The debut single "Coffee ga Nomemasen" followed on March 25, 2015, then "Hankōki Aventure" in August. In 2016 they released "Shingakki à la carte" (March) and "Natsuaji Rendezvous" (August), and held their first one-man tour in May in Nagoya, Tokyo and Osaka, where the fan name was announced. In 2017 came "Shissō Pendulum" (January) and "Ternero Fighter" (May), the official fan club PREMIUM MILK (April), and the first album "Ōsama no Gyūnyū" on November 22.

2018–2020: A new lineup

In 2018 the group released the single "Bokura nari Revolution" (March) and the album "THE LOCK" under the name BLACK M!LK (June). Haruki Yamazaki left on June 30, and in August Jyutaro Yamanaka, Shunta Sono and Ryubi Miyase of BATTLE BOYS were announced as new members. "Over The Storm" (November) was certified Gold in February 2019. They then released the album "Time Capsule" (February 2019) and the singles "Kasuka ni, Kimi datta." (July) and "ERA" (November), the latter also certified Gold. Mizuki Itagaki and Ryubi Miyase graduated at the one-man show "Winding Road" at Toyosu PIT on January 31, 2020. The albums "Juvenilizm" (March) and "HOME MADE CHU!?" (September) followed.

2021–2022: Major debut

After the single "energy" (March 2021), M!LK announced its major debut with Victor Entertainment at the final Tokyo date of its summer tour, and released the debut single "Ribbon" on November 24. In 2022 they released "HIKARI," performed "NEXT WINNER" at Pacifico Yokohama National Hall and toured with "CIRCUS." The single "Kiseki ga Sora ni Koi wo Hibikaseta" (August 10) became their first Oricon weekly singles number one, followed by a hall tour and the single "STARS" (November).

2023–2024: BIG LOVE YEAR

The "CHECKMATE" hall tour ran from March 31 to May 7, 2023, and the album "Jewel" was released on June 14. On October 22 the group held its first arena show, "M!LK 1st ARENA 'HAPPY! HAPPY! HAPPY!'" at Yokohama Arena, drawing about 12,000 fans. "Hapi Dan" was released on November 24 along with the year-long "BIG LOVE YEAR" project. In 2024 they released the singles "Kiss Plan" (January), "Blue Shower" (May) and "Everybody Good Job!" (October), and toured with "HERO" in four cities. Their first terrestrial-TV show, "Genkai Toppa! Yatte M!LK," began in October. The streaming EP "BIG LOVE SONGS," collecting member solo songs, arrived on November 1, followed by "I CAN DRINK" on November 24, a 10th-anniversary event at Seibuen Amusement Park and their first arena tour, "I CAN DRINK!"

2025–present: Breakthrough

The second album "M!Ⅹ" (March 5, 2025) gave the group its first number one on both Oricon's weekly and combined album rankings, plus Billboard Japan's weekly album sales chart. They made their first appearance on Music Station in April, performing "Ii Jan," and the "M!Ⅹ" tour (April–July) became the largest in group history. They released "wan" in June, appeared at "Mrs. GREEN APPLE presents CEREMONY," and issued the single "Ao no Oto" in July. After appearing on All Night Nippon in August, they became season regulars on TBS's "Raviit!" in October and published a 10th-anniversary photobook. "Sukisugite Metsu!" was released on October 27, and "Ii Jan" won an Excellence Work Award at the 67th Japan Record Awards. An 11-hour livestream, "M!LK 11th Anniversary Day," was held on November 24, followed by the arena tour "SMILE POP!" (December 6 to February 11, 2026). On December 31 they made their first appearance at the 76th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, performing "Ii Jan."

In January 2026, "Ii Jan" was chosen as the entrance march for the 98th Spring Senbatsu high school baseball tournament. The group's first double A-side, "Bakuretsu Aishiteru / Sukisugite Metsu!", was released on February 18. "Sukisugite Metsu!" topped Oricon's weekly karaoke ranking and "Bakuretsu Aishiteru" its weekly streaming ranking, and "Idol Power" (April 27) hit number one on the weekly digital singles chart. "Bakuretsu Aishiteru" became their third song past 100 million streams after "Sukisugite Metsu!" and "Ii Jan," reaching the mark in just 12 weeks, and three of their songs in the streaming top four was a first for a Japanese dance-vocal group. Their video releases twice took number one in all three Oricon video categories, and the "Sukisugite Metsu!" music video passed 100 million views. At Music Awards Japan 2026 on June 13, "Sukisugite Metsu!" won Best Boys Idol Culture Song, Best Viral Song, Karaoke Song of the Year for J-Pop and the Family Song award, while M!LK won Best Boys Idol Culture Artist. During the acceptance speeches, Jyutaro Yamanaka said idols can make people smile and Hayato Sano thanked the fans. The "Moretsu Mōshin! Release Project 2026" brought unit and solo songs including "Shin Destiny," "Shiozaki Wonderland," "You!Joy!Parade!" and "Tsumi to Batsu to Ame to Kiss," and in July their first prime-time variety show, "M!LK no Bakuretsu Mission," aired on TBS. In September "Sukisugite Metsu!" passed 300 million cumulative streams. A May 2026 analysis reported roughly 2.56 million monthly Spotify listeners, suggesting the audience extends beyond one viral song.

Musical style

As a dance-vocal group, M!LK performs bright, catchy J-pop. Memorable lyrics and easy-to-copy choreography, as with "Ii Jan," fueled their spread on social media. The group also releases member solo and unit songs, showcasing the individuality of each member.