Japanese pop duo NOMELON NOLEMON is having quite the year. Not only are they celebrating their fourth anniversary in 2025, but they also made their big U.S. debut at Anime Expo, performing during the Gundam GQuuuuuux panel. And if you caught their set or have been following their music recently, you’ll understand why there’s so much buzz around them right now.
The duo, made up of composer Tsumiki and vocalist MIKIMARIA, blends J-pop with electronic and pop-rock influences. Their sound is fresh, emotional, and resonating with fans—especially after their contributions to the Gundam GQuuuuuux series soundtrack.
Songs like “Midnight Reflection,” “afterimage,” and “HALO” have become fan favorites, and MIKIMARIA’s powerful vocals in “From the Aquarium City” have only added to their growing popularity.
How NOMELON NOLEMON Came Together
So how did this duo come to be? It started with Tsumiki, who was originally creating music using Vocaloid software. After releasing an album in that style, he felt it was time to move into a new direction—J-pop. That’s when he started looking for a vocalist and stumbled upon MIKIMARIA online. She had been posting cover songs on social media, and Tsumiki instantly saw potential. He reached out, they clicked creatively, and NOMELON NOLEMON was born.
As for the name? It’s a palindrome—NOMELON NOLEMON reads the same forward and backward. “There’s no deep meaning behind it,” Tsumiki said, “I just really like that kind of symmetry in words”, reported Anime News Network.
Writing for Gundam GQuuuuuux
Joining the Gundam universe is no small feat. For Tsumiki, it was a personal win—his father grew up watching the original Gundam series, so contributing music to the franchise brought a sense of pride. “Seeing how happy my dad was really meant a lot,” he said.
For MIKIMARIA, it felt like a major step forward for the duo. “It was like we leveled up,” she said. “Working on Gundam GQuuuuuux opened up new experiences for us, and it made me realize how far we can go—beyond Japan and into the world.”
When it came to writing music for the series, the process was more fluid than fixed. They weren’t handed finished episodes. Instead, they worked off of whatever scripts, character notes, and early visuals were available at the time. “You sort of fill in the blanks,” Tsumiki explained. “You write with the overall story and emotion in mind, rather than focusing on one specific scene or character.”
That said, fans still draw connections between their songs and characters. For instance, “HALO” seems to reflect Machu’s feelings for Shuji, while “afterimage” fits Nyaan’s emotional arc. Tsumiki doesn’t write lyrics for one character specifically, but he admits certain images or themes influence his writing. “I want our lyrics to feel universal—so that no matter who’s listening, they can find their own meaning in them.”
Singing with Emotion, Not Imitation
MIKIMARIA similarly approaches vocals. Rather than trying to “be” a character, she focuses on channeling the emotions that the story brings up for her. “I don’t change my singing style for different characters,” she said. “But I do try to match the feeling of the moment, based on the script and the music.”
One fun twist came with “From the Aquarium City,” composed by Yoshimasa Terui. Some fans have pointed out that MIKIMARIA bears a resemblance to the character Machu—same height, similar hairstyle. Was that why Terui chose her for the song? She laughed and said, “I’d like to think I was cast because of my voice! But yeah, I can see the similarities. Even if I don’t think I’m like Machu personality-wise, I do feel a connection to her.”
What’s Next for NOMELON NOLEMON?
Right now, there are no confirmed plans for a U.S. tour, but both members are open to it. “We’d love to,” MIKIMARIA said. The response from American fans at Anime Expo certainly showed that the interest is there.
Looking ahead, their goals are simple but powerful: keep creating music that feels honest and resonates across borders. “We’ve always made the music we want to make in the moment,” Tsumiki said. “That hasn’t changed in four years, and it probably won’t.”
With their recent success and involvement in Gundam GQuuuuuux, NOMELON NOLEMON is proving that you don’t need to overthink your path—just stay true to your sound and let the music speak for itself. And in their case, it’s speaking loud and clear to fans all over the world.
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