Passcode(Japanese: パスコード, Hepburn: Pasukōdo; stylized as PassCode), is a Japanese metal idol group founded in 2013.

History

Passcode was formed in Osaka in 2013 and consists of the four vocalists Nao Minami, Kaede Takashima, Emily Arima and Hinako Ōgami. Passcode is supported by a backup band.

After releasing several singles and albums on smaller labels, the group signed to Universal Music Japan and released their second full-length album Zenith in 2017. In 2018 the band signed with British record label JPU Records and released a best-of record called Ex Libris Passcode in Europe.

Their song "Ichika Bachika" became the opening song for the second season of the live-action film adaption of Kakegurui. In June 2020, their ninth single "Starry Sky" debuted at number 1 on the Japanese Oricon weekly singles chart and the Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales chart, selling over 7,000 units in its first week after release.

Musical style

The musical style of Passcode can be described as Electronicore. Some vocalists use harsh vocals next to cleans. Yuna Imada contributed the harsh vocals before her retirement in 2021, with the job now handled by former Ladybaby member Emily Arima.[citation needed] Kaede Takashima uses the harsh vocals in some tracks like "Taking You Out" and "Club Kids Never Die". The band uses Auto-Tune while singing.

The band mixes metalcore with EDM and J-pop. The songs are written in Japanese language and contain English-language parts as well.

Members

  • Nao Minami – vocals, and dancer (2013–present)
  • Kaede Takashima – vocals, and dancer (2014–present)
  • Hinako Ōgami – vocals, and dancer (2015–present)
  • Emily Arima – vocals, and dancer (2021–present)

Past members

  • Reika Kamisaki – vocals, and dancer (2013)
  • Saki Sakurai – vocals, and dancer (2013)
  • Kyōko Kazuki – vocals, and dancer (2013)
  • Yūri Kurohara – vocals, and dancer (2013–2015)
  • Yuna Imada – vocals, and dancer (2014–2021)

Discography

Studio albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
JPN OriconJPN Billboard HotJPN Billboard Top
All Is VanityReleased: October 1, 2014 Label: we-B studios Formats: CD———
VirtualReleased: May 25, 2016 Label: we-B studios Formats: CD, digital download436028
ZenithReleased: August 2, 2017 Label: Universal Music Japan Formats: CD, CD+DVD, LP, digital download202719
ClarityReleased: April 3, 2019 Label: Universal Music Japan Formats: CD, digital download1078
StriveReleased: December 23, 2020 Label: Universal Music Japan Formats: CD, digital download181314
InsigniaReleased: June 18, 2025 Label: Moood Formats: CD, digital download11——
"—" denotes a release that did not chart or that the chart did not exist.

EPs

TitleEP detailsPeak chart positions
JPN OriconJPN Billboard HotJPN Billboard Top
Reverberate EP.Released: December 21, 2022 Label: Univerlsal Music Japan Formats: CD, digital download181917
Groundswell EP.Released: June 21, 2023 Label: Univerlsal Music Japan Formats: CD, digital download18——

Compilations

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
JPN OriconJPN Billboard HotJPN Billboard Top
LocusReleased: February 28, 2018 Label: Univerlsal Music Japan Formats: CD, digital download151014
Ex Libris PasscodeReleased: October 5, 2018 Label: JPU Records Formats: CD, digital download———
Passcode the Best -Link-Released: September 29, 2021 Label: Universal Music Japan Formats: 2xCD, 2xCD+DVD, 2xCD+Blu-ray, digital download181815
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.

Live albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
JPN OriconJPN Billboard Top
Passcode 2016-2018 Live UnlimitedReleased: December 19, 2018 Label: Univerlsal Music Japan Formats: CD, digital download9379

Singles

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
JPN OriconJPN Hot 100JPN Hot Singles
"Nextage"2014165——Virtual
"Now I Know"2015111——
"Never Sleep Again"159——
"Miss Unlimited"201643—29Zenith
"Bite the Bullet"2017168616
"Ray"2018166415Clarity
"Tonight / Taking You Out"126513
"Atlas"201918—20Strive
"Starry Sky"20201—1
"Freely / Flavor of Blue"202112—15Non-album singles
"Liberator"202610——
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.

DVD / Blu-ray

TitleVideo detailsPeak chart positions
JPN DVDsJPN Blu-rays
All Is VanityReleased: March 18, 2015 Label: We-B Studios198—
"Trial of Passcode" Tour Final Tokyo at Akasaka BlitzReleased: July 22, 2016 Label: We-B Studios——
Passcode 2016-2018 Live Unlimited Premium BoxReleased: December 19, 2018 Label: Universal Music Japan—58
Passcode Miss Unlimited Tour 2016 at Studio CoastReleased: December 19, 2018 Label: Universal Music Japan——
Passcode Zenith Tour 2017 Final Series at Tsutaya O-EastReleased: December 19, 2018 Label: Universal Music Japan——
Passcode Presents Versus Passcode 2018 at BigcatReleased: December 19, 2018 Label: Universal Music Japan——
Passcode Taking You Out Tonight! Tour 2018 Final at Zepp DiverCity TokyoReleased: March 13, 2019 Label: Universal Music Japan1916
PassCode Zepp Tour 2019 at Zepp Osaka BaysideReleased: August 12, 2019 Label: Universal Music Japan2423
Passcode Clarity Plus Tour 19-20 Final at Studio CoastReleased: March 15, 2020 Label: Universal Music Japan3630
Passcode Starry Tour 2020 Final at KT Zepp YokohamaReleased: November 18, 2020 Label: Universal Music Japan2312
Passcode "Strive for Budokon Tour 2021 at Toyosu PitReleased: June 9, 2021 Label: Universal Music Japan107
Passcode Zepp Tour 2021 at HanedaReleased: December 22, 2021 Label: Universal Music Japan5748
Passcode Nippon Budokan 2022Released: June 29, 2022 Label: Universal Music Japan1718
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.

Music videos

SongYearLink
"Asterisk" (アスタリスク)2014
"XYZ"
"Over There"
"Seize the Day"
"Kiss no Hanataba" (Kissの花束)
"Gekidō Progressive" (激動プログレッシブ)
"Nextage"
"Now I Know"2015
"Orange" (オレンジ)
"Never Sleep Again"
"From Here"2016
"Axis"
"Ninja Bomber"
"Miss Unlimited"
"Bite the Bullet"2017
"One Step Beyond"
"Same to You"
"Ray"2018
"Taking You Out"
"Projection"2019
"Atlas"
"Starry Sky"2020
"Mantra"
"Anything New"
"Spark Ignition"
"Freely"2021
"Flavor of Blue"2022
"Siren"
"Clouds Across the Moon"2023

Notes

External links