music industry continues to embrace cross-cultural artistry, Japan’s newest
girl group, kiOra, is preparing to take its first major steps onto the
international stage. Consisting of members OTO, KYLA, RUKA, and YU, the
four-member group first introduced itself to audiences on March 28 at HEAD IN
THE CLOUDS Music & Arts Festival Tokyo 2026 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba,
where the group’s name was officially unveiled.
still on the horizon, kiOra has already begun building anticipation with a
concept rooted in celebrating Japanese heritage while embracing growth,
evolution, and artistic self-discovery.
This summer
marks a significant milestone for the emerging group as kiOra joins the lineup
for HEAD IN THE CLOUDS Music & Arts Festival Los Angeles 2026 on August 8
at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The appearance represents the group’s
first major opportunity to introduce
their music and artistic identity to a global audience.
Their busy schedule
also includes appearances at the NYLON JAPAN 22nd Anniversary Party, as the
opening act for NAMICS presents TGC NIIGATA 2026 by TOKYO GIRLS COLLECTION, and
at CENTRAL MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 2026 in Kuala Lumpur.
In our
interview with kiOra, the members discuss the meaning behind the group’s
philosophy of finding beauty in imperfection and growth, their experiences
training across Japan, Los Angeles, and Seoul, the artists who have inspired
them, and what it means to bring their vision of Japanese heritage to audiences
around the world.
As they prepare for a pivotal summer ahead, OTO, KYLA, RUKA,
and YU reflect on their journey so far and share their hopes for the future of
kiOra.
How would
you introduce the group and what makes kiOra unique?
YU: kiOra is a four-member Japanese group
that celebrates our Japanese heritage while aiming to share our music with the
world. What makes us unique is that we’re constantly growing. We’re still
unfinished, but we believe there’s beauty in that process, and that’s one of
our greatest strengths.
KYLA: kiOra is a group that’s always evolving.
As each of us gains new experiences and takes on new challenges, we hope to
create a story that can only exist in this moment and share our journey with
everyone. We want to be a group that reveals something new every time people
see us. Growing together with our fans while creating lasting memories and
stories is also something that I hope makes us special.
The name
“kiOra” has been described as embracing beauty in imperfection and
growth. What does the group’s name personally mean to each of you?
KYLA: I always work hard and practice with the
goal of becoming the best version of myself. But I’ve realized that it’s
impossible to ever reach that ideal 100%. That’s why I believe the journey of
chasing that ideal is what truly matters.
Because I have
a vision of who I want to become, I’m also able to recognize my own
imperfections, and each time I do, it motivates me to keep growing. To me, the
determination to keep improving is the most beautiful thing of all.
That’s what the
name “kiOra” means to me. It’s not about becoming perfect, but
finding beauty in continued growth while pursuing your dreams.
OTO: Because there is no final, completed version of ourselves,
I believe we can continue growing without limits. We truly believe there’s
value in that journey, and I hope everyone enjoys watching the four of us
continue to change and evolve together.
If you had
to describe each member in just three words, what would they be?
【KYLA】
OTO: Big sister, captivating aura,
dependable
RUKA: Class representative, cool beauty,
multifaceted
YU: Sunshine, funny, full of surprises
【OTO】
KYLA: Easygoing, strong, radiant
RUKA: Naturally quirky, big eyes, calm
YU: Bright, funny, beautiful voice
【RUKA】
OTO: Big sister, long black hair, alluring
KYLA: Free-spirited, easygoing, energetic
YU: Funny, beautiful singing voice,
sunshine
【YU】
OTO: Big sister, kind, alluring
KYLA: Powerful, free-spirited, rapper
RUKA: Intelligent, composed, elegant
You’ve
trained in Japan, Los Angeles, and Seoul. How did those different experiences
shape your approach to performing and making music?
RUKA: In Los Angeles, we recorded our debut song. The recording
process felt very different from what I had experienced in Japan, and it was my
first time working that way. I learned a lot about controlling and expressing
my voice.
In Seoul, we
trained as a group and learned what it takes to perform together, both in dance
and vocals.
In Japan, we’ve
studied not only singing and dancing, but also Pilates, acting and many other
disciplines. Those experiences have been essential to developing our
performances. Pilates taught me how to use my body more effectively and create
cleaner lines, while acting expanded my range of facial expressions and
emotional expression on stage.
KYLA: We had the opportunity to train with incredible coaches in
Tokyo, Los Angeles and Seoul. They’ve helped develop artists performing on the
global stage. The biggest lesson I learned wasn’t just about improving my
skills, but about how to express myself.
Compared to
artists performing internationally, I used to hold myself back and hesitate to
fully express who I was. I lacked confidence. But our teachers told us,
“If you don’t express yourself boldly—even to the point where it feels
like too much—your emotions won’t reach people, and you won’t be able to move
them.”
They also told
us, “It’s better to go all out and fail than to hold back and regret
it.”
That’s a lesson
I still carry with me today. Thanks to those
experiences, I’ve learned to break
out of my shell and express myself confidently through both dance and vocals.
Who are some
artists or groups that have inspired you growing up?
KYLA: The artist who has inspired me the most
is Ariana Grande. When I was little, my parents often played Western music at
home, and that’s how I discovered her. I used to imitate her music videos and
practice singing her songs.
Beyond her
performances, I’ve also been inspired by her compassion, her strength in
overcoming challenges and the way she carries herself with confidence.
Sometimes, while chasing my own dreams, I forget to take care of myself. But
whenever I look at Ariana Grande, she reminds me that loving yourself first is
what allows you to truly love others. That’s why I’ll always deeply respect
her.
OTO: E-girls, Ariana Grande, MAMAMOO and Fujii Kaze
RUKA: Perfume. I still remember the first
concert I ever attended with my family when I was little. I was amazed by their
sharp choreography and incredible music, and it left a lasting impression on
me.
YU: Namie Amuro and Olivia Rodrigo.
You first
introduced yourselves at Head in The Clouds Tokyo, and now you’re performing at
Head in The Clouds Los Angeles. How does it feel to take that next step and
perform in the United States?
RUKA: Last year, while watching so many amazing artists perform,
I promised myself that the next time I came back, I would be the one standing
on that stage. I’m so grateful that I’ve been able to make that dream a
reality.
This is an
incredible opportunity to introduce kiOra’s music to so many new people. Of
course I’m nervous, but more than anything, I want to enjoy every moment and
give it everything I have.
YU: I hope lots of people will discover who we are and enjoy
this moment together with us. Performing outside Japan also gives us the chance
to share our concept of Japanese heritage with audiences around the world. I
hope our performance inspires people not only to become interested in kiOra,
but also in Japanese culture itself.
What are you
most excited to experience during your first major promotional activities in
the United States?
OTO: Performing at Head in The Clouds is
what I’m looking forward to the most! Honestly, I can’t wait.
RUKA: Definitely performing at Head In The
Clouds. It’ll be our first time performing at an overseas festival, so I want
to leave with no regrets. I hope it’s a performance that I’ll always remember
as something I truly enjoyed, and one that everyone watching enjoys just as
much.
What do you
hope audiences feel after watching a kiOra performance?
KYLA: I hope people experience something fresh
and exciting through our uniquely Japanese sounds and expressions in our music.
I also hope they enjoy the world that only kiOra can create and leave thinking,
“I want to see them again.”
OTO: I hope our performances leave people
feeling even a little more positive and hopeful. And through us, I also hope
they’ll come to love Japanese music even more.
What are
some goals you hope to achieve as a group over the next year?
KYLA: Our biggest goal is for as many people as possible to
discover kiOra and become fans of our music. Right now we’re fortunate to
perform alongside so many amazing artists, but one year from now, I hope there
will be more people saying, “I want to go because it’s a kiOra
concert.” My dream is for us to hold our own solo live show, and we’ll
continue growing by making every performance count.
YU: I want more people to discover who we
are and hear our music. Through our songs, I hope we become artists who can
bring people together, help them have fun, and give them a more positive
outlook.
What message
would you like to share with fans who are discovering kiOra for the very first
time?
KYLA: Nice to meet you, and thank you so much
for discovering kiOra. I hope we can create unforgettable memories and an
incredible story together from here on. We’ll do our very best so that one day
you’ll be glad you became a fan of kiOra. Thank you for your support, and we
look forward to sharing this journey with you.
OTO: Hello everyone! If you’ve discovered kiOra today, I
think it must be fate. I hope you’ll stay with us and watch us grow. And
I hope our music brings you comfort!
RUKA: Thank you so much for discovering kiOra!
I hope you’ll follow our journey, watch us grow, and continue cheering us
on. We can’t wait to share what’s ahead with you!
What message
would you like to share with fans who are discovering kiOra for the very first
time?
YU: Hello, we’re kiOra! We hope you’ll
listen to our music, get to know us, and enjoy everything we have to offer. We
give our all to share the joy of music and show as many people as possible what
makes kiOra special.
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