*AI Translatd
Creative Group Co., Ltd. (Head Office: 1-20-1, Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kazuma Nakahara), which operates the trend media "Trepo" for women in their teens and twenties, conducted a trend survey for Gen Z women (Trepo girls) for the first half of 2026. Here are the results of the web-based questionnaire survey.
This time, the survey targeted women in their teens and twenties (Trepo girls)* and ranked the top Gen Z trends for the first half of 2026 in eight categories: "Artists," "Celebrities & Influencers," "Characters," "Makeup," "Fashion," "Things & Experiences," "Food," and "Photo Editing & Shooting Styles."
*Trepo girls refers to the female readers of the trend media "Trepo" for women in their teens and twenties, as well as the followers of the official "Trepo" Instagram account.
[Artist Category] The No.1 spot goes to that popular group everyone agrees on
1st Place: M!LK
M!LK took the top spot.
M!LK is a five-member dance and vocal group consisting of Hayato Sano, Daichi Shiozaki, Shunta Sono, Jutaro Yamanaka, and Masato Yoshida.All members are also active as actors and in variety shows, earning support from a wide range of generations.In 2025, their hit song "Ii Jan" led to their first appearance at the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen, drawing attention especially from Gen Z.
Additionally, the music video for "Sukisugite Metsu!" released in October 2025 surpassed 100 million views on YouTube (as of June 1, 2026). Following that, "Bakuretsu Aishiteru" and "Idol Power," both released in 2026, also gained popularity, with all three songs ranking in the top 5 of the Oricon Weekly Streaming Rankings.
2nd Place: Monaki
Monaki came in second place.
Monaki is a four-member group formed as the "junior group" of Junretsu, and their debut song "Honma Yade☆Nandeyanen☆Shiranked" has become a big topic, especially on TikTok.Their catchy Kansai dialect phrases and unforgettable melody have gone viral, with a surge of videos imitating the "Honma Yade Dance" on social media. Even before the official release, a part of the song was pre-released on TikTok, leading to a flood of user-generated videos. On YouTube, the music video and call videos have also been released, and comments like "It's addictive!" and "I find myself humming it" have made them increasingly popular among Gen Z.
3rd Place: =LOVE
=LOVE ranked third.
=LOVE is a female idol group produced by Rino Sashihara.Not only are they praised for their cute looks, but their singing and performance skills are also highly rated, making them popular across a wide range of generations, especially Gen Z.Their lyrics have resonated with many women, and at the Japan Record Awards, "Tokubechu, Shite" won the Lyrics Award. Their 20th single "Gekiyaku Chudoku," released in February 2026, sold over 300,000 copies on its first day and topped the Oricon Daily Single Ranking.
[Celebrities & Influencers Category] The No.1 spot goes to the couple admired by Gen Z
1st Place: Harunene Couple
Ranked first is the "Harunene Couple".
The Harunene Couple became official on "Kyo, Suki ni Narimashita. Graduation Edition 2026" and has been attracting attention mainly on social media.After reuniting from the "Kyo, Suki ni Narimashita. Mactan Edition", Nene Tokita's (Nene) unwavering feelings for Haruto Imai (Haruto) came to fruition, and they became a couple.Their natural and relatable daily posts, as well as their realistic couple image, have gained support from people of the same generation. By sharing their lives on TikTok and YouTube, their recognition has spread and they have resonated with Generation Z, making them a couple expected to achieve even greater success in the future.
2nd Place: Yuipisu
Ranked second is "Yuipisu".
A rising influencer captivating Generation Z with her divine proportions of 170cm and 47kg, and overwhelming self-production skills. On the cabaret girl audition show "LAST CALL", she left a strong impression as the youngest judge with her candid and unfiltered comments. In contrast to this character, her home-cooked meals and real-life stories on YouTube have captured fans' hearts, and her subscriber count has rapidly grown to about 80,000 (as of June 1, 2026).
3rd Place: Miyako
Ranked third is "Miyako".
Miyako is an influencer mainly active on TikTok and YouTube.She shares relatable everyday episodes and happenings from her personal life through videos, resonating especially with Generation Z. Her unique tempo in expressing topics like friendships and romance—making viewers think "I know that feeling!"—has made her videos popular. Her YouTube channel "Miyako no Owari desu Channel" has surpassed 820,000 subscribers (as of June 1, 2026). With her witty expressions and high relatability, she continues to attract attention, especially on social media.
[Character Category] Which character is the hottest right now?
1st Place: Esther Bunny
Ranked first is "Esther Bunny".
Esther Bunny is a rabbit character with a pop and girly worldview, featuring curved ears and sparkling eyes.Created by Korean-American artist Esther Kim, Esther Bunny has continued to attract attention, especially among Generation Z, since arriving in Japan in 2023.
So far, Esther Bunny has collaborated with popular apparel brands such as "SLY", "GYDA", and "GU". In March 2026, a collaboration product with "7-Eleven" was released. Among these, the "Ohajiki-style stickers" were so popular that many people on social media lamented their sell-out at some stores. Furthermore, in April 2026, the permanent store "Esther Bunny Lovely Store" opened, making Esther Bunny the most talked-about character in the first half of 2026.
2nd Place: Puppet Sunsun
Ranked second is "Puppet Sunsun".
Puppet Sunsun is a character that appeared on social media in 2019, known for its blue, fluffy appearance and laid-back worldview. Its short movies, described as "surreal yet soothing," have become a hot topic, and its catchphrase "Fuwaa♪" and unique timing have made it popular with a wide range of generations, especially Generation Z.
Since 2025, short movies have been broadcast on Fuji TV's "Mezamashi TV", and in 2026, Puppet Sunsun served as a personality on "All Night Nippon X (Cross)". In addition, the collaboration with conveyor belt sushi chain "Sushiro" generated excitement on social media even before its official release.
In addition, the collaboration with 7-Eleven has already started, and upcoming events such as the pop-up event "PUPPET SUNSUN in ODAIBA" and a collaboration with GU are also planned, drawing even more attention to future developments.
3rd Place: Shizuku-chan
"Shizuku-chan" ranked in at 3rd place.
Shizuku-chan is a raindrop fairy character with a jiggly appearance, created in 2001 by the fancy goods maker Q-Lia. In 2003, it was adapted into a picture book, and later into an anime, gaining popularity as a representative character of the Heisei era. In recent years, it has regained attention through illustration posts on social media, sparking renewed popularity especially among women who grew up in the Heisei era. The release of capsule toys and stickers, as well as the announcement of POPUP events at Shibuya 109 and major cities nationwide in 2025, have further fueled the buzz. The "Bonbon Drop Seal" frame posts received over 170,000 likes on X. From January to February 2026, the "Shizuku-chan × TOWER RECORDS CAFE" was held in Tokyo and Osaka, and from the end of May, reservation-only POPUP events are being held in major cities across Japan. In this 25th anniversary year, Shizuku-chan continues to attract even more attention.
[Makeup Category] 1st Place Goes to the Trending Dewy Skin Primer Loved on SNS
1st Place: fwee Primer
The "fwee Primer" took the top spot.
fwee's highly anticipated new primer, "Spa Glow UV Tone Up Base," was released on November 1, 2025.
Its greatest appeal is the overwhelming dewy glow that overturns the conventional wisdom of base makeup. It delivers a finish that radiates moisture and clarity from within, as if you've just soaked in a luxurious hot spring, earning rave reviews from many beauty influencers. With its visual appeal, functionality, and the current trend of "natural-looking skin," all condensed into one product, it has become a must-have cosmetic that everyone wants to get their hands on.
2nd Place: My Blythe Doll Makeup
"My Blythe Doll Makeup" ranked in at 2nd place.
My Blythe Doll Makeup refers to recreating the makeup of a "Blythe Doll" that resembles your own vibe or facial features. Blythe Dolls are fashion dolls characterized by their large heads, slender bodies, and big eyes that change into four different colors.On social media platforms like TikTok, videos showing transformations from a bare face to Blythe Doll-inspired makeup using the hashtag "#myblythedoll" became a trend.The look features defined eyes, porcelain-like skin, and lips and cheek colors that perfectly mimic the doll, resulting in a finish that looks just like a real doll. It became a hot topic among young people, especially beauty creators.
3rd Place: Heisei Gal Makeup
"Heisei Gal Makeup" ranked in at 3rd place.
Heisei Gal Makeup is a style that was popular mainly in the 2000s, characterized by thick false eyelashes, rimmed eyeliner, thin eyebrows, and tanned skin.In recent years, the Y2K and Heisei retro boom has brought renewed attention to Heisei Gal Makeup. On social media, posts recreating the makeup of that era, as well as taking purikura photos with loose socks and flip phones, are becoming more common, allowing people to enjoy Heisei culture. As a style that evokes nostalgia for the Heisei era, it is gaining popularity especially among Generation Z.
[Fashion Category] An Unexpected Item Ranks in at 3rd Place
1st Place: Side-Slit Denim
Ranked first is the "Side Slit Denim."
Side slit denim refers to denim pants designed with slits on both sides. The slit design around the thigh area not only adds a trendy touch but also offers a healthy skin-baring look and a style-enhancing effect. Additionally, the XS size with a slimmer fit from the popular apparel brand Darich, produced by Saki Saito, has become a hot topic on social media platforms such as X, making it one of the most notable items of the first half of 2026.
2nd Place: Chrome Nails
In second place is "Chrome Nails."
Chrome nails are a nail design that incorporates large cross-shaped parts as a motif.The bold use of three-dimensional cross parts has become popular on social media, with baby pink being the mainstream color for these designs.While the method of creating parts by pouring gel into a cross-shaped mold is well known, the popularity is so high that many shops are constantly sold out. Its fashionable and unique design has attracted attention, especially among Generation Z.
3rd Place: Bodysuits
Ranked third is the "Bodysuit."
A bodysuit is an innerwear item that combines a top and bottom into one piece.With its snug silhouette, it also has a style-enhancing effect. It combines both functionality—such as not riding up even when moving—and a stylish appearance. Coordinating it with denim to show off the waist area has become popular, and posts with the hashtag "#ボディスーツ" on Instagram have exceeded 18,000 (as of June 1, 2026). It has also become a hot topic after being worn by celebrities and influencers such as TWICE's MOMO, making it one of the most notable fashion items of the first half of 2026.
[Monokoto Category] The Popularity of "Kawaii" Culture Continues This Season
1st Place: Mejirushi Accessories (Related Article)
Ranked first is "Mejirushi Accessories."
Mejirushi accessories are small items that can be attached to your belongings, such as umbrellas, water bottles, or pouches, to serve as a personal marker.They have gained popularity because they are easy to get from capsule toy machines, and their wide variety of designs makes them highly collectible.By arranging them in matching colors or series, they become photogenic, making them popular as "oshi-katsu" (support activities) items, and many people enjoy taking photos and posting them on social media. On Instagram, posts with the hashtag "#めじるしアクセサリー" have exceeded 20,000 (as of June 1, 2026).
2nd Place: Mellojoy
Ranked second is "Mellojoy."
Mellojoy is a squeeze toy that has attracted attention for its melt-in-your-hand texture and cute appearance. Most designs are inspired by sweets or bread, and you can enjoy its unique "mochi-toro" (soft and chewy) feel by touching it through the bag. On TikTok and YouTube, unboxing and ASMR-style videos enjoying the texture have become popular. Although the official website restocks at set times, popular items often sell out, making it a highly sought-after item, especially among Generation Z.
3rd Place: sanrio house
Ranked third is "sanrio house."
The first store opened in March 2026 at "Lumine Shinjuku 2" (1-20-1, Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo). With the concept of "Always together with Kawaii²," the store offers a wide variety of products, photogenic spots, and playful capsule toys. Every time a new product is announced on X, it receives a huge response, with posts introducing products receiving up to 74,000 likes (as of June 1, 2026). Some items are already sold out, and even greater popularity is expected in the future.
[Food Category] Foods from Korea Continue to Rank in Japan
1st Place: Dubai Choco Mochi (Related Article)
Ranked first is "Dubai Choco Mochi".
Dubai Choco Mochi is a new type of sweet made by wrapping a mixture of pistachio paste and kadaif (thin noodles) in a marshmallow dough. It caused a huge boom in Korea in 2025, and its chewy & crunchy texture and impactful cross-section spread to Japan through SNS and ASMR videos. In addition, famous influencers and K-POP idols posted videos of themselves eating Dubai Choco Mochi, attracting attention mainly from Generation Z, and it became the trendiest sweet of 2026.
2nd Place: Yoajeong (Related Article)
Ranked second is "Yoajeong".
Yoajeong is a popular Greek yogurt specialty brand from Korea, known for its rich and thick yogurt ice cream that you can freely top with fruits, granola, and more. Its Instagrammable visuals have also drawn attention. It has gained strong support from Generation Z, especially in Korea, and as its popularity spreads in Japan, it has been ranked as a trending item expected to become even more popular in the future.
3rd Place: 3D Fruit Ice
Ranked third is "3D Fruit Ice".
3D Fruit Ice is a fruit ice cream originating from Korea, which became a hot topic on SNS platforms like TikTok for its three-dimensional appearance that looks just like real fruit. There are five flavors: strawberry, peach, mango, grape, and lemon. The outside is coated with white chocolate, and inside is fruit gelato. Not only is it photogenic, but its natural sweetness, smooth texture, and low amount of additives made it a unique ice cream loved by people of all ages.
[Editing & Shooting Methods] Editing Techniques Keep Evolving
1st Place: Hole Punch Editing
Ranked first is "Hole Punch Editing".
Hole Punch Editing is an image editing method that originated in Korea, where photos are cut out into shapes like stars, making them look as if they've been punched with a hole puncher—a style that became popular on SNS for its cuteness.The fact that you can easily edit photos with free image editing apps and choose your favorite colors, shapes, and patterns is also a reason for its popularity. Various designs could be seen, especially on Instagram.
2nd Place: minivlog
Ranked second is "mini vlog".
A minivlog is a short video content summarizing daily life, outings, or travel in about 30 seconds to 1 minute.It features editing techniques that connect short horizontal videos of 1–2 seconds with zooms, fast-forwarding, and sound effects. Many videos have a sense of tempo.Another reason for its popularity is that it stylishly captures "ordinary daily life" such as café hopping, picnics, or commuting scenes. Because they are short and easy to enjoy, minivlogs have gained strong support from Generation Z, especially on TikTok and Instagram.
3rd Place: AI Editing
Ranked third is "AI Editing".
AI Editing is a trending image editing technique where you can recreate your ideal world using generative AI like ChatGPT or Gemini, based on your own photos.From editing yourself to look like an idol watching a baseball game, to creating couple-style images with someone who looks similar to you, the ease of creating such images has made this trend popular, especially on Instagram and X.Another appeal is the ability to transform into various styles, such as a Korean idol or anime character. The realistic finish unique to AI has become a hot topic, especially among Generation Z.
Survey Overview
- Survey Target: Trepo girls (1,000 females in their teens to twenties)
- Survey Period: April 29, 2026 ~ May 30, 2025
- Survey Conducted by: Trepo Editorial Department
About the Trend Media "Trepo"
Trepo, the trend media, delivers information for girls who are at the forefront of "trends" and "cuteness." In addition to original features by the editorial team, we provide a wide range of useful information on entertainment, beauty, fashion, gourmet, lifestyle, and outing spots.
- Trepo WEB:https://trepo.jp/
- Official Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/trepo.jp/
- Official X:https://twitter.com/trepo_jp
- Official X Beauty Account:https://x.com/Trepo_Beauty
- Official TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@trepo.jp
Company Overview
- Company Name: Creative Group Co., Ltd.
- Address: 4F, 1-20-1, Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
- Representative: Kazuma Nakahara, CEO
- Business Description: PR business, word-of-mouth promotion business, entertainment & production business, influencer & talent casting business, SNS management agency business, advertising business, media business, creative production business, food & beverage business, and others
Source: PRTIMES
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