SCANDAL is a Japanese all-female pop rock band formed in Osaka in August 2006. The group consists of Haruna Ono on vocals and guitar, Tomomi Ogawa on vocals and bass, Mami Sasazaki on vocals and guitar, and Rina Suzuki on vocals and drums. From the beginning, SCANDAL set itself apart by sharing lead vocals across the band, giving each member a visible role in both recording and live performance.
The four members began as music-loving high school friends who wrote and performed their own songs while balancing school life. Early live shows around Osaka and Kyoto helped the band build experience and an audience, and street performances in Tokyo and Shiroten, Osaka brought them wider attention. Their growing reputation led to a performance at Shibuya Club Asia and eventually to recording opportunities that moved SCANDAL from the indie scene toward the mainstream.
SCANDAL's sound combines pop rock energy with catchy melodies and a youthful, performance-driven style. Their early releases gained momentum quickly, with indie singles performing strongly on Tower Records' charts and selling out in Japan. The band later expanded beyond local venues with overseas appearances, including the Japan Nite US Tour 2008 and Sakura-Con 2008, reinforcing their appeal to international anime and J-pop audiences.
The group is also closely associated with anime and game music. "Shoujo S" was used as the tenth opening theme for Bleach, while "Start" served as the theme song for Star Ocean: Second Evolution. These ties helped establish SCANDAL as a notable name in the Japanese rock and anison space, especially for listeners looking for high-energy female-fronted bands with a strong live identity.
