Global-facing J-pop group f5ve (pronounced “fi-vee”) may be riding the new wave bringing Japanese music to the world, but the rising five-piece are anything but rookies.

Those who grew up in East Asia in the early 2000s are likely to recognise Kuromi’s signature cheeky smile and mischievous ... which changes expression according to her mood.

In 2002, he was 18 years old, a high school dropout and his parents had just divorced. On the tiny anime company's website, he wrote of his skills with video games and popularity with women.

In 2002, he was 18 years old, a high school dropout and his parents had just divorced. On the tiny anime company's website, he wrote of his skills with video games and popularity with women.