I think that the best Jpop voice has Koda Kumi. She can do really well both low and high notes.

In the performance you posted Hikki doesn't really manages with the high notes (the quick, powerful part), I'd say. She sounds like out of her powers (quite understandable..).

But it was a really nice performance, thanks for sharing. :)

I think all of those girls have nice voices but they're too technically perfect. Their voices are all so good that they become boring because there's no character or little flaws that make them interesting. That's why I'd rather listen to someone like Hikki than someone like Celine Dion.

But yes, Hikki does have the best voice in Japanese music, hands down. Then BoA, then Kuu. Namie is not a good vocalist, IMO, and Ayumi is just okay...

hmm hikki doesn't have THE best voice~ she have a very powerful and strong voice ^^, no one can have the best voice, just like there's no perfection~ but she's great live ^^

^I agree!And Ayu has a strong and emotional voice too!

Check a-nation 2007 and Asia Tour 2007

Nobody is THE best, it's all down to personal opinion really. Technically Utada does have a better voice than Ayumi, but when it comes to giving a really good performance (though that Kremlin Dusk one is absolutely fantastic and blew me away when i watched the concert) you need more than just technical perfection. You need more emotion and something of a uniqeness, (doubt that's a real word but i'll go with it anyway), to your voice imo. For other singers who i personally think can better Utada both technically and emotionally... Onistuka Chihiro for sure definitely. Rimi Natsukawa (not jpop per se, but absolutely amazing) and Angela Aki live is truly a marvel.

And ddd, to say Hikki has the "best voice in Japanese music, hands down" is nothing short of a complete lie.

I have to agree.

hikki is an awesome technical singer, something that ayu's vocals lacks but imo ayu's emotional vocals are superior to any other because you just hear emotions all over it, whatever the style of song is.
hikki's voice specially live is really good technical voice but it's really flat and I don't really feel that it's emotional (except for really small amount of songs).
Therefore which one has it's positives and negatives, even with perfect technical voice like kumi's, sometimes even such a voice is not enough to bring excitement (and lately most of her performances as of late for some reason imo).

I'm just glad that any of them has a unique voice and you can atually tell who is who and all of their voices are really good and full of enjoyment.

Well, for me, she is the best in terms of voice, but, as you say, it's all down to personal opinion

Just now you are convinced??


//SLAPS A LOT//

=P

It's all a matter of opinion. Her voice is the best to me because I love the deepness, the timbre and the rawness. Another person may say Ayumi's the best because they love her range and the way she can show emotion. Opinions can't be lies :rolleyes

I think Namie has one of the best voices due to the fact that she can dance so on point without her voice getting jacked up. It's so rare for anyone to be able to do that. She is not as good as the people I listed below though.

Hikki, ayaka, Yuna Ito, angela etc. are all great but Akina Nakamori is still one of the best. It sounds album quality everytime she is live :luv2

^I agree, Akina is my favourite voice. It's just so deep and emotional, especially when she sings songs like Nanpasen, Tango Noir or I Missed The Shock.

But when it comes to best vocals, there is no one. Yes, there are definitely singers who are levels above others, but even there, the competition is fierce because fans have different perspectives. This is why people always argue between Mariah, Whitney and Celine. Each is skilled in their own area, just like singers in Jpop. Without the variety, it would be boring though.

I also think Hikki has the best voice :yes She has such a huge range and amazing voice control.

:o didn't expect to see Akina mentioned here, her voice is phenomenal. I didn't mention her since i didn't think many people at all would be familiar ^^;;. Miyuki Nakajima is also another older singer who's voice is flawless

mink's voice is one of the bests as well!

nuh uh! Leah Dizon is better :P

That performance is quite hot :O, I feel like picking up that DVD now lol, despite its high price

You can't imagine how much i hope you're being sarcastic/joking here @_@

^ you probably meant KOKIA* :yes if that's the case then yes I agree. :P

*(and mink too)

Me? Joking? NEVER!!
I always turn this performance up. It brings me to tears. No one could beat this beautiful, soulful voice.

In my personal opinion the singer who always seems to have the best voice is Shimatani Hitomi. While I think Hikki's and Ayu's voices are really good I feel that Shimatani's vocals are flawless especially live.



aah....Shimatani...:smitten