
2D music projects released a plethora of quality music in 2023, showcasing impressive performances, unique concepts, and melodies. It’s time to celebrate the best 2D music projects of the year.
From January 5 to 15, 2024, readers and viewers of THTFHQ voted for these awards valuing, first and foremost, talent and quality over popularity.
Nominees were shortlisted by The Hand That Feeds HQ and our readers chose a winner.
To avoid petty fights between fans and disrespect towards seiyuu and their fans, no votes are disclosed in any written features covering THTFHQ AWARDS 2023.
If you want to check the abridged version of the complete results of this year’s edition, those were unveiled on episode 182 of SEIYUU LOUNGE, THTFHQ’s weekly podcast all about male seiyuu music and 2D groups.
#1 IDOLiSH7

The IDOLiSH7 franchise is your best 2D music project of 2023. This is the 2nd time in a row for this franchise which shows just how much love there is for it.
But that’s not all.
It also shows a franchise that, despite not having an anime adaptation in 2023, still presented fans with the 8th-anniversary songs, the release of a new album by ZOOL as well as their first one-man live show.
It is also the franchise that, in 2023, was all in for a CGI live-show movie, releasing a tie-up album that feels exactly like attending a show – BEYOND THE PERiOD.
And let’s not forget that 2023 kicked off with “BLACK or WHITE 2022”, one of the best albums of the year, yet again, an album that feels like you’re listening to a live show recording.
For all this and more, the IDOLiSH7 franchise is your best 2D music project of 2023.
From this point on, the 2D music projects mentioned are not ranked (the order in which they appear below doesn’t correspond to the place they ranked in the final voting):
VS AMBIVALENZ

The VS AMBIVALENZ franchise officially kicked off the activities of its 7-member group – XlamV – in 2023.
Through a series of digital singles – culminating in the release of the group’s 1st EP “Climb” -, the group showed that they are in a league of their own.
Approaching the “2D idol” concept from a mature perspective, XlamV has presented a series of songs that focus on a perfect balance between their stylish loungy sound and their powerful vocals.
As a result, in 2023, fans were dazzled with amazing performances by a group that shows that there’s much, much more talent to unleash.
And hopefully, XlamV unleash it all in 2024.
Paradox Live

The Paradox Live franchise continued its “Road to Legend” CD series.
The battles in 2023 were the fiercest, leading to a series of cool releases that determined cozmez, Goku Luck and BAE would advance to the final battle.
And that final battle in the “Road to Legend” CD series was won by BAE.
Early in the year, all teams participated in Paradox Live Dope Show 2023, live show that had an electrifying energy from start to finish.
At the same time, the franchise’s anime adaptation Paradox Live THE ANIMATION premiered and was well received due to the way it approached its story, being a well-done introduction to this awesome franchise.
All in all, 2023 was a really good year for the Paradox Live franchise with music and animation that made their fans quite happy.
aoppella!?

In 2023, the aoppella!? franchise underwent a couple of changes, with Klab moving away from the franchise and giving the reigns to MARVELOUS.
With a new company behind them, the franchise released two albums “aoppella!? 5” and “aoppella!? 5.5“.
Lil Happy, FYA’M’ and VadLip released new original songs and performed various cover songs – which you can find on their official YouTube channel.
The focus in 2023 was more on adding depth to the story – with many drama tracks made available throughout the year.
The quality of the music and the uniqueness of their performances made the aoppella!? franchise one of the best in the past year.
Hana-Doll*

Still underrated yet one of the best 2D music projects out there, Hana-Doll* continues to be all about quality – refreshing – music and strong storytelling.
And fans are still in love with both Anthos* and Loulou*di as, with each CD, more and more details of their tale are unveiled.
Anthos* released “FAKE“, and “OTHER” and kicked off its 2nd solo CD series “Air Quotes”. They showed everyone how they’ve polished their ethereal sound while being more daring on the vocal end.
Loulou*di on the other hand released “ARK“, “NOTHING” and “DEJÀ VU” and they went darker and darker in their storytelling while delivering heartwrenching performances.
Anthos* were back on stage for Hana Doll* -Behind The Frame- Anthos* Stage Event 2023 and Loulou*di has yet to make a live appearance or even sing live.
Adding to this was the news that the Hana-Doll* franchise has greenlit an anime adaptation of the 1st season of drama CDs – yes, you heard it right, this is rare for 2D music projects to do – and excitement is through the roof among fans.
For all this and more, Hana-Doll* was one of the best 2D music franchises in 2023.
FROM ARGONAVIS

The FROM ARGONAVIS franchise was busy in 2023. The franchise introduced a new band ST//RAYRIDE, adding rap-rock to the lineup of awesome rock-inspired bands.
At the same time, all bands – Argonavis, GYROAXIA, Fantôme Iris, Fujin RIZING! and εpsilonΦ – released new music, mostly digital singles.
Argonavis and GYROAXIA held live tours, early in the year, Fujin RIZING! held its first one-man live show; and still as 5 bands – everyone participated in from ARGONAVIS 2nd LIVE -Rezonance-.
This was a busy year for the franchise, one focused on doing what they do best: releasing awesome rock music.
TSUKIPRO

In 2023, the TSUKIPRO franchise wasn’t as active as expected.
The franchise celebrated its 8th anniversary rather quietly – usually, they would hold a franchise live show but they didn’t. They focused instead on continuing to the “Ano koro no bokura wa my dear days” CD series.
This CD series put all members of the groups in the SQ series – SolidS and QUELL – and the ALIVE series – SOARA and GROWTH, on stage as solo artists.
This series looked back into the past, added a touch of the present, and looked to the future to create some of the most inventive and fun songs so far released in the franchise.
The TSUKIPRO franchise keeps on going strong, showing that quality and innovation are essential to remain attractive in an industry in which, every year, there are new, exciting projects joining in.
Here’s to hoping the franchise – now that it is wrapping up the Ano koro CD series – is back in full force in 2024 for group releases.
Hypnosis Mic

The Hypnosis Mic franchise was not as active in 2023 as it had been in previous years, especially if you mention the music releases.
However, by releasing less music, the franchise focused on quality. And that showed in the two EPs released in the summer – “The Block Party – HOMIEs –” and “The Block Party – HOODs –“.
The one-man live shows “8th LIVE CONNECT THE LINE” wrapped up early in the year. After that, all crews participated in Hypnosis Mic 9th LIVE “ZERO OUT”.
Wrapping up the year, the franchise was back for the 2nd season of its anime adaptation Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Battle- Rhyme Anima +, tying it up with the release of the album “Welcome 2 Rhyme Anima+”.
VAZZROCK

The VAZZROCK franchise was rather quiet in 2023. They decided to skip the yearly live show and focused instead on wrapping up the 5th season of the bi-color CD series.
As always, the bi-color CD series brought more new performances and awesome songs to the table by the franchise’s two groups – VAZZY and ROCK DOWN.
In 2023, the quality of their music was certainly high and their performances were refreshing yet again.
The only thing missing were new group songs by both bands – there will be this year though – and it’d be a perfect year.
TOKYO COLOR SONIC!!

The TOKYO COLOR SONIC!! was busy in 2023 with its 3rd CD series, “BIRTH”.
Before kicking off this CD series, the franchise welcomed the official groups in the franchise – SPHERE RISE, Reboost, BUMPEACE, ULTIMATE and STRANGE LAD.
Each duo – now a group – released new music and drama tracks, focusing on unique performances at the same time that they further developed the interesting storytelling going on in the franchise.
The franchise released as well TOKYO COLOR SONIC!! “Recall”, a sort of a best of album including songs from the two first CD seasons. This album served as a perfect way to wrap up those seasons and be a good starting point for new fans.
And during the summer, the franchise held a new live show – this time with all groups – titled Tokyo Color Sonic!! Special Live~Grow up!!~.
2023 was a strong year for the TOKYO COLOR SONIC!! franchise, hinting at great things to come in 2024.
Thank you to everyone who voted at the THTFHQ AWARDS 2023!