TV Asahi's weekly "Music Station" program has rarely served as a staging ground for exciting young domestic acts in recent years. It has been more of an opportunity to gawk at Johnny's boy bands and test how many members of AKB48 can fit on the interview bench.

On the Feb. 26 edition of the show, however, viewers were treated to a puppet show courtesy of an artist sporting novelty sunglasses and a University of Michigan radiology lab coat. Rising pop artist Komuai of the group Suiyoubi No Campanella ripped through two hip-hop-pop-dance hybrids — that even featured gunshot samples — in front of long-time host Tamori.

Prime-time television isn't the only place Komuai is making an appearance. Suiyoubi is set to appear (as Wednesday Campanella) at this year's South by Southwest (SXSW) music conference and festival in Austin, Texas, a yearly gathering of industry types and fans. Also visiting Austin from Japan are rock group [Alexandros] and fantastical electronic artist De De Mouse.