Japanese female singers?

I'm quite new to all things Japanese. I have only been listening to Japanese music for about a year or so, and now I'm looking for recommendations. How do I find music to listen to? Well, I watch this or that anime (or lately, jdrama) and if I like the opening/ending theme, I go find the songs on YouTube. From there, I find more music, like character songs from the same anime or just other songs from the same singer who sang the first song I liked, etc. You get the picture. So now I've created quite a large playlist. Well, for some reason, about 90% of the Japanese songs are by male voice actors. Don't get me wrong, I do like Ryoutarou Okiayu and Sho Hayami and everyone, but I would like to add more women to the list, and not necessarily voice actors. :) So, who are your favourite Japanese singing ladies? I like most genres but I prefer strong, powerful and mature voices. ETA: I mean deep, adult-sounding voices, not girly/cute/high-pitched. I generally prefer alto over soprano voices. (Of course, there are always exceptions...)

I'd recommend Kalafina xD great voices especially love their concerts. you can also Try Supercell (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2LTsN4UyYc)

lily_b wrote: Twinkelie: So many recommendations, thank you! :) I'll look into each of them more closely, but I've listened to a couple of songs by each of them and so far I prefer Tsuchiya Anna, The Brilliant Green and YUI. :)

Fuji13371: Thank you! Kalafina - wow, amazing! :)

Glad you liked them :D They really have amazing voices and great voice harmony with each other

hehe xD we have the same taste as I also concider Keiko to be my favourite =)

Ayaka Hirahara Koda Kumi Aoyama Thelma Misia Juju Kana Nishino Kokia Mai Kuraki Mika Nakashima All female singers above have strong, powerful and mature voices :D (for group try "Do As Infinity")

Maybe try Rurutia and Akiko Shitaka. If you like Kalafina then I'd suggest checking out some other stuff composed by Yuki Kajiura.

I recommend Nana Mizuki. She does some variety styles but majority of her music lately has been sort of an "epic" style if that makes sense. Here's a PV of it Silent Bible and the site is also a good reference for more of her music. (She's my favorite Japanese singer, I listen to her everyday and my avatar is her too.)

Aimer. Followed her career since her debut "Rokutousei no Yoru" in 2011. Anything she sings sounds lovely.