[Next Buzz is the Snack Book] Announcing the "First Half of 2026 Trend Ranking" Chosen by Digital Native Generation Alpha! Survey by "Girl's Lab," the Reader Community of "nicola" and "Nico☆Puchi"

Shinchosha, publisher of the No. 1 teen magazine "nicola" and the No. 1 elementary school fashion magazine "Nico☆Puchi," conducted a survey among members of "Girl's Lab," a reader community with high trend sensitivity, regarding "First Half of 2026 Trends" (Period: April 17-19, 2026). The survey introduces trends in a wide range of categories, such as popular words, fashion, beauty, entertainment, gourmet, and lifestyle during the first half of 2026, in a ranking format.

"nicola" July 2026 Issue / "Nico☆Puchi" Summer 2026 Issue

"Girl's Lab" is a reader community operated by the No. 1 teen magazine "nicola" and the No. 1 elementary school fashion magazine "Nico☆Puchi," comprised of teens with high trend sensitivity. Targeting approximately 6,000 "Girl's Lab" members, the community collects real voices regarding products, services, and daily values they have experienced, conducting marketing research. For companies, it provides visualized data on the insights and latest trends of the teen demographic, which are difficult to approach, supporting product development and promotional strategy planning. Furthermore, through the planning and operation of events themed around fashion and lifestyle, it promotes interaction among participants and works towards building a community with high trend-disseminating power.

"First Half of 2026 Popular Slang Ranking" Chosen by Elementary and Middle School Students

1st Place: "Too much of X to extinction!"

2nd Place: "Sorena" (That's right / I know)

3rd Place: "Merorii" (Melty/Sweet)

"People Popular in the First Half of 2026" Chosen by Elementary and Middle School Students

1st Place: M!LK

2nd Place: Hiroana Nagahama

3rd Place: Rikuryu Pair

"Idols Popular in the First Half of 2026" Chosen by Elementary and Middle School Students

1st Place: M!LK

2nd Place: Snow Man

3rd Place: =LOVE / FRUITS ZIPPER

"Impressive News in the First Half of 2026" Chosen by Elementary and Middle School Students

1st Place: Rikuryu Pair Gold Medal

2nd Place: Arashi's Last Tour Held

3rd Place: JENNI Revival

M!LK, which has been gaining attention since 2025 primarily through social media, became one of the symbolic artists of the first half of 2026 for the Generation Alpha, who prioritize online buzz, with lyrics from their song "Suki Sugite Metsu!" ranking high. The Rikuryu pair, who garnered significant attention at the Olympics, also ranked, indicating that topics from the sports world also captured the interest of elementary and middle school students.

"Celebrities I Want as a Boyfriend" Chosen by Elementary and Middle School Students

1st Place: Ren Meguro (Snow Man)

2nd Place: Hayato Sano (M!LK)

3rd Place: Ren Nagase (King & Prince)

"Celebrities I Want as a Father" Chosen by Elementary and Middle School Students

1st Place: Ren Meguro (Snow Man) / Takuya Kimura

2nd Place: Ryohei Suzuki

3rd Place: Yo Oizumi

"Celebrities I Want as an Older Brother" Chosen by Elementary and Middle School Students

1st Place: Ren Meguro (Snow Man)

2nd Place: Hayato Sano (M!LK)

3rd Place: Daisuke Sakuma (Snow Man)

"Things, Events, and People I Support" Chosen by Elementary and Middle School Students

1st Place: Ren Meguro (Snow Man)

2nd Place: Mrs. GREEN APPLE / Cinnamonroll

3rd Place: Hello Kitty

Ren Meguro of Snow Man has maintained his popularity among elementary and middle school students, even while the group temporarily suspended music activities due to his participation in filming the international drama "SHOGUN" Season 2. His support remains strong despite limited domestic exposure.

[From top left] Sonoma Matsuo (Sonoma), Riri Nakase (Riri), Runa Shiroo (Runa), Riko Sakihama (Riko), [From bottom left] Hinano Jyumonji (Hinano), Wakana Hayama (Wakana), Ririka (Ririka), Kurumi Inagaki (Kurumi), Yuno Izumi (Yuno)

"Songs" Chosen by Elementary and Middle School Students

1st Place: Lilac (Mrs. GREEN APPLE) / Suki Sugite Metsu! (M!LK)

2nd Place: Bad Girl (HANA)

3rd Place: Charisma Max (Snow Man)

"TV Programs Popular in the First Half of 2026" Chosen by Elementary and Middle School Students
1st Place: Sore SnowMan ni Narawasetai

2nd Place: Kyo, Suki ni Narimashita. (I Think I've Fallen for You.)

3rd Place: TV x Mrs.

"Favorite Singers" Chosen by Elementary and Middle School Students

1st Place: Mrs. GREEN APPLE

2nd Place: HANA

3rd Place: Aimyon / Rira Ikuta

"Artists Popular in the First Half of 2026" Chosen by Elementary and Middle School Students

1st Place: Mrs. GREEN APPLE

2nd Place: HANA

3rd Place: M!LK

Snow Man, Mrs. GREEN APPLE, HANA, and M!LK received strong support from elementary and middle school students. Notably, Mrs. GREEN APPLE's variety show "TV x Mrs.," which started in April 2026, also ranked, indicating their high level of attention extending beyond music activities.

"TikTokers Popular in the First Half of 2026" Chosen by Elementary and Middle School Students

1st Place: Hiroana Nagahama

2nd Place: MINAMI

3rd Place: Sakura

Hiroana Nagahama, who gained attention on the reality dating show "Kyo, Suki ni Narimashita." (which also ranked second in "TV Programs Popular in the First Half of 2026"), took first place in the TikToker category. MINAMI and Sakura, active on various social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram, also received support.

[From left] Momono Shizuki, Momoha Sanada (Towa), Rimu Momose, Chihiro Ozawa

"YouTube Channels Popular in the First Half of 2026" Chosen by Elementary and Middle School Students

1st Place: Himahima Channel

2nd Place: HikakinTV

3rd Place: M!LK

"Favorite Influencers" Chosen by Elementary and Middle School Students

1st Place: Himahima

2nd Place: Osaki

3rd Place: MINAMI

"Himahima Channel," which started activities in the 3rd grade of elementary school and now has over 1 million subscribers, ranked first in both the YouTube channel and influencer categories. M!LK also garnered support as a YouTube channel in addition to their idol activities, demonstrating their strong multi-faceted influence.

"Dramas Popular in the First Half of 2026" Chosen by Elementary and Middle School Students

1st Place: Reboot

2nd Place: Yandoku!

3rd Place: Tatsuki-sensei wa Amasugiru! (Tatsuki-sensei is Too Sweet!)

"Celebrities Whose Faces I Want to Have" Chosen by Elementary and Middle School Students

1st Place: Kanna Hashimoto

2nd Place: Mio Imada

3rd Place: Wonyoung (IVE)

Ryohei Suzuki, the lead actor in the top-ranked drama "Reboot," also ranked second in "Celebrities I Want as a Father," indicating strong support for him as an individual actor alongside the popularity of his work. Kanna Hashimoto, the lead in "Yandoku!," was chosen as the No. 1 "Celebrity Whose Face I Want to Have," showing that the leads of popular works made their presence felt across various rankings.

"Movies Popular in the First Half of 2026" Chosen by Elementary and Middle School Students

1st Place: Detective Conan: Highway Angel of Death

2nd Place: Zootopia 2

3rd Place: SAKAMOTO DAYS

Animated films such as "Detective Conan" and "Zootopia" ranked high, receiving strong support from the teen demographic. The movie "SAKAMOTO DAYS," starring Ren Meguro, also ranked, indicating high interest in popular live-action works as well.

"School Items Popular in the First Half of 2026" Chosen by Elementary and Middle School Students