Groove, Skill, and Stage Presence: The Rise of Japanese Bassist MINA

Published on October 24, 2026 | Music & Artist Spotlight

If you've been keeping up with the modern Japanese rock and instrumental scene, you’ve undoubtedly run into the lightning-fast fingers and undeniable groove of MINA (Yamauchi Mina). From her early days as a teen sensation to her current powerhouse band projects and solo endeavors, MINA has established herself as one of the most exciting bassists of her generation.

Artist Biography

Born on September 20, 2000, in Osaka, Japan, MINA (real name: Yamauchi Mina) got her start early. Trained at the renowned Caless Vocal & Dance School, she originally performed as part of the youth performance group CUTE×BEAT.

She shot to wider prominence in 2015 as the bassist for the all-girl rock band GIRLFRIEND, where she spent six formative years sharpening her chops until the band disbanded in 2021. Not one to slow down, MINA branched out into solo music production, session work, and joining high-profile musical lineups—continuing to captivate fans with her technical skill, signature gear, and charismatic live performances.

Band Members & Associations

MINA is recognized both as a powerhouse solo artist/collaborator and as a vital member of distinct musical groups:

East Of Eden: MINA officially joined the symphonic metal/rock powerhouse project East Of Eden on December 24, 2024. The band features an incredible roster of musicians:
- Miyu Kanou (Vocals)
- Mary Tachibana (Violin)
- Hitomi Tanaka (Drums)
- MINA (Bass)
GIRLFRIEND (Former): Her breakthrough all-female rock band active from 2015 to 2021.

Selected Discography & Releases

Whether releasing solo material or driving the rhythm section for her groups, MINA’s musical footprint includes:

1st Solo EP: me low (愛楼) (Released July 3, 2024)
Digital Single: Tenjo Tenge Yuiga Dokuson (天上天下唯我独尊) (May 2024) — featuring her own lyrics, composition, and vocals.
Digital Single: Kimi ga Iine Shita (君がいいねした) (June 2024)
Extensive studio and session contributions for various anime tie-ins, game themes, and artist projects.

Recent News & Updates

MINA continues to dominate media schedules, live stages, and gear collaborations:

Live Tours & Concerts: Following major milestones like the East Of Eden Spring Tour (Growing) and Zepp Tour (Rising), MINA maintains a heavy live performance footprint, taking the stage at prominent late-2026 events such as the Groove-Method LIVE 2026.
Signature Bass Success: Following the popularity of her high-end Sago signature model, Sago's student brand *Seed* released the **Seed Dullahan MINA Signature Entry Model**, making her custom-spec PJ bass design widely accessible to aspiring bass players.
Media & TV Appearances: Expanding beyond traditional musician boundaries, she has featured heavily across Japanese media, including her music-travel television program specials (such as *MINA wa Eleki Base to Tabi Shitai* on NCC) and radio commentary slots.

Bassist MINA
https://sago-nmg.com/artists/mina/

My encounter with MINA was when she was still in junior high school. Her desire to "create a bass that is uniquely hers" led to the creation of the "Dullahan" bass. After numerous meetings with her, we meticulously worked on the design, color, and every detail, and it was finally completed. For a long time since then, she has used it as her main bass, and it has become a one-of-a-kind instrument that you can recognize as MINA's just by looking at it. Thank you so much for everything! And now, Dullahan is available from the Seed brand! We are now accepting pre-orders! MINA herself wants many people to be able to own one, and she wants to recommend it to people who are just starting out with an instrument, so we have made it available at a price that is as accessible as possible. Seed Dullahan purchase page here: https://www.reodell.com/SHOP/see020.html

【MINA×Sago】Anniversary Project Part 3