NEON ONI began in mid-2025 as an “ura-kawaii metal” project generated with Suno by the producer KAGE, and its signature track “SATORi SEDAi” passed 1.27 million Spotify streams. After the AI origins came to light, KAGE recruited real Japanese musicians to perform the catalogue live, debuting on stage in December 2025 — an AI-born act that grew into a human band, embodying the augment-not-replace spirit these awards champion.