Latest J-Pop Releases [November 2025]

municipal dance hallNogizaka 46

municipal dance hall

This piece is included on Nogizaka46’s 40th single, “Biryani.” Reiko Morihira serves as center for the first time, and the song paints a scene where a park bench, where someone is waiting, transforms into a special dance hall.

The twinkling night sky is imagined as the audience, and the attitude of enjoying even the time when no one may come in a positive way overlaps with the sixth generation members striving to shine wherever they are placed.

The modern take on disco sound is also striking.

Be sure to give it a listen.

That is a fairy.Boku ga mitakatta aozora

The Blue Sky I Wanted to See / “That’s a Fairy” Music Video [4K]

A winter coming-of-age song released as the 7th single in December 2025.

It tells the story of a boy who, captivated by a girl he glimpsed by chance on a station platform, boards a packed train every morning to look for her, only for the days to pass without a reunion.

It portrays a first love that keeps a fleeting encounter engraved in the heart.

It captures a delicate longing for someone elusive, almost like a fairy.

I hope you can relate to the fragility of winter romance.

A Song Dedicated to the Worst YouYuuri

Yuuri “A Song for the Worst You” Official Music Video

This is “A Song for the Worst You,” released digitally by singer-songwriter Yuuri in November 2025.

The lyrics depict the protagonist’s inner conflict as they keep going back to someone despite knowing it’s a convenient, one-sided relationship.

It portrays, with raw honesty, the paradox of being unable to leave even while knowing it isn’t serious, and the complex feelings of sensing the end is near yet being unable to genuinely wish the other person happiness.

The dramatic sound arrangement perfectly embodies these emotions as well.

If you’ve ever struggled with an unrequited or unrewarding love, you’ll likely find it deeply relatable.

Arm yourself with theoryHatsuboshi Gakuen

Hatsuboshi Academy “Arm Yourself with Theory” Official Music Video (HATSUBOSHI GAKUEN – RIRONBUSO SITE)

This is the number by Tsubame Amaya, the cool and composed vice president of the student council from “Gakuen Idolmaster.” Released in November 2025, the work features edgy guitar tones and a driving beat by Kenta Matsukuma that powerfully conveys her stoic personality.

The lyrics project the resolve of a protagonist who has long suppressed her emotions with reason and logic, now choosing to turn even her negative feelings into allies and press forward.

Her unwavering determination to surpass her rivals and reach the top will surely encourage anyone pursuing their dreams while confronting their own limits.

dead endHoshino Gen

Gen Hoshino – Dead End [Official Video]

Ikidomari, the theme song for the film A Moon in the Flatlands, by Gen Hoshino.

It’s a quiet love song composed only of piano and vocals.

The lyrics, which depict adult loss and regret—continuing to harbor feelings for someone unforgettable even while standing at a dead end—resonate deeply.

Hoshino has commented that it’s “not a song about myself, but a song that tells the story within the song in the first person,” which shows how faithfully it conveys the film’s worldview.

Please take your time and immerse yourself in its poignant afterglow.

See It, Be Seen feat. Kiwa Anjimine/Kirariramirai kodai gakudan

Mirai Kodai Gakudan – Miru Mieru feat. Kiwaako Ajimine/Kirarira (Official Music Video)

Mirai Kodai Gakudan is a narrative music unit with the concept of “ancient music from a thousand years in the future.” Featuring Kiwako Ajimine and Kirarira, this work is characterized by an epic sound that weaves together ethnomusicological timbres and grand orchestration.

The lyrics are also captivating, evoking a mythic world as they portray emotions swaying in the space between the seen and the unseen.

Experience this track’s magnificent worldview for yourself.

Kissing the machineMinami

Minami: "Kissing the machine"

Released in November 2025, Minami’s “Kissing the Machine” explores the contrast between the endlessness of machines and the finitude of life, telling the story of a robot struggling to understand human love.

The arc of a being built from data encountering a kindness that defies logic—and feeling its chest tighten—prompts us to reconsider what it means to be human.

Its emotional arrangement, grounded in a rock-ballad sound, is another highlight.

How about giving it a deep, attentive listen when you want to face your own memories?