Masterpieces with titles that start with 'A'

swallowtail butterflyNEW!Porunogurafiti

swallowtail butterfly

A smash hit by Porno Graffitti whose exotic, evocative melody and lyrics of bittersweet unrequited love strike a chord.

The thrill of a romance beginning and the pain of not being noticed are vividly portrayed through vocalist Okano’s richly expressive singing.

Released as a single in June 2001, it brightened living rooms nationwide as the CM song for FT Shiseido’s “T’cera.” Loved across generations, it was even chosen as the theme song for the 2025 TV drama “Good Things, Bad Things.” It’s a heart-stirring, exhilarating number—perfect for revisiting the sweet-and-sour crushes of your school days or getting the crowd going at karaoke with friends.

rainy sceneryNEW!rokudenashi

Rokudenashi “The Shape of Rain” / Rokudenashi – The Shape of Rain [Official Music Video]

This is the lead track from Rokudenashi, a music project centered around vocalist Ninjin, released as the EP “Hikage” in July 2025.

It was later included on their second album “Rokka.” The song is striking for its progression from a quiet, piano-and-vocal introduction into an increasingly danceable beat.

Composed by Misumi, it paints scenes of rain and inner pain while conveying the resolve to move forward even while carrying the past.

Together with its fully animated music video, it’s a track that keeps you company on lonely nights or when you want to quietly reflect alone while listening to the sound of rain.

The Vast Sky Called TomorrowNEW!Sakushi: Hirano Yukari / Sakkyoku: Hashimoto Shōji

Big Sky Called Tomorrow ♪ In the path we travel lies a big sky called tomorrow Lyrics by Yukari Hirano, Music by Shōji Hashimoto Big sky for Tomorrow

A work first included in music textbooks in 1987.

Many people may remember singing it in class or at choir competitions.

Written by lyricist Yukari Hirano and composed by Shoji Hashimoto, the piece features wonderful lyrics and melodies that express hope for the future and a sense of camaraderie with warmth and openness.

It was initially developed as teaching material for junior high school students, but later appeared in elementary school textbooks as well, and has become widely beloved through tie-ins with various educational media, such as choir instruction DVDs and wind band arrangement scores.

It’s a classic I’d recommend to anyone who wants to feel a positive spirit as they head toward the future during milestone seasons like graduation or moving up to the next grade.

Hydrangea SlopeNEW!Hirayama Kaha

Hanaha Hirayama “Hydrangea Slope” MV [Official]

This is a classic kayōkyoku that portrays the ache of an unfulfilled first love with a fresh, dewy vocal.

It’s performed by newcomer Hana Haoyama and was included as the title track on her debut single released in January 2026.

Haoyama won the grand prize at a karaoke contest hosted by Hiroko Matsumae in 2024 and was scouted by Matsumae herself, attesting to her solid talent.

Visual motifs like rainy scenes and paper umbrellas are woven into the story, creating an impressively vivid, almost tangible landscape.

Rather than relying on flashiness, the song moves listeners with its clear, transparent high notes and straightforward melodic flow.

It’s a perfect track for a gentle, rainy day in the monsoon season when you want to quietly revisit an old romance.

Even if it rainsNEW!Hinatazaka46

Hinatazaka46 'Even If It Rains'

A track by the fourth-generation members of Hinatazaka46.

Included on the single “Kimi wa Honeydew,” released in May 2024, this song defies the mellow image its title might suggest, delivering an irresistibly bright pop tune.

Even when rain brings you down or things don’t go your way, it overflows with a liberating vibe that laughs it off with a “That’s okay, too.” The music video released on the official YouTube channel is brimming with fun, with staging reminiscent of a musical.

At a concert held in 2026, a performance that turned real rain into an ally also drew attention.

It’s a perfect pick for the damp season or when you’re struggling and things aren’t clicking—ideal for anyone who wants to recharge with radiant energy.

Back then, on the Setagaya LineNEW!Junretsu

Back then, on the Setagaya Line

The streets we once walked together, the furniture we picked out side by side… Do you ever feel your chest tighten as those ordinary memories of life come back in vivid detail? Sung by Junretsu, this song is a heartbreak ballad that nostalgically weaves lingering attachment and love for the days we shared.

Released on Type C of the single “Arigatou,” which came out in February 2026, this track is sprinkled with specific place names and everyday scenes, conjuring up, like a film, the landscapes of a time we can never return to.

It will gently stay close to those carrying regret for ending a love quietly in a corner of the city, and an overwhelming loneliness that can’t be helped.

On nights when you want to sit alone with your thoughts, please give it a listen.

Rain andNEW!Suzuki Mamiko

Suzuki Mamiko – Ame to (official music video)

This is a solo track by Mamiko Suzuki, also known as a member of the rap duo chelmico, released as a single in July 2025.

The song was selected as the opening theme for the TV anime “Ame to Kimi to.” Its sound is characterized by an atmosphere that captures delicate everyday emotions and the wavering of memory, wrapped in the moody feel of an overcast sky.

While it carries hints of hip-hop, it also leaves room to breathe like indie pop, enveloping you in the sensation of a gentle whisper close to your ear.

Set against the backdrop of rain, it’s a song that makes you reflect on the distance between yourself and someone else—one that fits naturally into daily life.

Perfect for spending a slow, solitary rainy day or for moments when you want quiet time.