My heart aches with bittersweet pain! Breakup songs I’d recommend to Gen Z
Timeless masterpieces about heartbreak have always existed in the J-POP scene.Listening can heal you, make you empathize without even realizing it, or even let you dive headfirst into your sadness—love and music are deeply connected, aren’t they?So this time, we’re introducing heartbreak songs we recommend for Gen Z!From well-known hits to hidden gems, we hope you’ll find tracks that resonate with you.
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My heart aches with bittersweet pain! Breakup songs recommended for Gen Z (31–40)
Hide-and-seekYuuri
A poignant ballad that likens a breakup with a live-in lover to the children’s game of hide-and-seek.
Through images of a tumbler left behind and a messy room, it vividly portrays a man’s heart steeped in emptiness and loneliness.
Yuuri’s delicate vocals, paired with a simple, guitar-centered arrangement, superbly convey the pain of heartbreak.
Released in December 2019, the recording was supervised by Hiro of MY FIRST STORY.
The music video, directed by Elizabeth Miyaji and featuring actress Yuu Kinoyama, further deepens the work’s world.
It is a gem of a love song that closely resonates with those who have just experienced a breakup or who still harbor longing for someone dear.
In that casemakaroni enpitsu
A narrative masterpiece by Macaroni Enpitsu that wraps a bittersweet longing for love in the refreshing tones of guitar and synthesizer.
While gently embracing the pain of heartbreak, the unshaken desire to believe in the other person’s dreams stirs the heart.
The melodic lines and Hattori’s emotionally rich vocals beautifully capture the warmth and ache of youth.
Released in January 2025 as the opening theme for the second cour of the TV anime Blue Box, it weaves unattainable love and a growing inner world together with the anime’s atmosphere.
A gem of a song that stands with everyone who knows the joy of love and the pain of heartbreak, soothing the soul.
to cry innocently; to weep with a childlike airAKASAKI
This song resonates with the heart through its tenderness that tries to embrace a pure soul holding back tears, and the bittersweet ache of feelings that aren’t returned.
AKASAKI’s delicate portrayal of emotion and straightforward expression of love are deeply moving.
Released as a single in January 2025, it became a hot topic after being selected as Kiss FM KOBE’s recommended Japanese track for the month.
The intertwining of the desire to protect someone and the loneliness of unfulfilled devotion evokes empathy as an emotion many have experienced.
It’s a song that gently stays by the side of anyone striving to move forward while carrying feelings for someone dear.
I want to forget.wacci
A delicate breakup song by wacci that begins with the scent of cigarettes triggering the way once-happy times dissipate like smoke.
Despite the overwhelming desire to “forget,” the voice of the other person and the memory of their kiss refuse to fade, lingering in the heart—expressed through a heartrending, beautiful melody.
Released in July 2024 as the third installment of wacci’s three-part love song project, the track was distributed digitally and became a smash hit.
It’s a highly relatable work that resonates with those who still have lingering feelings about past relationships or struggle to let go of an ex.
Love even your melancholyKoresawa
A heartwarming pop tune by Koresawa that delicately portrays the feelings of a girl living with the negative emotions everyone experiences.
Released in August 2020, this first single is a re-recording of a song long regarded as a legendary hidden gem.
Set to a gentle, acoustic guitar–driven sound, it conveys the strength to move forward while harboring vague anxieties and loneliness—and learning to accept them.
It’s the perfect track for anyone who resonates with the stance of not denying any feeling but choosing to love them, or for those who want to keep looking ahead even while carrying a touch of melancholy.
My heart aches with bittersweet pain! Breakup songs I want to recommend to Gen Z (41–50)
Love and sorrowKano
A song released in October 2024, notable for its bittersweet melody and clear, translucent vocals.
Produced by Vocaloid producer Chouchou-P, its emotionally rich lyrics on love and parting truly resonate.
Known also as a VR artist, Kano delivers a delicate vocal performance that beautifully conveys the pain of heartbreak and a sense of loneliness.
While facing beautiful memories of the past, this track gives you the courage to take a new step forward.
It’s a perfect song for those who have experienced a parting with someone dear, or for moments when you want to face yourself.
Passing smiles, a goodbye kissA.B.C-Z
Released in September 2025 as the second installment of a three-month consecutive release, this track is a mid-tempo number written and composed by the rock band LEGO BIG MORL.
It’s a bittersweet love song that echoes the lineage of the group’s past works, marked by a nostalgic melody and emotive vocals.
The lyrics delicately depict hearts growing apart despite their physical closeness, foreshadowing the end of a romance and evoking a poignant ache.
Dramatic and romantic J-pop.