Breakup songs sung by male artists that I’d recommend to Gen Z
In the history of J-pop, countless heartbreak songs have been born.
Japanese listeners in particular tend to favor music that evokes melancholy and poignancy, so songs with heart-wrenching lyrics paired with arrangements that heighten those emotions are cherished as timeless classics across eras.
With that in mind, here we’ll introduce breakup songs sung by male artists, released roughly between 2011 and 2024—the years that likely defined Gen Z’s youth.
We’ve compiled a wide-ranging list that includes songs from a male perspective, those written from a female point of view, and even darker, more macabre takes—so don’t miss it!
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- A heartbreak song that resonates in the chest of a man in his 60s: memories of youth woven by classic Showa-era masterpieces
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- [2026] Recommended for Men in Their 40s! A Collection of Classic Japanese Breakup Songs
- Recommended love songs for men: A collection of classic hits that sing about men's love
- Recommended for Gen Z! Classic love songs sung by female artists
- For men in their 30s: Heart-touching breakup songs—masterpieces that can move grown men to tears
Breakup songs sung by male artists that I’d recommend to Gen Z (21–30)
Pink Strawberry Chocolate FridayNumber_i
This is a solo track by Shiyoh Hirano.
Centered on the sweet, bittersweet memories of a past love, it conjures scenes like walking hand in hand along the railway—just like a moment from a film.
The structure is superb, unfolding from rap-like spoken lines into a beautiful chorus, and his husky, gentle vocals further heighten the song’s melancholy.
The track is included on the album “No.Ⅱ,” released in September 2025.
When you want to quietly look back on an old love, listening to it will surely keep you company.
Even though she won’t be my girlfriend anymorewacci
Wacci is a five-member band beloved by many listeners for their down-to-earth, relatable lyrics and warm melodies.
Released digitally in September 2025, “Even Though She Won’t Be My Girlfriend Anymore” is a song that portrays the conflicted emotions of having to choose to part ways while still holding on to feelings of love.
Its lyrics—mixing gratitude, regret, and a resolve for the future at the very moment a romantic relationship ends—will likely resonate deeply with anyone who has experienced a breakup.
Yohei Hashiguchi’s sincere vocals, paired with an arrangement that blends the band’s sound with sweeping strings, gently envelop the story as it unfolds.
casual speechpirafu seijin
Rapper Pilaf Seijin, who enjoys overwhelming support especially among Gen Z, released this work, Tameguchi, in August 2025.
While Pilaf Seijin is known for many unique pieces, this song is a poignant, heartbreak-themed track that really hits home.
It depicts the shift from casual, intimate speech to formal language—once a symbol of closeness—creating a deeply moving sense of loss.
By vividly portraying memories of happier days, it highlights just how much has been lost.
If you’re nursing a broken heart, give it a listen.
JELLYNumber_i
A Number_i track that likens tender, fragile feelings of love to jelly.
Produced by member Yuta Jinguji, it delicately captures the wistfulness of late summer.
The lyrics ask, “What would the jelly filled with my feelings for you taste like?”—a question that conveys the fear that this love might one day melt away and disappear, tightening the listener’s chest.
Included on their debut album No.I, released in September 2024.
Like the beginningRen
This is a solo ballad written by REN of the global boy group JO1.
Set for release in July 2025, it’s his fourth solo track.
With a delicate vocal delivery, it captures the unease toward kindness that’s become routine and the premonition of a relationship’s end.
You can clearly feel the protagonist’s poignant resolve in lines like, “This way will be better for both of us.” It’s a song that will sink deep into your heart when you’re struggling with a cherished relationship or quietly reflecting on a breakup at night.
All My Fault Prod. Xanseiedhiii boi
A heartrending track that lays bare the pain of heartbreak.
Released digitally in December 2024, this work was born from a collaboration with sound producer Xansei.
The flood of regret and self-reproach that follows a breakup, paired with an emotional melody, strikes straight at the heart.
Edhiii boi’s earnest vocals further deepen the world of the song.
It’s recommended not only for those who’ve experienced heartbreak, but also for anyone who wants to reaffirm how much they cherish someone.
You’re no longer here.FUNKY MONKEY BABYS
This is a gem of a ballad that sings of the sweet, aching pain of heartbreak.
The farewell scene on the station platform and the memories the two shared are delicately portrayed and delivered with a melody that pierces the heart.
Among FUNKY MONKEY BABYS’ works, it stands out for its rich emotional expression.
Released in October 2007, it reached No.
8 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
It was selected as the ending theme for Nippon TV’s “Otona no Shikaku,” earning broad support across generations.
The song is also included on the album “FUNKY MONKEY BABYS 2,” and has been covered by Mariko Takahashi.
It’s a heartwarming track that stays by your side when you sense the end of a romance or go through a farewell with someone dear.