[1998 Japanese Hit Songs] A roundup of timeless classics that still live on in people’s memories!

Aim to be a Pokémon MasterMatsumoto Rika

Aim to Be a Pokémon Master! - Rika Matsumoto

A song that could be said to have further fueled the Pokémon boom at the time.

About a month and a half after its release, it broke into the top 20 on the Oricon weekly chart and went on to become a long-running hit for more than half a year, selling a total of 1.128 million copies according to Oricon.

You could even say it was rarer for kids back then not to know it.

SOUL LOVEGLAY

GLAY / SOUL LOVE

Here’s another song by GLAY.

It was released at the same time as “Yuuwaku,” and this one also became a million-seller.

In the music video, everyone—members and support members alike—looks friendly and close, which is heartwarming to watch.

Its pop feel and easy listenability are also appealing.

promenadeJUDY AND MARY

promenade

The 14th single by JUDY AND MARY, which reached No.

3 on the weekly chart and No.

50 on the yearly chart.

Composed by JUDY AND MARY’s drummer, Kota Igarashi, it served as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “News no Onna” (The News Woman).

With its crisp rhythm section and soaring vocals, this track is truly perfect for a stroll.

Winter fallL’Arc〜en〜Ciel

Winter Fall *Larc en Ciel* (subtitulos castellano)

1998 was a year in which L’Arc-en-Ciel produced so many million-selling hits that it could be called their peak, and this song was no exception—following “HONEY,” it became the second best-selling track of the year.

The composition is by ken, who boasts the most songwriting credits in L’Arc-en-Ciel, and it features a characteristically beautiful melody.

Hold me tight!Mōningu Musume.

Morning Musume. “Embrace Me, HOLD ON ME!” (Music Video)

Morning Musume’s third single.

The quality of this song can only be described as quintessential Tsunku.

By their third release, the members of Morning Musume look incredibly cool and polished.

Morning Musume’s songs are very diverse, and you can feel the ingenuity that keeps them from ever getting boring.

There will be love there -A Place with Love-the brilliant green

The brilliant green – There will be love there

The Brilliant Green’s third single.

It became a hot topic as the theme song for the TBS drama “Love Again,” and with this release the group earned their first No.

1 on the Oricon Singles Chart.

Although it’s a mellow track, the guitar melody is incredibly cool and electrifying.

Cold Flowerthe brilliant green

the brilliant green – Cold Flower (Live)

This is a song by The Brilliant Green that was a hit as the opening theme for TBS’s COUNT DOWN TV.

Tomoko Kawase’s vocals still have the same clarity as ever.

I truly think it’s amazing.

The slightly shadowy quality of the track might unexpectedly feel fresh to modern listeners.