[2013 Japanese Hit Songs] Masterpieces that Colored the Ama-chan Boom, Group Popularity, and the Band Scene
Japan’s music scene in 2013 was truly a year of “diversity” and “phenomena.” The smash hit NHK morning drama Amachan sparked a social phenomenon, with its insert song Shiosai no Memory and its theme song, ushering in a revival boom of 1980s idol pop.
Meanwhile, the idol warring era—led by the AKB48 groups—reached its peak, and Koi Suru Fortune Cookie became a nationally beloved dance song.
In the rock band scene, acts like SEKAI NO OWARI and CreepHyp rose to prominence, with new talent blossoming one after another.
The expansion of the digital distribution market also accelerated, marking a turning point in how people listened to music.
In this article, we look back at the hit songs that colored 2013—from award-winning works to timeless karaoke favorites.
Playlist
| [2013 Japanese Hit Songs] Masterpieces that Colored the Ama-chan Boom, Group Popularity, and the Band Scene | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | Fortune Cookie in LoveAKB48 | play_arrow | Released in August 2013, this work is the... |
| 2 | Star Lablationkerakera | play_arrow | A song released in 2013 that was featured in a drama... |
| 3 | Peace and highlightSazan Ōrusutāzu | play_arrow | In August 2013, as a comeback work after about five years... |
| 4 | Love’s Melody and Rainy SkiesAAA | play_arrow | While my chest tightened under the rainy sky, I couldn’t bring myself to say it… |
| 5 | Kissing You of ApologyE-girls | play_arrow | E-girl, which was released in October 2013… |
| 6 | Crimson Bow and ArrowLinked Horizon | play_arrow | The opening of Season 1 of the anime Attack on Titan... |
| 7 | RPGSEKAI NO OWARI | play_arrow | A song of moving forward that portrays the adventure of life |
| 8 | Ninjari Ban Bankyarī pamyu pamyu | play_arrow | Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, who debuted in March 2013... |
| 9 | Rain, then Sunshine Hallelujahyuzu | play_arrow | The main ... of the NHK morning drama series “Gochisousan” |
| 10 | MusicSakanakushon | play_arrow | A masterpiece where introspection and craftsmanship in music resonate |
| 11 | Season of LoveNaoto Intiraymi | play_arrow | The allure of a J-pop hit song that portrays the feelings of springtime love |
| 12 | Girls’ RuleNogizaka 46 | play_arrow | An inspiring song with Mai Shiraishi as the center |
| 13 | EXILE PRIDE ~To Love a World Like This~EXILE | play_arrow | The 41st release in April 2013... |
| 14 | Joy!!SMAP | play_arrow | SMAP’s ... released in June 2013 |
| 15 | miraclemiwa | play_arrow | A youthful song by miwa that depicts the feelings of a summer romance |
| 16 | Winter TaleSandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu | play_arrow | A winter scenery ballad from the peak of the group’s popularity |
| 17 | Memories of the Sea BreezesAmano Haruko (Koizumi Kyoko) | play_arrow | In the NHK morning drama series Amachan, within the story… |
| 18 | Sun Goddessieiri reo | play_arrow | In the fall of 2013, the Monday 9 p.m. drama “The Clinic on the Sea”... |
| 19 | White lilies on my birthdayFukuyama Masaharu | play_arrow | Masaharu Fukuyama’s … released in April 2013 |
| 20 | Preserved RosesT.M.Revolution × Mizuki Nana | play_arrow | A passionate collaboration track by Takanori Nishikawa and Nana Mizuki |
| 21 | KamonnegixNMB48 | play_arrow | AKB-related idols, including this group… |
| 22 | SUMMER NUDEYamashita Tomohisa | play_arrow | Even within Johnny & Associates, this person also engages in solo activities... |
| 23 | Dance My GenerationGōruden Bonbā | play_arrow | This band also had a bit of a one-hit-wonder vibe… |
| 24 | Sayonara CrawlAKB48 | play_arrow | In 2013 as well, AKB48’s momentum showed no signs of slowing… |
| 25 | BURNING UPEXILE TRIBE (Sandaime J Soul Brothers VS GENERATIONS) | play_arrow | EXILE-related matters are also like AKB and Johnny’s Office... |
| 26 | Melon juiceHKT48 | play_arrow | This group is also related to AKB. The group name... |
| 27 | Sorrow that has not yet become tears / Love, fragrant, scatters and fades awayKinKi Kids | play_arrow | I don’t think they had released any singles in recent years... |
| 28 | Slave to chocolateSKE48 | play_arrow | This group is also overshadowed by AKB and Arashi... |
| 29 | Real Sexy!/BAD BOYSSexy Zone | play_arrow | This idol group, too—yet again, Johnny… |
| 30 | OCEANTōhōshinki | play_arrow | This Korean duo, after the Hallyu boom had faded... |
| 31 | Come On A My HouseHey! Say! JUMP | play_arrow | This group is also from Johnny & Associates, and definitely… |
| 32 | EXPOSEKAT-TUN | play_arrow | The idol group KA… from Johnny & Associates |
| 33 | My Resistance -A Certain Thing- / Fate GirlKis-my-ft2 | play_arrow | The number of fans for this idol group is also steadily... |
| 34 | Attack on FreedomLinked Horizon | play_arrow | Those years of Arashi and AKB, and then EXILE… |
| 35 | The Stinging FlowerNot yet | play_arrow | The single sales ranking for 2013... |
| 36 | Mystery VirginYamada Ryosuke | play_arrow | A central member of Hey! Say! JUMP... |
| 37 | Calling×Breathlessarashi | play_arrow | Arashi, who have been competing with AKB in the rankings for years... |
| 38 | GirlHata Motohiro | play_arrow | It ranked first in the annual J-pop chart on USEN... |
| 39 | Contrarian / A view you can find only hereKanjani Eito (Eito) | play_arrow | As an idol from Johnny & Associates, the next s... |
| 40 | Red ShoesSalley | play_arrow | At No. 2 on USEN’s annual rankings is this ani… |
| 41 | Selfish, carefree, a joke of love / Army of loveMōningu Musume. | play_arrow | These days, they’ve been showing up on the annual single rankings... |
| 42 | GIVE ME LOVE2PM | play_arrow | They are a South Korean female idol group. Like AKB... |
| 43 | WORLD QUESTNEWS | play_arrow | This idol group from Johnny & Associates is... |


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