Songs whose titles start with 'I'. Masterpieces that begin with 'I'.
I’m going to introduce songs with titles that start with “i” (the Japanese syllable pronounced ee)!
When you think of “i,” words like ichigo (strawberry), iruka (dolphin), and iro (color) come to mind, so it’s not a particularly tricky letter even in shiritori, right?
But what about when it comes to song titles?
Actually, there are plenty of songs whose titles start with “i”!
In this article, I’ve gathered a variety of Japanese songs—both old and new—whose titles begin with “i.”
You might even find some you listen to regularly.
Feel free to use this as a reference when playing song-title shiritori and the like!
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- Songs with titles that start with “Chi.” Useful as hints for word-chain games!
- Songs with titles starting with “E” [Great for karaoke and shiritori, too!]
- [Classic and Contemporary Hits] Emotionally Stirring, Heart-Touching Songs
- A compilation of Vocaloid songs with titles that start with “Ki”
- Songs with titles that start with 'Ke'
Songs whose titles start with 'I'. Masterpieces that begin with 'I' (211–220)
I live, I will keep on living.Fukuyama Masaharu
A number whose appeal lies in its warm ode to life that inspires hope for the future.
Released in March 2012, this song was chosen as the theme for the film Doraemon: Nobita and the Island of Miracles ~Animal Adventure~.
Set to a lively sound that incorporates ska rhythms, it sings of the grand theme of the relay of life passed down across generations.
Its gentle yet powerful message resonates in the heart, inviting children and adults alike to hum along.
Remarkably, this work achieved the feat of becoming the first Doraemon film theme song in 28 years to reach No.
1 on the Oricon Weekly Chart.
Why not listen to it together as a family and talk about the connections of life?
Closest to meHY
This is the theme song for the NHK morning drama series Jun to Ai, created by HY, a band from Okinawa.
Its lyrics, which depict bonds deepened by belief and the preciousness of the love right beside us, resonate with the heroine’s pure determination as she faces hardships, making the story all the more moving.
Included on the album Route 29 released in December 2012, the song is a classic—there’s even an anecdote that the executive producer praised it as “the number one theme song in the history of morning dramas.” Lead actress Nana also commented that she “couldn’t stop getting goosebumps,” speaking to the song’s powerful impact.
In The DarkHanbaato Hanbaato
This piece is performed as if gently accompanying the memory of a loved one who has been lost.
Written and composed by Ryosei Sato, it portrays a serious, introspective worldview.
The melody is striking for the warmth it conveys even amid sorrow.
The track is included on the album “Carnival Dreams,” released in November 2024.
In April 2025, a music video featuring actor Mikako Ichikawa was also released.
The dreamlike visuals woven from overseas cityscapes feel like a journey through a dream.
It’s recommended for quiet nights when you want to be alone with your thoughts.
Songs whose titles start with “I”. Great songs beginning with “I” (221–230)
ink spotinku
The gaming commentary group, Ink.
Their first original song, “Ink Spot,” whose music video was released in August 2025, also drew attention for being written and composed by 40mP, known as a Vocaloid producer.
Its worldview—where each member’s individuality blends like ink to create a new landscape—resonates deeply, enhanced by refreshingly crisp sound.
Many listeners will likely find themselves layering their own experiences onto the song’s portrayal of irreplaceable friendship among companions.
It’s a pop tune whose appeal lies in its straightforward message.
Iina Festivalyūri
A song by Yuuri with an addictive, can’t-get-it-out-of-your-head sound and a shape-shifting “gacha voice” that’s full of charm.
Scheduled for release in August 2025, it features a hyperpop track produced by Sasuke Haraguchi that will have your body moving before you know it.
The lyrics—brimming with humor and crafted from Yuuri’s own words—are another highlight.
If you’re someone who often holds back from saying what you really think, this track might give you a refreshing sense of release!
IllusionNOVELA
This is the opening track of Japanese progressive hard rock band NOVELA’s debut album, “Miwakugeki” (The Enchanting Theater), released in March 1980.
Above all, Hisakatsu Igarashi’s distinctive high-toned vocals instantly seize your heart.
The bittersweet emotion of wavering between fantasy and reality—free in dreams yet constrained in real life—intertwines with the weighty twin-guitar sound to construct a decadent, aesthetic world.
The album “Miwakugeki,” which includes this track, was hailed at the time as a “miracle of Japanese rock.” Its sound, blending dramatic song development with the dynamism of hard rock, may especially resonate with listeners who love music with a strong sense of narrative.
It’s a number that invites you to savor the poetic beauty living within its intricate structure.
I can’t even breatheZARD
This ZARD classic sets the chest-tightening, heart-racing moment of falling in love to a driving rock sound.
It captures a straightforward love so consuming that you can’t think of anything but the other person.
The lyrics sparkle with the early stages of romance, and Izumi Sakai’s vocals—combining clarity with strength—leave a lasting impression.
Released in March 1998 as their 24th single, it became widely known as the opening theme for the anime “Chuuka Ichiban!” and reached No.
3 on the Oricon Weekly Chart.
Listen to it as a fight song when you’re about to take on something new, and you’ll surely feel courage welling up from deep within.