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A breakup song sung by an idol. A collection of bittersweet love songs.

Among the songs sung by idols, there are so many love songs, aren’t there?

In this article, we’ll focus on breakup songs among those many love songs.

Even when we say “breakup songs,” the stories behind them vary: songs about breaking up after dating, songs about confessing and being rejected, songs about unrequited love that ended before the feelings could be conveyed, and so on.

So as you listen to the songs we’re about to introduce, be sure to read the lyrics as well, and take your time to savor the stories and bittersweet emotions woven into each one.

A heartbreak song sung by an idol. Collection of bittersweet love songs (81–90)

Slow motionNakamori Akina

[Official] Akina Nakamori 'Slow Motion (from “Hajimemashite”)' [1st Single (Released May 1, 1982)] Akina Nakamori / Slow Motion
Slow motionNakamori Akina

A debut work distinguished by its mellow melody and crystalline vocals that gently embrace a budding crush on someone met by the seaside.

With an expressiveness hard to believe for a 16-year-old, Akina Nakamori beautifully captures the fateful moment of encounter.

Released in May 1982 and included on the album “Prologue [Jomaku],” it debuted at No.

58 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart, quietly winning listeners’ hearts.

The pure feelings of a girl captivated by the sight of a man walking along the sandy beach are sung with the freshness of a sea breeze.

Evoking the premonition of love that everyone experiences as if it were a scene from a film, this piece is one to enjoy on a tranquil spring afternoon.

Gentle RainKoizumi Kyoko

Kyoko Koizumi – Gentle Rain (Official Video)
Gentle RainKoizumi Kyoko

The lyrics penned by Kyoko Koizumi herself delicately depict loneliness in the city, chance encounters, and a heartfelt longing for the other person.

Released in February 1993, the song drew attention as the theme for the drama “To Love” and became a major hit, reaching No.

2 on the Oricon charts and selling over 950,000 copies.

Koizumi’s voice, carried by Shoko Suzuki’s beautifully composed melody, blends poignancy with warmth, gently resonating with listeners.

It’s a song you’ll want to listen to alone on a rainy day—one that softly soothes the heart when you’re feeling the loneliness of the urban bustle or holding onto thoughts of someone dear.

Bittersweetarashi

ARASHI – Bittersweet [Official Music Video]
Bittersweetarashi

A classic Arashi song that expresses a sweet yet bittersweet love with a warm melody that gently embraces the heart.

This gem of a pop ballad showcases the blend of sweetness and bitterness in love through delicate harmonies and elegant dance performance.

Released in February 2014 and used as the theme song for Fuji TV’s Monday 9 PM drama “Heartbroken Chocolatier,” it features a sweet four-on-the-floor house sound infused with technopop elements, creating a soft, springlike atmosphere.

It’s a song that stays close to those who can only meet the one they love in their dreams or who carry an unrequited love.

Love so sweetarashi

ARASHI – Love so sweet [Official Music Video]
Love so sweetarashi

Released by Arashi in February 2007, this song shone brilliantly as the theme for the drama “Boys Over Flowers 2 (Returns).” Its sacred melody, which beautifully depicts the belief in a bond between two people even when they’re apart—as if petals were dancing—teaches us one form of youth.

As the cityscape becomes dyed in spring colors, Arashi’s vocals will gently give you a supportive push forward.

Oh, early summer rainSakurazaka46

A poignant love song by Sakurazaka46 that portrays feelings of love through the motif of early-summer rain.

Released in April 2022 as their fourth single, it received a tremendous response, topping the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

Like rain that never stops, the swelling emotions are expressed through delicate vocals and choreography, gently embracing unspoken love and the struggles it brings.

It is a warm track that waits for the arrival of spring, resonating with those in the midst of unrequited love or unable to convey their feelings.

More than lovers, less than love (TV Size)=LOVE

TV anime “I’m Getting Married to the Girl I Hate in My Class” Non-Credit Opening Video | Airing every Friday from 11:30 PM starting January 3, 2025!
More than lovers, less than love (TV Size)=LOVE

A song by =LOVE produced by Rino Sashihara.

Chosen as the opening theme for a TV anime, the track is included on their 18th single slated for release in February 2025.

This song, which depicts complex feelings of love, features a pop, catchy melody.

Its lyrics align with the anime’s world, expressing the protagonists’ delicate relationships.

Members Kiara Saito, Hitomi Takamatsu, and Iori Noguchi are also set to appear as voice actors in the anime.

It’s a recommended track for anyone who’s experiencing the frustrations of love!

Breakup songs sung by idols. A collection of bittersweet love songs (91–100)

I heard the sound of cherry blossoms blooming.=LOVE

=LOVE (Equal Love) / 1st ALBUM track 'I Heard the Sound of Cherry Blossoms Blooming' MV [YouTube ver.]
I heard the sound of cherry blossoms blooming.=LOVE

This is a heartwarming =LOVE song that gently conveys the arrival of spring.

It portrays a faint, bittersweet first love by likening the flutter of a first crush to the invisible scene of “the sound of cherry blossoms blooming.” The reasons the protagonist prefers riding in the third car of the school commuter train, and the care she takes with her hairstyle, convey the feelings of a girl earnestly navigating her first love despite her confusion.

Included on the May 2021 album “Zenbu, Naisho.” (“Everything’s a Secret.”), the song also drew attention for its refreshingly springlike visual beauty in the music video.

It’s a perfect track for the spring season—one that makes your heart flutter when listened to at the start of a new school term.

It’s recommended not only for those in love, but also for anyone who wants to enjoy the spirit of spring.