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

GraduationHikaru GENJI

Hikaru GENJI Graduation (1988)

Let me introduce a classic by Hikaru GENJI, released in November 1987 as the B-side to the single “Garasu no Jūdai.” With lyrics by Ryo Asuka and music by CHAGE—a truly star-studded team—this work is a coming-of-age ballad that movingly captures the milestone of graduation.

The lyrics not only convey the sorrow of parting but also weave in the hope of taking a new step forward, leaving a deep impression on the heart.

On Music Station in September 1995, the group performed the song with a memorable staging in which the members removed their roller skates and placed them on the stage, bringing many fans to tears.

It’s a track that showcases the group’s delicate emotionality—another facet of their appeal beyond their dazzling performances.

A deeply moving song recommended not only for those facing graduation, but for anyone experiencing a farewell with cherished friends.

uniformMatsuda Seiko

uniform

Originally released in 1982 as the B-side to the eighth single “Akai Sweet Pea,” this song has long been cherished as one of Seiko Matsuda’s hidden masterpieces.

With lyrics by Takashi Matsumoto, music by Kureta Keiko (the pen name of Yumi Matsutoya), and arrangement by Masataka Matsutoya, it was created by a stellar team.

The lyrics portray the feelings of the protagonist walking beside the person they like amid a sea of umbrellas on graduation day, brimming with the bittersweet tension between the desire to confess and the urge to hold back.

It masterfully condenses the universal theme of the end of student days into just 3 minutes and 33 seconds.

Despite being a B-side, its quality is such that Seiko Matsuda herself said it was “as complete as an A-side.” In 1984, it was included on the compilation album Touch Me, Seiko, which collected coupling tracks and reached No.

1 on the Oricon weekly chart.

It’s a song I highly recommend to those setting out on a springtime journey or anyone nostalgic for their school days.

Search for Diamond Lily＝LOVE

=LOVE (Equal Love) / 5th Single “Sagase Diamond Lily” [MV full]

Cherry blossoms, an old school building, a uniform button—packed with such scenes of spring, this =LOVE song is the group’s fifth single, released in April 2019.

With lyrics written by Rino Sashihara and a fresh melody crafted by multiple composers, it pairs a bright tempo with lyrics that gently ache with the passage of time.

It reached No.

2 on the Oricon Weekly Chart and earned a Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan.

The track was also featured in Mr.

Fusion’s programming school “Prosta Kids” commercial.

In its story-driven music video, the turmoil of parting with friends is portrayed with care.

It’s recommended not only for those approaching graduation, but also for anyone who struggles to put their gratitude for friends into words.

Listen as spring arrives, and you’ll feel moved to cherish the time you have with the people who matter most.

Only bots / Nothing but botsfantomu shiitaa

Phantom Theta 'All Just Bots' (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)

The eighth digital single, released in November 2025, is a Showa disco-style dance tune from Phantom Theta, a retro-horror-themed idol group produced by Ado.

It portrays the anxiety of falling in love with an ideal partner while not knowing whether they’re genuine or a fake, alongside a heartfelt yearning to be loved by someone anyway.

Set to a retro-pop sound, the song expresses the protagonist’s struggle to seek pure love in a world full of knockoffs.

Written and composed by Sasaki Kissa, it captures a world where cuteness and horror coexist, showcasing Phantom Theta’s multifaceted appeal in its most catchy form.

It’s the kind of track you’ll want to listen to when you’re struggling with online communication or craving a genuine connection.

It smelled like shampoo.22/7

22/7 2nd single “It Smelled Like Shampoo” music video

A 2nd single by 22/7 that portrays a secret longing for an upperclassman at an all-girls school.

Released in April 2018, the song delicately weaves the feelings of a faint, bittersweet crush.

It tells of parting with a senior who is leaving the club, the image of a white blouse turning translucent in backlight, and a gently drifting scent.

While carrying a love that can’t be told to anyone, the story unfolds up to the moment the senior embraces her, tightening the chest with every scene.

This work leaves the ache of an unfulfilled first love, yet also a lingering sense of solace.

It’s a song that quietly stands by those who cannot confide their feelings for someone of the same gender.

I’m totally in love.CANDY TUNE

[LIVE Footage] CANDY TUNE “I’m in L♡ve” CANDY TUNE JAPAN TOUR 2025 – AUTUMN – “TUNE QUEST”

A pop-rock tune packed with sweet, melting feelings of love and a slightly thrilling, heart-pounding excitement.

It’s included on the album “Double Double FIGHT!” released in October 2025 by Harajuku-born idol group CANDY TUNE.

The song has been performed on their nationwide tour and on TBS’s “CDTV Live! Live!”, and is beloved as a crowd-pleasing staple that unites fans.

It’s perfect when you want to make a move on someone you like or express the fun of love with all your might.

In the chorus, try singing as if you’re delivering overflowing love while imitating the cute choreography!

You will fall in love this summer.≠ME

≠ME (Not Equal Me) / 1st Single 'You Will Fall in Love This Summer' [MV full]

The idol group ≠ME produced by Rino Sashihara released their major debut single in July 2021.

This work refreshingly portrays the feelings of summer love, and a notable feature of the music video is its delicate depiction of romance between girls.

The lyrics express a protagonist who, prompted by a fortune-telling, resolves to take a step toward love.

It’s a piece where the exhilaration and bittersweetness of youth coexist.

When you realize you have feelings for someone of the same sex, this is a song that gently gives you a push forward.