Iconic songs by Japanese rock bands from the 2000s [J-Rock]

When you think of Japanese rock bands from the 2000s, which bands come to mind?

You might think of the quintessential guitar rock bands like BUMP OF CHICKEN, ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, ELLEGARDEN, and Fujifabric, or the bands that supported the early-2000s youth punk movement such as 175R and Gagaga SP.

There were also many bands that became widely known beyond rock fans, like Tokyo Jihen, ORANGE RANGE, and HY, so I’m sure each listener has their own bands that pop into mind.

In this article, we’ll introduce a wide selection of signature tracks and recommended favorites from rock bands that were active in the 2000s.

We’ve picked everything from nostalgic tunes to timeless staples that are still going strong today, so take this opportunity to give them a careful listen once again.

Playlist

Iconic songs by Japanese rock bands from the 2000s [J-Rock]
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	astronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKEN		Signature songs by BUMP OF CHICKEN
2	rose flowerkururi		A single by Quruli used as an insert song in a drama
3	Space SonicELLEGARDEN		ELLEGARDEN's fast-paced rock
4	Tsubasaandāgurafu		A signature song of a Kansai rock band with a nostalgic melody
5	Shangri-LaChatto Monchī		Representative songs of Chatmonchy
6	The world calls it love.Sambomasutā		Sambomaster Densha Otoko ending theme song
7	All of the YouthFujifaburikku		Fujifabric’s masterful summer classic
8	higherthe band apart		Signature songs of the band apart
9	Ultramarine DaysToukyou Jihen		Introducing Tokyo Jihen's debut single
10	UkifuneGO!GO!7188		Introducing GO!GO!7188’s signature song “Ukifune”
11	Midnight Claxon BabyTHEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT		A song that lets you experience the appeal of Michelle’s aggressive rock
12	PLACEBOBRAHMAN		Introduction to tracks included in BRAHMAN’s 2004 album
13	4REST10-FEET		Give courage and hope to face difficulties
14	Supernova9mm Parabellum Bullet		Signature songs of 9mm Parabellum Bullet
15	A proofACIDMAN		An inspiring pioneer of post-rock
16	FANTASISTADragon Ash		Dragon Ash’s raucous rock number
17	SCARY -Delete Streamin’ Freq From Fear Side-THE MAD CAPSULE MARKETS		THE MAD CAPSULE MARKETS experimental music
18	Et ceteraONE OK ROCK		Introduction to ONE OK ROCK’s heartbreak songs
19	rainbowAqua Timez		A signature ballad by Aqua Timez
20	RewriteASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION		AKG’s signature song, FMA opening theme
21	to youMONGOL800		An immortal masterpiece among signature songs of Japanese rock
22	red-yellow fragrant olive (Osmanthus fragrans)Fujifaburikku		Fujifabric’s autumn-themed single
23	red-orangeACIDMAN		ACIDMAN's signature song "Akatoki" has gained recognition
24	sailing dayBUMP OF CHICKEN		Rock theme song of the One Piece movie
25	Melodic Stormsutoreitenaa		A single from Straightener’s new release
26	Stargazersupittsu		Spitz’s classic love-themed song
27	BABY BABYGOING STEADY		A signature youth-punk song by Going Steady
28	Claw Claw ClawMakishimamu Za Horumon		Zetsubou Billy by Maximum the Hormone's signature song "Zetsubou Billy" Claw Claw Claw
29	HIT IN THE USABEAT CRUSADERS		BEAT CRUSADERS gained popularity with the opening theme of the anime 'BECK'.
30	Precious thingsroodo obu mejyaa		Lord of Major’s “Taisetsu na Mono” becomes a big indie hit
31	life; livelihood; livingSyrup16g		Syrup16g, a song that depicts poignancy and anxiety
32	cloudy skyDOES		DOES "Donten" Gintama OP
33	Theory of the Mindful HeartRADWIMPS		RADWIMPS' 2006 single
34	cobalt blueThe Back Horn		A signature song by THE BACK HORN. A song about hope.
35	If I sing to the sky175R		175R's signature song 'If I Sing to the Sky'
36	GO!!!FLOW		FLOW's Naruto theme song is a big hit
37	a fact of lifeFACT		FACT's 2009 release, themed around gratitude and memory
38	Graduationgagaga supi		Gagaga SP’s major-label debut song
39	PearlTHE YELLOW MONKEY		A song by THE YELLOW MONKEY dedicated to a deceased person
40	A Little Love SongMONGOL800		MONGOL800’s classic song “A Little Love Song”
41	Succubus ~ The NightmareBUCK-TICK		Depicting a fantastical afterlife of a night parade of one hundred demons
42	READY STEADY GOL’Arc〜en〜Ciel		L’Arc~en~Ciel’s “READY STEADY GO” was used as the second opening theme for Fullmetal Alchemist.
43	In the Morning of DeterminationAqua Timez		Representative movie theme songs by Aqua Timez
44	Another day comesPay money To my Pain		A Song of Courage to Face the Inner Darkness
45	Telecastic fake showRin to shite Shigure		Ling tosite sigure's unique rock sound
46	AM11:00HY		Signature songs of HY, the appeal of twin vocals
47	Flower of IllusionBUCK-TICK		A solitary masterpiece that sings of the sparkle of life.
48	peeled orangeToukyou Sukapara Daisu Ookesutora		A collaboration song by Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra and Takao Tajima
49	Thinking in Yura Yura Teikokuyurayura teikoku		Yura Yura Teikoku's 2000 single
50	RIVER10-FEET		10-FEET: a representative band of Japanese rock
51	SupernovaELLEGARDEN		A legendary rock band makes a comeback after 10 years
52	SHAMROCKUVERworld		UVERworld’s first TV drama theme song
53	Last SmileLOVE PSYCHEDELICO		LOVE PSYCHEDELICO’s classic song Last Smile
54	YUMEGIWA LAST BOYSUPERCAR		SUPERCAR『YUMEGIWA LAST BOY』
55	Translucent Girl RelationsZAZEN BOYS		ZAZEN BOYS’ urban, experimental signature song
56	I My Me MinePolysics		POLYSICS's signature song, a fusion of digital and analog
57	powder snowRemioromen		Remioromen “Konayuki” – a classic winter song
58	C7GO!GO!7188		GO!GO!7188's Love Song
59	BelieverKen Yokoyama		An anthem of support that celebrates self-belief in punk rock
60	Why I’m MeRIZE		RIZE’s third single, a groovy rock track
61	One Night CarnivalKishidan		Kishidan’s society-shaking hit is drawing renewed attention
62	I BEG YOUTHE BAWDIES		THE BAWDIES' rock music
63	RALLYCymbals		Expressing romantic mind games through breezy pop
64	WAY IT ISLow IQ 01		An aggressive punk song by LOW IQ 01
65	Way of DifferenceGLAY		Introduction to GLAY's soft rock songs
66	Family LandscapeHanaregumi		Hanaregumi’s acoustic, nostalgic sound
67	holly (Japanese holly tree, Ilex crenata)Do As Infinity		Do As Infinity winter-themed poignant ballad
68	summer festivalWhiteberry		Whiteberry’s version of “Natsu Matsuri” becomes a big hit
69	H.A.N.A.B.I ~The Summer You Were There~ZONE		ZONE’s classic hit that portrays feelings of love through a summer rock vibe
70	Grateful DaysDragon Ash		Dragon Ash's major hit signature song
71	Suger!!Fujifaburikku		The history and appeal of Fujifabric
72	red flowerBUBBLEGUM		BUBBLEGUM’s debut song
73	Shanghai HoneyORANGE RANGE		ORANGE RANGE's summer party tune
74	Red tambourineBLANKEY JET CITY		1990s love songs by BLANKEY JET CITY
75	SignMr.Children		Mr. Children’s “Sign” is a TV drama theme song.
76	Dancing neckBLEACH		BLEACH's major debut work
77	A small poemMARIA		MARIA's debut song, a powerful cry
78	Surprise SunThee 50’s high teens		An upbeat rock song by a girls’ band
79	ambivalenceexist†trace		The feeling of thinking about someone dear while being hurt
80	Our TomorrowElefanto Kashimashi		A moving masterpiece that sings of hope and bonds
81	Become sharp like steelNUMBER GIRL		A single released in 2000. It’s packed with the band’s greatness.
82	Golden GraffitiROTTENGRAFFTY		A rock masterpiece that sings of anger and hope
83	swallowtail butterflyPorunogurafiti		Porno Graffitti's love songs
84	CampioneORANGE RANGE		ORANGE RANGE’s World Cup cheer song
85	secret base ~What You Gave Me~ZONE		A heartwarming song that depicts memories of youth and friendship
86	Big mouthMissile Girl Scoot		A masterpiece by Missile Girl Scoot that fuses diverse genres
87	Love BombB’z		A exhilarating rock tune that emboldens with the power of love
88	BLOW BACK [HOUSE OF THE RISING FUNK]YKZ		YKZ’s mixture rock song
89	sparklergagaga supi		I feel youthful with GaGaGa SP’s Sparkler
90	MUKANJYOSurvive Said The Prophet		Introduction to Noteworthy Japanese Loud Rock Bands
91	Bingosukebōkingu		A fusion sound of hip-hop and punk
92	ThunderRIZE		RIZE's major-label debut work