[Great to Listen to and Sing] A Collection of Cool Japanese Songs [2026]

Ready to RockBAND-MAID

BAND-MAID / Ready to Rock (Official Music Video) TV Anime “Rock Is a Lady’s Refinement” Opening Theme Song

As an up-tempo track that ignites your inner passion, this powerful song embodies the very essence of hard rock.

The members, armed with outstanding musicianship, deliver a densely woven ensemble that generates an exquisite groove.

The melodious call-and-response of the twin vocals and the thunderous guitar riffs will shake you to your core.

Produced in April 2025 as the opening theme for the TV anime “Rock Is a Lady’s Refinement,” it captures viewers’ hearts with astonishing intensity and expressive power.

In the anime’s production, BAND-MAID’s members handled motion capture for the performance scenes, achieving a superb harmony between the music and the animation.

With its powerful performance and passionate message, this is a song you’ll want to turn to when you need to awaken the fire within or steel your resolve.

jealousI Don’t Like Mondays.

jealous (Audio)

A danceable mid-tempo rock track that portrays a man consumed by jealousy toward his lover.

The refined melody line powerfully conveys his inner turmoil, while the chic production—blending ’70s soul with contemporary beats—makes for a compelling listen.

Taken from a new release arriving in April 2025, the song is an ambitious work that signals a new frontier for the band, following in the vein of their 10th-anniversary EP, “FOCUS.” True to I Don’t Like Mondays, known for striking tie-ins like the ONE PIECE theme song “PAINT” and the opening theme “Shadow” for the drama Monster, the track boasts a polished finish.

Guaranteed to hype up karaoke sessions or serve as the perfect driving BGM, it’s also a recommended pick for anyone who wants to lean into the bittersweet pangs of love.

MonsterDa-iCE

Da-iCE /「Monster」Music Video

An aggressive track by Da-iCE where their heavy sound and explosive vocals take center stage.

Released in October 2025 as the opening theme for the TV anime “Monster Strike: Deadverse Reloaded,” this self-produced song features lyrics and composition contributions from members Tetsuya Iwaoka and Hayate Wada.

Its dynamic arrangement fuses a pop melody with hip-hop and electronic beats, perfectly matching the anime’s worldview.

The lyrics, themed around inner ambition and impulse, are sure to resonate with anyone striving to break through their limits.

Be sure to check out this energetic dance number.

USD feat. NENEKid Fresino

KID FRESINO – USD feat. NENE (Official Music Video)

A track by KID FRESINO, who, together with Shokuhin Matsuri, reconstructed the beat using Denki Groove’s “Upside Down” as source material.

Released in December 2025, this ambitious work translates the dynamism of dance music into a contemporary hip-hop sensibility.

KID FRESINO’s dry, soliloquy-like delivery intersects with NENE’s razor-sharp flow, yielding a result that, while gazing at the same motif, conveys different temperatures.

It’s a must-listen for anyone seeking a musical experience that transcends genre boundaries.

Blue NoiseRyosuke Yamada

Ryosuke Yamada – “Blue Noise” [Official Music Video]

Released in January 2025, this track was selected as the opening theme for Season 2 of the TV anime “Ao no Miburo,” the Serizawa Assassination arc.

It features a distinctive sound arrangement that fuses rock and hip-hop while skillfully weaving in traditional Japanese elements.

With a sense of speed and tension that seems to echo the anime’s world centered on the Shinsengumi, it immediately grabs the listener’s heart.

A must-hear for anyone seeking a genre-transcending musical experience.

BREAK IT DOWNTHE RAMPAGE

THE RAMPAGE / BREAK IT DOWN (MUSIC VIDEO)

The single “BREAK IT DOWN,” released in January 2026, was created as the entrance theme for member Kaisei Takechi’s activities as a professional wrestler.

Written and composed by Hi-yunk and SLAY, the track is a battle anthem that fuses a heavy beat with phrases that ignite fighting spirit.

The music video has also drawn attention for its unprecedented lineup, featuring eight star wrestlers from four different wrestling promotions.

It’s a powerful number you’ll want to play when you need to fire yourself up.

Mighty Long FallONE OK ROCK

ONE OK ROCK – Mighty Long Fall [Official Music Video]

“Mighty Long Fall” is the ninth single released by ONE OK ROCK, a band boasting strong popularity both in Japan and overseas.

The lyrics, which mix English and Japanese, seem to signal their intent to operate on a global stage.

By likening times when life isn’t going well to standing at the edge of a cliff and emphatically warning, “Don’t go that way,” the song appeals to us—while also sounding as if ONE OK ROCK are directing those same words at themselves as they look toward where they aim to go next.