Classic emo masterpieces in Japanese music. Recommended popular songs.
These days, people often play on the word “emotional” and say “emo-i” to describe when feelings are running high.
Listening to songs that put you in that emo mood can clear your mind, pump you up, and bring lots of other positive effects.
In this article, we’re shining a spotlight on that sense of “emo-ness” and have picked out some recommended tracks.
From hard-hitting tunes to mellow vibes and breezy numbers, we’ve selected songs from a variety of genres.
We hope you’ll find some “emo” songs that truly move your heart.
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Emo masterpieces in Japanese music. Recommended popular tracks (41–50)
I’ll forget the taciturn you of October.aratayo
A story that begins with words of farewell, this song portrays the end of a relationship with a partner who has grown distant and silent.
Released in March 2021 by the emotional rock band Atarayo, it later appeared on the EP Before Dawn and the full album In the Polar Night, the Moon Remains Silent.
Carefully expressing the feelings of two people who couldn’t overcome their stagnation, the track racked up astonishing views on YouTube and helped bring the band into the spotlight.
The male–female vocal interplay in the final section is deeply moving, resonating with listeners through the pain of “If we had never met, I wouldn’t have had to suffer this much.” It’s a song that will gently stay by your side when you’ve gone through a breakup or want to reflect on time spent with someone precious.
90’S TOKYO BOYSOKAMOTO’S
This song pleasantly defied my expectations of OKAMOTO’S.
It’s not that it doesn’t feel like OKAMOTO’S, but the chorus has an incredibly emo impact.
Their inherent strengths—individual skill, raw energy, and more—are woven throughout, making it a very compelling listen.
Agate Caressed by NightAyase
Composed by Ayase, best known for YOASOBI, this track—originally released in 2019 featuring Hatsune Miku on vocals—was later followed by Ayase’s own self-cover.
Together, the two versions have amassed around 15 million views on YouTube.
The lyrics, which depict a farewell on a train platform after the last train has gone, delicately trace unspoken gratitude, lingering regret, and a gentle wish for the other person’s happiness.
Its bittersweet, wistful melody also went viral on TikTok, where related hashtags have surpassed 24 million views, earning overwhelming support from younger audiences.
Included on the EP “Ghost City Tokyo,” this piece is sure to resonate deeply with anyone who has experienced parting with someone dear or carries feelings they were never able to put into words.
osmanthus (fragrant orange osmanthus; sweet olive)natori
This track is the memorable debut piece that Natori composed on a smartphone when they had just started writing music.
It was digitally released in August 2023, but even at the demo stage it drew over 1.3 million plays, leading to a long-awaited remake.
A jazzy chord progression intertwines with a brisk arrangement, and the whispery vocals melt into it in a way that invites each listener’s own interpretation.
Fragmented lyrics that evoke autumn nights are scattered throughout, stirring a sense of nostalgia and a touch of wistfulness.
Why not take your time reading the lyrics and discover your own meaning?
life hackVaundy
A love song by Vaundy that portrays the wavering of the heart where anxiety and expectation in romance intersect.
It depicts how the narrator rides an emotional rollercoaster with every change in the other person’s attitude, unable to suppress the surge of unstoppable feelings.
The psychological portrayal of oscillating between the desire to create and the urge to protect captures a genuine conflict that anyone in love can relate to.
Released digitally in March 2020, the track was later included on the May 2020 album “strobo.” In 2022, it was selected as the TV commercial song for the apparel brand GLOBAL WORK, delivering a refreshing world in a CM featuring Tsubasa Honda.
It’s a song to listen to when you’re puzzled by the push and pull of romance, or on nights when your heart races thinking about someone you love.
Chronostasiskinoko teikoku
This song portrays a moment when time seems to stop for lovers strolling through the city at night at a relaxed tempo.
As the BPM of 83 suggests, the walking pace—buoyed by the joy of the moment and the reluctance to go home—governs the rhythm of the entire track.
Its appeal lies in the dreamy sound created by a groove influenced by reggae and hip-hop and the transparent vocals of Chiaki Sato.
The track was included on the 2014 album “Fake World Wonderland,” and gained renewed attention among Gen Z after being featured in the film “We Made a Beautiful Bouquet.” It’s a song I especially recommend to anyone who has experienced those ordinary yet special moments, like spending a night after buying beer at a convenience store.
lampSakiyama Soshi
This is a song by Soushi Sakiyama, released in July 2023 as the ending theme for the second season of the TV anime Jujutsu Kaisen, “Hidden Inventory/Premature Death.” It opens with acoustic guitar arpeggios, then swells into a magnificent soundscape where strings and marching drums intermingle—truly overwhelming.
The lyrics portray regret over not speaking up before goodwill shattered, and the struggle of living while carrying wavering affection, closely mirroring the inner world of the main character, Suguru Geto.
The song has surpassed 25 million views on YouTube and has become one of Sakiyama’s signature tracks.
Highly recommended for those who resonate with feelings torn between ideals and reality.