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.

Playlist

Classic emo masterpieces in Japanese music. Recommended popular songs.
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Biting the second handzutto mayonaka de ii no ni.		Forever midnight, an emotionally rich song
2	What is it? lolFuji Kaze		A heart-touching song that explodes with emotion in dialect
3	I became someone else’s girlfriend.wacci		A song about lingering feelings for an ex-girlfriend and how I feel now
4	EmotionsMAN WITH A MISSION		The wolf band's majestic music and passionate lyrics
5	Hoshigaoka ParkHump Back		The band’s appeal lies in its heart-stirring melodies and vocals.
6	PretenderOfisharu Higedan Dism		An inspiring masterpiece by Official HIGE DANDism
7	Only for you, clear skiesYorushika		A masterpiece that captures Yorushika’s youth
8	Dear you, somedayKankaku Pierrot		A powerful rock song about believing in yourself
9	somedaySaucy Dog		A moving song that evokes nostalgic memories
10	white dayKing Gnu		King Gnu's moving song, hope for tomorrow
11	Final Episode STORYMY FIRST STORY		An inspiring song that sings of burning passion and determination toward a dream
12	Teenager ForeverKing Gnu		A song about living true to yourself without losing your youth
13	deep redMy Hair is Bad		Vivid lyrics and a fiery rock sound
14	Horse and deerYonezu Kenshi		The theme song of No Side Game is moving and universal.
15	rayBUMP OF CHICKEN		The collaboration song 'ray' by Hatsune Miku and BUMP is moving.
16	RIVER10-FEET		The moving behind-the-scenes story of 10-FEET’s signature song “RIVER”
17	The BeginningONE OK ROCK		ONE OK ROCK’s classic song “The Beginning”
18	starrrrrrr[Alexandros]		[Alexandros]'s moving songs are captivating
19	TokyoGEZAN		Purely expressing anger at society and kindness
20	I miss youRADWIMPS		10 Years After the Earthquake, RADWIMPS’ Song of Prayer
21	BuddhaRADWIMPS		RADWIMPS's classic song 'Oshakashama'
22	leap day personRADWIMPS		The moving theme song of the film “The Last 10 Years”
23	cold; curt; blunt; unfriendlyRADWIMPS		A masterpiece that sings of Yojiro Noda’s heartrending love
24	SparkleRADWIMPS		An inspiring music of love that transcends time
25	World’s End GirlfriendRADWIMPS		RADWIMPS, a love song that resonates with the heart
26	Pinky swearRADWIMPS		The Appeal and Depth of RADWIMPS’ “Yubikiri Genman”
27	Thread & NeedleThe BONEZ		A hard-hitting melodic band led by JESSE
28	Goodbye, Identityyonige		Emo rock from Osaka’s yonige, with outstanding relatability.
29	All of the YouthFujifaburikku		A classic song that movingly colors the end of summer
30	Place of FireThe Bones		The allure of emotive music and vocals
31	GoodbyeToe		The deep musicality and emotional expression of an emo band
32	VoiceP.T.P×Taka from ONE OK ROCK		A memorial song for K that the band made together with TAKA
33	StarRingChildAimer		A masterpiece with moving synths and vocals
34	It smells like a midsummer night.aimyon		Aimyong's new song features a captivating, mysterious development.
35	Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE		A refreshing youth song, a timeless piece that resonates with the heart
36	SolaninASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION		The theme song of the movie “Solanin,” Farewell to the Past
37	Promise The StarBiSH		A quintessential song of an air punk rock band
38	IsolationNothing’s Carved In Stone		Songs by Ubukata's band after ELLEGARDEN disbanded
39	unravelTK from RIN TO SHITE SIGURE		Tokyo Ghoul anime theme song, a shocking track
40	Japanese anemoneKami wa saikoro o furanai		Goosebump-inducing music from bands on YUTARO’s label
41	RickenbackerRīgaru Rirī		Emotional songs by Regal Lily
42	DiverNICO Touches the Walls		An emotional track by a popular band used as an anime theme song
43	I’ll forget the taciturn you of October.aratayo		A moving song that sings about the pain of parting
44	90’S TOKYO BOYSOKAMOTO’S		A song with an emotional chorus and overwhelming musicality
45	Agate Caressed by NightAyase		A night without the last train, a song of unspoken gratitude and farewell
46	osmanthus (fragrant orange osmanthus; sweet olive)natori		Natori-san’s debut song composed on an early smartphone
47	life hackVaundy		A masterpiece that portrays the struggles of love and the wavering of emotions
48	Chronostasiskinoko teikoku		The enchanting time of lovers walking through the city at night
49	lampSakiyama Soshi		Jujutsu Kaisen ED, a song by Soushi Sakiyama that resonates with the heart
50	more than wordsHitsuji Bungaku		Hitsujibungaku’s moving song becomes a big hit as an anime ending theme
51	Before the cherry blossoms bloomkinoko teikoku		A delicate masterpiece that gives you the courage to start a new life
52	FLASHPerfume		Stylish movie theme song, martial arts style
53	Is there still anything that love can do?RADWIMPS		Theme song of Weathering With You, an emotional track by RADWIMPS
54	Lilia.Watashi janakattanda ne.		A heartbreak ballad by Riria, popular on social media
55	Love WindIkuta Rira		A heartrending song that gently wraps a heart timid in love
56	In the days I paintedRhythmic Toy World		A heartfelt song by a passionate rock band
57	cherry (sakurambo)LACCO TOWER		A delicate masterpiece by a rock band
58	hydrangeaPEOPLE 1		A poignant ballad, a timeless song that resonates with the heart
59	sleep sleep feat. Moka Satozettakun		Comforting music in a doze
60	skinshaitoopu		A soothing, heartwarming ballad
61	NautilusYorushika		A powerful song depicting rebirth and determination in life
62	migratory bird[Alexandros]		Comfortable rhythm and exhilarating music
63	Tsukanoma feat. Port of NotesNabowa		An inspiring instrumental track with a guest vocalist
64	Spiral to the Futureguddō mōningu amerika		The sentimentality of a rare punk rock song
65	MoonlightRen		Former racer ReN’s lyrical ballad “Moonlight”
66	Liaratarayo		A poignant song about love’s miscommunication and regret
67	remainingYoshizawa Kayoko		A bittersweet song that sings of summer’s end
68	balloonizumi makura		A husky singing voice and a pleasant song
69	proof of existenceYuki Satoru		Yuki Satoru’s songs are a resonant proof of existence
70	tearsHitsuji Bungaku		A soul-stirring song that portrays the love and anxieties between parent and child
71	Bedroom TalkOfisharu Higedan Dism		A heartwarming song that portrays a quiet conversation at night
72	motion sickness from proximitywanuka		The bittersweet ache of being unable to speak my true feelings—clouded by drink and by love.
73	DECIDEDUVERworld		A song by a nu-metal/mixture rock band popular among young people
74	fireworks (launched into the sky)DAOKO × Yonezu Kenshi		A classic song that sings of the bittersweetness of summer fireworks
75	Crimson MoonBABYMETAL		An inspiring masterpiece of cute metal
76	gardenFuji Kaze		Fujii Kaze’s gentle songs that nurture the heart
77	quiet10-FEET		An emotional song that depicts the feelings of youth
78	Mr.Good MorningLAID BACK OCEAN		Unchanged: the cherished singing voice and passion for music
79	Sayonara ColorSUPER BUTTER DOG		The moving final performance of SBD before their disbandment.
80	C.h.a.o.s.m.y.t.h.ONE OK ROCK		An inspiring classic that portrays the bonds of youth and the pursuit of dreams.
81	ObsessedAyumu Imazu		Bittersweet feelings of love painted with a pop sound
82	SignFLOW		A melodic song for an anime theme
83	Japanese beetle (flower chafer)LOWNAME		Simple and direct musical expression
84	Hallelujahharuka nakamura		Like a hymn whose desired timbre resonates in the heart
85	force majeureVaundy		A moving Vaundy song that stirs the heart
86	New Treasure IslandSakanakushon		Sakanaction’s movie theme song
87	Common murres and seals10-FEET		20 years since formation, a classic that depicts small happiness
88	Like Sierra10-FEET		A hopeful song filled with feelings about the festival’s cancellation
89	Bridgman10-FEET		A high-energy 10-FEET track that portrays loneliness and inner conflict
90	harmony10-FEET		Heart-stirring movie-related songs by 10-FEET
91	feel likeEVE		A heartfelt song that warmly portrays memories of youth
92	Final destinationcoldrain		An iconic song by an emotionally charged rock band
93	LOOPSIRUP		A poignant love song reflecting on a lost romance
94	A heart that becomes oneSWANKY DANK		A classic by a Japanese pop-punk band
95	astronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKEN		A moving masterpiece that contemplates the universe and life
96	silhouetteKANA-BOON		KANA-BOON’s exhilarating, fast-paced song
97	Ms. SeptemberRADWIMPS		A song of bittersweet hope at summer’s end
98	NOW LOADINGmakaroni enpitsu		Macaroni Enpitsu’s love song
99	Free BirdHana Hope		A collaborative song depicting the feelings of young people
100	semicolonyama		An anthem of encouragement depicting a turning point in life
101	voiceShiotsuka Moeka		Moeka Shiotsuka’s musical style and achievements
102	The Shining One(s)ACIDMAN		Powerful music of nature and life, a moving melody
103	Where Do We Go!Ayumu Imazu		A moving song that portrays the growth and anxieties of youth.
104	idiotPEOPLE 1		PEOPLE 1’s new song depicts social criticism and hope.
105	piercingWOLF HOWL HARMONY		An inspiring song that portrays the emotions of youth.
106	The clear, expansive sky—and beyond it, what I saw.fra-foa		A song from my youth—still a classic that resonates in my heart.
107	A regrettable nighttayori		Tayori’s classic that portrays a heartrending emotion
108	Draw it.Sasanomarii		Sasanomaly’s 45th-anniversary PV song
109	Grapefruit MoonTOMOO		A song that depicts the growth from youth to adulthood
110	Tokyo FlashVaundy		A sophisticated song that portrays urban romance
111	Amber-Hued City, Morning of Shanghai Crabskururi		A heartwarming song that portrays the emotions of a city
112	I should be able to fly (in the sky).supittsu		A classic by Spitz that poetically portrays the emotions of youth
113	pure whiteFuji Kaze		Fujii Kaze’s new song: a gentle track depicting parting and growth
114	For now,Galileo Galilei		A coming-of-age love song that portrays adolescent romantic feelings
115	Where does our sorrow go?Harukamirai		A message song imbued with Harukamirai’s hope and strong will
116	was blindindigo la End		Shoegaze sound intertwines with piano melodies...
117	Twilightribu		The ending theme of an anime that depicts the boundary between life and death
118	In that casemakaroni enpitsu		A refreshing, fast-paced sound, and a heartrending…
119	onnSugawara Kei		Sugawara Kei’s poignant love song, included on the EP “sanagi.”
120	Where does the monkey fall from the tree?Hello Sleepwalkers		The virtuosic music of three guitarists
121	supersonic punchCocco		A powerful rock sound after resuming the music
122	EXiSTENCESiM		A classic song that fuses reggae and metal