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