[February 2026] Latest J‑Pop releases. Check out the hottest new tracks!

In Japan’s music scene, countless songs are released every day—not only through digital distribution but also on CD, with music videos often premiering on YouTube ahead of time.

Exploring new J-pop releases is exciting: you can check out buzzworthy tracks like theme songs from dramas and anime, discover new songs from popular artists, or stumble upon music by up-and-coming acts you haven’t heard of yet.

In this article, we’ll introduce a carefully curated selection of recommended tracks chosen by our editorial team from the myriad of new releases.

We’ll be covering many works, so if any song catches your interest, be sure to give it a thorough listen!

Playlist

The latest releases in Japanese music
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	A WaterfallYOLOZ		Like a YOLO waterfall, a song of challenge.
2	Bride♡HOLICNerissa Ravencroft		The Demon Nerissa’s Addictive Electro Wave Song
3	Ding-dongAbe Mao		Mao Abe’s song “Ding-dong” becomes an anime theme song
4	Serenadenatori		Natori’s anime songs are striking.
5	Cold NightHANA		A song of resolve to take a step toward the dream
6	WonderlandOmoinotake		Graduation season: giving a push to those facing forward
7	Girl is GhostSCANDAL		SCANDAL’s latest song: a tale of change and exhilaration
8	Dawnyama		A moving work that sings of the conflict between dreams and reality
9	Rivals and EqualsMori Calliope		Mori Calliope’s fiery insert song—overwhelming!
10	A Paragraph of LoveHanbureddāzu		A heartwarming song by a rock band that portrays youth
11	Azalea WindUNISON SQUARE GARDEN		A classic song by UNISON SQUARE GARDEN
12	exposure; disclosure; revelationsyudou		syudou's “Bakuro” is an exhilarating song that portrays the dark side of the city
13	DEAD CENTER feat. LiSAREOL		A powerful song collaborated with LiSA, a fiery feeling
14	Complete victory Love & Good!iLiFE!		A fervent rock song infused with victory and courage
15	Beautiful Place ~Final Destination~Imai Miki		Masterpieces by Miki Imai and Masashi Sada
16	When our eyes metFRUITS ZIPPER		Where glasses and dreams meet, the heart is colored.
17	HYPNOTIZEXG		A song that captivates listeners with its dreamy, ethereal sound
18	Bad personyangusukinii		An emotional song that depicts women's true feelings
19	Kabukimono¥ellow bucks		From Nagoya, fighting spirit with a Japanese beat
20	obsessive loveWEST.		A passionate and sultry song used as a TV drama’s theme
21	PuzzleIkuta Rira		A refreshing theme song that captures the exhilaration of love
22	Turn It UpA-ko		Ending theme song of the anime “Darwin’s Incident”
23	NOWGen’in wa jibun ni aru.		A bittersweet number that depicts the preciousness of “now,” a song that makes you feel the passage of time
24	I live hereMy Hair is Bad		Theme song for a TV drama, depicting the wavering of the heart
25	3XLNumber_i		Number_i's first love song, with pure lyrics and a groovy feel
26	Put magic in your pocketHata Motohiro		Mr. Hata’s 20th-anniversary song, warm lyrics
27	ARTRyohei Abe / Ren Meguro(Snow Man)		The dreamlike song by Ryohei Abe and Ren Meguro of Snow Man
28	Night DriveSTUTS, Julia Wu, Phum Viphurit		A song with a floating sensation for driving through the city at night
29	I’m being down to earth.Ryota Miyadate / Daisuke Sakuma(Snow Man)		A passionate song by Snow Man about love for the Earth and gratitude
30	Legend of DreamsTokunaga Hideaki		A classic cover that gives you the courage to pursue your dreams
31	FOREVER BLUETAGRIGHT		The debut song of the young boy group TAGRIGHT
32	Mental Rentalmurasaki ima		Husky-voiced Murasakiima, mental rental
33	lulu.Mrs. GREEN APPLE		Frieren OP song, music for a grand journey
34	By the side on a moonlit nightUru		Uru’s 17th single, a theme song that resonates with the heart
35	The Story of Usmilet		Frieren’s ending theme is moving.
36	Take off your glasses.nozomi		A youthful love song for an anime theme
37	Pardon the excessPorunogurafiti		OP song for a period-drama anime, fusing traditional Japanese style with a sense of speed
38	XTCNakajima Kento		An ambitious work that portrays the light and shadow of idols.
39	XVIRinu		The music video by Rinu from Sutopuri has been released.
40	akanbe (a teasing gesture of pulling down the lower eyelid and sticking out the tongue)ryūgūjō		Ryugu-jo: A defiant track that transcends tradition
41	TERMINALDa-iCE		A powerful song that moves toward a new future, an album of new beginnings.
42	Kill the NoiseSPYAIR		Cutting through my doubts and moving forward
43	Amazing GraceTeshima Aoi		Aoi Teshima showcases her beautiful singing voice in a film’s theme song
44	Recontinueretororiron		A band from Senzoku Gakuen College of Music, a powerful anthem
45	AIZOKing Gnu		King Gnu makes major strides in the music scene with ‘AIZO’
46	Tell me your phone number!≒JOY		A bittersweet idol song that portrays the impulses of first love
47	The color of happinessOnda Masanori		Masayuki Onda, a TikTok sensation, and his bittersweet love song
48	LiberaSuda Keina		Suda Keina’s sharp rock number sets your heart on edge.
49	LOVE 2000tsuru and kame		Movie theme song by Jutaro Yamanaka and Aloha Takamatsu
50	Canaria feat. Ryoko ShinoharaSuzuki Masayuki		Masayuki Suzuki’s new song, a duet with Ryoko Shinohara
51	The air feels so fresh next to you.HoneyWorks feat.Kotoha		A heartwarming song that sings of the joy of spending time with a loved one
52	tenk(e)i feat. Hakushi Hasegawapasokon ongaku kurabu		A song gaining attention from a collaboration with Hakushi Hasegawa
53	The world has ended.Yuuri		A moving song that conveys love through Yuuri’s powerful vocals
54	Speak of the Devil feat. MasatoSurvive Said The Prophet		A scorching rock band track that stirs the soul
55	Since when, exactly?Hatsuboshi Gakuen		A song about facing yourself and finding the courage to take a new step
56	PERSONALjoōbachi		The gentle lullaby of the anime “Hell’s Paradise”
57	Super RomanceIkuta Toma		Toma Ikuta unveils a new charm with his debut single.
58	Potential AI13.3g		A song that awakens true emotions amid chaos
59	Lullaby (Prod. ALYSA)Reiko		REIKO’s released track “Lullaby” is moving.
60	TEST MEchanmina		The intense opening theme of Oshi no Ko Season 3
61	crystallizationNakajima Kento		A powerful anthem of support for challenging your dreams, 'Kesshō'
62	Sensation SeasonSuda Masaki		Masaki Suda’s music: timeless songs that resonate with the heart
63	humanŌishi Masayoshi		A savior when you're tired of human relationships
64	AgainMr.Children		Reboot theme song, a song of hope and determination
65	phantom worldV.W.P		Anime theme song with a sense of speed and an emotional composition
66	End rollyama		A song five years after debut that confronts its roots
67	Shoot for the moonHoshimachi Suisei		A cheering song for Hoshimachi Suisei’s fiery dream, a track that gives you courage.
68	Song of dawnjo0ji		Anime song that delivers a song of hope on troubled nights
69	Koto no Hatuki.		tuki.'s “Kotonoha,” a song that weaves the heart
70	BABYYOASOBI		Music from TV anime and novels adapted into music
71	message (by word of mouth); verbal message; tidingsBialystocks		The ending theme song of the anime 'Ikoku Nikki'
72	Poem of the Sea BreezeGRe4N BOYZ		A dentist-vocalist sings a heartfelt song dedicated to the local community
73	Picaresque heroano		Anime theme song that showcases ano’s unique individuality
74	HARD WORKnaniwa danshi		Naniwa Danshi’s new song “HARD WORK” is moving.
75	Glitter gradienturashimasakatasen		A soothing song that paints the sparkle of love
76	Cliff-Edge Ruby (VS. Aina the End)Toukyou Sukapara Daisu Ookesutora		A powerful concerto by Skapara and Aina
77	CATCH!!!surii		Surrie: musical works by a Vocaloid producer
78	The light you lit for me, nowHoneyWorks feat. Hanon		HoneyWorks releases anime theme song for streaming
79	SonareTOMOO		TOMOO’s heartwarming song “Sonare”
80	faint noseKitanitatsuya feat. BABYMETAL		A faint flower created with BABYMETAL
81	Q.E.D.Sou		The new song by Sou, a popular singer on video-sharing sites
82	beautifulUNISON SQUARE GARDEN		UNISON SQUARE's new song, an anime theme song
83	You know,Nanatsukaze		A classic hit from a unit that fuses J-pop and dance
84	POWERONE OR EIGHT		The hot power song “POWER” by ONE OR EIGHT
85	New Year’s card 2026 (Year of the Horse)SUSHIBOYS		The new song by the hip-hop unit SUSHIBOYS
86	Reach it, all of it.Oni-chan		KDDI Santaro commercial song, sung by Masaki Suda
87	Thanks a tonikimonogakari		20 years since debut: reggae-style 'Arigatou' released
88	Our riddlesTsunomaki Watame		Pop rock that resonates with Watame's heart
89	DunkTodoroki Hajime		VTuber captivates with original dance track
90	ICONIChanabie		Harajuku core style of Hanabie., powerful tracks
91	Star WishSTARGLOW		The debut of the dance and vocal group STARGLOW
92	Anniversary of loving you every daykyururin tte shite mite		A catchy song that portrays the joy of love
93	one-way runwayCIRRA		CIRRA, produced by Harumi Sato, makes a determined debut
94	Stay With MeKvi Baba		Kvi Baba, a love song that depicts everyday happiness
95	Intro “Soul Quake”watson		A soul-stirring track by Watson from Tokushima
96	AdrenaYOASOBI		YOASOBI, the music duo that turns novels into songs
97	Wimarma Sagashigure ui		Shigure Ui's addictive fast-beat track
98	Indigo Loveshimamo		Shima-mo, a young singer-songwriter popular on social media
99	Saved! You really saved me—seriously, thanks a lot!risaitaruzu		Recitals’ rousing rock song
100	Diary of a MagicianRosu		Los, popular on social media, performs a magical song
101	PrayerFujikawa Chiai		Chiai Fujikawa’s quiet song of hope that sings of inner conflict
102	Lovely!!rikon densetsu		City pop of a bittersweet night in the legend of divorce
103	ERASETHE ORAL CIGARETTES		A moving song by a rock band with a dark worldview
104	PurikyukyuCUTIE STREET		A youth purikura anthem showcasing CUTIE’s full charm
105	PROVANTSawanoHiroyuki[nZk]:Jean-Ken Johnny & TAKUMA		Hiroyuki Sawano's intense opening theme
106	favorite songfumino		Fumino’s moving debut song
107	Japan’s art history: O-bo-e-ma-SHOW!Juufuuutei Raden		Set Japanese art history to a rhythm
108	guidepostTokoyami Towa		Anime OP theme, featuring powerful and captivating vocals
109	Cipher CipherHanazawa Kana		Kana Hanazawa: The power of music revealed in her new song
110	Funky Spice feat. TOMOOBREIMEN		A cross-genre band's happy dance track
111	L and RME:I		An anime theme song by the girls’ group ME:I from an audition program
112	Mirror, mirrorSaitō Kazuyoshi		A powerful song by Kazuyoshi Saito that stays true to his beliefs
113	SuperlativeHatsuboshi Gakuen		Idol song: music of possessiveness and passion
114	Crashing WinnersVOLTACTION×3SKM		The hit song by VACATION from NIJISANJI
115	My respectNogizaka 46		New song from Nogizaka46’s 5th album expresses a strong will
116	cliffhangerHinatazaka46		Hinatazaka46's 16th single, 'Cliffhanger'