[Latest/Trending] A roundup of popular Japanese songs among teens and people in their 20s

on stageYOASOBI

on stage

This song was written as the theme for the Fuji TV drama “If This World Is a Stage, Where Is the Green Room?” Its worldview overlays life with theater to accompany Koki Mitani’s ensemble drama set in Shibuya in 1984.

Another highlight is that composer Ayase takes part on vocals as a new challenge for this release.

It’s an ambitious work that conveys the will to move forward while facing the role one has been given.

bergamotTomonari Sora

Tomonari Sora – “Bergamot” [Lyric Video]

Sora Tomonari, born in 2002, is a highly acclaimed singer-songwriter who handles everything himself—from writing and composing to the artwork.

His refined, genre-defying sensibility is truly remarkable.

Released in February 2025, this work features a stylish, contemporary city-pop-inspired track with a groovy bassline that feels great, serving up plenty of cool beats to savor.

The song tells the story of a protagonist living amid the bustle of the city, whose fleeting whiff of a passerby’s fragrance triggers the return of an unforgettable love.

The loneliness behind a glamorous daily life and the bittersweet pull of the past are artfully expressed through lyrics rich in wordplay.

It’s the kind of track that elevates your mood before you head out dressed up on a weekend night.

Handz In My PocketJO1

Handz In My Pocket

Released as their 10th single, this track explores the themes of inner confidence and latent potential, capturing the exhilaration of turning the tide at a crucial moment.

Its hard-hitting beat and witty lyrics reveal a new side of the group, while the stylish production is another key attraction.

It’s a powerful dance number that gives a strong push to anyone who wants to believe in themselves and take that first step.

Glass LineTele

Tele | Glass Line – Music Video

A song by Tele, the solo project of Kitaro Taniguchi, written as the ending theme for the anime “Guilty Children (Takopi’s Original Sin).” It is a grand and beautiful number that gently accompanies the painful feelings of characters who want to save others but cannot.

This work deeply embraces the themes of the original and is imbued with a strong wish to deliver music that lets you breathe calmly.

Why not listen to it on nights when you wish for someone’s happiness yet are tormented by your own powerlessness?

HOWLAyumu Imazu

Ayumu Imazu – HOWL [Music Video]

Singer-songwriter Ayumu Imazu, who has been immersed in music since childhood and honed his craft while studying in New York, is drawing attention for his versatility—handling everything from songwriting and composition to dance choreography himself.

This track, newly written as the opening theme for the TV anime “Let’s Go to Karaoke!” and set for release in July 2025, pairs a driving, night-run energy with an emotive melody for a distinctly stylish vibe.

The song portrays the unique struggles of adolescence and the complex feelings that mix the joy and confusion of being needed by someone, drawing listeners in with its delicate expression.

This dance number, which balances coolness and pop appeal, is sure to lift your mood—perfect for listening on your commute to school.