[2026] A Compilation of Theme Songs from Netflix Original Japanese Dramas

My WishNEW!Iwasaki Taisei

My Wish

The Netflix series “The Naked Director,” which portrays the frenzy and fervor of the Showa era, shocked audiences around the world.

This piece, created as the opening theme for Season 2, was composed by the renowned score composer Taisei Iwasaki.

Released in June 2021 alongside the start of the season’s streaming, it resounds with a thrilling, adult sound that announces the beginning of the story.

Its exhilarating beat, fusing jazz and funk, conveys the raw energy of the tumultuous era the protagonists raced through.

Though it runs just under a minute, it’s an addictive number that sticks in your ears after a single listen.

Give it a spin when you want to savor the afterglow of the drama—or as the perfect BGM to fire yourself up when it counts.

Love SongNEW!Kawasaki Takaya

Takaya Kawasaki - Love Song [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

A high-energy pop tune that captures both the sparkle and the bittersweetness of youth.

Its straightforward message about earnestly caring for someone—awkward yet sincere—and its fresh, spring-breeze melody will gently nudge listeners forward.

Created by singer-songwriter Takaya Kawasaki, who has captivated countless listeners following a viral breakout on social media, this single was released in March 2023 as the theme song for the Netflix live-action adaptation of the popular manga Kimi ni Todoke.

It was reportedly produced with careful rereading of the original work and was later included on the album Nukumori.

It’s a heartwarming number that gives you courage—not only when you want to convey your feelings to someone important, but also when you’re feeling anxious in a new environment.

AzaleaNEW!Yonezu Kenshi

Kenshi Yonezu – Azalea × “The Continuation of Goodbye” Special MV

This work seeps into the heart with its velvety piano and cool-tinged beat.

It’s a newly written number chosen as the theme song for the Netflix series “The Sequel to Goodbye,” starring Kasumi Arimura and Kentaro Sakaguchi.

The worldview—capturing the sense of loss after a lover’s death and the lingering pull between two people despite it—overlaps with the drama’s scenes and squeezes your chest, doesn’t it? Released in November 2024, the track also made waves for setting a new standalone all-time record on the digital charts.

Following the album LOST CORNER, the refined sound co-arranged with Yaffle reveals a new side of Kenshi Yonezu.

It’s the kind of song you’ll want to listen to alone on a quiet night, thinking of someone dear.

The Last Night TrainNEW!MISIA

The Last Night Train

Are you familiar with the theme song of the Netflix drama “Jimmy: The True Story That Seems Like a Joke,” planned and produced by Sanma Akashiya? Adding color to this laugh-and-cry story depicting the mentor-mentee bond between Jimmy Onishi and Sanma, as well as their interactions with those around them, is MISIA, the songstress from Nagasaki Prefecture.

She delivered a jazzy cover—arranged by New York–based trumpeter Takuya Kuroda—of the classic first released by Kai Band in 1977.

Closing out the album “MISIA SOUL JAZZ SESSION,” released in July 2017, this track seeps into the heart with MISIA’s embracing vocals and a sound that feels urban yet somehow nostalgic.

It’s the kind of mature ballad you’ll want to savor in the quiet of the night, letting it linger after you finish the drama.

Our HouseNEW!Tomo Nakayama and Yuuki Matthews

Gotta Get A Hold Of Myself

House of Ninjas is a Netflix series that portrays a family of modern-day shinobi.

Its opening features a cover of Our House, the classic 1970 song by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

For this project, Seattle-based artists Tomo Nakayama and Yuuki Matthews teamed up to create a contemporary reconstruction, pairing Tomo’s delicate vocals with Yuuki’s spacious sound design.

Released in February 2024 to coincide with the show’s debut, the track beautifully complements a story where covert ninja missions intersect with a yearning for ordinary happiness.

Its gentle yet faintly wistful arrangement is perfect for a relaxed weekend afternoon when you want to feel the warmth of family.

AkatsukiNEW!WEST.

Akatsuki

WEST.

is a group of entertainers who showcase their individuality not only through singing and dancing, but also across variety shows and stage performances, captivating fans with their bright personalities.

This song, included on the single “Start Dash!” released in August 2018, was produced as the theme for the Netflix drama “Switched,” which starred members Daiki Shigeoka and Tomohiro Kamiyama in dual leading roles.

The dramatic ensemble of piano and strings delicately reflects the emotions of characters tormented by the gap between their appearance and their true selves.

The lyrics, which convey the bittersweetness and inner conflict behind the words “I love you,” are deeply moving—an emotional medium-tempo number.

It’s a track that stays close to the heart, carrying the afterglow of the drama—one you’ll want to listen to in the quiet before dawn.

Crazy for youNEW!sino R fine

sino R fine「Crazy for you」

Ryoko Shinohara has resumed her singing career after 19 years.

Released under the name “sino R fine,” this ballad was distributed in February 2022 as the theme song for the Netflix series Fishbowl Wives.

The name carries the meaning of “until it ends,” closely aligning with the drama’s world.

Its simple arrangement of just piano highlights Shinohara’s delicate breathwork, painfully conveying the forbidden love and inner conflict depicted in the story.

Miliyah Kato and others participated in the production, and the song was also used as the theme for the Fuji TV drama Hiruagari no Onna-tachi.

Portraying the feelings of someone struggling with an impermissible love while trying to face their true emotions, this piece is a wistful number for adults—one you’ll want to listen to alone on a quiet night.