Masterpieces of poignant anime songs. Recommended popular tracks.
I think it’s quite common that listening to songs tied in with anime makes you recall the work they’re from.
If the story was a sad one, hearing the song can leave you feeling wistful.
Here, I’ve picked out some Japanese pop songs—melancholic anime tracks—that evoke that feeling.
Masterpieces of bittersweet anime songs. Recommended popular tracks (1–10)
Prayer XKing Gnu
It’s a track where a subtly ominous atmosphere and a beautiful yet heartrending melody intertwine exquisitely.
The lyrics, themed around the inner conflicts everyone carries and the yearning for salvation, possess a persuasive power that leaves a deep impression on listeners.
Released in September 2018 as their debut single, it was written specifically as the ending theme for the TV anime BANANA FISH.
It was later included on the album Sympa, becoming a pivotal work that showcased the band’s musical identity to a wider audience.
Fusing intricate beats with an emotionally stirring vocal performance, the song aligns perfectly with the anime’s hard-hitting developments.
Highly recommended for moments when you want to linger in a profound afterglow or savor King Gnu’s uniquely artistic worldview.
REASONyuzu
“REASON,” known as the theme song for the popular anime HUNTER×HUNTER, is performed by the two members of the popular male duo Yuzu.
It’s a wonderful ballad that, above all, preserves the anime’s world view without compromise.
MöbiusJanne Da Arc
This song portrays the emotions of a protagonist lost in an endless labyrinth of love.
The cosmic sweep of the synthesizer tones blends with Yasu’s heartrending vocals to vividly depict a love you can’t escape—like a Möbius strip.
The structure, which dramatically shifts from digital sound in the verse to a weighty band ensemble in the chorus, is sure to seize listeners’ hearts.
Released in May 2006, the track was also used as the opening theme for the anime Yo-kai Ninpōchō: Yōgyakumon (Ninpū Kamui Gaiden).
On nights when your heart is thrown into turmoil by feelings you can’t possibly sever, immerse yourself deeply in this work’s world.
I’ll give you romanceUshio Hashimoto
Romantic Ageru yo, sung by Shio Hashimoto, is a ballad also famous as the first ending theme of the popular anime Dragon Ball.
The melody is so heartrending that just listening to it makes you feel like you might cry.
It’s a wonderful song.
JANE DOEYonezu Kenshi, Utada Hikaru
This collaborative song, the first time two of Japan’s leading singer-songwriters have joined forces, serves as the ending theme for the theatrical anime film Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc.
Its lyrics capture a longing for someone lost and the fragility of memory.
Written and composed by Kenshi Yonezu, the track features Hikaru Utada’s clear, airy vocals that sweep through like the wind.
Set for release in September 2025, it will come out as a double A-side single, IRIS OUT / JANE DOE, in multiple CD editions, with the cover illustration newly drawn by Yonezu himself.
It’s a song that offers deep comfort to those who have experienced parting from someone dear or who are tormented by indelible memories.
lampSakiyama Soshi
Starting with the gentle tones of an acoustic guitar and expanding into a majestic sound, Soushi Sakiyama’s song was released in July 2023 as the ending theme for the second season of the TV anime Jujutsu Kaisen.
The piece weaves together the protagonist’s inner conflict, regrets, and longing for lost ideals with a tranquil melody, delicately portraying emotions swaying between ideal and reality.
In August 2023, it was also included on the album “i Fureru SAD UFO,” capturing the hearts of many listeners.
The intertwining of tenderness and poignancy in the vocals, along with the beautiful melodic lines, has the power to evoke deep emotion and empathy, making it a recommended choice to sing in a calm karaoke setting.
RIVERIshii Tatsuya
A solo work by Tatsuya Ishii, released in 2003 as the ending theme for the third cour of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED.
Its lyrics, which sing of the resolve to face hardship, align perfectly with the struggles of characters buffeted by war, leaving a profound afterglow within the world of the series.
This dramatic ballad fuses the expressive power he honed through his activities with Kome Kome Club and a unique aesthetic sensibility informed by his art background.
In the later HD Remaster version, the song was replaced due to rights issues, prompting regret from some fans.
It’s a recommended track for those confronting difficult moments in life or wishing to linger in the afterglow of a grand narrative.