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.
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Masterpieces of bittersweet anime songs. Recommended popular tracks (71–80)
Dear MotherFujita Toshiko

Yoshiko Fujita’s song “Hahaue-sama” is a deeply nostalgic anime theme for people in their 40s.
It was beloved as the ending theme of the popular anime Ikkyu-san.
Its lyrics, about writing a letter to a mother far away, are simply heart-wrenching.
A Cruel Angel’s ThesisTakahashi Yoko

Speaking of Evangelion, it’s a truly legendary anime loved not only in Japan but all around the world.
And just as beloved as the anime itself is the theme song “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis,” sung by Yoko Takahashi.
It’s a famous song that everyone has heard at least once.
Space Battleship Yamatosasaki isao

Speaking of Isao Sasaki, he is a legendary figure who has sung numerous anime songs.
Among them, “Space Battleship Yamato” is surely one of the most popular.
His powerful vocals are guaranteed to tug at your heartstrings.
coarse sugaraimyon

A work by Aimyon that sings of pain deeply lodged in the heart.
This piece was written specifically as the theme song for a suspense drama.
It’s striking in the way it faces one’s own emotions while still striving to look forward.
Included on the album “Jealousy of a Cat,” the song drew attention alongside the drama “May Lonely Deaths Pile Up,” which began airing in July 2024.
It’s recommended for those carrying heartache or those who want to confront themselves.
It might also be nice to listen alone on a quiet night.
Unchanging ThingsOku Hanako

Resonating deeply with the heart, this song is known as an insert track from the animated film The Girl Who Leapt Through Time.
Hanako Oku’s gentle voice expresses the protagonist’s aching feelings, tightening the listener’s chest.
Included on the 2006 single Garnet, it has garnered strong support alongside the film.
It’s a piano-centered ballad, characterized by a simple yet emotionally rich arrangement.
Highly recommended for those who want to cherish memories with a loved one and unchanging feelings.
Its poignant lyrics and Hanako Oku’s vocals are sure to bring tears to your eyes.
Don’t go.Souta

As the title suggests, it’s a song about “me” reluctant to part.
Though I really want to hold you back, I swallow the words “please don’t go,” and try to hold back my tears—a touching determination that makes me feel lonely, too.
It is included on the album “Shonen Shoujo no Kotoba.”
I won’t fall in love anymore.Makihara Noriyuki

A gem-like ballad that delicately portrays the pain of heartbreak and the hope of taking a new step forward.
Noriyuki Makihara’s gentle vocals tenderly envelop the protagonist’s complex feelings as they struggle to accept a breakup with their lover.
While carefully depicting the loneliness and confusion felt in everyday life, it also resonates with the positive resolve hidden behind the words “I won’t fall in love anymore.” Released in May 1992, the song was used as the theme for the drama “After the Children Are Asleep,” reaching No.
2 on the weekly Oricon chart and No.
7 for the year.
It’s a song that stands as emotional support, accompanying you through the healing process of a broken heart.


