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.
Playlist
| Masterpieces of poignant anime songs. Recommended popular tracks. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | Prayer XKing Gnu |  play_arrow | A moving song with poignant lyrics and a beautiful melody |
| 2east | REASONyuzu |  play_arrow | Anime 'HUNTER×HUNTER' theme song |
| 3east | MöbiusJanne Da Arc |  play_arrow | The protagonist’s aching feelings as they wander through the labyrinth of love |
| 4east | I’ll give you romanceUshio Hashimoto |  play_arrow | The famous song from the anime Dragon Ball |
| 5east | JANE DOEYonezu Kenshi, Utada Hikaru |  play_arrow | Yonezu and Utada's collaboration track portrays parting and memory. |
| 6east | lampSakiyama Soshi |  play_arrow | Soshi Sakiyama’s Jujutsu Kaisen ending theme, a deeply moving masterpiece |
| 7east | RIVERIshii Tatsuya |  play_arrow | An inspiring song that expresses the feelings of facing difficulties |
| 8east | Get WildTM NETWORK |  play_arrow | The iconic song from the anime City Hunter |
| 9east | RE:I AMAimer |  play_arrow | Beyond the sorrow of battle, a song of hope resounds. |
| 10east | Pointillism Song (feat. Sonoko Inoue)Mrs. GREEN APPLE |  play_arrow | A bittersweet love story at the end of summer |
| 11east | Lupin the Third Love ThemeMizuki Ichirō |  play_arrow | Lupin the Third’s famous song, passionately sung by Ichiro Mizuki |
| 12east | SparkleRADWIMPS |  play_arrow | Used as an insert song in the film Your Name... |
| 13east | AitaiKato Miria |  play_arrow | Depicting the bittersweet emotions of unrequited love |
| 14east | GarnetOku Hanako |  play_arrow | The moving theme song of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time |
| 15east | Your SongYasuda Rei |  play_arrow | Rei Yasuda's 'Kimi no Uta' is a song about a deceased lover. |
| 16east | FIND THE WAYNakajima Mika |  play_arrow | The opening theme for the anime Mobile Suit Gundam SEED... |
| 17east | WALTZryūgūjō |  play_arrow | Ryugu Castle Anime, Part 1: A Fantastical World of Sound |
| 18east | The Last Petal (The Meaning of Love)EGOIST |  play_arrow | A song that layered the meaning of love onto falling petals |
| 19east | monologueOmoinotake |  play_arrow | An oriental-style mid-tempo ballad. A work by Omoinotake. |
| 20east | single-minded; wholehearted; devoted; earnestKing Gnu |  play_arrow | A love song where fierce passion and aching longing intertwine |
| 21east | Boogie BackInoue Miyu |  play_arrow | A love song from Miyu Inoue’s debut |
| 22east | reverse dreamKing Gnu |  play_arrow | An emotional ballad as the theme song for the Jujutsu Kaisen movie |
| 23east | Let’s meet in our dreams.SARD UNDERGROUND |  play_arrow | Conan ED, a moving work of a bittersweet love song |
| 24east | Become the windtsuji ayano |  play_arrow | Become the Wind: A Studio Ghibli Masterpiece |
| 25east | Being human is niceNakajima Yoshimi |  play_arrow | Yoshimi Nakashima’s heartwarming masterpiece |
| 26east | wrap (as in: wrap up filming)Yamazaki Ikusaburo |  play_arrow | Ikusaburo Yamazaki’s poignant ballad portrays parting and a sense of loss. |
| 27east | Message of RougeArai Yumi |  play_arrow | "Rouge no Dengon" is a bittersweet song from Kiki's Delivery Service. |
| 28east | My Neighbor TotoroInoue Azumi |  play_arrow | The Totoro song is very popular with children. |
| 29east | secret base ~What You Gave Me~ (10 years after Ver.)Honma Meiko (Kayano Ai) Anjou Naruko (Toumatsu Haruka) Tsurumi Chiriko (Hayami Saori) |  play_arrow | The ending song of Anohana is bittersweet. |
| 30east | single bedSha ran Q |  play_arrow | A masterpiece born from an anime ending |
| 31east | UninstallIshikawa Chiaki |  play_arrow | Abstract and beautiful lyrics depicting death and escape |
| 32east | The Story You Don’t Knowsupercell |  play_arrow | Supercell's heartbreak song, Summer Memories |
| 33east | Just one wishKomatsu Miho |  play_arrow | A heart’s song echoing with the pain of heartbreak in the sunset |
| 34east | One more time, One more chanceYamazaki Masayoshi |  play_arrow | A masterpiece by Masayoshi Yamazaki, a song overflowing with the emotions of heartbreak. |
| 35east | secret base ~What You Gave Me~Honma Meiko (Kayano Ai) Anjou Naruko (Toumatsu Haruka) Tsurumi Chiriko (Hayami Saori) |  play_arrow | A heartbreak song for an anime movie ending |
| 36east | secret base ~What You Gave Me~ZONE |  play_arrow | It’s a song that was also used as the ending theme for the anime Anohana. |
| 37east | 100% CourageNYC |  play_arrow | A song that makes you feel like you just have to be brave… |
| 38east | 1/2Kawamoto Makoto |  play_arrow | It’s a classic song I’ve been listening to since I was little, and… |
| 39east | Name of LifeKimura Yumi |  play_arrow | A quintessential Japanese anime that became a massive hit around the world... |
| 40east | Galaxy Express 999Godiego |  play_arrow | Galaxy Express 999, with Godiego performing the theme song |
| 41east | Full of dreamsSeki Yumiko |  play_arrow | Yumiko Seki’s classic song “Yume Ippai,” the anime theme song |
| 42east | Sad ConstellationIKU |  play_arrow | At a slow tempo, with a clear, translucent voice, very... |
| 43east | Life is Like a BoatRie fu |  play_arrow | An inspiring song that embraces hope and overcomes hardships |
| 44east | RainHata Motohiro |  play_arrow | A poignant song that seeps into the sound of rain, capturing the subtleties of the heart. |
| 45east | Your Memorymao |  play_arrow | A bittersweet song of pure love and heartbreak, a masterpiece by mao |
| 46east | Come here, Perman.Miwa Katsue |  play_arrow | The Pāman theme song is a nostalgic tune. |
| 47east | ContrastTOMOO |  play_arrow | Expressing youthful romance with care through TOMOO’s piano piece |
| 48east | Yulia… Foreverkurisutaru kingu |  play_arrow | The moving ending theme of Fist of the North Star |
| 49east | Cutie HoneyMaekawa Yōko |  play_arrow | Captivating vocals of anime songs |
| 50east | DearestHamasaki Ayumi |  play_arrow | InuYasha’s ending theme, Ayumi Hamasaki’s moving song |
| 51east | Liar MoonYorushika |  play_arrow | A ballad that delicately portrays a sense of loss through piano and vocals |
| 52east | Stars swimmakaroni enpitsu |  play_arrow | A masterpiece that portrays the sense of loss and hope of summer |
| 53east | GeGeGe no KitaroYoshi Ikuzo |  play_arrow | Ikuzo Yoshi’s classic song “GeGeGe no Kitaro” |
| 54east | Ninja Hattori-kunHori Ayako |  play_arrow | The Ninja Hattori-kun theme song—so nostalgic. |
| 55east | Aim for the Ace!Ōsugi Kumiko |  play_arrow | Moved by the theme song of a nostalgic coming-of-age anime |
| 56east | TouchIwasaki Yoshimi |  play_arrow | The moving theme song from the youth anime 'Touch' |
| 57east | Always With MeKimura Yumi |  play_arrow | Spirited Away: Yumi Kimura’s gentle song |
| 58east | cat’s eyesAnri |  play_arrow | Anime theme song “Cat’s Eyes” becomes a big hit |
| 59east | Dear MotherFujita Toshiko |  play_arrow | Ikkyu-san theme song, feelings for my mother fill my heart |
| 60east | Our WorldCooRie |  play_arrow | The heartwarming theme song of the Maruyuin anime film |
| 61east | Unchanging ThingsOku Hanako |  play_arrow | The moving insert song from The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, a masterpiece by Hanako Oku |
| 62east | Don’t go.Souta |  play_arrow | A brave, devoted sentiment that mourns parting |
| 63east | Goodbye, your voiceMisato Aki |  play_arrow | AkI Misato’s moving heartbreak song |
| 64east | frecklesJUDY AND MARY |  play_arrow | Memories of someone I can’t remember, a JAM classic |
| 65east | A Naked Heartaimyon |  play_arrow | AIMYON’s love songs |
| 66east | You are… not here.Kuribayashi Minami |  play_arrow | Sad lyrics about a heartbreaking unrequited love |
| 67east | We are!kitadani hiroshi |  play_arrow | It's an upbeat opening song. Positi... |
| 68east | OrangeŌsaka Taiga, Kushieda Minori, Kawashima Ami |  play_arrow | It’s a song you want to sing when you’re heartbroken. The singer is… |
| 69east | KanadeSukima Suichi |  play_arrow | This is Sukima Switch’s second single. |
| 70east | CobraMaeno Yoko |  play_arrow | The theme song of Cobra sung by Yoko Maeno |
| 71east | Treasure of FlamesBOBBY |  play_arrow | Lupin the Third’s famous song, a heart-stirring iconic theme |
| 72east | Ash and PrayerGEMS COMPANY |  play_arrow | A song where the fragility of life and hope intersect |
| 73east | The Garden of WordsRAIN |  play_arrow | The theme song of a Makoto Shinkai film really touches the heart. |
| 74east | TOUGH BOYTOM☆CAT |  play_arrow | Fist of the North Star 2 opening theme “TOUGH BOY” |
| 75east | In that casemakaroni enpitsu |  play_arrow | A song that expresses the feelings of youthful love with a refreshing melody |
| 76east | Orphan HachiIshikawa Hitomi |  play_arrow | The poignant classic song from Orphan Hachi |
| 77east | A Cruel Angel’s ThesisTakahashi Yoko |  play_arrow | The iconic Evangelion song resonates around the world |
| 78east | Space Battleship Yamatosasaki isao |  play_arrow | Space Battleship Yamato, Isao Sasaki’s classic song |
| 79east | Orange7!! |  play_arrow | A bittersweet love hidden beneath an upbeat melody |
| 80east | I won’t fall in love anymore.Makihara Noriyuki |  play_arrow | A ballad depicting the pain of heartbreak and the glimmer of hope |
| 81east | youyuzuki |  play_arrow | Anime theme song, Yuzuki’s beautiful singing voice |
| 82east | Lost WordsNo Regret Life |  play_arrow | Ending theme song of the anime NARUTO |
| 83east | Deep loveMizuki Nana |  play_arrow | A heartwarming song that sings of Nana Mizuki’s deep love |
| 84east | HeyFujita Maiko |  play_arrow | The moving theme song of the anime “Hiiro no Kakera.” |
| 85east | Ephemeral Fireworkssupercell |  play_arrow | A summer festival memory painted with the pain of heartbreak |
| 86east | Lost my musicsuzumiya haruhi (hirano aya) |  play_arrow | A passionate anthem that sings of heartbreak’s pain while cheering you on to move forward. |
| 87east | I fell in loveaiko |  play_arrow | Speaking of aiko, her music is poppy and catchy... |
| 88east | Sentimental Lovemimimeme MIMI |  play_arrow | A sweet yet bittersweet, transparent husky voice... |
| 89east | Anpanman Exercisedoriimingu |  play_arrow | A national hero known to everyone offers words of encouragement… |
| 90east | scarlet skykawada mami |  play_arrow | The rhythm, the clear, translucent voice, the way of singing... |
| 91east | Fragments of the SkyIkeda Ayako |  play_arrow | The anime Dennou Coil that was broadcast on NEK… |
| 92east | PIANOTEHiran |  play_arrow | Both the singing voice and the melody are good; it's a pleasant song... |
| 93east | Hello, Sadnesssaitou yuki |  play_arrow | AAA's 'Koioto to Amazora' is a ballad popular with people of all ages and genders. |
| 94east | Crescent Moon SunsetSakanakushon |  play_arrow | Very heartrending lyrics, and the mel… sounds so heartrending too. |
| 95east | Walther P38Chārī Kōsei |  play_arrow | The famous Lupin the Third song “Waltz P38” |
| 96east | Tiger MaskMorimoto Hideyo |  play_arrow | Introduction to the theme song of Tiger Mask |
| 97east | I♥UTHE★SCANTY |  play_arrow | Poignant lyrics depicting a crush and the emotion they evoke |
| 98east | Love’s Melody and Rainy SkiesAAA |  play_arrow | AAA's 'Koioto to Amazora' is a ballad popular with people of all ages and genders. |
| 99east | colorlessUehara Azumi |  play_arrow | A bittersweet love ending theme from Detective Conan |
| 100east | Summer of Goodbye ~From Up on Poppy Hill~Teshima Aoi |  play_arrow | Aoi Teshima, the Ghibli singer with a crystal-clear, translucent voice |