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 |
| 1 | Unchanging ThingsHanako Oku |  play_arrow | A wistful piano ballad that mourns the end of summer |
| 2 | JANE DOEKenshi Yonezu, Hikaru Utada |  play_arrow | Yonezu and Utada's collaboration track portrays parting and memory. |
| 3 | REASONyuzu |  play_arrow | Anime 'HUNTER×HUNTER' theme song |
| 4 | MöbiusJanne Da Arc |  play_arrow | A poignant labyrinth of love, the resonant heart of yasu |
| 5 | RIVERTatsuya Ishii |  play_arrow | An inspiring song that expresses the feelings of facing difficulties |
| 6 | I’ll give you romanceUshio Hashimoto |  play_arrow | The famous song from the anime Dragon Ball |
| 7 | AitaiMiliyah Kato |  play_arrow | Depicting the bittersweet emotions of unrequited love |
| 8 | Pointillism Song (feat. Sonoko Inoue)Mrs. GREEN APPLE |  play_arrow | A bittersweet love story at the end of summer |
| 9 | lampSoshi Sakiyama |  play_arrow | Soshi Sakiyama’s Jujutsu Kaisen ending theme, a deeply moving masterpiece |
| 10 | RE:I AMAimer |  play_arrow | Beyond the sorrow of battle, a song of hope resounds. |
| 11 | The Last Petal (The Meaning of Love)EGOIST |  play_arrow | A song that layered the meaning of love onto falling petals |
| 12 | single-minded; wholehearted; devoted; earnestKing Gnu |  play_arrow | A love song where fierce passion and aching longing intertwine |
| 13 | SparkleRADWIMPS |  play_arrow | Used as an insert song in the film Your Name... |
| 14 | Boogie BackMiyu Inoue |  play_arrow | Miyu Inoue’s debut single sings of a heartrending love. |
| 15 | WALTZRyūgū-jō (Dragon Palace) |  play_arrow | Ryugu Castle Anime, Part 1: A Fantastical World of Sound |
| 16 | monologueOmoinotake |  play_arrow | Oriental-style ballad, a poignant love song |
| 17 | FIND THE WAYMika Nakashima |  play_arrow | The opening theme for the anime Mobile Suit Gundam SEED... |
| 18 | Life is Like a BoatRie fu |  play_arrow | An inspiring song that embraces hope and overcomes hardships |
| 19 | Get WildTM NETWORK |  play_arrow | The iconic song from the anime City Hunter |
| 20 | treasureKomuro Yui |  play_arrow | A soothing ballad that sings of familial love |
| 21 | secret base ~What You Gave Me~Meiko Honma (Ai Kayano), Naruko Anjou (Haruka Tomatsu), Chiriko Tsurumi (Saori Hayami) |  play_arrow | A heartbreak song for an anime movie ending |
| 22 | Lupin the Third Love ThemeIchiro Mizuki |  play_arrow | Lupin the Third’s famous song, passionately sung by Ichiro Mizuki |
| 23 | RainMotohiro Hata |  play_arrow | A poignant song that seeps into the sound of rain, capturing the subtleties of the heart. |
| 24 | Being human is niceYoshimi Nakajima |  play_arrow | Yoshimi Nakashima’s heartwarming masterpiece |
| 25 | Your SongRei Yasuda |  play_arrow | Rei Yasuda’s “Kimi no Uta” is moving. |
| 26 | sealLiSA |  play_arrow | From the anime Sword Art Online II... |
| 27 | 1/2Makoto Kawamoto |  play_arrow | It’s a classic song I’ve been listening to since I was little, and… |
| 28 | reverse dreamKing Gnu |  play_arrow | A moving, heart-stirring movie theme song and a deeply touching work. |
| 29 | Let’s meet in our dreams.SARD UNDERGROUND |  play_arrow | Conan ED, a moving work of a bittersweet love song |
| 30 | Become the windAyano Tsuji |  play_arrow | Become the Wind: A Studio Ghibli Masterpiece |
| 31 | wrap (as in: wrap up filming)Ikusaburo Yamazaki |  play_arrow | Ikusaburo Yamazaki’s poignant ballad portrays parting and a sense of loss. |
| 32 | Message of RougeYumi Arai |  play_arrow | "Rouge no Dengon" is a bittersweet song from Kiki's Delivery Service. |
| 33 | My Neighbor TotoroAzumi Inoue |  play_arrow | The Totoro song is very popular with children. |
| 34 | secret base ~What You Gave Me~ (10 years after Ver.)Meiko Honma (Ai Kayano), Naruko Anjou (Haruka Tomatsu), Chiriko Tsurumi (Saori Hayami) |  play_arrow | The ending song of Anohana is bittersweet. |
| 35 | single bedSharam Q |  play_arrow | A masterpiece born from an anime ending |
| 36 | GarnetHanako Oku |  play_arrow | The moving theme song of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time |
| 37 | UninstallChiaki Ishikawa |  play_arrow | Abstract and beautiful lyrics depicting death and escape |
| 38 | The Story You Don’t Knowsupercell |  play_arrow | Supercell's heartbreak song, Summer Memories |
| 39 | Just one wishMiho Komatsu |  play_arrow | A heart’s song echoing with the pain of heartbreak in the sunset |
| 40 | One more time, One more chanceMasayoshi Yamazaki |  play_arrow | A masterpiece by Masayoshi Yamazaki, a song overflowing with the emotions of heartbreak. |
| 41 | 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. |
| 42 | 100% CourageNYC |  play_arrow | A song that makes you feel like you just have to be brave… |
| 43 | Name of LifeYumi Kimura |  play_arrow | A quintessential Japanese anime that became a massive hit around the world... |
| 44 | Galaxy Express 999Godiego |  play_arrow | Galaxy Express 999, with Godiego performing the theme song |
| 45 | Full of dreamsYumiko Seki |  play_arrow | Yumiko Seki’s classic song “Yume Ippai,” the anime theme song |
| 46 | Sad ConstellationIKU |  play_arrow | At a slow tempo, with a clear, translucent voice, very... |
| 47 | Come here, Perman.Katsue Miwa |  play_arrow | The Pāman theme song is a nostalgic tune. |
| 48 | ContrastTOMOO |  play_arrow | A heartwarming song that delicately portrays the emotions of youth |
| 49 | colorlessAzumi Uehara |  play_arrow | A bittersweet love ending theme from Detective Conan |
| 50 | Always With MeYumi Kimura |  play_arrow | Spirited Away: Yumi Kimura’s gentle song |
| 51 | youHealing Moon |  play_arrow | Anime theme song, Yuzuki’s beautiful singing voice |
| 52 | Goodbye, your voiceAki Misato |  play_arrow | AkI Misato’s moving heartbreak song |
| 53 | Lost WordsNo Regret Life |  play_arrow | Ending theme song of the anime NARUTO |
| 54 | Liar MoonYorushika |  play_arrow | A beautiful ballad that depicts sorrow and a sense of loss |
| 55 | I won’t fall in love anymore.Noriyuki Makihara |  play_arrow | A Song of Heartbreak’s Pain and New Hope |
| 56 | In that caseMacaroni Enpitsu |  play_arrow | A heartfelt song that captures the bittersweetness and warmth of youth |
| 57 | coarse sugarAimyon |  play_arrow | A song that sings of heartache and embodies a forward-looking attitude |
| 58 | Stars swimMacaroni Enpitsu |  play_arrow | A masterpiece that portrays the sense of loss and hope of summer |
| 59 | Summer of Goodbye ~From Up on Poppy Hill~Aoi Teshima |  play_arrow | Aoi Teshima, the Ghibli singer with a crystal-clear, translucent voice |
| 60 | Treasure of FlamesBOBBY |  play_arrow | Lupin the Third’s famous song, a heart-stirring iconic theme |
| 61 | Ash and PrayerGEMS COMPANY |  play_arrow | A song where the fragility of life and hope intersect |
| 62 | The Garden of WordsRAIN |  play_arrow | The theme song of a Makoto Shinkai film really touches the heart. |
| 63 | TOUGH BOYTOM☆CAT |  play_arrow | Fist of the North Star 2 opening theme “TOUGH BOY” |
| 64 | Yulia… ForeverCrystal King |  play_arrow | The moving ending theme of Fist of the North Star |
| 65 | Cutie HoneyYoko Maekawa |  play_arrow | Captivating vocals of anime songs |
| 66 | GeGeGe no KitaroIkuzo Yoshi |  play_arrow | Ikuzo Yoshi’s classic song “GeGeGe no Kitaro” |
| 67 | Ninja Hattori-kunJunko Hori |  play_arrow | The Ninja Hattori-kun theme song—so nostalgic. |
| 68 | Aim for the Ace!Kumiko Osugi |  play_arrow | Moved by the theme song of a nostalgic coming-of-age anime |
| 69 | TouchYoshimi Iwasaki |  play_arrow | The moving theme song from the youth anime 'Touch' |
| 70 | cat’s eyesAnri |  play_arrow | Anime theme song “Cat’s Eyes” becomes a big hit |
| 71 | Orphan HachiHitomi Ishikawa |  play_arrow | The poignant classic song from Orphan Hachi |
| 72 | Dear MotherYoshiko Fujita |  play_arrow | Ikkyu-san theme song, feelings for my mother fill my heart |
| 73 | A Cruel Angel’s ThesisYoko Takahashi |  play_arrow | The iconic Evangelion song resonates around the world |
| 74 | Space Battleship YamatoIsao Sasaki |  play_arrow | Space Battleship Yamato, Isao Sasaki’s classic song |
| 75 | Orange7!! |  play_arrow | A bittersweet love hidden beneath an upbeat melody |
| 76 | Our WorldCooRie |  play_arrow | The heartwarming theme song of the Maruyuin anime film |
| 77 | Don’t go.Souta |  play_arrow | A bittersweet song about parting that resonates with the heart. |
| 78 | DearestAyumi Hamasaki |  play_arrow | InuYasha’s ending theme, Ayumi Hamasaki’s moving song |
| 79 | frecklesJUDY AND MARY |  play_arrow | Memories of someone I can’t remember, a JAM classic |
| 80 | Your Memorymao |  play_arrow | A bittersweet song of pure love and heartbreak, a masterpiece by mao |
| 81 | A Naked HeartAimyon |  play_arrow | A song that conveys the importance of being honest with your feelings |
| 82 | You are… not here.Minami Kuribayashi |  play_arrow | Sad lyrics about a heartbreaking unrequited love |
| 83 | The forest where you wereSea of Trees |  play_arrow | The ending theme song of the anime “Fate” resonates with the heart. |
| 84 | Deep loveNana Mizuki |  play_arrow | A heartwarming song that sings of Nana Mizuki’s deep love |
| 85 | HeyMaiko Fujita |  play_arrow | The moving theme song of the anime “Hiiro no Kakera.” |
| 86 | Ephemeral Fireworkssupercell |  play_arrow | A summer festival memory painted with the pain of heartbreak |
| 87 | Lost my musicHaruhi Suzumiya (Aya Hirano) |  play_arrow | A passionate anthem that sings of heartbreak’s pain while cheering you on to move forward. |
| 88 | I fell in loveaiko |  play_arrow | Speaking of aiko, her music is poppy and catchy... |
| 89 | We are!Hiroshi Kitadani |  play_arrow | It's an upbeat opening song. Positi... |
| 90 | Sentimental LoveMimimemeMIMI |  play_arrow | A sweet yet bittersweet, transparent husky voice... |
| 91 | Anpanman ExerciseDreaming |  play_arrow | A national hero known to everyone offers words of encouragement… |
| 92 | scarlet skyMami Kawada |  play_arrow | The rhythm, the clear, translucent voice, the way of singing... |
| 93 | OrangeTaiga Aisaka, Minori Kushieda, Ami Kawashima |  play_arrow | It’s a song you want to sing when you’re heartbroken. The singer is… |
| 94 | PIANOTEHiran |  play_arrow | Both the singing voice and the melody are good; it's a pleasant song... |
| 95 | Crescent Moon SunsetSakanaction |  play_arrow | Very heartrending lyrics, and the mel… sounds so heartrending too. |
| 96 | KanadeSukima Switch |  play_arrow | This is Sukima Switch’s second single. |
| 97 | CobraYoko Maeno |  play_arrow | The theme song of Cobra sung by Yoko Maeno |
| 98 | Walther P38Charlie Kosei |  play_arrow | The famous Lupin the Third song “Waltz P38” |
| 99 | Tiger MaskHideyo Morimoto |  play_arrow | Introduction to the theme song of Tiger Mask |
| 100 | I♥UTHE★SCANTY |  play_arrow | Poignant lyrics depicting a crush and the emotion they evoke |
| 101 | Love’s Melody and Rainy SkiesAAA |  play_arrow | A poignant ballad by a dance unit popular among young people |