Popular Japanese Music / J-POP Artist Rankings [2026]

Karakuri Pierrot40mP15rank/position

[Hatsune Miku (40mP)] Karakuri Pierrot [Original]

Among Vocaloid songs, “Karakuri Pierrot” has an exceptionally relaxed tempo.

The vocal range isn’t too high, so women can keep the original key, while men might find it just right to lower it by two to three semitones.

The small amount of lyrics is another plus! You should be able to sing steadily without rushing.

Don’t push your voice—aim for a straight, honest pitch.

The key goes up in the last chorus, but if you sing with more energy than in the first chorus, you should be able to stay steady.

For scoring systems, focus on singing as mechanically straight as possible.

Clear enunciation will also make the pitch bar respond well.

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Kubota Mami

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together; along with; bothWANIMA16rank/position

WANIMA – Together (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

It’s WANIMA’s second single and was used in Nivea Kao’s “8×4 Body Fresh” commercial.

The chorus really sticks in your head—even for me.

The overall vocal range is G#3 to D#5, which is on the higher side, and the tempo is an ultra-fast BPM 254, but if you lock into the band’s rhythm and sing along, your energy will definitely rise and it should actually make it easier to project your voice! If you let your guard down even for a moment, your pitch will drop into your throat and it’ll get harder to sing, so you need to keep your facial muscles lifted at all times.

For the rapid-fire section in the latter half, first run through the melody line and pronounce it lightly to get it under your belt!

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Kubota Mami

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sasanqua (Camellia sasanqua)SEKAI NO OWARI17rank/position

Sakanaction “Sazanka”

A ballad that portrays the loneliness and anxiety felt in the pursuit of a dream, as well as the warmth of someone watching over you.

SEKAI NO OWARI’s “Sazanka” is a single released in February 2018 and became widely known as the NHK theme song for coverage of the PyeongChang Olympics and Paralympics.

Rather than simply urging listeners to “do your best,” the song is filled with a gentle kindness that seems to affirm every attempt to overcome setbacks and pain.

Anyone chasing a dream may wonder, “Is this really the right path for me?” In those moments, this song will quietly stand by you, saying, “I know how hard you’ve been trying.”

somedaySaucy Dog18rank/position

Saucy Dog "Someday" MUSIC VIDEO

It’s a signature, bittersweet love ballad by Saucy Dog that makes you want to listen while gazing up at the winter night sky.

It vividly portrays lingering feelings for an ex and memories of happy days that will never return, tightening your chest a little more each time you hear it.

The track is included on their May 2017 mini-album “Country Road,” which became a springboard for their rise.

Based on vocalist Shinya Ishihara’s real experiences, its depictions bring the park setting to life and have resonated with many listeners.

It’s a cherished number for the band, also performed when they won the Grand Prix at an audition in December 2016.

In the season when you miss the warmth of another, it’s a song that will gently stay by your side on nights when you want to recall a past love and shed a few tears.

HarukaYOASOBI19rank/position

YOASOBI 'Haruka' Official Music Video

Released in December 2020, Haruka is a heartwarming medium-tempo ballad based on Moon Prince, a novel by broadcast writer Osamu Suzuki.

Told from the perspective of a mug, the lyrics watch over the growth of the girl who owns it and portray their eventual parting and gratitude—an emotional theme that resonates with graduation season when many leave their families.

The song is also included on the album THE BOOK, and it gained popularity as the image song for the Art Aquarium Exhibition 2021 and as the commercial song for Takara Tomy’s Punitto Ranzu.

Only for you, clear skiesYorushika20rank/position

Yorushika – Just Clear Skies for You (MUSIC VIDEO)

It’s a track marked by a nostalgic melody that evokes the scent of summer and parched clouds.

n-buna’s lyrics weave in the essence of Masaoka Shiki’s haiku, blending literary depth with an easy, pleasant rhythm.

suis’s clear, translucent vocals highlight the bittersweetness of youth gone by.

The music video, released in May 2018, drew a major response, and streaming plays have surpassed hundreds of millions, making it one of their signature hits.

The song is included on the mini-album “Makeinu ni Encore wa Iranai,” and in December 2019 it was also used as the opening video for the live show “Sayonara Tarinai Futari.” It’s a masterpiece that gently stays with you in those moments when a sudden memory of the past brings a pang of sadness.

NonfictionHirai Ken21rank/position

Ken Hirai “Nonfiction” MUSIC VIDEO (Short Ver.)

Life can feel overwhelming, full of absurdities and helpless moments.

In times like these, I hope you’ll listen to Ken Hirai’s 42nd single.

Written as the theme song for the drama “Little Giant,” it was released in June 2017.

Born from Hirai’s profound grief over losing a friend, the song delivers fundamental questions about life and a heartfelt cry to see a loved one again, piercing the heart with a voice that cuts deep.

You may find it impossible to listen without tears…