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

The Howling of the Lost OneNeru36rank/position

Neru – The Wail of the Lost One (Lost One’s Weeping) feat. Kagamine Rin

The suffocation of the classroom, the anxiety of not seeing any answers, the loneliness of being understood by no one.

There may be no other song that captures the pains of adolescence this vividly.

Released by Neru in 2013, the track later surpassed 10 million views.

Its edgy guitar sound and Kagamine Rin’s emotional vocals intertwine perfectly, giving voice to a cry from the heart.

Included on the major-label album “Seikaisefuku,” the song is still sung by many to this day.

Belt it out at karaoke, and the haze you carried back then will blow away.

Recommended for those who want to revisit their school days and for anyone still fighting their own battles now.

beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko37rank/position

aiko - 'Kabutomushi' music video

Aiko’s signature love song “Kabutomushi.” The overall vocal range is quite wide, from F3 to F5, but it’s very easy to sing if you switch between chest voice and falsetto.

The A and B sections sit firmly in a lower range, and while the chorus climbs higher than you might expect, it may help to switch decisively to a falsetto base from there.

To switch smoothly between registers, stable pitch is essential.

If you keep your eyebrows raised or make a surprised face, you can maintain accurate pitch centered between your eyebrows without letting it drop into your throat.

Also, when singing high notes, if you hold back and produce the sound halfway, it will definitely be harder to hit, so try projecting your voice solidly!

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Kubota Mami

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budKobukuro38rank/position

Kobukuro – Tsubomi

Tsubomi, one of Kobukuro’s signature songs, was written by Kentaro Kobuchi as a heartfelt outpouring to his late mother.

Released in March 2007, it was chosen as the theme song for the drama “Tokyo Tower: Mom and Me, and Sometimes Dad,” and it won the Japan Record Award that same year.

The lyrics not only convey the sorrow of losing someone dear, but also a powerful hope to keep moving forward, and they pair beautifully with the warmth of a simple voice-and-guitar arrangement.

The melody spans a wide range and is thoroughly satisfying to sing; if the high notes are tough, try lowering the key and focusing on delivering each word with care.

Aim to sing with feeling that gently embraces the listener’s heart.

PrologueUru39rank/position

"Prologue" FULL ver.

This is the work by Uru I want to listen to on an autumn night when I long for human warmth.

Even knowing it’s forbidden, the ever-growing feelings for the other person and that helpless cry of the heart really hit home.

The contrast between her clear, crystalline vocals and the electric guitar that stirs up anxiety and urgency vividly paints the beginning of a forbidden love.

Released as a single in December 2018, the song is also known as the theme for the drama “Chugakusei Nikki” starring Kasumi Arimura.

Overlapping with the drama’s heartrending worldview, it resonated deeply with many.

Later included on the album “Orion Blue,” this beautiful ballad is perfect for when you want to sink into a sentimental mood.

A Little Love SongMONGOL80040rank/position

A Little Love Song

A beloved classic that stands as a monument to youth punk! Riding on a driving, fast-paced beat, it sings of love for the important people close to us and an unchanging, eternal bond.

Its straightforward message fires up your heart every time you listen and gives you the energy to keep your hands moving at work! Featured on MONGOL800’s album “MESSAGE,” released in September 2001, this song sold over 2.8 million copies despite being an indie release, and it was used as the motif for the film “Little Love Song” and as the ending theme for the anime “Teasing Master Takagi-san.” It’s a guaranteed pick-me-up when you want to boost your mood and focus, or when you need that last push—highly recommended!

YELLikimonogakari41rank/position

Ikimono-gakari “YELL” Music Video

YELL portrays farewell words not as something sad, but as a promise to soar into the future.

Released in September 2009, it is a single by Ikimonogakari, the musical group known for Kiyoe Yoshioka’s clear, expansive vocals.

Loved as the set piece for the NHK All-Japan School Music Competition’s junior high division, the song speaks to the importance of starting to walk on your own feet while facing loneliness and anxiety.

Holding the days spent together in your heart, the lyrics convey the resolve to set off on separate paths, gently accompanying the tears and smiles of graduation season.

This piece adds a moving touch to school-life memory videos—woven from countless photos with friends from club activities, school trips, and more—so be sure to give it a listen.

Dried flowersYuuri42rank/position

Yuri “Dry Flower” Official Music Video - Director’s Cut ver. -

Released in October 2020 as the second major-label digital single, this song is a rock ballad told from a woman’s perspective that continues the story of the indie-era track “Kakurenbo.” The poignant scenes of two people growing apart are truly heart-wrenching.

It became a record-breaking long-running hit, topping Billboard JAPAN’s 2021 year-end overall chart.

It’s one of Yuuri’s signature numbers, also included on the album “Ichi.” The progression from the conversational tone of the first verse to the powerful vocals in the chorus is stunning, making it a great pick when you want to pour your emotions into a karaoke performance.

The vocal range is wide and the difficulty is on the higher side, but it’s worth trying after finding a key that suits you.