Popular “yami” songs: Japanese music / J‑Pop artist rankings [2026]
When you’re feeling down, entrust those feelings to songs that sing about the same emotions.
This time, we’ll introduce Japanese artists who specialize in “dark/healing songs,” ranked in order.
Before long, you’re sure to feel better.
- Popular Depressive Songs Ranking [2026]
- Ranking of Dark/Jaded Japanese Songs [2026]
- Popular Japanese Music / J-POP Artist Rankings [2026]
- [Yami Song] Fight darkness with darkness!? Deep tracks that stay close to your pain
- Hidden gems of yami songs. Recommended popular tracks.
- Popular Tearjerker Song Rankings [2026]
- [Yami Song] A mental breakdown track that sings the true feelings of a melancholic heart
- Popular Unrequited Love Songs: Japanese Music/J-Pop Artist Rankings [2026]
- Popular R&B. Japanese Artist Rankings [2026]
- Popular Unrequited Love Song Rankings [2026]
- Yami songs recommended for women
- [Relatable Lyrics] Emo songs to listen to when you're stuck after a breakup or relationship troubles
- Ranking of Sad Songs by Japanese Pop Artists: Popular Tracks [2026]
Popular “yami” songs: Japanese music / J-pop artist rankings [2026] (11–20)
reassessmentMARETU15rank/position
This is a Vocaloid song that draws you into its mysterious world from the intro.
It’s a track by MARETU, a Vocaloid producer also known under the name Gokuaku-P, released on a video-sharing site in 2017.
The suspicious, intoxicating electronic sounds are striking, and the steady, deadpan melody is great as well.
Savor the thoroughly thought-provoking worldbuilding and lyrics.
Kill my ex-boyfriendGōruden Bonbā16rank/position
This is the fourth single by Golden Bomber, released in 2008.
Golden Bomber is famous as an air band, but their songs themselves are always distinctive and draw attention.
As you might guess from the shocking title, this song expresses resentment toward the boyfriend of the person the singer has fallen for.
However, because it has a bright, rock-style feel, it doesn’t come across as too heavy—that’s the key point.
Just being alive is admirable.ReoNa17rank/position
When your heart feels heavy and you can’t move, there’s a song that gently stays by your side.
Included on ReoNa’s fifth single “Nai Nai,” released in May 2021, this piece—written and composed by Toa Kasamura—is a track that resonates deeply.
Carried by the sound of the piano, ReoNa’s whispery vocals speak as if softly reading a diary aloud, giving voice to your innermost thoughts.
Rather than forcing encouragement, the lyrics simply offer the warmth of being there, making it a song you’ll want to hear when you’re worn out from trying too hard.
The choral parts, inspired by hymns, envelop you and quietly convey a blessing for living through today.
It’s a song I especially recommend to anyone getting by while holding on to painful feelings.
I thought about killing myselfamazarashi18rank/position
amazarashi is a rock band from Aomori Prefecture.
Their songs are striking for lyrics that, while afflicted, still carry a certain gentleness.
This work, too, has an extremely intense title, but in the end someone’s presence brings salvation.
It’s a song that gently stays close to a worn-out heart.
Cinderella BoySaucy Dog19rank/position
That moment when your heart drifts away from someone you once loved so much is truly heart-wrenching.
“Cinderella Boy,” included on Saucy Dog’s 2021 release “Lazy Sunday,” beautifully portrays the bittersweet emotions between lovers.
From the warm arpeggio intro to the emotional chorus, its melody resonates with anyone going through a painful breakup.
It’s a song that makes you want to tuck away those irreplaceable times and precious memories somewhere in your heart, rather than throwing them away.
Dried flowersYuuri20rank/position
This is the second major-label digital-only single by singer-songwriter Yuri, who has gained popularity on YouTube through song commentary and cover videos of other artists’ tracks.
It’s a quintessential 2021 J-POP number, known for being the first by a male solo artist to surpass 400 million streams, and doing so at record speed.
Written from the perspective of a woman after a breakup, the lyrics vividly portray the complex emotions that only someone in that situation could understand.
With its heartrending melody, the story within the lyrics really resonates—an ideal song to sink into when dealing with heartbreak.
Popular Yami Songs: Japanese Music/J-Pop Artist Rankings [2026] (21–30)
Nightmare of the Galactic CitySEKAI NO OWARI21rank/position
It’s a poignant song about the feelings you have toward a self that wants to change but can’t.
It’s a track by SEKAI NO OWARI, a band active internationally, included on their third album “Tree,” released in 2015.
Perhaps because the lyrics were written based on vocalist Fukase’s real experiences, the song has a gentle tone yet a realistic finish.
There are surely people who are struggling with the same thoughts as in this song.
Music might be the catalyst that helps you reflect on yourself.