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.

Playlist

Popular “yami” songs: Japanese music / J‑Pop artist rankings [2026]
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Eine KleineYonezu Kenshi		Middle school romance and Kenshi Yonezu’s songs
2	NonfictionHirai Ken		A cheering song to listen to when you're lost in life
3	Your Dissection Pure Love Song ~Die~aimyon		A dark love-themed song by Aimyon
4	a May flyRADWIMPS		Aggressive lyric songs by RADWIMPS
5	reassessmentMARETU		Addictive electronic-sound songs by the Vocaloid producer MARETU
6	Absolute GirlfriendOmori Seiko		The appeal of Seiko Oomori’s signature song “Zettai Kanojo”
7	lipstickKato Miria		Miliyah Kato’s heartbreak song, a cry from the heart
8	Nothing I do goes well.meiyo		An emotional song portraying self-loathing and inner conflict
9	CountdownCocco		Cocco’s debut song expresses anger and pain.
10	What do you want to become?Rozarīna		A healing song to listen to when you lose yourself in busy days
11	Black sheepKeyakizaka46		The courage to believe in yourself amid distrust of others
12	mentally unstable personMioyamazaki		An emotionally charged song of menhera rock
13	moonlightOnitsuka Chihiro		The loneliness and deep empathy in Chihiro Onitsuka’s signature song “Gekkou” (“Moonlight”)
14	I wanted to be your last girlfriend.Koresawa		A bear singer-songwriter who hides their face
15	There was no meaning to being born.mafumafu		A song that is a cry from the heart asking about the meaning of life
16	Just being alive is admirable.ReoNa		ReoNa’s song “Nai Nai” gently embraces the heart
17	Hated by life.Kanzaki Iori		Music that finds hope amid suffering
18	Kill my ex-boyfriendGōruden Bonbā		A shocking love song by Golden Bomber
19	MarshmallowDECO*27		DECO*27's song portrays complex human relationships.
20	I thought about killing myselfamazarashi		Characterized by gentle lyrics that heal a troubled heart
21	Cinderella BoySaucy Dog		A moving song that portrays the heartache of lost love and cherished memories
22	Dried flowersYuuri		Yuri’s “Dry Flower,” a heartrending breakup song
23	to liveMizuno Atsu		A Vocaloid song that gently supports a delicate heart
24	I don’t need friends—die.Shinsei Kamattechan		A poignant, mad song by Shinsei Kamattechan
25	Nightmare of the Galactic CitySEKAI NO OWARI		A song of bittersweet feelings toward a self that cannot change.
26	IdentitySakanakushon		A melancholic Latin dance track marking Sakanaction’s turning point
27	Non-breath ObligePinokio P		Introducing the appeal of Non-Breath Oblige
28	Sparks of Lies96neko		The bittersweet feelings of an unattainable love and music
29	Love me, love me, love meKikuo		Eerie lyrics depicting a mad love
30	The happiest way to die in the worldkoka		A poignant song that portrays the solitude of the late singer
31	Girls don’t cry.katahira rina		Girls don’t cry; a declaration to live strong
32	Stray SheepKamisama, boku wa kizuite shimatta		Listen to your own voice
33	I miss you so much and want to see you.Nishino Kana		A poignant song about lingering feelings for an ex-lover
34	indigoSukima Suichi		Songs by Sukima Switch are masterpieces that resonate with the heart.
35	BathroomShiina Ringo		Ringo Sheena’s signature song, expressing emotion and desire
36	wedgeOku Hanako		Hanako Oku, who sings about the depth of love and the sorrow of parting
37	Our FailureMorita Doji		The definitive “yami” song—watch out, it goes way too deep!
38	I can’t stand that cute girl.narumiya		An unrequited love song depicting Narumiya’s feelings of love
39	remainingYoshizawa Kayoko		A song whose charm lies in Kayo Yoshizawa’s heartrending vocals
40	planetariumOtsuka Ai		A ballad imbued with the bittersweetness of love under the starry sky
41	If being alive is painfulMoriyama Naotaro		Naotaro Moriyama’s classic—a ballad that affirms life
42	366 daysHY		A mix featuring male and female twin vocals...
43	shameless; indecentchanmina		Chanmina’s catastrophic love song
44	The kid who always gets comparedTsuyu		An anthem to encourage those hurt by comparisons with others
45	I thought about killing myselfNakajima Mika		Introducing songs that make your heart gentle in tough times
46	curseYamazaki Hako		Hako Yamasaki's 'Curse' heals the darkness of the heart.
47	voiceAmano Tsukiko		A mysterious songstress pursues her music career with a unique worldview.
48	The Day the Curse Was LiftedTaito		Takuto’s Story of Overcoming Bullying and Finding Hope
49	Cute Girlfriendsyudou		A touching song that captures the emotions of a bittersweet love
50	It’s not that I want to die.Asanomachi		KAFU’s fleeting, heartrending singing voice resonates in the heart.
51	My Room, My Dress Shirt, and MeHiramatsu Eri		Eri Hiramatsu's classic song “Destiny,” a big hit
52	Stalker’s Song: Third Block, Your HouseAbe Mao		Abe Mao’s stalker-like love song
53	thought crimeYorushika		Yorushika’s “Thought Criminal,” a song about loneliness
54	A Bouquet for YouUtada Hikaru		A love song Hikaru Utada dedicated to her mother
55	I want to see you.sawada chikako		Singing a bittersweet love with a pure voice
56	The holeKing Gnu		A heart-touching ballad that portrays loneliness and loss
57	illlovedSOOOO		A must-listen emo song by SOOOO
58	seems like (just) my imaginationmaji musume		Songs for when you're tired that lighten your heart
59	Only on nights when I want to dieAina ji Endo		A warm song where a loved one’s smile supports the heart
60	excuseSha ran Q		A masterpiece of a heartbreak song that paints the depths of the heart
61	phantom / illusion / vision / fantasyShibata Jun		A lonely heart swaying in the wake of a breakup with a lover
62	ETERNAL BLUEMinami		A song that defies the world’s abusive words and the hardship they cause
63	seems like (just) my imaginationChōchō P		Singing of the heart’s struggle and the agony of heartbreak
64	DarlingSuda Keina		Suda Keina’s song “Darling” is trending.
65	A passing shower in the month of Minazuki (June)wiroha ringo		Introduction to a Japanese-style song where loneliness eats away at the heart
66	Shut up.Ado		Expressing a sense of discomfort with society through punk rock
67	Tot MusicaAdo (Uta from ONE PIECE FILM RED)		Ado’s “Tot Musica”: eerie and heavy
68	fragileEvery Little Thing		This ballad son called 'fragile'...
69	GlideLily Chou-Chou		The film singer Lily Chou-Chou is morbid and dark.
70	EverythingMISIA		MISIA’s “Everything” is a heartbreaking masterpiece.
71	studio (apartment)Novelbright		A piece that soothes an aching heart with the beauty of the piano
72	The BeginningONE OK ROCK		Hard rock songs to listen to when feeling anxious
73	Echoes of a rainy voiceOrangestar		Songs that resonate with the heart when things aren’t going well
74	DownerPolyphonicBranch		A dark yet catchy Vocaloid song
75	collapse; fainting spell (colloquial/slang)iyowa		Pop-sounding feelings of a breakup
76	Nokemono Neverlandoku no hosomichi		Vocaloid Song Introduction to The Narrow Road to the Deep North
77	Wolverine Nenzutto mayonaka de ii no ni.		Zutto Mayonaka de Iinoni, which expresses loneliness and self-denial
78	Letter ~Dear Fifteen-Year-Old Me~Anjura Aki		A heartwarming ballad that embraces the troubles of adolescence
79	oni; demon; ogre; spirit (depending on context)kuriipuhaipe		A heart-touching theme song by CreepHyp
80	in my placeHiguchi Ai		A song about hugging yourself and finding the courage to move forward
81	Madness born of eruditionMachigerīta P		Yami songs require caution at night
82	LieYuika		A moving song that portrays the contradictions of human relationships
83	powder snowRemioromen		Remioromen’s smash hit song “Konayuki”
84	autonomousRosu		From the dark sound, right from the start of the track, it evokes a deep darkness…
85	Fruit of SandNakatani Miki		A captivating song where darkness and healing coexist
86	night after nightKurahashi Yoeko		A unique song with a self-loathing theme
87	scumbag man and stupid womanDomura Riu		Depicting a distorted relationship between a man and a woman, and giving the courage to break free.
88	The Edge of the Blue SkyOkuda Miwako		A Song of Hope to Overcome Life's Despair
89	Goblin shark?Hiiragi Kirai		A Vocaloid song with the alluringly eerie worldview of Hiiragi Kirai
90	Voice of the SeaKiritani Kenta		Digital release under the name “Urashima Tarō (Kenta Kiritani)”
91	Qshiina mota		Dark/sick but with a sense of liberation, rock and refreshing
92	lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE		A moving song by Mrs. GREEN APPLE that portrays youth
93	PretenderOfisharu Higedan Dism		Can express a man's candid feelings in a breakup song
94	Tomorrow as wellSHISHAMO		The enjoyment of the weekend is the energy that helps me get through tough days.
95	together; along with; bothWANIMA		A cheering song that conveys a positive spirit—courage and hope
96	idolYOASOBI		YOASOBI’s popular songs are supported by a wide range of generations.
97	Reincarnate nownakiso		A desire to reset one’s life through reincarnation
98	Overdosenatori		A song trending on social media depicts inner conflict.
99	budKobukuro		A moving song that celebrates a mother's love and bond
100	I’d rather die.Fuji Kaze		An obsessive love song by Fujii Kaze