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	Absolute GirlfriendOmori Seiko		The appeal of Seiko Oomori’s signature song “Zettai Kanojo”
6	lipstickKato Miria		Miliyah Kato’s heartbreak song, a cry from the heart
7	Nothing I do goes well.meiyo		An emotional song portraying self-loathing and inner conflict
8	CountdownCocco		Cocco’s debut song expresses anger and pain.
9	What do you want to become?Rozarīna		A healing song for university students anxious about the future
10	Black sheepKeyakizaka46		The courage to believe in yourself amid distrust of others
11	mentally unstable personMioyamazaki		An emotionally charged song of menhera rock
12	moonlightOnitsuka Chihiro		In this vast world, the helplessness and loneliness I feel...
13	I wanted to be your last girlfriend.Koresawa		A bear singer-songwriter who hides their face
14	There was no meaning to being born.mafumafu		A song that is a cry from the heart asking about the meaning of life
15	reassessmentMARETU		Addictive electronic-sound songs by the Vocaloid producer MARETU
16	Kill my ex-boyfriendGōruden Bonbā		A shocking love song by Golden Bomber
17	Just being alive is admirable.ReoNa		ReoNa’s song “Nai Nai” gently embraces the heart
18	I thought about killing myselfamazarashi		Characterized by gentle lyrics that heal a troubled heart
19	Cinderella BoySaucy Dog		A moving song that portrays the heartache of lost love and cherished memories
20	Dried flowersYuuri		Yuri’s “Dry Flower,” a heartrending breakup song
21	Nightmare of the Galactic CitySEKAI NO OWARI		A song of bittersweet feelings toward a self that cannot change.
22	IdentitySakanakushon		A melancholic Latin dance track marking Sakanaction’s turning point
23	I don’t need friends—die.Shinsei Kamattechan		A poignant, mad song by Shinsei Kamattechan
24	Sparks of Lies96neko		The bittersweet feelings of an unattainable love and music
25	to liveMizuno Atsu		A Vocaloid song that gently supports a delicate heart
26	Hated by life.Kanzaki Iori		Music that finds hope amid suffering
27	Girls don’t cry.katahira rina		Girls don’t cry; a declaration to live strong
28	Stray SheepKamisama, boku wa kizuite shimatta		Listen to your own voice
29	indigoSukima Suichi		Songs by Sukima Switch are masterpieces that resonate with the heart.
30	The happiest way to die in the worldkoka		A poignant song that portrays the solitude of the late singer
31	BathroomShiina Ringo		Ringo Sheena’s signature song, expressing emotion and desire
32	I miss you so much and want to see you.Nishino Kana		A poignant song about lingering feelings for an ex-lover
33	Love me, love me, love meKikuo		Eerie lyrics depicting a mad love
34	wedgeOku Hanako		Hanako Oku, who sings about the depth of love and the sorrow of parting
35	Our FailureMorita Doji		The definitive “yami” song—watch out, it goes way too deep!
36	Non-breath ObligePinokio P		I want to vent these feelings that have nowhere to go…
37	remainingYoshizawa Kayoko		Kayoko Yoshizawa’s languid/ennui-tinged vocals stand out…
38	planetariumOtsuka Ai		A ballad imbued with the bittersweetness of love under the starry sky
39	366 daysHY		A mix featuring male and female twin vocals...
40	curseYamazaki Hako		Hako Yamasaki's 'Curse' heals the darkness of the heart.
41	MarshmallowDECO*27		DECO*27's song portrays complex human relationships.
42	The kid who always gets comparedTsuyu		An anthem to encourage those hurt by comparisons with others
43	voiceAmano Tsukiko		A mysterious songstress pursues her music career with a unique worldview.
44	The Day the Curse Was LiftedTaito		Takuto’s Story of Overcoming Bullying and Finding Hope
45	shameless; indecentchanmina		Chanmina’s catastrophic love song
46	I thought about killing myselfNakajima Mika		On days when I don’t want to do anything and don’t even want to go to school…
47	My Room, My Dress Shirt, and MeHiramatsu Eri		Eri Hiramatsu's classic song “Destiny,” a big hit
48	If being alive is painfulMoriyama Naotaro		Naotaro Moriyama’s 2008 release, “1…”
49	Stalker’s Song: Third Block, Your HouseAbe Mao		Abe Mao’s stalker-like love song
50	It’s not that I want to die.Asanomachi		KAFU’s fleeting, heartrending singing voice resonates in the heart.
51	A Bouquet for YouUtada Hikaru		Hikaru Utada, who had suspended her music activities, ...
52	I want to see you.sawada chikako		Singing a bittersweet love with a pure voice
53	illlovedSOOOO		A must-listen emo song by SOOOO
54	seems like (just) my imaginationmaji musume		Songs for when you're tired that lighten your heart
55	Only on nights when I want to dieAina ji Endo		A warm song where a loved one’s smile supports the heart
56	excuseSha ran Q		A masterpiece of a heartbreak song that paints the depths of the heart
57	phantom / illusion / vision / fantasyShibata Jun		A lonely heart swaying in the wake of a breakup with a lover
58	ETERNAL BLUEMinami		A song that defies the world’s abusive words and the hardship they cause
59	seems like (just) my imaginationChōchō P		Singing of the heart’s struggle and the agony of heartbreak
60	DarlingSuda Keina		Suda Keina’s song “Darling” is trending.
61	A passing shower in the month of Minazuki (June)wiroha ringo		Introduction to a Japanese-style song where loneliness eats away at the heart
62	Tot MusicaAdo (Uta from ONE PIECE FILM RED)		Ado’s “Tot Musica”: eerie and heavy
63	fragileEvery Little Thing		This ballad son called 'fragile'...
64	The holeKing Gnu		A heart-touching ballad that portrays loneliness and loss
65	GlideLily Chou-Chou		The film singer Lily Chou-Chou is morbid and dark.
66	EverythingMISIA		MISIA’s “Everything” is a heartbreaking masterpiece.
67	The BeginningONE OK ROCK		Hard rock songs to listen to when feeling anxious
68	Echoes of a rainy voiceOrangestar		Songs that resonate with the heart when things aren’t going well
69	DownerPolyphonicBranch		A dark yet catchy Vocaloid song
70	Cute Girlfriendsyudou		A touching song that captures the emotions of a bittersweet love
71	collapse; fainting spell (colloquial/slang)iyowa		Pop-sounding feelings of a breakup
72	Nokemono Neverlandoku no hosomichi		Vocaloid Song Introduction to The Narrow Road to the Deep North
73	Wolverine Nenzutto mayonaka de ii no ni.		A piercingly heartfelt piece that weaves feelings of loneliness and self-denial…
74	Letter ~Dear Fifteen-Year-Old Me~Anjura Aki		A heartwarming embrace for the worries and uncertainties of adolescence...
75	oni; demon; ogre; spirit (depending on context)kuriipuhaipe		A heart-touching theme song by CreepHyp
76	balladKetsumeishi		A classic hit by Ketsumeishi that sings of the pain and regret of heartbreak
77	in my placeHiguchi Ai		A song about hugging yourself and finding the courage to move forward
78	Madness born of eruditionMachigerīta P		Yami songs require caution at night
79	thought crimeYorushika		Yorushika’s “Thought Criminal,” a song about loneliness
80	powder snowRemioromen		Remioromen is the well-known three-piece rock...
81	autonomousRosu		From the dark sound, right from the start of the track, it evokes a deep darkness…
82	Fruit of SandNakatani Miki		A captivating song where darkness and healing coexist
83	night after nightKurahashi Yoeko		It sounds expansive and cheerful, and yet, strangely...
84	scumbag man and stupid womanDomura Riu		Depicting a distorted relationship between a man and a woman, and giving the courage to break free.
85	The Edge of the Blue SkyOkuda Miwako		A Song of Hope to Overcome Life's Despair
86	Goblin shark?Hiiragi Kirai		A Vocaloid song with the alluringly eerie worldview of Hiiragi Kirai
87	Voice of the SeaKiritani Kenta		Digital release under the name “Urashima Tarō (Kenta Kiritani)”
88	Qshiina mota		Dark/sick but with a sense of liberation, rock and refreshing
89	Shut up.Ado		Expressing a sense of discomfort with society through punk rock
90	HANABIMr.Children		"HANABI" is a masterpiece of Code Blue.
91	lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE		A moving song by Mrs. GREEN APPLE that portrays youth
92	evening primroseNovelbright		Novelbright’s “Tsukimisou” is a moving masterpiece that resonates with the heart.
93	PretenderOfisharu Higedan Dism		Can express a man's candid feelings in a breakup song
94	together; along with; bothWANIMA		A cheering song that conveys a positive spirit—courage and hope
95	idolYOASOBI		YOASOBI’s popular songs are supported by a wide range of generations.
96	I became someone else’s girlfriend.wacci		A song about complex feelings toward an ex-boyfriend
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 won’t fall in love anymore.Makihara Noriyuki		I got my heart broken without even knowing why, and she...