Theme Songs, Insert Songs, and Popular Song Rankings by Female Singer-Songwriters [2026]

If I could forgive youieiri reo8rank/position

Leo Ieiri – “If I Could Forgive You” (Theme song for Fuji TV’s Monday 9 p.m. drama “Absolute Zero: Uninvestigated Crimes Undercover Investigation”)

This song by Leo Ieiri, released in 2018, is also well-known as the theme song for Fuji TV’s Monday 9 p.m.

drama “Absolute Zero: Pre-Crime Task Force.” I bet many people learned about the song through the drama.

Its dark worldview pairs well with the moody atmosphere of the music video.

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Saitō Ayumu

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Don’t give up on your dreamsOkamura Takako9rank/position

Don't Give Up on Your Dreams – Takako Okamura (Full)

Released in 1987, this is a signature song by singer-songwriter Takako Okamura.

Although it was originally themed around heartbreak, it has become a classic anthem that everyone knows, and as of 2020 it continues to be loved and sung by many people.

It also drew attention on the TV program “24-Hour Television” when Nogizaka46 covered it.

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KOH-1

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You make me happy!Hayashi Momoko10rank/position

[HD] Fresh Pretty Cure! [ED] Non-credit version — You make me happy!

It’s the first ending theme of Fresh Pretty Cure!.

This song marked the first time 3D CG was used in an ending, with the Precure dancing.

It includes sounds like record scratching, and the tempo is relatively slow, giving it a finish that evokes a disco-like atmosphere.

Things that have formShibasaki Kou11rank/position

Ko Shibasaki – Something That Has Form

Ko Shibasaki’s sixth single is marked by heartrending lyrics that tighten the chest.

This work speaks of eternal love and its many forms.

Through beautiful imagery—like the fragile glow of the moon and the voices of the stars—it expresses both time that has passed and love that remains unchanged.

Released in August 2004 as the theme song for the TBS drama “Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World,” it debuted at No.

2 on the Oricon singles chart and became a major hit, surpassing 800,000 copies shipped.

Its lyrics, which empathize with the sorrow of losing someone dear, resonate deeply.

It’s a song that can be a source of strength for those who have endured painful experiences.

togetherNakajima Miyuki12rank/position

together

Miyuki Nakajima is a singer-songwriter who achieved the remarkable feat—unique among solo artists in Oricon’s history—of topping the singles chart across four different decades.

Her 47th single “Tomo ni,” released as a double A-side with “Ride on the Silver Dragon’s Back,” was written as the theme song for the TV drama PICU: Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Its lyrics, which teach the value of moving forward without looking back, are likely to give courage and hope to many.

Set against a gentle ensemble, her powerful vocals push you onward in this dramatic number.

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Hoshino Takashi

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A flower of no colorUtada Hikaru13rank/position

Hikaru Utada “A Flower of No Particular Color”

Hikaru Utada’s “Naniiro demo nai Hana” (A Flower of No Particular Color) was released on February 12, 2024, and moved many as the theme song for the drama “Kimi ga Kokoro o Kureta Kara” (Because You Gave Me Your Heart).

The piece is characterized by its profound expressions of love and its dreamlike imagery.

The lyrics, which well up like surging emotions, weave together the joys and sorrows of romance, as well as hope and despair for an ever-changing future.

Accompanied by Utada’s voice that resonates to the core, the song touches on the essence of eternal love.

As love takes many forms for different people, listeners will find themselves reflecting inward through this song.

Why not listen to this heartfelt work and revisit your memories of the drama?

Zankyo SankaAimer14rank/position

Aimer「Zankyosanka」MUSIC VIDEO（Demon Slayer:Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc Theme Song）

Released in January 2022 as Aimer’s 20th single, this song was selected as the opening theme for the popular anime Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Entertainment District Arc.

It topped the Billboard Japan Hot 100 for nine consecutive weeks, surpassed 200 million streams, and received a Special Award at the Japan Record Awards.

Masahiro Tobinai’s bold arrangement features resplendent brass and strings that brilliantly capture both the opulence of the red-light district and the tension of battle.

The lyrics, imbued with a powerful resolve to overcome past pain and resound into the future, embody the very determination of characters who confront their fate.

Performed even in cheering scenes at Koshien, it’s a song cherished not only by anime fans but also by many listeners running through their youth.