Popular Japanese karaoke songs. Latest rankings [2026]

melancholicJunky91rank/position

Melancholic / Junky feat. Kagamine Rin

A cute unrequited-love song that portrays the feelings of a girl who just can’t be honest.

With its memorable, catchy melody, it debuted in September 2010.

Set to an upbeat band sound, it skillfully expresses a girl’s frustrating emotions.

If you’ve ever struggled with love, you’ll surely relate to that slightly bittersweet heart.

Why not belt it out while thinking of the person you adore?

Butter-FlyWada Kōji92rank/position

Butterfly Full Version-Digimon Adventure Opening

One of the defining anime songs of the Heisei era, this popular track frequently ranks near the top in all-time anime song lists! It’s characterized by its uptempo, powerful melody and vocals, and plenty of people sing it at karaoke.

The chorus in particular stays in the high register, so your stamina and vocal power will be tested.

If you let your guard down even for a moment, your pitch can drop into your throat.

This is a part where you really want to belt comfortably in chest voice, so take in a big breath through your mouth and project your voice far and confidently.

Just that alone should help your voice carry much better.

Keeping your energy up while singing is important too!

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Kubota Mami

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HAPPY BIRTHDAYback number93rank/position

back number - “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” Music Video (Theme song for the TBS Tuesday drama “A Story to Read When You First Fall in Love”)

An emotionally moving medium-tempo ballad that portrays the complex feelings of unrequited love—from the faint expectations on the eve of a birthday to the ache of emotions that never reach their destination.

In contrast to the happiness of a birthday, the loneliness and the sorrow of being unable to express one’s feelings straightforwardly resonate with a delicate melodic line.

Released in February 2019, the song was featured as the theme for the TBS drama “A Story to Read When You First Fall in Love,” and was also included on the album “MAGIC.” With vocals that gently embrace the bittersweet emotions of love that everyone has experienced, it’s a song well-suited for karaoke, where it can be performed in a calm, composed manner.

Maximum reachSEKAI NO OWARI94rank/position

SEKAI NO OWARI “Highest Altitude” ONE PIECE Lyric MV

A song by SEKAI NO OWARI that powerfully pushes the backs of those about to dive into an unknown world.

Its message—that by not looking away from your own weaknesses but accepting them and even turning them into allies, you can soar higher than anyone—turns the anxieties of a new beginning into solid hope.

Released as a digital single in September 2023, the track was written as the theme song for the beloved anime One Piece.

It was later included on the album Nautilus, released in March 2024.

It’s the perfect number for a farewell party when you want to passionately cheer on someone single-mindedly charging toward lofty goals—like a colleague leaving to chase a dream or a student retiring from a club to step onto the next stage.

Effeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Gōruden Bonbā95rank/position

Golden Bomber “Memeshikute” Music Video

Golden Bomber’s smash hit that marked their debut with a unique style as a “band that doesn’t play instruments”! With funny lyrics, a bouncy chorus, a melody steeped in the bittersweet nostalgia of Showa-era pop, and dance-rock arrangements, it overflows with the quirky charm of Kinbaku.

Released as a single in October 2009.

This song has been performed numerous times on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

Its biggest draw is how everyone can get hyped together.

The chorus is a dance number that gets even the audience moving, letting everyone join in the fun.

Thanks to choreography that anyone can do, it’s a popular pick for karaoke, too.

Let’s all sing along and turn up the excitement!