Ranking of Heart-Wrenching Songs by Male J-Pop Singers [2026]
What kind of music do you all like?
There are many types—fun songs, refreshing songs, and more—but I think many people also like “heart-wrenching” songs.
Among those bittersweet songs, here are recommended tracks sung by male vocalists, presented in a ranking format.
This list is updated regularly, so check back from time to time.
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Top 20 Most Heartbreaking Songs by Male Japanese Artists [2026] (Ranks 11–20)
MissingKubota Toshinobu15rank/position
This is a gem of a ballad by Toshinobu Kubota, known for his uniquely groovy style, perfect for an autumn night.
It poignantly conveys, with a soulful voice, the helpless love between a man and a woman who care deeply for each other yet can never be together.
The struggle of wanting to forget but being unable to, and the regret of wishing they had met earlier, really hits home.
The song was included on his debut album, “SHAKE IT PARADISE,” released in September 1986, and was used as an ending theme for shows like World Pro Wrestling.
Though it wasn’t released as a single, it remains one of his most beloved signature songs.
It feels like a gentle companion to the quiet loneliness that follows the bustle of summer.
Side DishShimizu Shota16rank/position
This is a song that wraps the frayed edges of love in a bittersweet yet warm melody.
Shota Shimizu’s smooth voice brings the emotions to the surface and stirs the listener’s heart.
The lingering attachment to someone unforgettable comes through quietly, yet powerfully.
Released in July 2021, the track is included on the album HOPE.
Depicting the tangles and heartache of love that anyone might experience, this song is recommended as one that gently accompanies lingering feelings.
It’s a must-listen for those nursing the pain of heartbreak or wishing to revisit a past romance.
the red threadKobukuro17rank/position
A love ballad by Kobukuro inspired by the legend that two people destined to be together are connected by an invisible red thread.
If you get a good answer on White Day, you might think, “We were connected by a red thread”…
or rather, you’d want to think so, right? The lyrics tell a story of two people whose relationship begins with a childhood crush and, over time, grows into true love—so much so that you could probably make a whole drama or film from them.
While inheriting the worldview Kobukuro has built so far, the song also feels fresh in its own way.
Voice of the Seaurashima tarō (kiritani kenta)18rank/position
The song “Umi no Koe” (Voice of the Sea) is an au commercial tune in which Kenta Kiritani, playing Urashima Tarō, sings of his yearning for Otohime.
The composition is by BEGIN’s Masaru Shimabukuro, and incredibly, the sanshin is performed by Kiritani himself.
The song is poignant not only because it’s about a love that may never reach its destination, but also because the simple sanshin melody and Kiritani’s unadorned vocals amplify the sense of longing.
It’s also a popular karaoke number, so if you’re experiencing unrequited love, why not sing it and let your feelings out?
White LoversKuwata Keisuke19rank/position
It is a lyrical ballad that depicts the bittersweet feelings of love in winter.
Released in October 2001, it is a work by Keisuke Kuwata themed around the winter season.
Rather than simply mourning a love that has passed, it also carries a sense of celebrating the memories of love, portraying warm emotions alongside scenes of a city blanketed in falling snow.
It was used as the theme song for Coca-Cola’s “No Reason” campaign commercial, and later featured in UNIQLO’s “LifeWear” commercial, earning affection from a wide audience.
It is a heartwarming song to listen to when you want to heal a heart hurt by love or reflect on cherished memories.
SquallFukuyama Masaharu20rank/position
Masaharu Fukuyama’s song delicately portrays the joys and bittersweetness of summer romance, brimming with the intensity and beauty of emotions like a passing summer shower.
Released in 1999 and included on the album “Magnum Collection 1999 ‘Dear’,” the piece won broad support from fans for its emotionally rich vocals and profound lyrics, and it was also featured in films and TV dramas.
In particular, it vividly captures the feelings of a woman in love, evoking each fleeting moment of a summer romance.
Showcasing Fukuyama’s vocal prowess and musical sensibility, this track is recommended for those in love and for anyone wishing to bask in summer memories.
Top 2026 Ranking of Melancholic Songs by Japanese Male Artists (21–30)
Fire◎Flowerhalyosy21rank/position
Speaking of summer, it’s the season of love! This song likens the fleeting nature of romance to fireworks coloring the night sky.
Even while regretting falling in love, the lyrics convey a continued longing for the other person.
Listening to it makes you feel as if a cool breeze is blowing, just like on a summer night.