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.
Playlist
| Ranking of Heart-Wrenching Songs by Male J-Pop Singers [2026] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | Our FailureMorita Doji |  play_arrow | Morita Doji’s masterpiece, a sound that resonates in the heart |
| 2 | All of the YouthFujifaburikku |  play_arrow | A poignant classic that portrays the end of youth, expressing emotions with profound depth |
| 3 | Flywayhalyosy |  play_arrow | Introduction to the song “Flyway,” newly written by halyosy for Leo/need |
| 4 | Cats and Allergieskinoko teikoku |  play_arrow | A poignant ballad about the distance between lovers. |
| 5 | Spot the differenceSuda Masaki |  play_arrow | A positive song by Masaki Suda produced by Kenshi Yonezu |
| 6 | Maplesupittsu |  play_arrow | A ballad depicting the protagonist accepting the pain of parting and moving forward. |
| 7 | Cherry Blossom Rainhalyosy |  play_arrow | A moving song depicting Hatsune Miku's graduation |
| 8 | Unrequited love.haji→ |  play_arrow | Chock-full of aching feelings, an unattainable… |
| 9 | Donut holehachi |  play_arrow | A bittersweet Vocaloid song produced by Kenshi Yonezu |
| 10 | futureKobukuro |  play_arrow | To keep on loving, I kept hiding my feelings of love... |
| 11 | rainbowSuda Masaki |  play_arrow | Masaki Suda’s “Niji,” written and composed by Huwie Ishizaki |
| 12 | budKobukuro |  play_arrow | A song of feelings for a precious person and hope for the future |
| 13 | the red threadKobukuro |  play_arrow | Love tied by a red thread |
| 14 | Voice of the Seaurashima tarō (kiritani kenta) |  play_arrow | “Umi no Koe” is Kenta Kiritani’s unrequited love song. |
| 15 | White LoversKuwata Keisuke |  play_arrow | A ballad that depicts the feelings of winter love |
| 16 | SquallFukuyama Masaharu |  play_arrow | A heartfelt song by Masaharu Fukuyama depicting a summer romance |
| 17 | Fire◎Flowerhalyosy |  play_arrow | Summer is the season of love! The fleeting nature of being in love… |
| 18 | single bedSha ran Q |  play_arrow | A ballad that portrays the feelings of recovering from heartbreak and moving forward |
| 19 | The Last RainYasushi Nakanishi |  play_arrow | A gem-like ballad portraying rain and parting |
| 20 | MissingKubota Toshinobu |  play_arrow | Toshinobu Kubota’s heartrending ballad that sings of deep love. |
| 21 | Night of Osmanthuskinoko teikoku |  play_arrow | On an autumn night, the scent of osmanthus brings back memories. |
| 22 | You have no idea how much I like you.Gō Hiromi |  play_arrow | Hiromi Go's mature-sounding ballad |
| 23 | TRUE LOVEFujii Fumiya |  play_arrow | The mystery of breakup songs being played at weddings |
| 24 | Shadows of Youthchūrippu |  play_arrow | A ... that Tulip released in 1974 |
| 25 | I loved you.Naoto Intiraymi |  play_arrow | A heartrending love song that portrays parting with a loved one |
| 26 | Only goodbyes make up life.Ito Kashitaro |  play_arrow | A life facing farewells and loneliness |
| 27 | Goodbye once moreOzaki Kiyohiko |  play_arrow | A masterpiece ballad that portrays parting in a positive light |
| 28 | I can’t put it into wordsofukōsu |  play_arrow | Off Course's ballad about the end of love |
| 29 | Nylon threadSakanakushon |  play_arrow | Sakanaction’s mellow summer song |
| 30 | Tears of MagnoliaSutādasuto☆Rebyū |  play_arrow | A love ballad that sings of the sense of loss from losing a loved one |
| 31 | cherrysupittsu |  play_arrow | A signature song by Spitz and a classic that portrays the feelings of love |
| 32 | red-yellow fragrant olive (Osmanthus fragrans)Fujifaburikku |  play_arrow | A masterpiece by Fujifabric that depicts an autumn scene |
| 33 | Yokohama TwilightItsuki Hiroshi |  play_arrow | Set in the port town of Yokohama, it paints a scene of a heartrending farewell... |
| 34 | Harmony at the End of SummerInoue Yosui & Anzen Chitai |  play_arrow | Inoue Yosui and Anzenchitai’s “Harmony at Summer’s End” |
| 35 | Waltz of StarlightSen Masao |  play_arrow | Masao Sen’s soul-stirring farewell song |
| 36 | Something CertainOda Kazumasa |  play_arrow | It's a song that was also used in a commercial, so you might know it... |
| 37 | Side DishShimizu Shota |  play_arrow | An adult R&B tearjerker that sings of the struggles of love. |
| 38 | End of SummerShimizu Shota |  play_arrow | A bittersweet memory of a summer’s-end romance |
| 39 | The town where you liveShimizu Shota |  play_arrow | A poignant song seeking the shadow of a lost love |
| 40 | Snow CountryYoshi Ikuzo |  | The scenery of the northern country and the heart-stirring singing voice of Yoshikazu Ikuzō |
| 41 | Love LetterGACKT |  play_arrow | The heart-resonating ballad “Love Letter” by GACKT |
| 42 | everything; the whole lot; lock, stock, and barrelKREVA |  play_arrow | KREVA’s classic that colors summer memories |
| 43 | Baby, I love youTEE |  play_arrow | A signature song that expresses a bittersweet love from a male perspective |
| 44 | All My Homies [Prod. BACHLOGIC / Dir. Himatsu]ZORN | ![All My Homies [Prod. BACHLOGIC / Dir. Himatsu]ZORN](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/IyMjsbSxl2U/default.jpg) play_arrow | A song that portrays the loneliness and anguish of living in modern society |
| 45 | Goodbyekariyushi 58 |  play_arrow | Simple lyrics and vocals that resonate with the heart |
| 46 | Nanakariyushi 58 |  play_arrow | A heartwarming song imbued with the meaning of a name |
| 47 | That line is the horizon.kururi |  play_arrow | A song that shines with Quruli’s distinctive worldview |
| 48 | rose flowerkururi |  play_arrow | Major debut in 1998. This is 20... |
| 49 | Blown by the windElefanto Kashimashi |  play_arrow | It’s one of Elephant Kashimashi’s classic songs… |
| 50 | Because it’s important…kerakera |  play_arrow | Was selected for the theme song of the drama “Last Cinderella”... |
| 51 | paper airplaneKobukuro |  play_arrow | Love is a paper airplane; if you launch it, it might reach. |
| 52 | meteorKobukuro |  play_arrow | The drama in which Yutaka Takenouchi and Aya Ueto enter into a contract marriage, “… |
| 53 | Blue and gentleKobukuro |  play_arrow | A song of courage and hope that never gives up on dreams |
| 54 | Effeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Gōruden Bonbā |  play_arrow | The parody of the Mega Shaki commercial song is hugely popular. |
| 55 | Slow motionSakanakushon |  play_arrow | Sakanaction’s sophisticated songs |
| 56 | Crescent Moon SunsetSakanakushon |  play_arrow | Very heartrending lyrics, and the mel… sounds so heartrending too. |
| 57 | The world calls it love.Sambomasutā |  play_arrow | Train Man theme song, a classic about a bittersweet unrequited love |
| 58 | Sly womanSha ran Q |  play_arrow | It’s a hardcore heartbreak song, so I’ll dare to keep it realistic… |
| 59 | Tokimeki Part 1supittsu |  play_arrow | A poignant first-love classic by Spitz that resonates with the heart |
| 60 | Spicasupittsu |  play_arrow | A double A-side single with Spitz’s “Kaede” |
| 61 | Robinsonsupittsu |  play_arrow | Timeless youth anthems and heart-stirring masterpieces |
| 62 | Before you become a memorysupittsu |  play_arrow | A poignant love classic by Spitz: Feelings for You |
| 63 | Nagisasupittsu |  play_arrow | A refreshing summer song that portrays memories of love and heartfelt emotions. |
| 64 | I should be able to fly (in the sky).supittsu |  play_arrow | Introduction to Spitz’s classic love songs |
| 65 | Beautiful finsupittsu |  play_arrow | An ocean-inspired worldview, a Detective Conan theme song, and a classic by Spitz |
| 66 | I won’t forget who you are now.Naoto Intiraymi |  play_arrow | Naoto Inti Raymi’s song from Keiko Kitagawa’s commercial |
| 67 | Love Dial 6700Fingā 5 |  play_arrow | Depicts a graduation ceremony romance in Finger 5’s signature song |
| 68 | LA LA LA Love SongKubota Toshinobu with Naomi Kyanberu |  play_arrow | A love song by Toshinobu Kubota and Naomi Campbell |
| 69 | Love ForeverKatō Miriya × Shimizu Shōta |  play_arrow | “Love Forever” — a melancholic masterpiece in the Setsuna style, poignantly moving. |
| 70 | Merry Christmas Mr. LawrenceSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | A masterpiece in which the musical elements of the East and the West are splendidly fused… |
| 71 | Farewell, my loverSakai Masaaki |  play_arrow | “Farewell, My Lover” is a heartbreak song that expresses the sadness of parting. |
| 72 | JuggernautNatsushiro Takaaki |  play_arrow | Takao Natsushiro's signature song Guitar Rock |
| 73 | A critical hit!Amatsuki |  play_arrow | An unrequited-love cheer song. It gives you courage. |
| 74 | Ruby RingTerao Akira |  play_arrow | Akira Terao’s “Ruby no Yubiwa” (“Ruby Ring”) is from 1981… |
| 75 | Until we meet againOzaki Kiyohiko |  play_arrow | Kiyohiko Ozaki’s “Until the Day We Meet Again” is a diffe… |
| 76 | One more time,One more chanceYamazaki Masayoshi |  play_arrow | A poignant song featured in a Suntory commercial and as a movie theme |
| 77 | I am here.Yamazaki Masayoshi |  play_arrow | With a soothing melody and vocals that put the listener at ease, releasing the tension in their shoulders… |
| 78 | Stop the night once moreSakiya Kenjirō |  play_arrow | Lighthouse commercial and Kenjirō Sakiya’s classic song |
| 79 | homeKiyama Yusaku |  play_arrow | Yusaku Kiyama’s “HOME” is just so heartrending… |
| 80 | A long nightMatsuyama Chiharu |  play_arrow | Chiharu Matsuyama’s “Long Night” is a heartrending classic. |
| 81 | A Letter to YouKuwata Keisuke |  play_arrow | This is Keisuke Kuwata’s 17th single. Teruyoshi Uchimura... |
| 82 | Sad feelingsKuwata Keisuke |  play_arrow | Keisuke Kuwata’s solo songs: a sense of loneliness hidden within bright tones |
| 83 | Surfing JohnnyKuwata Keisuke |  play_arrow | Southern Kuwata's summer classic, a bittersweet love |
| 84 | After the FestivalKuwata Keisuke |  play_arrow | Keisuke Kuwata’s solo songs: masterpiece tracks that evoke autumn |
| 85 | Let me hear the poetry of the wind.Kuwata Keisuke |  play_arrow | Keisuke Kuwata’s bittersweet summer song |
| 86 | Sakura (Solo)Moriyama Naotaro |  play_arrow | Moriyama Naotaro’s famous graduation ceremony song |
| 87 | The End of SummerMoriyama Naotaro |  play_arrow | Naotaro Moriyama’s classic song that sings of summer’s end |
| 88 | If being alive is painfulMoriyama Naotaro |  play_arrow | A moving song that depicts the suffering and hope of life |
| 89 | cherry blossomKawaguchi Kyogo |  play_arrow | Postponement of the song’s release and the Doraemon commercial song |
| 90 | MelodyTamaki Kōji |  play_arrow | Living together as two is the greatest happiness. |
| 91 | HELLOFukuyama Masaharu |  play_arrow | Masaharu Fukuyama is popular as a singer and actor. |
| 92 | dearestFukuyama Masaharu |  play_arrow | A ballad that sings of devoted love for a beloved person |
| 93 | SakurazakaFukuyama Masaharu |  play_arrow | Not only as a top-class actor, but also as a radio DJ and... |
| 94 | fireflyFukuyama Masaharu |  play_arrow | Masaharu Fukuyama's heartrending summer ballad |
| 95 | Wish feat. YU-A (Foxxi misQ)Dōji-T |  play_arrow | The poignant hit song “Negai” by Dozi-T |
| 96 | with youAyaka × Kobukuro |  play_arrow | A love song by Ayaka and Kobukuro. |
| 97 | Gazing at the starsSuda Masaki |  play_arrow | A heartrending love story gazing up at Masaki Suda’s star |
| 98 | My Baby ~The More I Fall in Love, The More~Zushi Sankyōdai |  play_arrow | Love song by Zushi Sankyodai |
| 99 | I can’t say it.Gō Hiromi |  play_arrow | A song about the pure-hearted feelings of a man who can’t say he loves her |
| 100 | Too Dear (duet with Tiara)KG |  | A blissful song whose bittersweet love lyrics soothe the heart |