Ranking of Dark/Jaded Japanese Songs [2026]
We’re showcasing the monthly top 100 “yami” J-pop songs ranked by view count, all in one place.
When you’re feeling down, upbeat or empowering tracks can help—but sometimes you need songs that gently sit with your pain and offer sympathy.
The playlist is updated weekly.
- Popular Depressive Songs Ranking [2026]
- Popular “yami” songs: Japanese music / J‑Pop artist rankings [2026]
- Sad Song Rankings [2026]
- Lonely Song Rankings [2026]
- Popular Heartbreak Song Rankings [2026]
- [Songs to Listen to When You Want to Die] I want to disappear... A song to support you who feel that way
- Popular Tearjerker Song Rankings [2026]
- [Dark Songs] A carefully curated selection of deeply dark tracks and heartbreaking songs that accompany you in tough times
- Saddest Songs Ranking [2026]
- [Trash Songs] A carefully curated selection of tracks about the lowest, worst kind of loser—and hidden gems!
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- [Support for the Heart] Songs That Give You Courage When Times Are Tough
- Ranking of Tear-Jerking Japanese Songs [2026]
J-Pop Yami Song Rankings [2026] (61–70)
DarlingSuda Keina64rank/position
Keina Suda, known as a Vocaloid producer and singer-songwriter, has released “Darling,” a song that’s gone viral on social media.
Sung from a woman’s perspective, it expresses love for a man who won’t turn around to notice her.
While it includes elements often labeled as menhera or yandere, the song depicts only straightforward, sincere affection—without resentment or anger.
Incidentally, the music video portrays her mental distress a bit more concretely.
Watching it will likely leave a very different impression.
seems like (just) my imaginationChōchō P65rank/position
This is a heartbreak, gloomy song that sings of the pain and despair of knowing the person you love won’t belong to you alone.
“Kokoronashi” means “it’s just how you feel in your heart” or “it’s just your imagination.” It doesn’t describe being clearly rejected, but rather the agony of sensing they’re seeing someone else while struggling between your feelings of love for them and your possessiveness.
If being alive is painfulMoriyama Naotaro66rank/position
This is Naotaro Moriyama’s 16th single, released in 2008.
The song is themed around facing life and death, and the impact of its opening lyrics is very strong.
However, those lyrics are not negative; they carry a message that by taking a moment to reflect on your own life, you can reaffirm what it means to live.
Perhaps it’s important, at times, to listen closely to this song, not run from the pain but rather sit with it, and spend time facing yourself.
My Room, My Dress Shirt, and MeHiramatsu Eri67rank/position
This is Eri Hiramatsu’s eighth single, released in 1992.
It became her biggest hit and won the Japan Record Award for Lyrics.
A film of the same name, inspired by the song, was later released.
The lyrics are distinctive, and if you change the way you listen to it a little, you may find yourself thinking, “This woman is unwell.” The vocals and melody are sweet and very cute, but with deeper listening you notice something different beneath the surface.
Hide and Seek19’s Sound Factory68rank/position
Days passed in fear of being disliked, unable to show my true self to others.
But the person who hated me the most was myself.
I’ve been playing so many different characters that I no longer know which one is the real me, the song says.
It ultimately comes to the conclusion that it’s about time I acknowledge myself.
phantom / illusion / vision / fantasyShibata Jun69rank/position
Shibata Jun’s “Maboroshi” depicts the loneliness that follows a breakup.
It’s included on the album “Watashi,” released in 2005.
The melody unfolds in a quiet tone that evokes the pitch-black darkness of night, deepening the sense of isolation.
The lyrics, which express the pain of being unable to accept as reality a lover’s betrayal and the fact that they are leaving, tighten the chest.
When you can’t face the reality of a breakup, why not rest your heart slowly with this song?
LOSERYonezu Kenshi70rank/position
This is Kenshi Yonezu’s fifth single.
He also showcases dance in the music video.
The distinctive rhythm and the breathless singing and rap parts make you think, “That’s amazing.” Rather than straightforwardly cheering you up, it feels more like something you should listen to when you’re feeling down—letting yourself sink into the rhythm and experiencing the song’s impressive ups and downs.