Unrequited Love Song Ranking in Japanese Music [2026]

GO FOR IT!!Nishino Kana64rank/position

Kana Nishino 'Go For It (Short 4-minute Excerpt Ver)'

This song carries a powerful message that transforms the bittersweet feelings of unrequited love into something positive.

Kana Nishino’s clear, expansive vocals and the catchy melody resonate deeply.

The lyrics capture both the honest desire to express feelings to someone you love and the hesitation born from shyness and anxiety, making it highly relatable for many women.

Released in July 2012, the track was also featured in a commercial for Yamazaki Bread’s “Lunch Pack.” It’s a perfect cheer-up song not only for women experiencing unrequited love, but for anyone who wants to find the courage to take a step forward.

Callchanmina65rank/position

Chanmina – Call (Official Music Video)

Chanmina, a female rapper also known as the Beyoncé of Nerima.

Her song “Call” is a breakup track that puts into words a slightly bitter lament about how a guy she was into suddenly flipped and fell for a girl who’s her complete opposite, leaving her hurt.

The feelings of “I was the one who misunderstood” and “But you liked me at least a little, didn’t you?” intersect, and in the end she puts on a brave face with “I don’t care about you anymore.” As a fellow woman, I understand that feeling well.

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sasashina

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beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko66rank/position

Beetle – aiko (Full)

It was their fourth single, released in 1999, and it was tied up as the ending theme for TBS’s “CDTV” in December 1999 and Fuji TV’s “Jobireba!?” It’s a rare song that expresses the feelings of unrequited love through a rhinoceros beetle.

From Me to Youflumpool67rank/position

flumpool “Kimi ni Todoke” Music Video

A pop tune by flumpool that was also used as the theme song for a film based on a popular comic of the same name.

The lyrics, told from a male perspective and depicting pure emotions, are irresistibly relatable.

The way the chorus suddenly soars—like feelings of love bursting out—is wonderful, too.

The dramatic development that calls to mind “When You Wish Upon a Star” is absolutely lovely.

Give it a listen when you just can’t hold back your feelings of love.

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KEI

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I became someone else’s girlfriend.wacci68rank/position

wacci “I Became Someone Else’s Girlfriend” Music Video

A love song woven with a voice that leaves a bittersweet afterglow, capturing a form of love different from a simple unrequited crush.

The emotions of a woman swaying between reason and feeling are portrayed with delicate nuance.

Though she should be satisfied with her new relationship, the frustration of being unable to sever her feelings for her ex presses on her heart.

Released digitally by wacci in August 2018, the song gradually gained popularity through word of mouth on social media, reaching 100 million total streams in June 2021.

It has sparked a major response, with many artists covering it.

This is a track that deeply resonates with anyone who feels, “I should be happy, yet I’m not fulfilled,” and who carries such complex romantic emotions.

makeupMy Hair is Bad69rank/position

My Hair is Bad – Makeup

The three-piece rock band My Hair is Bad released the poignant ballad “Keshou” in 2019.

Sometimes you fall in love, but the person you like has feelings for someone else, and you can’t even confess—ending in heartbreak.

This song is exactly about unrequited feelings, but… it also suggests there might be a physical relationship.

Being accepted in such a halfway manner, yet never becoming the most important person in the end—that’s really painful, isn’t it? For those who’ve been through the same experience, I think this is a heartbreak song that will make your chest tighten.

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sasashina

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You let me do as I please, and yet…arekunn70rank/position

You’re the one who let me fall for you / Arekun [Official Music Video]

A heart-wrenching love song by Are-kun that delicately portrays the feelings of a woman suffering from complex emotions after being led on and ultimately betrayed.

The protagonist falls in love and rides an emotional roller coaster in response to the other person’s behavior, while gradually sensing the loneliness of a cooling relationship.

Released in September 2020 and included on the album “Breath,” the song gained traction primarily on social media and drew widespread empathy.

It’s a resonant track that offers comfort to anyone who’s been strung along by suggestive behavior or is struggling with their feelings for someone they care about.