Unrequited Love Song Ranking in Japanese Music [2026]

NAOHY36rank/position

SOLIDEMO / NAO（HY cover）

It’s a ballad that pierces the chest with the pain of unrequited love.

The song is included on HY’s 2006 album “Confidence,” by the Okinawa-born mix-genre band, and tells a story created by vocalist Izumi Nakasone based on a close friend’s real experience.

The piece vividly portrays the inner conflict of a woman who knows the person she likes has feelings for someone else and won’t return her affection, yet she just can’t give up.

The clear, airy vocals riding over the piano melody further highlight the sorrow of a love that won’t reach its destination.

It’s a must-listen for anyone who finds themselves empathizing with the urge to cling on, even as they sense the person they love slowly changing.

A Naked Heartaimyon37rank/position

Aimyon – Naked Heart [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

I think many people love the songs sung by the popular singer-songwriter Aimyon because her unadorned words pierce the heart.

This work is a ballad that gently stays close to a heart that has become timid about love.

Feeling lonely and wondering if you’ll always be alone, or envying someone who seems happy… It sings of the earnest desire to be loved by someone just as you are, without hiding those feelings.

The song was released in June 2020 as her 10th single and became a hot topic as the theme song for the drama “My Housekeeper Nagisa-san.” With a characteristically Aimyon, slightly nostalgic melody, it will gently embrace the pain of your struggles in love and make you feel like you can try again.

I want to be lovedYumcha38rank/position

Yumcha “Aisaretai” [Lyric Video]

A song for anyone struggling with unrequited love who wants to make their crush turn around.

It’s a track by singer-songwriter Yumcha, known for works like “More Than Friends, Less Than Lovers.” The lyrics portray a brave, upbeat protagonist who tries self-improvement to get noticed and even uses Instagram’s Notes feature to express their feelings.

Love that doesn’t easily come to fruition can be disheartening at times.

This song wraps your heart in comfort and fills you with a strong resolve to become even cuter and try again.

Released in November 2024, it quickly became a hot topic on social media and resonated with many, even reaching No.

30 on Spotify’s charts.

The Story You Don’t Knowsupercell39rank/position

The Story You Don’t Know – supercell

A poignant song by supercell that captures the bittersweet feelings of a youthful unrequited love.

It begins with a scene of stargazing with friends and unfolds with the narrator’s secret feelings for the “you” beside them.

The stars forming the Summer Triangle symbolically reflect the protagonist’s loneliness and unattainable love, leaving a strong impression.

Released in August 2009, it was also used as the ending theme for the anime Bakemonogatari.

Highly recommended for those carrying complicated feelings for someone they like or struggling to express their emotions.

Give it a listen, and perhaps find the courage to take that first step forward.

MetronomeYonezu Kenshi40rank/position

Kenshi Yonezu – Metronome

A song by Kenshi Yonezu that portrays the ache of unrequited love and the pain of parting.

The protagonist’s feelings—still searching for their former lover even after the breakup—are expressed with delicate wording.

The lyrics, imbued with a strong desire to convey unwavering love to the one who left, captured the hearts of many.

Featured on the album “Bremen,” released in October 2015, this track is known as one of the works that marked a turning point in Yonezu’s musical career.

It’s a song that stands beside those bearing the pain of heartbreak or who have experienced a farewell with someone dear.

Listening to it might be a good chance to spend some time facing your own feelings.

SparkleIkuta Rira41rank/position

Rira Ikuta “Sparkle” Official Music Video

Released digitally in January 2022, it was selected as the theme song for ABEMA’s romance reality show “Kyou, Suki ni Narimashita.

Mikan Arc.” For this piece, the melody was crafted first, then carefully layered with the tones of an acoustic guitar to complete the track, and it looks back on an unrequited love.

The protagonist’s feelings—overcoming the pain of a love that never came true and trying to move forward into the future—resonate quietly alongside her clear, transparent vocals.

It’s a song that will stay by your side on a night just after heartbreak, when you wish to face forward once again.

Christmas songback number42rank/position

back number – “Christmas Song” Music Video

A medium-tempo number from back number that captures the wintry atmosphere and the bittersweetness of unrequited love.

Set against the festive glow of Christmas, budding feelings and the inner conflict of longing for someone are expressed through a beautiful melody.

Released in November 2015, the song was featured as the theme for Fuji TV’s Monday 9 p.m.

drama “5→9: From Five to Nine,” and it captured the hearts of many.

Beloved as a winter staple, this piece is a song that stands by those struggling with love.