Showa Era Popular Artist Rankings [2026]

Wax MuseumSeikima II91rank/position

THE HOUSE OF WAX (The House of Wax – Japanese ver.)

Seikima-II’s songs, created as part of their long-running mission to conquer the Earth since the Showa era, are perfect for Halloween.

This particular track, a shocking piece released in April 1986, depicts the terror of a girl being turned into a wax doll in a mansion deep in the forest.

The lyrics hint at a brutal incident and the fear of losing tomorrow within it, sending chills down the listener’s spine.

The song was also used as an insert track in the anime Beelzebub.

It’s a highly recommended pick when you want to create a scary atmosphere at a Halloween party.

Sailor Suit and Machine GunYakushimaru Hiroko92rank/position

Hiroko Yakushimaru Sailor Suit and Machine Gun

This work, which marked Hiroko Yakushimaru’s debut single, was released in November 1981 as a movie theme song and became a major hit.

With its pure image and clear vocals, it offered a fresh impression amid the idol boom of the time.

The lyrics, themed around a girl’s growth and a new departure, were also embraced as an anthem that draws out the hidden strength of youth.

Thanks in part to the movie tie-in, it became a blockbuster on the Oricon charts, selling about 1.2 million copies.

It is a landmark 1980s idol song—one to be listened to alongside memories of one’s youth.

240 Million Eyes -Exotic Japan-Gō Hiromi93rank/position

Hiromi Go – 240 Million Eyes -Exotic Japan- / THE FIRST TAKE

This is one of Hiromi Go’s signature songs, blending lyrics that celebrate the beauty and culture of Japan with an energetic disco-style rhythm.

Released in November 1984, the track coincided with a time when Japan was beginning to attract international attention, and it became a major topic of conversation.

Through this work, Hiromi Go expressed a strong desire to share the uniqueness and allure of Japanese culture with the world.

In live performances, flashy staging further enhances the song’s atmosphere, continuing to captivate audiences.

It’s a recommended track for anyone who wants to rediscover what makes Japan special or needs a boost of energy.

ChampionArisu94rank/position

Champion (Live ver.) / Alice [Official Movie]

A signature song by Alice that dominated Japan’s music scene in the late 1970s.

With its distinctive fusion of folk and rock, it became their only single to reach No.

1 on the Oricon charts.

The lyrics, said to mirror the figure of boxer Cassius Naito, portray a veteran champion in decline and deftly capture the emotions of someone facing a turning point in life.

The song also drew major attention on television, spending four consecutive weeks at No.

1 on TBS’s “The Best Ten.” Featuring Shinji Tanimura’s powerful vocals and the exquisite harmonies of Takao Horiuchi and Toru Yazawa, this is a track we recommend to anyone standing at a crossroads in life.

I am the wind.Karumen Maki & OZ95rank/position

Carmen Maki & OZ - I Am the Wind

It’s a track that sends chills down your spine with Maki Carmen’s voice—like a witch’s monologue, or a cry from the soul.

The structure unfolds from a quiet narration into a storm-like roar, powerfully shaking the listener’s emotions.

This dark, fantastical atmosphere seems perfect for setting the mood on a mysterious Halloween night.

The piece is included on the classic album “Carmen Maki & OZ,” released in January 1975.

If you use it as BGM for a night when you want to forget the everyday and set yourself free, it might awaken the true self sleeping deep within your heart.