Ranking of Popular Japanese Music/J-POP Artists Among People in Their 20s [2026]

GOOD DAYMrs. GREEN APPLE1rank/position

Mrs. GREEN APPLE「GOOD DAY」Official Music Video

As for artists popular among teens and ones they want to sing, I’d say it’s got to be Mrs.

(Green Apple).

This is a song born in September 2025 from the wish to “brighten and energize Japan.” The vocal range isn’t extremely high; even at the top it’s a light falsetto in the chorus.

Even teenage boys, whose singing can be unstable, should be able to pull off Mrs.

songs as long as they can clearly switch between chest voice and falsetto.

You’ll want to keep a light feel throughout, so like Omori-san, raise your eyebrows firmly and aim to resonate around your forehead when you project your voice.

Also, since the last chorus modulates and the range goes up, articulating a bit more strongly will help you get more sound out than you might expect!

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Kubota Mami

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peace signYonezu Kenshi2rank/position

Kenshi Yonezu – Peace Sign

This is a song by Kenshi Yonezu that stirs the heart with its powerful vocals and exhilarating sound.

Produced in June 2017 as the opening theme for the first cour of Season 2 of the Yomiuri TV–affiliated anime “My Hero Academia,” it resonates with the desire to become stronger on nights spent crying over one’s own inadequacy, and with the resolve to become a hero to protect someone important.

The contrast between high and low registers carefully expresses emotional shifts, so when singing, it’s best to pay attention not only to pitch but also to dynamics and phrasing.

bouquetback number3rank/position

back number – Bouquet (full)

A love song that portrays a man trying to convey his many feelings for her, like a “bouquet” where various flowers come together.

Although the protagonist doesn’t give a clear answer to the girl who voices her anxieties, he actually cares for her more deeply than anyone else.

The lyrics capture the heart of a man who can’t bring himself to express those feelings honestly.

The structure interweaves parts that feel like a conversation between the protagonist and his girlfriend with parts that sing of the protagonist’s inner thoughts, making his emotions come through more vividly and realistically.

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HATSUMI

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Kokoro-eroodo obu mejyaa4rank/position

Road of Major / Kokoro-e

This is one of the signature songs by Road of Major, a band that started from a TV show concept.

It was also used as the opening theme for the anime Major and is beloved as an anime song that evokes the world of sports.

With its straightforward band sound and refreshing sense of speed, it conveys the youthful momentum of dashing under a clear blue sky.

The lyrics powerfully portray striving toward one’s dreams, making it a track packed with youthful spirit.

It’s a song you’ll want to perform with strength and sincerity so that its message of youth comes through loud and clear.

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kappamaki

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Spring Dayaimyon5rank/position

Aimyon – Harunohi [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

This song served as the theme for the film Crayon Shin-chan: Honeymoon Hurricane ~The Lost Hiroshi~.

Aimyon, who has long been a big fan of Crayon Shin-chan, crafted a gentle song that begins with “Kitasenju Station,” tying together the fact that Hiroshi proposed to Misae on the platform at Kitasenju Station and the film’s storyline.

While many of Aimyon’s songs can sometimes carry a prickly edge, this one fully draws out her tender side to portray Shin-chan’s warm worldview.

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SAKI

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Dear BrideNishino Kana6rank/position

Kana Nishino “Dear Bride” MV (Short Ver.)

It’s a popular song for weddings.

It’s a track packed with Kana Nishino’s charm.

It’s filled with heartfelt wishes for a friend’s marriage, and listening to it warms your heart.

You can feel the depth and tenderness of friendship, and it’s sure to resonate with many people.

It was released in October 2016 and won the Japan Cable Radio Award that December.

It’s perfect not only as a wedding song but also for expressing your feelings to someone special.

Why not give it a listen when you want to feel the bonds you share with friends and family?

~asterisk~ORANGE RANGE7rank/position

ORANGE RANGE – *Asterisk*

ORANGE RANGE is a five-member mix-genre band that gained popularity with party songs featuring three vocalists with different vocal ranges.

Their ninth single, “*~Asterisk~,” was used as the opening theme for the TV anime BLEACH and became a major hit rock tune.

If you’re in your twenties—the generation that likely watched the anime—the story may overlap with your memories and make your heart race.

Its driving, fast-paced melody lifts your spirits—an uptempo crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for firing up karaoke sessions with friends of the same generation.

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Hoshino Takashi

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SubtitleOfisharu Higedan Dism8rank/position

Official HIGE DANDism – Subtitle [Official Video]

A heart-touching ballad that portrays the difficulty of expressing love in words and the fragility of feelings that melt away like snow.

Released digitally in October 2022 as the theme song for the drama “silent,” the song expresses the earnest attempt to convey one’s feelings of love through a delicate, piano-centered melody.

It achieved its first overall No.

1 on Billboard JAPAN’s JAPAN HOT 100, and surpassed 21 million streams.

When you’re frustrated because you can’t put your feelings for someone special into words, this song is sure to be by your side.

Starlight ParadeSEKAI NO OWARI9rank/position

SEKAI NO OWARI “Starlight Parade” Music Video

This song, which makes you feel as if the space before you lights up and fills you with brightness, is SEKAI NO OWARI’s second major-label single, released in 2011.

Its sound conveys the warmth and splendor that perfectly match the title “Starlight Parade,” and you can’t help but feel excited, right? The lyrics capture not only the sparkle of Christmas but also a hint of bittersweet romance.

Although the song has a high vocal range and is quite challenging, try singing it while imagining vocalist Fukase’s sweet voice!

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yuri

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The BeginningONE OK ROCK10rank/position

ONE OK ROCK – The Beginning [Official Music Video]

ONE OK ROCK is a four-member rock band that now represents Japan’s rock scene and enjoys popularity overseas.

Their 7th single, “The Beginning,” which was used as the theme song for the film Rurouni Kenshin, kicks off with a chorus over a piano and guitar ensemble that immediately amps up the energy.

The powerful melody riding on the fast-paced rock sound is sure to hype up any karaoke session.

However, the key is higher and the melody more intricate than it sounds, so make sure to practice thoroughly beforehand to sing it coolly at karaoke.

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Hoshino Takashi

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