Masterpieces of the Reiwa Era: Hit Songs That Define the Times
As the era shifted from Heisei to Reiwa, the way we listen to music has changed dramatically.
People buy CDs less often now, and more of us listen to music through subscription services.
It’s also no longer unusual to see up-and-coming young artists emerging, active mainly on social media and video platforms.
Amid these changes, many popular songs have been born in the Reiwa era and are loved by countless people every day.
In this article, we’ll showcase, all at once, the hit songs that took the era by storm from Reiwa Year One onward, including the latest smash hits!
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- New-era masterpieces meet culture! Reiwa-era tracks that went viral on TikTok
- Great for singing along or just listening! An energizing Reiwa-era feel-good song bursting with power.
- Songs that hype you up just by listening—recommended tracks from timeless classics to the latest releases
- Wedding song recommendations! Love songs born in the Reiwa era
[Masterpieces of the Reiwa Era] Hit Songs That Define the Times (71–80)
That gentle girlsupittsu
Spitz’s “Yasashii Ano Ko” was released in 2019, right after the start of the Reiwa era, as their 42nd single.
It was chosen as the theme song for the NHK morning drama series Natsuzora and reached No.
1 on the Oricon Digital Singles Chart.
Since the drama is set in Hokkaido, Ainu words also appear in the lyrics.
The song as a whole has an upbeat groove, but the chorus is performed with a calmer rhythm, creating an interesting, reverse-of-the-usual contrast.
The Zero Sense10-FEET
One song that seems poised to become a representative anime theme of the Reiwa era is “Dai Zerokan.” It’s a track by the rock band 10-FEET and serves as the ending theme for the animated film THE FIRST SLAM DUNK.
As the movie became a worldwide hit, the song also achieved major success.
Contributing factors likely include the way it plays during a striking scene in the film and lyrics crafted with the story in mind.
Those who saw the movie probably felt compelled to listen to it over and over again.
ultramarineYOASOBI
YOASOBI’s “Gunjō” was created based on a story text published on the official website for Bourbon’s Alfort Mini.
It’s a refreshing song that colored the youth of many high school students, serving as the theme for the dance club support project on Nippon TV’s information program Sukkiri and being selected as the entrance march for the 94th National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament in 2022.
With its message, “It’s okay to be yourself,” and “Even if you’re scared, if you trust yourself and keep moving forward, the path will surely open up,” this song has surely encouraged many listeners.
EdisonSuiyōbi no Campanella
Another song that drew attention for being performed on THE FIRST TAKE is Edison.
The one singing it is Wednesday Campanella, with Uta as the newly appointed vocalist—still fresh in our memories.
The melody has a hip-hop vibe, and the lyrics are crafted to rhyme with the title, Edison.
Repeated phrases appear throughout, so it’s guaranteed to stick in your head.
The instrumental break has an electro music feel as well, which is part of its charm.
It’s a unique musical style unlike anything else, so I hope you’ll give it a listen first.
Soldier, run.B’z
The B’z track “Soldiers, Run,” brimming with momentum, stands out for its stirring, motivational message.
Since its 2019 release, this song has been embraced as an anthem for Japan’s national rugby team, infectiously imparting its steadfast will to keep pushing past limits to listeners.
With powerful melodies and uplifting lyrics, B’z delivers a fiery cheer to everyone striving forward—the perfect soundtrack coloring the youth of the Reiwa era.
Just listening to it makes your heart leap; it’s the kind of impact that compels you to take action.
Lie Rai Lie RaiMYERA
A song that resonates deep in your heart and shakes your soul.
Set to be released as MYERA’s debut single in January 2025.
Riding a powerful beat, it sings of the resolve to confront a world of illusion, and as you listen, courage wells up inside you.
With the concept of “STAY REAL,” it’s packed with the feelings of five people pursuing their true selves.
It might make you want to face the real you within.
from hereSixTONES
Kaito Takahashi and Shintaro Morimoto co-starred in the much-talked-about TV drama “However, There Is Passion,” whose theme song is “Kokkara” performed by SixTONES.
The track’s appeal lies in the members’ freewheeling back-and-forth rap, a perfect match between hip-hop and a live band.
It’s a powerful number that feels like it can fire you up no matter the adversity.
With a melody and sound that stick in your head after just one listen, it’s a song that, precisely in the Reiwa era with its changing ways of listening to music, is likely to resonate with many different people.
