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 (21–30)
Maximum reachSEKAI NO OWARI
SEKAI NO OWARI is a band known for creating many warm, uplifting songs.
The track they wrote specifically as the opening theme for the anime ONE PIECE is “Saikō Tōtatsuten” (The Highest Point).
This song is linked to the anime’s storyline and sings about the protagonists’ exploits.
It also carries a message meant to encourage those going through tough times, so it’s sure to resonate even with people who haven’t watched the anime.
And after listening, I think it will leave you feeling positive.
Goodbye DeclarationChinozo
Debuting with the dawn of the Reiwa era, “Goodbye Declaration” has been loved by many listeners.
Since its release in April 2020, it quickly made a name for itself, racing past 10 million views on YouTube in no time.
Its popularity even led to a manga serialization, shining a bright light on Chinozo’s creativity.
Embracing every listener with a sense of fun, its momentum shows no signs of stopping.
Though it’s a challenging piece as a Vocaloid track, it’s a song that’s sure to get the crowd going if you can sing it.
electric shockYonezu Kenshi
Kenshi Yonezu’s “Kanden” was written as the theme song for the TBS drama MIU404.
Released as a digital single in 2020 (Reiwa 2), it topped Oricon’s Digital Single Chart.
It’s a funk number featuring a lavish horn section, with a brisk rhythm and a sophisticated, mature sound.
The music video, shot at Toshimaen—an amusement park that closed in 2020—also drew attention, surpassing 10 million views just four days after its release.
horizonback number
Back Number’s “Suiheisen” (Horizon) was written for high school students who had been aiming for the 2020 Inter-High School Championships, which couldn’t be held due to the impact of COVID-19.
The music video was uploaded as a surprise on the band’s official YouTube channel and drew such a response that it surpassed 100 million views.
In 2021, to commemorate the successful holding of that year’s Inter-High, the song was re-released as a digital-only single and reached No.
1 on the Billboard charts.
I’m a messMY FIRST STORY
The song “I’m a mess,” marked by its heavy guitar riffs and dynamic rhythm section, carries an energy that powerfully resonates with listeners.
The chorus, which unfolds dramatically, evokes the freshness and poignancy of youth and captures the hearts of many.
The intricacy of the guitar sound is also appealing as a technical challenge for instrumentalists.
The nuanced, expressive vocals deepen the song’s world with emotional richness.
There’s a reason it has continued to be loved by countless fans since its release.
The grand emotional portrayal presented by MY FIRST STORY makes this track truly emblematic of its era.
StarmineDa-iCE
Da-iCE, the five-member group that always captivates us with their powerful combination of dance and vocals.
Their 22nd single “Starmine,” released on August 22, 2022, became a massive hit, racking up over 500 million views on TikTok! The lyrics, like dazzling fireworks coloring the night sky, and the powerful sound elevate each other even further.
It’s quite a high-key song, so if you can pull it off at karaoke, you might just surprise everyone around you.
An energetic track that leads listeners toward a positive mindset.
Kaiju no Hanabuta (Monster’s Flower Song)Vaundy
This is a song by Vaundy, who began posting his music on YouTube in 2019 and made a big splash after appearing in the 73rd NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen in 2022.
Despite a title that suggests something different, its heartrending lyrics and overwhelming vocal performance have captivated many fans, especially younger listeners.
According to Vaundy, the title ‘Kaiju no Hanauta’ and the identically pronounced word with different kanji that appears in the lyrics have different meanings.
He has said, ‘I’ll talk about what this means someday.’ It seems we’ll have to wait a bit longer to hear the true meaning behind this song.
