[Ria-ko / Ria-koi / Gachi-koi] A love song about being truly in love with your idol
Words like “ria-koi,” “riako,” and “gachi-koi” are probably familiar if you live the stan life.
In other words, it refers to people who are truly in love with their unattainable faves—idols, voice actors, band members, and the like.
We’ve put together a playlist of real “riako songs” that we hope those hardcore lovers will listen to—tracks that capture that aching, helpless feeling you can relate to.
From bittersweet, heart-wrenching ballads to upbeat anthems that shout “Long live gachi-koi!”, we’ve got plenty to share.
Some lyrics might hit a bit too close to home… but here we go!
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[Real Crush / Real Love / Serious Crush] A love song about being in love with your oshis (1–10)
The ultimate fave!Suzuki Airi
Airi Suzuki’s song “Saikyo no Oshi!” (The Ultimate Oshi!), released on October 25, 2023, was created as the theme song for the TV drama “My Oshi Became My Boss.” Written, composed, and arranged by Masayoshi Oishi, the single features jacket art by Ito Morinaga, the creator of the original comic on which the drama is based.
The ending dance choreographed by former PASSPO☆ member Sako Makita has also become a hot topic.
The lyrics are filled with a bittersweet yet passionate love that continues to support one’s oshi no matter what.
Listeners are likely to relate to the words as if they reflect their own feelings, and to feel encouraged by them!
A Love Gazed Through BinocularsMiyawaki Saki
Anyone who’s in love with their oshi (favorite idol/artist) will probably share the feeling of wanting them to know who you are.
It’s lonely when you know everything about your oshi, but they don’t know you.
The song “A Love Gazed Through Binoculars” captures that mindset and the way your mood gradually sinks.
Written by singer-songwriter Miyawaki Saki based on her own experiences, it’s a track that’s sure to tug at your heart.
We also recommend enjoying it together with the manga inspired by the song.
ALL MINEiScream
The drama “Gachi Koi Nenchakuju,” which portrays a woman in love with a celebrity.
Its opening theme is known as “ALL MINE.” The song is by the three-member music unit iScream, and the lyrics reflect the feelings of the drama’s protagonist.
Since it’s about “wanting to get to know your idol—and ideally, to date them,” many listeners will likely relate.
Also, be sure to check out the group’s hallmark: their dance performance.
[Ria-ko / Ria-koi / Gachi-koi] Love songs about being in love with your oshis (11–20)
Reflect it in those eyesaiko
When it comes to “riako” songs that overflow with straightforward feelings for a loved one, ‘Sono Me ni Utsushite’ stands out.
Singer-songwriter aiko included it on her 2006 album Kanojo.
From a perspective like watching your fave strive from afar, it delivers a warm message.
It carries the hope of being seen and known, even just a little, and her bittersweet yet cute vocals are soothing.
It’s a song especially for the riako crowd who think, “Cheering on the one I love is fun, but I want a deeper relationship…”
Mr FANCYakashikku
“Mr FANCY” portrays the honest feeling of falling for your idol on the screen.
The rock band Akashic, who blazed through the 2010s, released it in 2019.
It depicts a girlish figure tormented by an unattainable love, unfolding over a driving band sound.
From vocalist Rihime’s cute singing voice, you can imagine the aching, helpless mood.
It’s a song that makes your heart swell with its straightforward devotion: your love can’t reach your idol, and yet you can’t love anyone else.
blind girlR shitei
This is true infatuation—a visual kei band, R-Shitei’s “Blind Girl,” whose single-minded, fired-up feelings are so intense they actually feel good.
Doesn’t it make you think, “They must be an R-Shitei fan,” and feel almost uncomfortably real, like you can picture it? The title “Blind Girl” makes perfect sense too—it goes beyond being scary and comes off as almost refreshingly straightforward (lol).
That said, for those who recognize they’re currently in the throes of a real-life crush, the lyrics might be a bit hard to hear.
OKKAKEmakaroni enpitsu
This is a song I really want people who are truly crushing on a band member to hear: “OKKAKE.” As you can tell from the title, this track—included as the B-side to Macaroni Empitsu’s 2018 single “Lemon Pie”—captures the mindset of a hardcore fan.
It’s about loving a band for a long time, getting annoyed by comments from people who only know them a little, and all those “so true” feelings band-lovers can’t help but relate to.
It’s also a great number to belt out at karaoke and feel totally refreshed (lol).