[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 love] A love song about being in love with your idol (21–30)
Beyond a thousand nightsAqua Timez
It’s a love song filled with a strong resolve to tell the one you love how you feel—no matter what.
It’s one of rock band Aqua Timez’s signature tracks, released in 2006 as their second single.
It was chosen as the theme song for the film “BLEACH: Memories of Nobody.” The lyrics overflow with heartfelt affection, and they’re truly moving.
They make you think, “I want to feel this strongly about someone, too.”
A love I can tell no one abouterica
Singer-songwriter erica, whose down-to-earth songs about being in love are especially popular among young women.
Even from the title, this song—“A Love I Can’t Tell Anyone About”—is already heartbreaking.
It captures the feeling of loving someone you can call your everything, and yet knowing that your feelings won’t be accepted—that it’s a love that won’t come true—but you still love them so much you can’t help it.
I’m sure there are people who will be moved to tears by this song.
Even when you know it’s a love that won’t be fulfilled, you can’t stop how you feel—everyone knows that feeling all too well, don’t they?
[Ria-ko / Ria-koi / Gachi-koi] Love Songs About Being in Love with Your Oshi (31–40)
At the moment of parting, I fall even more in love.Nogizaka 46
Even though we’ll see each other again tomorrow, the fact that we can’t meet today is still heartbreaking… That feeling can only be genuine, head-over-heels love, right? It’s a song by the popular idol group Nogizaka46, included on their 12th single “Taiyou Knock,” released in 2015.
Beneath its cool tone and melodic lines, flickers of wavering emotions peek through—making it a deeply emotional piece.
In terms of lyrics, it might resonate most with junior high and high school students.
The more you stan, the more bittersweet it becomes—that’s what true, intense crushes are like.
RehearsalKondō Natsuko
This work paints the unreachability of feelings and the bittersweetness of unrequited love over a fast-paced sound.
It’s a song by Kondo Natsuko, a singer-songwriter from Shimane Prefecture, included on the 2009 single “Kondo Mania 3.” It was used as the ending theme for the anime Cross Game.
Supporting someone—being a fan—is fundamentally a one-way feeling.
Even if you know in your head that “that’s only natural, and there’s nothing you can do about it,” you still sometimes feel lonely.
That’s exactly when this song will resonate.
My idolized pop starAKB48
Admiration for a Pop Star depicts the fluttering feelings of a girl who swoons over her favorite idol as they deliver songs and dances amid thunderous cheers.
It’s performed by members of AKB48’s Team A.
With a retro sound reminiscent of Showa-era pop, it has an irresistibly nostalgic charm.
The song portrays a girl captivated by her idol’s shining presence at a live show.
From the moment she wakes up to the time she falls asleep, she thinks about the one she loves—an idol song overflowing with sweet, cute, and slightly bittersweet feelings.
More than lovers, less than love (TV Size)＝LOVE
A song by =LOVE produced by Rino Sashihara.
Chosen as the opening theme for a TV anime, the track is included on their 18th single slated for release in February 2025.
This song, which depicts complex feelings of love, features a pop, catchy melody.
Its lyrics align with the anime’s world, expressing the protagonists’ delicate relationships.
Members Kiara Saito, Hitomi Takamatsu, and Iori Noguchi are also set to appear as voice actors in the anime.
It’s a recommended track for anyone who’s experiencing the frustrations of love!
Someone like you.riria.
This is a song by Riria that delicately portrays the complex emotions of love.
It expresses the protagonist’s feelings—unable to openly admit their affection for the other person—through a clash of opposing emotions such as denial and acceptance, anger and joy.
Released digitally in October 2024 and used as the ending theme for the TV anime Ranma 1/2, based on Rumiko Takahashi’s original work, this track is highly recommended for those struggling with romance or finding it hard to be honest with their feelings.
Listening to it is sure to stir your heart.