[2026] Must-listen! This Year's Best Japanese Hit Songs

SanitizerOfisharu Higedan Dism

Official HIGE DANDism – Sanitizer [Official Video]

A medium-tempo rock number by Official HIGE DANDism, released in December 2025 as their first non-tie-in work in about seven years.

As a song that signals the phase after their major third album, “Rejoice,” it purely shapes the music the band wants to deliver.

The lyrics depict the relationship between “I” and “you,” conveying the message that rather than unilaterally seeking salvation from the other person, it’s only by facing and overcoming one’s own weaknesses that one can truly stand beside someone important.

This aligns with the “purification” imagery suggested by the title.

It’s a song I especially want people struggling with relationships or looking to reexamine themselves to hear.

Fireworks in Augustmurasaki ima

Murasaki Ima – August Fireworks / Mulasaki Ima – unfading summer (MUSIC VIDEO)

A ballad that softly paints the flutter in the heart.

Released in August 2025, this song delicately weaves feelings of farewell to passing seasons and affection for the loved ones who shared those moments, resulting in a piece that gently nestles into the listener’s memories.

Her signature husky, expressive vocals further heighten the song’s sense of longing.

It’s perfect for those moments when the changing seasons stir up a touch of nostalgia.

RIDEONE N’ ONLY

ONE N’ ONLY／ “RIDE” Music Video

It’s a dance number that lets you feel a refreshing, happy vibe—like going on a drive with friends, swept by a tropical breeze.

Tropical sounds and reggaeton rhythms intertwine comfortably, resulting in a catchy track that makes your body move before you know it.

The lyrics sprinkle in English and Spanish, carrying a positive message that crosses borders and brings everyone together.

It’s filled with the glow of time spent with someone special and the uplifting energy of enjoying the moment.

Included on ONE N’ ONLY’s major-label debut album “AMAZONIA,” set for release in November 2025, this track is perfect for summer drives and parties with friends.

Dead Or AliveGLAY

GLAY / Dead Or Alive

A powerful rock number that propels GLAY, who sprinted through their 30th anniversary, into their next stage.

Released in December 2025, this track was written as the opening theme for the popular battle-fantasy anime Record of Ragnarok III.

In step with the grand tale of gods and humanity wagering their lives in combat, it depicts those who continue to fight against inescapable fate.

TAKURO’s dramatic melody meshes perfectly with HISASHI’s weighty arrangement grounded in Rotterdam techno, delivering both tension and exhilaration.

It’s a fiery rock tune you’ll want to play when you need to steel yourself.

True LoveINI

INI｜’True Love’ Performance Video

A youthful pop-rock number by INI included on THE WINTER MAGIC.

It was released in November 2025.

Written as the youth-theme song for the live-action film Romantic Killer, the track captures the exhilaration of the moment you fall in love—when the world bursts into color—through a buoyant beat and band-driven sound.

The chorus features a catchy melody that makes you want to sing along.

The lyrics convey a sincere desire to cherish days filled with heart-fluttering excitement, evoking the sweet and bittersweet memories of youth.

LAVALAVANumber_i

Number_i – LAVALAVA (Official Visualizer)

Included on the deluxe edition of Number_i’s second album, “No.

II,” this track is a driving song that fuses an up-tempo beat—like speeding down the highway—with a sweet, romantic melody.

While subtly weaving in the suffocating aspects of urban life and the anonymity of the online world, it portrays a down-to-earth love where the time spent with the person by your side is the one thing that feels genuinely warm.

The sound balances both a sense of speed and a chill mood—quintessentially Number_i.

It’s the perfect song for a winter night drive date.

end creditsTakahashi Yuu

Yu Takahashi “End Roll” MV

This is a mid-tempo ballad released in July 2025, marking the 15th anniversary of their major-label debut.

The song is filled with gratitude for the fans, staff, and friends who have supported them over the past 15 years, as well as a strong desire to keep singing into the future.

The first half unfolds gently, centered on piano, and gradually builds into a dynamic full-band sound in the latter half—an arrangement that’s truly moving.

It’s a warm number recommended for moments when you want to reflect on bonds with someone important or when you’re reaching a milestone in life.