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

PuzzleNEW!Ikuta Rira

Rira Ikuta “Puzzle” Official Music Video

Rira Ikuta’s “Puzzle,” released digitally in January 2026, is a newly written track serving as the theme song for ABEMA’s popular dating show Today, I Fell in Love.

Following Romance no Yakusoku and Sparkle, this marks the fourth time she has provided a theme for the series.

With lyrics that liken the gradual formation of budding feelings to assembling a puzzle, it’s a song that will awaken anyone’s bittersweet memories of youth.

A perfect pop tune for those who want to feel a little spark in everyday life.

PurikyukyuNEW!CUTIE STREET

[MV] CUTIE STREET “Purikyukyu”

How about an irresistibly cute dance number bursting with dazzling synths? Performed by CUTIE STREET, an idol group bringing “KAWAII” to the world, this track centers on “purikura,” a true symbol of youth culture.

Written and composed by YUPPA, it captures the rush of a photo booth session and all its quirky ‘relatable moments’ with addictive flair.

It’s the perfect sound for those times when you just want to boost your mood.

cliffhangerNEW!Hinatazaka46

Hinatazaka46 “Cliffhanger” Music Video

The 16th single’s title track, “Cliffhanger,” released in January 2026, drew attention for featuring fifth-generation member Manami Ono as center.

Its lyrics carefully depict the emotional shifts leading up to the return of romantic feelings.

Composed by Katsuhiko Sugiyama, the dramatic melody line creates a distinctive sense of uplift that hints at the story’s next chapter.

It’s a pop tune that pulls you into a sound where tension and release coexist, brimming with the feeling that something new is about to begin.

AIZONEW!King Gnu

AIZO

A rock tune that overwhelms with its thrilling twists and a lyrical worldview where love and hate intertwine.

Created by King Gnu, the band that commands the music scene with a commanding presence, this track was written as the opening theme for the TV anime Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3: The Shibuya Incident Part 1.

Released for streaming in January 2026, it debuted at No.

1 on the Oricon Weekly Digital Singles chart.

Its sound, in perfect sync with the work’s palpable tension, is guaranteed to get your heart racing just by listening.

It’s the perfect song to flip your motivation switch or blow away a brooding mood.

faint noseNEW!Kitanitatsuya feat. BABYMETA

Kasuka na Hana – Faint Flower – (Opening theme for Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku Season 2)

A collaborative release by Tatsuya Kitani—who showcases multifaceted talent as a Vocaloid producer and bassist—and the globally active BABYMETAL.

Released in January 2026, this work was written specifically as the opening theme for Season 2 of the TV anime “Hell’s Paradise.” The dramatic sound crafted by Tatsuya Kitani merges with BABYMETAL’s vocals to form an ensemble that instantly draws listeners into the story’s world.

The lyrics, which evoke an image of embracing doubt while striving to live strongly, will encourage anyone facing challenges.

It’s an emotional track where alternative elements and catchy melodies blend to exquisite effect.

lulu.NEW!Mrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE「lulu.」Official Music Video

Released in January 2026 to mark the beginning of Phase 3, this work drew major attention as the opening theme for the second season of the TV anime Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.

Its lively rhythm propels the story forward, and the cinematic sound that seems to fling the vista wide open in the chorus is especially striking.

Motoki Omori’s woven melodies beautifully complement the world of the series.

Feel the start of a new adventure through this song.

The world has ended.NEW!Yuuri

The world has ended.

Singer-songwriter Yuuri continues to captivate countless listeners with his powerful vocals and relatable lyrics.

His single “The World Has Ended,” released digitally on January 14, 2026, has been drawing attention as it was written as the theme song for the drama “Reunion ~Silent Truth~.” Its message—depicting an unwavering conviction that you matter more than anything else, even at the very end of the world—overflows with a profound love that stirs the listener’s heart.

With a medium-tempo rock sound of grand scale and emotionally charged vocals that feel just right, it’s a track everyone who wants to protect someone dear should hear.