Lovely Vocaloid

Masterpieces of Vocaloid Ballads [Tear-Jerking / Heart-Wrenching]

A Vocaloid producer who is also a music writerWakachan Araki
I’ve worked in a variety of roles—regardless of pro or amateur settings—including live event PA, cameraman for video and photography, restaurant staff, and logistics center staff. I now spend my days as a part-time writer. I’ve contributed to music and manga websites with feature/review articles, and wrote the liner notes included as a bonus for 1st PLACE Inc.’s “IA SUPER BEST.” As for my music background, I started playing guitar in junior high and focused on band activities during my school years. For over 15 years since then, up to the present, I’ve continued releasing original tracks as a Vocaloid producer. My areas of expertise are Japanese rock, Vocaloid, and manga.

When you’re feeling wistful or sad, what kind of music do you listen to?

Some people might choose bright, uplifting tracks.

But I bet quite a few prefer slower songs that seem to stay close to how they’re feeling in the moment.

So in this article, I’ve put together a collection of Vocaloid ballads.

I’ve picked out a wide range, from recent hits to long-loved classics.

I hope you find a song that fits your heart perfectly.

Vocaloid Ballad Masterpieces [Tear-jerking & Heart-wrenching] (1–10)

sea fireflyKashii Moimi

Sea Firefly / Moimi Kashii feat. Chifuyu Hanakuma

Umi-Hotaru Kashii Moimi

This song leaves a striking impression with a quietly seeping melancholy, like a secret whispered on the ocean floor.

It’s a track by Vocaloid producer Moimi Kashii, released in September 2024.

The protagonist’s feelings, woven in response to the beautiful glow of sea fireflies, gently tell a story of lost love, deep regret, and an unhealed sense of loss.

Chifuyu Hanakuma’s richly layered vocals further bring those emotions into sharp relief.

As the memories of a loved one flood in, the heart sinks ever deeper.

Delicately capturing the subtlest shades of feeling, this work is a gem of a ballad that tenderly stays close to the sorrow of losing someone dear.

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When I die,Tuna.

“When I Die,” / feat. KAFU Music Video

When I die, you know, Tuna.

This track features KAFU on vocals.

Transparent, airy singing floats over a gentle band sound, quietly bringing to the surface the loneliness and sense of loss that lie deep within.

The “what if” question suggested by the title invites you to reconsider the meaning of living.

When your heart feels tired or you want a quiet moment to face yourself, take the time to listen closely.

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pure whiteSecret Piercing

Pure White / KAFU

A pure-white secret earring

It’s a ballad where salvation and a curse are two sides of the same coin.

The track is by Vocaloid producer Naisho no Pierce, known for songs like “Proposal,” and its music video was released in November 2025.

While it conveys a sense of resignation toward life, the protagonist’s life is tethered by someone precious, which is deeply moving.

It feels emblematic of the creator’s style—“adorable yet depressingly beautiful”—and the more you listen, the more the bittersweetness wells up.

Why not give it a listen on nights when you want to fill the hole in your heart or sink into a sentimental mood?

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Vocaloid Ballad Masterpieces [Tearjerking & Heart-wrenching] (11–20)

Thank youfin

‍

Thank you, fin.

A poignant ballad with a bittersweet melody and a heartfelt message of gratitude.

In this work by fin, Hatsune Miku’s whispery vocals and the piano’s ethereal tones resonate deeply.

You want to honestly convey a simple “thank you” to someone important, yet you can’t find the words.

That inner conflict and warmth are gently portrayed within the calm flow of the song.

The melody and lyrics harmonize beautifully, making this a gem of a track that stirs profound emotion.

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The Path of the Lost ChildYuri Kuriyama

Lost Child's Path feat. Hatsune Miku / Yūri Kuriyama

Lost Child’s Path, Kuriyama Yuuri

A deeply profound Vocaloid song that gently stays by your aching heart.

Created by Yuri Kuriyama, it was released in November 2024.

It’s a tie-in track for the multimedia project “Maimai Maigoen,” themed around one of its characters, Yuu Okada.

As the protagonist’s theme in the game, it will especially resonate with those who have played it.

When you lose sight of your path, this song will surely be there to stay by your side.

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I'm afraid to live.Hiromi Hashimoto

I'm scared to live / Is it okay or not?

Hiromi Hashimoto, afraid to live

An unadorned title—precisely the kind that resonates with many.

This is a track by Hiromi Hashimoto, a Vocaloid producer known for a piano-focused musical style, released in April 2023.

With its warm piano and sweeping strings that make your heart tremble, it’s a deeply emotional work.

The lyrics, reflecting a sense of “difficulty in living,” are a lump of raw feeling that almost anyone can relate to.

Combined with the careful delivery of each and every word, it truly strikes a chord.

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Scenerinri

Scene / Naruka Hime

Scene ethics

The heartrending ballad “Scene” featuring Meika Hime is also a must-listen.

This is rinri’s entry for “VocaColle 2024 Winter Rookie.” The lyrics portray a man who has lost someone precious, reflecting on his memories.

Watching the animated music video may convey the situation even more clearly—be sure to watch through to the outro.

Also, although it’s a ballad, the arrangement builds momentum toward the latter half, which is another highlight.

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