Carefully selected recommendations of Kenshi Yonezu’s songs and unforgettable masterpieces
Kenshi Yonezu continues to capture the hearts of countless listeners with his unique musicality and poetic lyrics.
After starting out as a Vocaloid producer, he has now become a leading figure in the Japanese music scene.
His repertoire is truly diverse, ranging from grand ballads to fast-paced tracks.
You might be thinking, “Which song should I start with?” or “I want to dive deeper.” In this article, we’ve carefully selected and introduced some of Kenshi Yonezu’s recommended songs.
We hope it helps you discover a track that resonates with your heart.
Introducing a carefully selected list of Kenshi Yonezu’s recommended and unforgettable masterpieces (1–10)
Ghost of the SeaYonezu Kenshi
How about a beautiful, dreamlike world that feels as if you’re sinking into the deep sea? This is a song by Kenshi Yonezu, a leading figure in the J-pop scene.
Its weighty orchestration blends with processed vocals, enveloping you in a curious, otherworldly sensation as you listen.
The lyrics, which evoke the presence of precious things unseen, stir a quiet sense of emotion.
Released as a digital single in June 2019, the track was written as the theme song for the animated film Children of the Sea, and it is also included on the album STRAY SHEEP.
Yonezu has been a fan of the original manga since his teens and had long hoped to create a song for its adaptation.
It’s a piece filled with respect for the original author.
Perfect for when you want to forget the everyday and surrender yourself to an overwhelming wave of sound.
CampanellaNEW!Yonezu Kenshi
This song is inspired by Kenji Miyazawa’s Night on the Galactic Railroad.
It was produced at the end of the album and most reflects Yonezu’s feelings at the time, resulting in a bittersweet yet beautiful worldview in a highly challenging ballad.
Judging from YouTube comments, many fans of Kenji Miyazawa and Night on the Galactic Railroad are drawn to it, showing just how popular the track is.
The overall vocal range spans D3 to B4, which seems relatively easy to sing, but the unique rhythm requires attention.
If you move your body like Kenshi Yonezu does, you can release tension and keep a good balance while singing.
Eine KleineYonezu Kenshi
This is an early masterpiece by Kenshi Yonezu, where his experience as Hachi merges with deeply human, heartfelt words.
Set to the warm tones of an acoustic guitar, it sings of the joy of meeting someone precious, along with the anxieties and loneliness that arise because of it.
The delicate portrayal of feelings—how caring so much for someone can make you frustrated with your own frailty—really resonates.
The song was included on the 2014 album “YANKEE” and became widely known as the theme for Tokyo Metro’s “Color your days.” commercial.
The self-animated music video has surpassed 300 million views on YouTube and continues to be beloved.
It’s perfect for quiet, contemplative nights or moments when you’re thinking of someone dear—why not give it a gentle listen?
1991NEW!Yonezu Kenshi
It’s the theme song for the live-action film “5 Centimeters per Second,” directed by Yoshiyuki Okuyama.
Born in 1991, Yonezu weaves his own life story together with the film’s narrative to create a delicate, heartrending ballad.
The song spans a wide range from F3 to D5, but the highest note appears only in the second verse’s B section.
Since this is where the poignancy stands out, it may help to use plenty of breath and project your voice straight upward as if squeezing it out.
Also, the rhythm throughout is distinctive, so pay attention to where you break the melody when you sing.
The range is relatively calm, so once you get used to the rhythm, it should be quite easy to sing.
BOW AND ARROWNEW!Yonezu Kenshi
This song was written as the opening theme for the TV anime Medalist.
It was released digitally on January 27, 2025, and the music video—featuring Yuzuru Hanyu, who also handled the skating choreography—garnered significant attention.
The track itself has a brisk tempo, so it’s best to have the lyrics memorized to some extent.
When singing, try to lock into the rhythm with a forward-driving feel without pausing; that way, you won’t get left behind by the melody.
To avoid going off pitch, keep your eyebrows and facial muscles lifted throughout.
MoonlightNEW!Yonezu Kenshi
This track, included on the fourth album “BOOTLEG,” was created at the very end of the album’s production.
It features a modern R&B sound that employs sampling techniques, and it embodies a complex perspective on past legacies and existing works.
Rather than being intense, it has a much gentler, more subdued atmosphere, so it seems best to sing it as if you’re resonating it in your head.
Instead of singing loudly, try to keep your delivery light throughout.
If you mark the rhythm by drawing circles in front of your face as you sing, it will help you stay relaxed and let your voice flow more easily—give it a try.
YELLOW GHOSTNEW!Yonezu Kenshi
This is a song on the album “LOST CORNER,” released on August 21, 2024, themed around sexuality.
It was intentionally created to sing about sexuality right from the start, depicting a foreboding ghost in the ambiguous hue of yellow.
Since it’s not a song meant to be sung clearly in a chest voice, it’s highly recommended for those good at falsetto.
The verse (A section) stays in a lower range, so sing using breath rather than your throat.
The chorus features a lot of falsetto as well, so you’ll need breath there too.
To keep your pitch steady, try singing with the sensation of lifting your eyebrows and letting the voice come from your eyebrows—your falsetto should stabilize as well.
It’s a short song, so please give it a try.