[2026] Popular Songs Among Today’s Youth [J-Pop]

SailingBE:FIRST

BE:FIRST / Sailing -Lyric Video- (「ONE PIECE LOG: FISH-MAN ISLAND SAGA」Ending Theme “Sailing”)

This is an ambitious work from BE:FIRST overflowing with upbeat messages and youthful passion.

Its powerful, hope-filled beat, melodies that sing of bonds with friends, and lyrics that convey determination for the future come together beautifully.

Showcasing the distinctive vocals of every member, this piece is sure to be a reassuring anthem for anyone striving toward their dreams.

Starting in November 2024, it was selected as the ending theme for the Fish-Man Island arc of the TV anime ONE PIECE, and in February 2025 it was included on the double A-side single “Spacecraft / Sailing.” It’s a song I especially recommend to those chasing dreams with their friends or about to take a new step forward.

If you’re looking for a motivational song that gives you courage and hope, be sure to check it out.

SpacecraftBE:FIRST

BE:FIRST / Spacecraft -from BE:FIRST DOME TOUR 2024-2025 “2:BE”-

BE:FIRST’s ambitious work, set against the vast backdrop of space, powerfully stirs the listener’s heart.

Its spacey, abstract sound is striking—like boarding a starship and launching into the unknown.

Through grand themes such as mystical darkness and light, time and fate, it awakens the courage to take on new challenges.

Included on the single “Spacecraft / Sailing,” released in February 2025, it also features “Sailing,” the ending theme for the Fish-Man Island arc of the TV anime ONE PIECE.

It’s a song that will surely push you forward when you want to break out of your shell and grow, or when you need the courage to take a new step.

If only I could just come to hate you.Ryohei Ab

Ryohei Abe “If only I could just come to hate you.” Music Video

A pop song that tugs at the heart with the ache of being unable to confess your feelings even while carrying love inside.

Featured on the album “THE BEST 2020 – 2025,” releasing in January 2025, this track pairs warm, rich production with emotional lyrics that gently support anyone struggling with love.

Ryohei Abe’s delicate vocals and expressive delivery resonate deeply with those holding on to fragile feelings.

The song carefully portrays the frustration of being unable to let go of your emotions while agonizing over the distance between you and the one you like.

If you haven’t been able to tell that special someone how you feel, you’ll surely relate.

Are you looking at the horizon?STU48

[MV] STU48 11th Single “Are You Looking at the Horizon?” MUSIC VIDEO YouTube Edit

The latest release from STU48, a group based in the Setouchi region, is a gem of a song that captures the feelings of young people chasing their dreams.

Set to a Showa-era pop-style melody, it portrays the protagonist’s inner conflict and resolve as they take flight from the countryside to the city.

Saki Sogawa serves as center for the first time, showcasing her fresh appeal to the fullest.

Scheduled for release in January 2025, the track’s music video juxtaposes traditional Japanese aesthetics with the bustle of urban life, making the visual artistry a highlight as well.

It’s a heartwarming piece that will resonate with those who carry both the loneliness of leaving home and the hope for what lies ahead.

Carrying HappinessMrs. GREEN APPLE

Carrying Happiness

A number that makes your heart leap just by listening, wrapping you in an extraordinary sense of bliss! Released by the rock band Mrs.

GREEN APPLE in July 2025, this song was chosen as the theme for Tokyo Disney Resort’s summer event.

It brilliantly captures the concept of an “exceptionally happy summer,” working like magic to energize anyone who hears it.

Its irresistibly bright melody and positive lyrics are sure to make the time you spend with your loved ones even more exciting!

You are a monster.TOOBOE

You Are a Monster / TOOBOE

This is a work by multi-creator TOOBOE, chosen as the ending theme for the TV anime “The Summer the Light Died.” Carefully crafted with a deep reading of the original, it brilliantly captures the emotional turbulence of realizing that the precious person right beside you is a monster.

As he describes it as “a song that grants Yoshiki forgiveness,” the portrayal of someone striving to accept everything about the other—overcoming fear and sorrow—is heart-wrenching.

Released as a single in August 2025, the piece deeply resonates with the story’s fleeting and beautiful worldview.

MEGA TSKRkameria & nanahira

MEGA TSKR / Camellia ft. Nanahira “ORIGINAL MV”

A collaboration track by two leaders of internet culture: Camellia, who captivates the world with a unique sound, and Nanahira, beloved for her ultra-pop vocals! Released in July 2025, this song is packed with highlights—Camellia’s signature high-speed, colorful beats and Nanahira’s piercing high-tone voice.

It’s an energetic number that naturally lifts your spirits.

Perfect for when you just want a burst of energy or need to blow away the haze of everyday life!