# The best J-pop songs

Combining the Heisei-era song popularity poll, JOYSOUND's Heisei karaoke ranking and all-time sales: the J-pop classics sung across generations.

- 15 votes · 20 items
- Nov 28, 2024 · moviejunkie_wandering
- https://even.best/en/l/434/the-best-j-pop-songs

## Top 20

1. **A Cruel Angel's Thesis — Yoko Takahashi** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — 1995. The Neon Genesis Evangelion theme; number one in JOYSOUND's Heisei karaoke ranking.
2. **Lemon — Kenshi Yonezu** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — 2018. Theme of the drama Unnatural; a record-breaking digital hit in Japan.
3. **Idol — YOASOBI** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — 2023. The opening of the anime Oshi no Ko; the first Japanese-language song to top the Billboard Global Excl. US chart.
4. **Kiseki — GReeeeN** (1 · ▲2 ▼1) — 2008. Theme of the drama Rookies; number one in the Heisei songs popularity poll.
5. **Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana — SMAP** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — 2003. Written by Noriyuki Makihara; the single sold over three million copies.
6. **Cherry — Spitz** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — 1996. Masamune Kusano's song of youth; third in the popularity poll.
7. **First Love — Hikaru Utada** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — 1999. Its album of the same name is the best-selling album in Japanese history.
8. **Robinson — Spitz** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — 1995. Spitz's biggest hit.
9. **Shima Uta — THE BOOM** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — 1992. Built on Okinawan folk scales; a hit again in Argentina when covered there.
10. **Hanamizuki — Yo Hitoto** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — 2004. A ballad sung endlessly at karaoke; second in JOYSOUND's Heisei ranking.
11. **Chiisana Koi no Uta — MONGOL800** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — 2001. An indie classic from the Okinawan band; third in the karaoke ranking.
12. **Yoru ni Kakeru — YOASOBI** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — 2019. The debut of the duo that turns short stories into songs; the first big hit of the Reiwa era.
13. **TSUNAMI — Southern All Stars** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — 2000. About 2.9 million singles sold; Japan Record Award.
14. **Pretender — Official Hige Dandism** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — 2019. Theme of the film The Confidence Man JP; a long-running streaming hit.
15. **Tentai Kansoku — BUMP OF CHICKEN** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — 2001. Motoo Fujiwara's story-like lyrics made it a generational anthem.
16. **LOVE LOVE LOVE — DREAMS COME TRUE** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — 1995. Theme of the drama Aishiteiru to Itte Kure.
17. **Ito — Miyuki Nakajima** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — 1998. A wedding staple that inspired a 2020 film.
18. **Eikō no Kakehashi — Yuzu** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — 2004. NHK's theme song for the Athens Olympics.
19. **Nada Sōsō — Rimi Natsukawa** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — 2001. Lyrics by Ryoko Moriyama, music by BEGIN; an Okinawan classic.
20. **Konayuki — Remioromen** (-1 · ▲0 ▼1) — 2005. Featured in the drama 1 Litre of Tears; a winter staple.

How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.