[Latest/Trending] A roundup of popular Japanese songs among teens and people in their 20s

Egaku MiraiMyGO!!!!!

MyGO!!!!! × Taiji (Aqua Timez) & Daisuke (Aqua Timez) “Egaku Mirai” Animated MV (Full-size ver.) [Artist Tie-up Song]

Selected as a tie-in song for BanG Dream! Girls Band Party! in September 2025, this work was newly written by Futoshi and Daisuke from Aqua Timez.

The unique, emotionally rich words and melodies they crafted blend with MyGO!!!!!’s emotional band sound, and the resulting chemistry is wonderful.

While singing of youthful confusion and anxiety, the lyrics also stay close to a hope for the future, resonating with those experiencing similar struggles.

It’s a light-filled, encouraging anthem.

shameless; indecentCHANMINA

CHANMINA – Shameless (Dance Performance Video) –

Chanmina, who draws popularity with a diverse musicality rooted in hip-hop, is an artist known for her powerful, straightforward expression.

Among her works, the title track of the acclaimed album “Harenchi” stands out for its stylish, pleasantly smooth sound.

The song portrays the instinctive exhilaration and danger of love within a languid, ennui-tinged atmosphere.

The delicate emotions hidden beneath the direct wording are sure to resonate deeply with listeners.

Released in September 2021, it was also chosen as the theme song for ABEMA’s dating show “Tonari no Koi wa Aoku Mieru 3.” Draped in a sophisticated, café-ready mood, it’s the perfect track for moments when you want to feel just a bit more grown-up.

Secret GardenBE:FIRST

BE:FIRST / Secret Garden -Music Video-

This track, rooted in 2010s R&B and marked by a groovy, sophisticated sound, is a song by BE:FIRST produced by SKY-HI.

Created together with renowned LA producers, it seems to portray secret moments with someone special, but in fact it sings of their deep love for music itself.

The lyrics, which express respect for music through the metaphor of romance, are sure to spark the listener’s imagination.

Released in August 2025, it was also featured in a Unilever campaign.

The song is included on the single “Sora” and their first best-of album “BE:ST.” It’s an urban, mellow number that’s perfect for when you want to feel just a bit more grown-up.

Blue JeansHANA

HANA / Blue Jeans -Music Video-

Produced by Chanmina, HANA is one of today’s most talked-about girl groups.

When their debut single “ROSE” was released in April 2025, it topped the Billboard JAPAN Hot 100.

Among HANA’s songs, the one I especially recommend is their second single—the group’s first mid-tempo ballad love song.

The highlight of this track is, above all, its lyrical world.

You want to stay true to yourself like a pair of well-worn jeans, yet in front of the person you like, your confidence falters and jealousy creeps in.

It paints a picture of those bittersweet late-night feelings of love.

Many listeners will likely relate to the anxious thought of not knowing when you’ll see each other next.

It’s a stylish and emotional piece that also features a collaboration with the casual brand DIESEL.

HOWLAyumu Imazu

Ayumu Imazu – HOWL [Music Video]

Singer-songwriter Ayumu Imazu, who has been immersed in music since childhood and honed his craft while studying in New York, is drawing attention for his versatility—handling everything from songwriting and composition to dance choreography himself.

This track, newly written as the opening theme for the TV anime “Let’s Go to Karaoke!” and set for release in July 2025, pairs a driving, night-run energy with an emotive melody for a distinctly stylish vibe.

The song portrays the unique struggles of adolescence and the complex feelings that mix the joy and confusion of being needed by someone, drawing listeners in with its delicate expression.

This dance number, which balances coolness and pop appeal, is sure to lift your mood—perfect for listening on your commute to school.

reverse dreamKing Gnu

King Gnu – Sakayume

This is the fourth single by King Gnu, a four-piece mixture band whose members each have a broad musical background and high-level performance skills, dominating the J-pop scene with music that is both sophisticated and popular.

The song was used as the ending theme for the animated film Jujutsu Kaisen 0, and was released as a double A-side single together with Ichizu, which served as the main theme.

With its majestic sound driven by strings and piano, and a hip-hop-inspired beat featuring funky guitar, it truly embodies what “mixture rock” is all about.

It’s a modern classic we especially want the younger generation—teens and people in their twenties—to hear.

ObsessedAyumu Imazu

Ayumu Imazu – Obsessed [Music Video]

Ayumu Imazu, who writes and composes his own songs and even choreographs his dances, is drawing attention as a Gen Z global artist.

His release from January 2024 is a pop tune themed around the sweet, bittersweet feeling of falling for someone right away.

While bewildered by his own tendency to fall in love easily, he expresses in down-to-earth words how he becomes more and more captivated when the other person seems too perfect.

Before its official release, the demo went viral on TikTok, and it sparked a worldwide boom after top Asian artists—starting with SEVENTEEN—showcased the dance.

Its laid-back, chill sound and pleasant melody also make it a perfect BGM to liven up conversations with friends.