The New Wave of J-POP in the 2020s
In my previous post, I introduced a list of “20 Japanese Hits from the 2020s” that was heavily influenced by my personal taste. This time, however, I’d like to switch things up a bit by picking 20 songs that really became hits.
I’m talking about those tracks you’d hear everywhere—“That song was playing all over town,” or “It blew up in tandem with a box-office smash,” or even “I’ve been listening to this nonstop lately.” In other words, if the last article was the “B-side,” you could say this one is the “A-side.”
Of course, there are countless hit songs out there, and it’s impossible for me not to mix in my own preferences. Still, I hope you’ll forgive me for that! This blog is meaningful because it’s written from my perspective—and if all you want is “the single biggest seller,” it might be faster to check other media outlets instead.
So, think of this list as a blend of “my personal take” and “tracks that really dominated.” As a guideline, I’ve narrowed it down to songs that have racked up over 100 million streams on YouTube or Spotify. Without further ado, let’s look back on these standout hits of the 2020s together!
1. Kocchi no Kento – “Hai Yorokonde”
Release Date: May 27, 2024
You know those songs that somehow set up shop in your mind before you even realize it? This one definitely fits that description. At first, I didn’t really think, “Wow, this is awesome!” but then the melody would suddenly pop into my head at random moments. As I kept listening, the music aligned with both the broader pop-culture buzz and my own growing fondness for it, and bam—before long, I found myself thinking, “I kinda like this.” Next thing I knew, it was playing all over the city, spreading throughout the country—it’s got that mysterious, irresistible quality.
Thanks to this track, Kocchi no Kento became a household name across Japan. Interestingly, his older brother is the actor-singer Masaki Suda, who’s extremely well-known here—so well-known, in fact, that few people in Japan haven’t heard of him. And the younger brother is also active as an actor, meaning the entire family is brimming with showbiz talent.
2. Creepy Nuts – “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born”
Release Date: January 7, 2024
Anime: Mashle: Magic and Muscles Season 2 Opening Theme
This track shot to popularity in the blink of an eye, going viral worldwide for its quirky dance moves. I learned on an NHK program that just five days after its release, they signed with Arista Records in the U.S.—the speed of it all really blew me away. That same program also mentioned that the song’s buzz actually started in Ukraine, which was fascinating to hear.
It used to be that a track would catch fire in Japan first before gradually spreading overseas, but now we’re seeing the opposite: the world can latch onto a cool Japanese track right from the start. I’ve heard that when kids hear this tune, they’ll just break into a dance, which suggests there might be some universal charm embedded in the music.
3. Number_i – “GOAT”
Release Date: January 1, 2024
Number_i is a trio that split from one of Japan’s biggest male idol agencies, so it’s no surprise fans had mixed feelings about their departure from a group that was already so popular. However, their appearance at Coachella propelled “GOAT” into the spotlight and sparked a massive wave of attention. Having an established fanbase really does provide a powerful boost.
It seems that a big factor in their decision to leave the agency was their strong desire to break into the global market. In fact, their music doesn’t feel particularly geared toward Japan—it has a rich, layered sound that’s not your typical J-pop. Still, most of their Spotify listeners are currently in Japan, and their main activities are based here as well. They’re in the process of stepping onto the global stage, but even so, it’s clear from the way they create their music that they’re going to be a major force in Japan’s music scene moving forward.
4. tuki. – “Bansan-ka”
Release Date: September 29, 2023
At a sports goods store near my home, the latest hit songs are always playing, and I heard this song many times every time I passed by that store. Although it was released in 2023, it remained on the charts for a long time and seemed to be frequently played in various places even in 2024. Furthermore, it ranked third in the karaoke charts for the year 2024. As a debut single that became a huge hit and a singer-songwriter active at the young age of 15, I personally can’t help but draw parallels with Hikaru Utada.
Hikaru Utada caused a social phenomenon by releasing her first album “First Love” after a year of production activities when she was 14-15 years old, selling about 8 million copies in Japan alone. In recent years, with the trend of students being able to debut as artists through the internet, the number of emerging young artists is increasing, and the success of tuki. has become a major goal for many young people.
5. Ado – “Show”
Release Date: September 6, 2023
Collaboration Track with: Universal Studios Japan’s “Halloween Horror Nights”
Ado was responsible for all seven in-movie songs for the 2022 film “ONE PIECE FILM RED,” many of which became hits, and the movie achieved the fourth highest box office revenue in Japanese history. Furthermore, with the massive hit of her 2023 song “Show” and her remarkable appearance at Kōhaku Uta Gassen (Japan’s annual New Year’s Eve song festival where artists who have excelled that year are invited to perform), Ado has undeniably reached the pinnacle of Japanese female artists, both in name and reality. This particular song was composed and arranged by Giga and TeddyLoid, who previously worked on Ado’s hit song “Odo.” Their team composition is exceptionally compatible, and this collaboration once again proved their synergy.
This song truly embodies a “do whatever you want” feeling, brimming with tremendous energy while perfectly matching Ado’s outstanding and magical vocal prowess. As a result, it strongly resonates with listeners and has garnered widespread support.
Over the past four years since 2020, Ado has undoubtedly been one of the most active and successful artists. Although this article limits the discussion to 20 songs, there are so many hit tracks from the past four years that I would love to include even more. Nowadays, performing as an artist without showing one’s face has become common, but in Japan, there are hardly any other examples of achieving as much success as Ado without revealing her face.
6. King Gnu – “SPECIALZ”
Release Date: September 1, 2023
Anime: Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 “Shibuya Incident” Opening Theme
This is the opening theme for the second season of “Jujutsu Kaisen,” the anime adaptation of the hugely popular Shonen Jump manga. King Gnu, who wasn’t originally focused on pop songs, has been actively collaborating with other media in recent years while demonstrating a strong commitment to bringing their music to a wider audience. Their dedication and efforts to expand their musical reach are truly impressive.
It’s a bit of a mystery how a track this ominous can be so widely embraced. I found myself completely bewitched by it, listening to it alone on repeat. The unrelentingly eerie vibe throughout really feels like the perfect musical embodiment of Jujutsu Kaisen’s world.
In Japan, it’s typical for major artists to write original theme songs for anime or TV dramas, which is quite rare in other countries. The artist often has to pore over the manga or the drama scripts, working to deeply understand the story before crafting something genuinely original. It’s not enough to just reproduce the storyline as-is—you have to fuse it with your own musical sensibility and creativity. Knowing that, I can’t help but be amazed at King Gnu’s talent and effort in creating “SPECIALZ.”
7. Spitz – “Utsukushii Hire”
Utsukushii Hire, meaning “Beautiful Fins”
Release Date: April 10, 2023
Movie: Detective Conan: Black Iron Submarine Theme Song
I couldn’t read the character for “fin” (鰭) and mistakenly called it “美しいすし” (which would be “Beautiful Sushi”) for the longest time. But when I started hearing its actual title, Utsukushii Hire, on the radio and TV—riding the wave of the movie’s blockbuster success—I finally had my “Ah, I get it now” moment, and that was already a year and a half ago.
The second track on this single, “Inori wa Kitto”, actually holds a special place in my heart. I remember being in a bit of a slump at the time, and the lyrics felt almost like a personal message of hope, moving me to tears. In that sense, “Inori wa Kitto” is the real “hit” for me personally. But since the purpose of this article is to highlight songs that took off in the mainstream, I’ll stick to “Utsukushii Hire”
8. YOASOBI – “Idol”
Release Date: April 12, 2023
Anime: Oshi no Ko Season 1 Opening Theme
If you ask people in Japan what the biggest hit of recent years is, a lot of them would probably pick this track—it really was played everywhere. In an interview, Ayase—the composer for YOASOBI—admitted that he’d been thinking it might be time to wrap up YOASOBI, but creating this song made him realize he still had plenty more to offer.
Apparently, it took a year and a half to complete “Idol” The now-famous no-intro arrangement actually started out with a standard intro at first, but they decided to drop it. They also struggled with vocal production, experimenting with new approaches until they landed on a fresh singing style that finally clicked. In other words, YOASOBI reinvented their creative process and wound up with a hit that surpassed everyone’s expectations.
The song was also performed at the 2023 Kōhaku Uta Gassen, Japan’s annual New Year’s Eve song festival, featuring a massive dance collaboration with artists like Nogizaka46, Keyakizaka46, SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, NewJeans, and LE SSERAFIM. It’s extremely rare to see that many huge acts sharing a single stage for one song. The energy was off the charts, and by the end, the performance felt like a full-on festival.
9. Kenshi Yonezu – “KICK BACK”
Release Date: October 12, 2022
Anime: Chainsaw Man Opening Theme
“KICK BACK” is the theme song for the smash-hit anime Chainsaw Man, and it marked Kenshi Yonezu’s first-ever Gold record in the United States. The fact that it was a collaboration with Daiki Tsuneta—frontman of King Gnu—drew even more attention, and no one expected them to co-star in the music video.
In truth, Kenshi Yonezu and Daiki Tsuneta have been friends for quite some time; Tsuneta also took part in Yonezu’s 2017 album BOOTLEG on the track “Alice (爱丽丝).” These two collaborations were performed as a surprise at the final show of Yonezu’s 2022 “Henshin” tour in Saitama Super Arena. Whenever the two team up, it seems to spark a fierce, band-driven sound, which fans have really embraced in Chainsaw Man’s opening theme.
10. Official HIGE DANdism – “Subtitle”
![Official髭男dism - Subtitle [Official Video]](https://ochazuke-times.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FhN5MBlGv2Ac%2F0.jpg)
Release Date: October 12, 2022
TV Drama: silent (Fuji TV) Theme Song
“Subtitle” was written specifically for the Fuji TV drama silent, which set a new record for the highest number of streams ever on the TVer catch-up service and even hit #1 on worldwide Twitter trends. If taken literally, the word “subtitle” refers to captions—a fitting connection to the show’s main character, a young man living in a silent world after being diagnosed with early-onset bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.
Reflecting the drama’s emotional depth, the lyrics to “Subtitle” are quite complex. I personally don’t think I fully grasped them, but I believe that very complexity is what lends the song its richness, leaving space for all sorts of individual interpretations.
Is it truly beneficial to keep conveying these intensely positive feelings to someone? Is it putting a burden on them? Could it be just your own self-indulgence? Many people have probably grappled with these same inward doubts. The first line of the chorus really hit the mark for a lot of listeners—I think that’s part of Official HIGE DANdism’s magic. Combined with their remarkable vocal power, these lyrics have a kind of direct emotional impact you don’t often experience.
11. SEKAI NO OWARI – “Habit”
Release Date: April 28, 2022
Movie: xxxHOLiC Theme Song
“Habit” features incisive, almost aggressively pointed lyrics delivered at a breezy tempo. The rapid-fire lines feel like playful rapping, but the words also scratch at your emotions from all sides, creating a mysteriously addictive effect that reveals a fresh side to the band.
Many listeners might have wondered, “Wait, are these lyrics aimed at me?” But at the same time, you can’t really tell if you’re being scolded or cheered on. Still, by the end, the song suggests a certain hope that emerges when you break harmful old habits. Since the track essentially pokes fun at how silly those habits are to begin with, it’s no surprise so many people are loving it right now.
12. Vaundy – “Odoriko”
(Odoriko, meaning “The Dancer”)
Release Date: November 17, 2021
“Odoriko” was born from a melody that came to Vaundy while he was practicing bass, and the song took just about two days to complete. It has a vibe you wouldn’t typically associate with J-pop. Personally, I’ve always felt that songs without a strong vocal belt don’t tend to catch on in Japan, but—and I mean this in the best possible way—it was a surprise smash hit here. In 2024, NewJeans member Minji covered it during their Tokyo Dome show, which also made waves.
In stark contrast to “Odoriko,” Vaundy’s 2020 single “Kaiju no Hanauta” (Monster’s Flower Song) is a track where he really belts it out. It ended up topping karaoke charts in both 2023 and 2024. The fact that Vaundy can create such a wide range of musical styles is, I think, a big part of his appeal.
13. Hikaru Utada – “One Last Kiss”
Release Date: March 9, 2021
Theme Song for the Movie “Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time”
This song was specially composed as the theme song for Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time. The artist behind this track is Hikaru Utada, who has long proclaimed herself a fan of Evangelion and also performed the theme song for the 2007 release, “EVANGELION:1.0 YOU ARE (NOT) ALONE..” Knowing this, as both a fan of Hikaru Utada and Evangelion, I felt there couldn’t have been a better choice for the theme song of the final Evangelion installment. Listening to the song confirmed this conviction for me.
Naturally, I listened to this song in theaters. Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time became the top-grossing film in Japan in 2021, and many people likely experienced it firsthand. The lyrics prominently feature words that reflect the concept of “the end,” naturally encouraging listeners to confront themselves as a recording device of their own memories. Combined with the emotional music, the song strikes the heart of the listener, creating a situation where crying becomes the only viable response.
The music video (MV) was directed by Hideaki Anno, who directed Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hikaru Utada filmed the footage in London and sent it to Director Anno, who then edited it into the final product. The MV also incorporates plenty of smartphone selfies and footage taken by her son, showcasing expressions of hers that aren’t typically seen in regular music videos. This results in a very unique MV that stands out from the usual fare.
14. Yorushika – “Harudorobō” (Spring Thief)
Release Date: January 9, 2021
Calling it “J-POP sung in beautiful Japanese” might sound trite, but I feel Yorushika’s uniqueness really comes from their delicate choice of words. Because of how refined their lyrics are, I’d imagined the composer to be older, so when I learned that Yorushika’s composer, n-buna, was born in 1995, I felt a little deflated—this is exactly what I’d call a “Bad Habit.”
Even so, I think it’s remarkable how they manage to start and wrap up a story in just under five minutes. That sense of storytelling might be one of Yorushika’s defining traits. And considering that the two members avoid showing their faces, ensuring that the music itself stays front and center, I find their approach all the more effective.
15. Yuuri – “Dry Flower”
Release Date: October 25, 2020
“Dry Flower” topped the year-end karaoke rankings from Oricon in 2021 and 2022 and took second place in 2023. It’s safe to say it’ll be in the top 10 again in 2024. This tells you just how frequently Japanese people have been singing this track in recent years.
In Japan, songs that are easier to belt out at karaoke tend to blow up more than dance music, and “Dry Flower” is a prime example. It feels like there’s a real culture of singing rather than dancing here.
Many of the 20 tracks mentioned in this article also charted high on karaoke rankings. Sure, some of it is “They’re hits, so people sing them,” but there may also be a reverse effect: “They’re easy to sing, so they become hits.” “Dry Flower” is a relatable heartbreak song—easy to pour your feelings into—which likely makes it popular.
16. Ado – “Usseewa”
(Usseewa, roughly meaning “Shut Up”)
Release Date: October 23, 2020
When I first heard Ado’s “Usseewa,” I admittedly thought it was some kind of comedic novelty track. I believe I found it in Spotify’s “New Music Wednesday” playlist, which curates new Japanese tracks, and I remember hitting play without much thought. But the song felt unlike anything else—a total standout, as if you spotted a large white radish left behind in the candy aisle at a supermarket.
Initially, I just assumed, “Must be by someone already famous in that scene,” and didn’t pay it much mind. But it quickly spread everywhere, becoming a defining track of 2020–2021. It wasn’t just an online phenomenon—TV and radio stations picked it up, and soon everyone could hum it. It even got nominated for the 2021 U-Can New Words and Buzzwords Award.
In the four years since, Ado has become an indispensable artist in the Japanese music scene. Even so, I doubt anyone predicted back then that she’d go on to hold a successful world tour or even collaborate with Imagine Dragons.
17. LiSA – “Homura”
(Homura, meaning “Flame”)
Release Date: October 12, 2020
Movie: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train Theme Song
Following on from “Gurenge,” the theme song for the Demon Slayer TV anime in 2019, LiSA’s “Homura” was used for the Demon Slayer: Mugen Train film, which was released on October 16, 2020. The track, deeply tied to the movie’s storyline, moved many viewers to tears during the closing credits.
LiSA co-wrote the lyrics as well, which I suspect helped her channel deeper emotion into her vocal delivery. The result is a performance that truly showcases her phenomenal singing talent. For some, LiSA’s red hair and costumes may be forever linked with Tanjiro’s green-and-black checkered outfit from Demon Slayer.
Released during the pandemic—with fewer international releases competing in theaters—Mugen Train broke Japan’s all-time box office record. It also ended up being the highest-grossing film worldwide in 2020. I personally saw it in theaters twice and was struck by how many older viewers were there. It reached audiences who don’t typically watch anime, which likely fueled its historic success.
18. BTS – “Dynamite”
Release Date: August 28, 2020
A global smash, “Dynamite” was also unavoidable in Japan for a while. I used to work remotely from a karaoke lounge, where I’d hear this track playing as background music constantly. Unfortunately, that karaoke spot went out of business due to the pandemic, but it was ironic how such a bright, upbeat tune was so emblematic of that dark time.
BTS already had a strong following in Japan before “Dynamite,” but this song brought them acceptance from a broader age range. Mainstream daytime radio shows—which traditionally target middle-aged listeners—started dedicating more segments to K-pop, with hosts enthusiastically recommending songs. In the past, foreign music in Japan meant mostly American or British tunes, but that’s completely changed. “Dynamite” was a pivotal track that accelerated the penetration of K-pop into the Japanese market.
19. Kenshi Yonezu – “Kanden”
(Kanden, meaning “Electric Shock”)
Release Date: July 10, 2020
TV Drama: MIU404 (TBS) Theme Song
“Kanden” was released ahead of Kenshi Yonezu’s first album in three years, STRAY SHEEP. I remember watching the music video live on YouTube, then replaying it about five times. This track brought in elements of jazz and funk—new territory for Yonezu—and it massively boosted excitement for the album.
His music shifts at an astonishing pace, with each album having its own distinct color, texture, and message. “Kanden” exemplifies the cutting edge of that creative evolution, and I vividly recall how it thrilled my ears and scrambled my brain. In the end, STRAY SHEEP sold over two million copies, making it one of Japan’s best-selling albums in recent years.
20. Fujii Kaze – “Shinunoga E-Wa”
(Shinunoga E-Wa, meaning roughly “I’d Rather Die”)
Release Date: May 20, 2020
“Shinunoga E-Wa” didn’t immediately blow up at release; it took about two years before it suddenly went viral across various parts of Asia. Fujii Kaze already had a certain following by 2020 and even performed at the Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 2021, but the track’s 2022 surge in Asia boosted his profile back home in Japan. The fact that this Japanese-language song was being played elsewhere was frequently reported on TV and online.
Additionally, “Shinunoga E-Wa” is just one track off Fujii Kaze’s first album, HELP EVER HURT NEVER, and it wasn’t even released as a standalone single. To see a modern Japanese album cut—performed entirely in Japanese—find such widespread support overseas is fascinating. Even more interesting, the song caught on organically when some TikTok users in Thailand used it as background music for their “oshi-katsu” (fan activity) videos.
If you want to immerse yourself in what makes his 2024 music so appealing, check out the video of his Tiny Desk Concert recorded that year. It’s only about thirty minutes long, but you can really sense the breadth of his style and his passion for the craft. It’s a perfect showcase of Fujii Kaze’s evolving artistry.
Looking back at Japan’s music scene in the 2020s
These 20 picks for Japanese hit songs of the 2020s, in my opinion, have shaped up into a solid list. I’ve also made a Spotify playlist for anyone who’d like to check them out.
The main criteria here were tracks that lingered in your ears—whether on the street or in a movie—and that hit over 100 million views on YouTube or Spotify. Naturally, different people have different takes on what qualifies as a “hit,” and this list can’t possibly cover every masterpiece. But I hope reading this has brought back memories (“Oh yeah, I remember that!”), introduced you to something new (“I never knew that song!”), or even made you feel a twinge of nostalgia (“Wow, that feels old already…”).
Music will keep evolving with the times. I can’t wait to see what new hits the next decade has in store. Feel free to share your own favorite hit songs of the 2020s in the comments!
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