In Japan, animation and music go hand in hand, creating a unique and vibrant industry. Every year, Billboard Japan ranks the hottest anime songs based on their popularity and chart performance. These songs capture the essence of the anime series. So, if you are ready to dive into the world of captivating melodies and catchy tunes, below are the top 10 billboards of Japanese hot animations of the year.
1. Yoasobi (Idol)
Japanese super duo Yoasobi made their debut in 2019. Their breakthrough song, Yoru ni Kakeru, topped the Billboard Japan Hot 100 for six weeks and the 2020 year-end chart. It also became the first song to receive a diamond streaming certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ). Yoasobi also released three Japanese-language EPs, which peaked at number two on the Oricon Albums Chart.
2. Kenshi Yonezu (Kick Back)
Japanese musician and singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu was born on March 10, 1991, and debuted in 2012Three Japanese-language EPs that Yoasobi has published have all peaked at number two on the Oricon Albums Chart. His most popular single to date is "Kick Back," which he released in 2022 and had 500,000 copies sold in the US, certified gold by the RIAA. It also debuted on international charts, such as UK Rock and Metal Singles and US Hot Rock and Alternative Songs.
3. 10-Feet (Dai Zero Khan)
10-Feet is a Japanese rock band that was formed in 1997 by Takuma Mitamura, Naoki Inoue, and Kouichi Nakaoka. The band plays various genres, including rock, punk, heavy metal, reggae, hip-hop, guitar-pop, and Bossanova.
4. Ado (New Genesis)
2017 saw the debut of Japanese vocalist Ado. Her first hit was a digital single called Usseewa, which, after 17 weeks of charting on Billboard Japan, reached 100 million plays—the sixth fastest in history and the youngest for a solo singer. Her next hit, New Genesis, was featured as the theme song for the anime film One Piece Film: Red and became the number-one song on the chart.
5. Spitz (Utsukushii Hire)
The four members of Spitz are Masamune Kusano, Tetsuya Miwa, Tatsuo Sakiyama, and Akihiro Tamura. The group was formed in 1987. The album was released in 1987 and won the Best Album category in 1995 at the 37th Japan Record Awards. The group has released 15 studio albums and 38 physical singles; Donovan has been an influence. Throughout, the group has maintained a jangly pop/rock sound. They are known for their melodic compositions, symbolic lyrics, and Kusano, who is the band's primary singer-songwriter. In 1997, the Recording Industry Association of Japan certified it as quadruple platinum.
6. Official Hige Dandism (Mixed Nuts)
The four members of Official Hige Dandism, also known as Higedan, are Satoshi Fujihara, Daisuke Ozasa, Makoto Narazaki, and Masaki Matsuura. The band made their debut in 2012 and announced on March 11, 2023, that they would be taking a temporary hiatus while Fujihara recovered from a vocal cord polyp.
7. YOASOBI (The Blessing)
Yoasobi is a Japanese super duo that made their debut in 2019. Shukufuku, also known as "Alternate Title," is a song by Yoasobi from their third extended play. The novel Yurikago no Hoshi by anime writer Ichirō Ōkouchi debuted at number two on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 and number three on the Oricon Singles Chart and Combined Singles Chart. The Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) certified the song platinum for downloads and double platinum for streaming. It was released on October 1, 2022.
8. MAN WITH A MISSION & Milet
Kizuna no Kiseki, a collaboration between Milet and the Japanese rock band Song, was written as the opening theme song for the TV anime Kimetsu No Yaiba (Damon Slayer)—Swordsmith's Village version. It peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 and at number 4 on the Oricon Singles Chart alongside its A-side, Koi Kogare.
9. Tatsuya Kitani (Where Our Blue Is)
Tatsuya Kitani was born on February 28, 1996, in Tokyo, and he is currently 27 years old. He is a singer-songwriter, lyricist, composer, and arranger. On July 19, 2023, Sony Music Records released his extended play titled "Where Our Blue Is." The title track of the play serves as the third opening theme song of the Jujutsu Kaisen anime television series. The first production limited edition BD includes the Tokyo performance of the one-man tour UNKNOT/REKNOT held at Zepp Diversity (Tokyo).
10. Ado (I Am Invincible)
Ado is a singer from Japan. She was born on October 24, 2002, and made her debut in 2017. "I am Invincible" debuted at number 3 on the Oricon Combined Singles Chart and number 2 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100The song made its debut at number 21 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100, number 5 on the Billboard Japan Hot Animation chart, and number 8 on the Oricon Digital Singles Chart. The artist's first release was a digital single titled "Usseewa," which reached number 1 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100, the Oricon Digital Singles Chart, and the Oricon Streaming Chart. This song was released in 2022.
