The most-sung Japanese karaoke song is Zankoku na Tenshi no Thesis (Cruel Angel's Thesis) by Yoko Takahashi, the iconic opening theme to Neon Genesis Evangelion, according to data from the Singa karaoke app. It's followed by TK from Ling tosite sigure's Unravel (the Tokyo Ghoul opener) at #2 and Miki Matsubara's 1979 city-pop classic Mayonaka no Door – Stay With Me at #3. The most-sung J-pop / anime artist is Yoko Takahashi, with Kenshi Yonezu, Ado, Yoasobi, and Hikaru Utada all in the top ten. This is the updated list of the 100 most popular Japanese karaoke songs in 2026.
The top 5 at a glance:
- Zankoku na Tenshi no Thesis – Yoko Takahashi, Neon Genesis Evangelion
- Unravel (Tokyo Ghoul) – TK from Ling tosite sigure (JP)
- Mayonaka no Door-Stay With Me – Miki Matsubara
- Idol – Yoasobi
- Sukiyaki – Kyu Sakamoto
Methodology: This list counts real song plays inside the Singa karaoke app from users who sang in Japanese over the last 12 months. The range is huge — Yoko Takahashi's 1995 Evangelion opener still beats brand-new viral hits, Mariya Takeuchi's 1984 Plastic Love keeps gaining traction four decades after release, Vocaloid producers like ryo and Kurousa-P have built entire karaoke subcultures around Hatsune Miku, and modern J-pop and city-pop revival sit alongside anime themes from Demon Slayer, Tokyo Ghoul, Chainsaw Man, Attack on Titan, and Mashle. A play means someone hit the mic, not the search bar. We've also consolidated romaji + kanji duplicate entries (e.g. Idol / アイドル) into single ranks — same song, summed plays.
Japanese karaoke is the most genre-spanning karaoke scene in the world. On the same setlist you'll find a 1961 international hit (Sukiyaki), an 80s city-pop revival (Plastic Love, Mayonaka no Door), a Vocaloid track sung by a 16-year-old hologram (Senbonzakura), and last week's anime opening theme (Otonoke, Bling-Bang-Bang-Born). The list below is a snapshot of what's actually being sung at karaoke booths from Shinjuku to São Paulo — anime themes dominate the top half, but the long tail is where the real depth shows: Yumi Matsutoya, Mr. Children, L'Arc-en-Ciel, Spitz, Mariya Takeuchi, and the entire Studio Ghibli songbook all in the same Top 100.
If you want to skip the analysis and jump to all 100 songs, head straight to the list.
Top 10 most-sung Japanese karaoke artists
- Yoko Takahashi
- TK from Ling tosite sigure (JP)
- Kenshi Yonezu
- Miki Matsubara
- Ado
- YOASOBI
- Hikaru Utada
- Kyu Sakamoto
- Creepy Nuts
- LISA
Yoko Takahashi holds #1 on the strength of Zankoku na Tenshi no Thesis alone — proof that the right anime theme can outlast every modern hit combined. TK from Ling tosite sigure is #2 because of Unravel (Tokyo Ghoul OP) — another single-song juggernaut. Kenshi Yonezu is the most-sung songwriter on the list with multiple tracks in the top 100 — Kick Back, Lemon, Peace Sign, Bug, and the Daoko duet Uchiage Hanabi. Miki Matsubara's 1979 Mayonaka no Door – Stay With Me is the city-pop revival anchor — a song that exploded on TikTok in 2020 and never left the karaoke charts. Ado owns five tracks in the top 100 (Usseewa, Odo, Show, IRIS OUT, JANE DOE, Shinjidai), the youngest artist on the list and the most prolific. Yoasobi, Hikaru Utada, Kyu Sakamoto, Creepy Nuts, and LiSA round out the canon — every era and genre represented.
Genres and eras driving Japanese karaoke
Anime openers and endings: the single biggest category. Zankoku na Tenshi no Thesis (Eva), Unravel (Tokyo Ghoul), Gurenge and Kamado Tanjiro no Uta (Demon Slayer), Kick Back and IRIS OUT (Chainsaw Man), Guren no Yumiya (Attack on Titan), Bling-Bang-Bang-Born and Otonoke (Mashle / Dandadan), Idol (Oshi no Ko), Blue Bird and Haruka Kanata (Naruto), Cha-La Head-Cha-La (Dragon Ball Z), Butter-Fly (Digimon), Moonlight Densetsu (Sailor Moon), We Are! (One Piece), departure! (Hunter x Hunter). That's roughly a quarter of the top 100 right there.
City pop revival: Mayonaka no Door – Stay With Me (1979), Plastic Love (1984), Ruuju no dengon (1975), Yuki no Hana (2003). The TikTok and YouTube-driven city-pop comeback is real and durable.
Vocaloid: Senbonzakura, World is Mine, Rollin' Girl, Mesmerizer, Ghost Rule, MATROYOSHKA, God-ish. Sung by humans, "performed" by Hatsune Miku. A genre that didn't exist 20 years ago now owns 7+ slots in the top 100.
The full list: 100 most popular Japanese karaoke songs
1. Zankoku na Tenshi no Thesis – Yoko Takahashi, Neon Genesis Evangelion
The most-cantored anime theme of all time. The Evangelion opener has been Japan's #1 karaoke song since Singa started tracking. The triumphant horns and that zankokuna tenshi no you ni opening line are pure karaoke catharsis.
Sing Zankoku na Tenshi no Thesis karaoke here.
2. Unravel (Tokyo Ghoul) – TK from Ling tosite sigure (JP)
TK's screamed falsetto is the karaoke flex everyone attempts. The crescendo before the chorus is the most-missed note in the genre — and the most-loved when someone nails it.
Sing Unravel (Tokyo Ghoul) karaoke here.
3. Mayonaka no Door-Stay With Me – Miki Matsubara
Miki Matsubara's 1979 city-pop gem went viral on TikTok in 2020 and never left the charts. The synth bass at 0:25 is the cue every karaoke crowd waits for. See more karaoke classics.
Sing Mayonaka no Door-Stay With Me karaoke here.
4. Idol – Yoasobi
Yoasobi's Oshi no Ko opening — the song that made Japanese pop a global Spotify phenomenon in 2023. Tempo changes mid-song; pace yourself.
5. Sukiyaki – Kyu Sakamoto
Kyu Sakamoto's 1961 Ue o muite arukou, the only Japanese-language song to top the US Billboard Hot 100 (in 1963). Still a karaoke staple six decades later.
6. Kick Back – Kenshi Yonezu
Kenshi Yonezu's Chainsaw Man opener built around a sample of Morning Musume. Three songs in one — punk verse, J-pop chorus, anime-ending instrumental.
7. Blue Bird – Ikimonogakari
Ikimonogakari's Naruto Shippuden opening. The first 8 bars are instantly recognizable to anyone who watched anime in 2008-2010.
8. First Love – Hikaru Utada
Hikaru Utada's 1999 debut single, still her most-cantored. Slow ballad — but the bridge requires actual range. New to karaoke? Start with easy karaoke songs.
9. Gurenge – LiSA
LiSA's Demon Slayer opener. The chorus belt is the single most-attempted scream in modern karaoke.
10. Gimme Chocolate!! – BABYMETAL
BABYMETAL's metal-idol fusion. Three-singer chorus, breakdown screams, and a 'chocolate!' shout-back that the whole bar joins.
Sing Gimme Chocolate!! karaoke here.
11. World is Mine – Miku Hatsune, ryo (supercell)
Ryo's Hatsune Miku banger — one of the songs that built the entire Vocaloid karaoke scene. If you're new to karaoke, this is a fun gateway track.
Sing World is Mine karaoke here.
12. Bling-Bang-Bang-Born – Creepy Nuts
Creepy Nuts' Mashle opener. Tongue-twister rap; nobody actually hits every word but everyone tries.
Sing Bling-Bang-Bang-Born karaoke here.
13. Haruka Kanata – ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION
Asian Kung-Fu Generation's Naruto opening (the second one). Pure 2000s anime-rock.
Sing Haruka Kanata karaoke here.
14. Shinunoga E-Wa – Kaze Fujii
Fujii Kaze's TikTok-driven smash — half spoken-word, half soul. Karaoke gold for showing off your phrasing.
Sing Shinunoga E-Wa karaoke here.
15. Plastic Love – Mariya Takeuchi
Mariya Takeuchi's 1984 city-pop track. Five-minute groove, jazz-influenced changes, and a chorus that's been re-discovered by every generation since.
Sing Plastic Love karaoke here.
16. Usseewa – Ado
17. again – Yui
18. IRIS OUT – Kenshi Yonezu
19. Otonoke – Creepy Nuts
20. Silhouette – KANA-BOON
21. Senbonzakura – Kaizokuo
Sing Senbonzakura karaoke here.
22. departure! – Masatoshi Ono
23. Love Me, Love Me, Love Me – Hatsune Miku, Kikuo
Sing Love Me, Love Me, Love Me karaoke here.
24. Guren no Yumiya – Linked Horizon
Sing Guren no Yumiya karaoke here.
25. Butter-Fly – Koji Wada
26. God knows... – Aya Hirano, Haruhi Suzumiya
Sing God knows... karaoke here.
27. Neko – DISH
28. Cha-La Head-Cha-La – Hironobu Kageyama
Sing Cha-La Head-Cha-La karaoke here.
29. JANE DOE – Hikaru Utada, Kenshi Yonezu
30. Odoriko – Vaundy
31. Binks no Sake – One Piece (anime)
32. Suzume – RADWIMPS
33. Moonlight Densetsu – Dali
Sing Moonlight Densetsu karaoke here.
34. Sanctuary – Joji
35. Wherever You Are – One Ok Rock
Sing Wherever You Are karaoke here.
36. Where Our Blue Is – Tatsuya Kitani
Sing Where Our Blue Is karaoke here.
37. Dried Flowers – Yuuri
Sing Dried Flowers karaoke here.
38. GO!!! – Flow
39. Otonablue – Atarashii Gakkou
40. Chiisana Koi no Uta – MONGOL800
Sing Chiisana Koi no Uta karaoke here.
41. Melissa – Porno Graffitti
42. ウィーアー! – Hiroshi Kitadani
43. Zenzenzense – RADWIMPS
Sing Zenzenzense karaoke here.
44. Suteki da ne (Isn't It Wonderful?) – Nobuo Uematsu, Final Fantasy X Soundtrack, Rikki
Sing Suteki da ne (Isn't It Wonderful?) karaoke here.
45. On The Way – Nightmare
46. Akuma no Ko – Ai Higuchi
Sing Akuma no Ko karaoke here.
47. Sparkle – RADWIMPS
48. 竈門炭治郎のうた – Nami Nakagawa, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
49. Pretender – Official Hige Dandism
50. Odo – Ado
51. Rollin Girl – wowaka, Miku Hatsune
Sing Rollin Girl karaoke here.
52. Pon Pon Pon – Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
Sing Pon Pon Pon karaoke here.
53. Marigold – Aimyon
54. Stand Out Fit In – One Ok Rock
Sing Stand Out Fit In karaoke here.
55. Sign – Flow
56. Mesmerizer – Satsuki, Kasane Teto, Miku Hatsune
57. Peace Sign – Kenshi Yonezu
58. the WORLD – Nightmare
59. Specialz – King Gnu
60. Renai Circulation – Nadeko Sengoku
Sing Renai Circulation karaoke here.
61. Gyakkou (Backlight) – Ado
Sing Gyakkou (Backlight) karaoke here.
62. Kaijuu no Hanauta – Vaundy
Sing Kaijuu no Hanauta karaoke here.
63. Fukai Mori – Do as Infinity
64. Night Dancer – Imase
Sing Night Dancer karaoke here.
65. Cherry – Spitz
66. 怪物 – Yoasobi
67. Driver's High – L'Arc-en-Ciel
Sing Driver's High karaoke here.
68. God-ish – Pinocchio-P
69. Konton Boogie – Hatsune Miku, jon-YAKITORY
Sing Konton Boogie karaoke here.
70. Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana – SMAP
Sing Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana karaoke here.
71. Tsugaru Kaikyo Fuyugeshiki – Sayuri Ishikawa
Sing Tsugaru Kaikyo Fuyugeshiki karaoke here.
72. Matsuri – Fujii Kaze
73. Hanamizuki – Yo Hitoto
74. Shinjidai – Ado
75. AI SCREAM! – AiScReam
76. Show – Ado
77. Ruuju no dengon – Yumi Matsutoya
Sing Ruuju no dengon karaoke here.
78. RuLe – Ayumi Hamasaki
79. Be a flower – Ryokuoushoku Shakai
Sing Be a flower karaoke here.
80. DAN DAN Kokoro Hikareteku – FIELD OF VIEW
Sing DAN DAN Kokoro Hikareteku karaoke here.
81. Shin Takarajima – Sakanaction
Sing Shin Takarajima karaoke here.
82. Ghost Rule – Miku Hatsune, Deco*27
83. Uchiage Hanabi – Daoko
Sing Uchiage Hanabi karaoke here.
84. Bug – Kenshi Yonezu
85. Always with Me – Youmi Kimura
Sing Always with Me karaoke here.
86. AIZO – King Gnu
87. ELF – King Gnu
88. Kawaikute Gomen – HoneyWorks
Sing Kawaikute Gomen karaoke here.
89. Yuki no Hana – Mika Nakashima
Sing Yuki no Hana karaoke here.
90. MATROYOSHKA – GUMI, Miku Hatsune, hachi
Sing MATROYOSHKA karaoke here.
91. Pegasus Fantasy – MAKE-UP
Sing Pegasus Fantasy karaoke here.
92. Hai Yorokonde – Kocchi no Kento
Sing Hai Yorokonde karaoke here.
93. Takane no Hanako-san – Back number
Sing Takane no Hanako-san karaoke here.
94. Kaze ni Naru – Ayano Tsuji
Sing Kaze ni Naru karaoke here.
95. Lemon – Kenshi Yonezu
96. Yume Tourou – RADWIMPS
97. Cruel Angel's Thesis (English version) – Yoko Takahashi
98. Crossing Field – LiSA
99. Tsuki no Curse – Vocaloid
100. Yoru ni Kakeru – YOASOBI
Frequently asked questions
What's the most popular Japanese karaoke song?
Zankoku na Tenshi no Thesis (Cruel Angel's Thesis) by Yoko Takahashi, the opening theme to Neon Genesis Evangelion, is the most-sung Japanese karaoke song. Unravel (Tokyo Ghoul) by TK from Ling tosite sigure and Miki Matsubara's Mayonaka no Door – Stay With Me round out the top three.
Who is the most-sung Japanese karaoke artist?
Yoko Takahashi tops the list on the strength of her Evangelion theme alone. Kenshi Yonezu is the most-sung songwriter across the top 100, with five tracks. Ado, Yoasobi, Hikaru Utada, Creepy Nuts, and LiSA represent the modern J-pop and anime-theme scene; Kyu Sakamoto and Miki Matsubara represent the classics.
Are anime opening songs really that popular at karaoke?
Yes — roughly a quarter of the top 100 are anime openings or endings. Demon Slayer, Tokyo Ghoul, Chainsaw Man, Attack on Titan, Mashle, Naruto, Dragon Ball Z, Digimon, Sailor Moon, One Piece, Hunter x Hunter, Bleach, and Oshi no Ko are all represented.
Where can I sing Japanese karaoke online?
All the songs in this list are available on Singa, a karaoke app for phones, smart TVs, and computers. The 'Sing X karaoke here' links go directly to each song's karaoke track.
How was this list compiled?
We counted how many times each Japanese song was sung in the Singa karaoke app over the last 12 months. We consolidated romaji and kanji duplicates (e.g. Idol and アイドル as one entry) so the rankings reflect real song popularity rather than catalog SKUs. These are real karaoke sing-throughs — not Google searches, not Spotify streams, not YouTube views.
What's the most popular city-pop karaoke song?
Mayonaka no Door – Stay With Me by Miki Matsubara (1979) leads the city-pop revival at #3 overall. Other city-pop hits in the top 100 include Mariya Takeuchi's Plastic Love (1984) at #15, Yumi Matsutoya's Ruuju no dengon (1975), and Mika Nakashima's Yuki no Hana.
Want more karaoke? Download Singa, the best karaoke app, or find a karaoke bar near you.
