DAM Announces First Half of 2026 Karaoke Rankings

Daiichi Kosho Co., Ltd. (hereinafter, "the Company") conducted surveys for the DAM 2026 First Half Karaoke Rankings, covering the categories of [Overall DAM], [By Artist], [Songs Released in First Half], [First Half Anime Theme Songs (Broadcast/Streamed/Released)], [First Half Enka and Kayokyoku Songs Released], [First Half Debut Artist Songs], [First Half Boy Group Songs Released], and [First Half Girl Group Songs Released].

In the [Overall DAM] category, Vaundy's "Kaiju no Hanauta" took first place. Mrs. GREEN APPLE secured first place in three categories: [By Artist], [Songs Released in First Half], and [First Half Anime Theme Songs (Broadcast/Streamed/Released)].

The top song in [First Half Enka and Kayokyoku Songs Released] was "Tabiji" by Yoshimi Tendo. The top song in [First Half Debut Artist Songs] was "Honma Yade☆Nandeyanen☆Shirankedo" by Monaki. The top song in [First Half Boy Group Songs Released] was "Bakuretsu Aishiteru" by M!LK, and the top song in [First Half Girl Group Songs Released] was "Gekiyaku Chuzoku" by =LOVE.

[Overall DAM TOP 50]

DAM 2026 First Half Karaoke Rankings (8 Categories Total)

Survey Period: January 1, 2026 - June 20, 2026

1. Overall DAM TOP 50

2. By Artist TOP 20

3. Songs Released in First Half TOP 20

4. First Half Anime Theme Songs (Broadcast/Streamed/Released) TOP 20

5. First Half Enka and Kayokyoku Songs Released TOP 20

6. First Half Debut Artist Songs TOP 20

7. First Half Boy Group Songs Released TOP 20

8. First Half Girl Group Songs Released TOP 20

These rankings were calculated by aggregating the number of times songs were sung on DAM, which holds a high market share in karaoke establishments and facilities nationwide.

DAM 2026 First Half Karaoke Rankings Survey Period: January 1, 2026 - June 20, 2026

1. [Overall DAM TOP 50]

* ( ) indicates the rank in the 2025 annual rankings. Songs ranked 51st or lower in the 2025 annual rankings are marked as "Outside Ranking." Songs with multiple versions are aggregated as the same song.

◇ Explanation of [Overall DAM TOP 50]

The most sung song in the 2026 First Half Karaoke Rankings was Vaundy's "Kaiju no Hanauta." Since its digital release in May 2020, it has maintained high popularity for a long period, securing the top spot in the [By Song] category of the 2023 and 2024 annual karaoke rankings for two consecutive years. It also ranked second in the 2025 annual rankings, demonstrating consistent support. Reaching the top of the rankings again over six years after its release indicates that the song has become widely recognized as a "karaoke staple" loved by many users.

Second place is "Suki Sugite Metsu!" by the five-member dance vocal group M!LK. The impactful phrase "Maji gyun gyun gyun Suki Sugite Metsu!" and its catchy choreography became a major topic on social media, with dance videos rapidly increasing, primarily on TikTok. Its addictive melody and call-and-response structure, enjoyable for singing together, gained support among younger demographics, leading to its popularity in karaoke. It became one of the representative karaoke hits of the first half of 2026, receiving the Karaoke Special Award, Karaoke of the Year powered by DAM & JOYSOUND J-pop division, in the co-creation category at the "MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026."

In third place is Mrs. GREEN APPLE's "Darling," which ranked 9th in the 2025 annual rankings. Written as the theme song for the NHK General TV program "Mrs. GREEN APPLE 18sai," the song was created based on the thoughts and voices of 18-year-olds nationwide, and its lyrics depicting "straightforward emotions towards a loved one" and its grand melody resonated deeply. The relatively easy melody line compared to other Mrs. GREEN APPLE songs is also considered a factor in its karaoke popularity, and it continues to be sung in 2026.

2. [By Artist TOP 20]

* ( ) indicates the rank in the 2025 annual rankings. Artists ranked 21st or lower in the 2025 annual rankings are marked as "Outside Ranking."

◇ Explanation of [By Artist TOP 20]

The most requested artist on DAM in the first half of 2026 was Mrs. GREEN GREEN APPLE. They ranked first for two consecutive years in the 2024 and 2025 annual rankings, and their momentum continues this year, with high expectations for a third consecutive first-place finish.

The rise of Sakanaction from outside the rankings to 19th place was significantly influenced by the sharp increase of their song "Kaiju" from 43rd to 24th in the [Overall DAM] category. The song gained recognition as the opening theme song for the TV anime "Chi: Chikyū no Undō ni Tsuite," and also generated significant buzz as Sakanaction's first new song in about three years, symbolizing their "restart." This led to renewed attention on their existing songs, resulting in an overall uplift.

3. [Songs Released in First Half TOP 20]

* Songs with multiple versions are aggregated as the same song.

◇ Explanation of [Songs Released in First Half TOP 20]

The most sung song released in the first half of 2026 was "lulu." by Mrs. GREEN APPLE. Released digitally in January as the first work after the opening of their "Phase 3," the song resonated as a piece that marked a new beginning.

In 10th place is "Boku no Kawaiiko-chan" by 18-year-old singer-songwriter MON7A. MON7A gained attention for their unique appearance and guitar performances on the ABEMA dating reality show "Kyo, Suki ni Narimashita. Halon Hen," and later made their official debut as an artist. This song is a love song that expresses epilogues and lingering emotions towards someone they had a crush on during their time on the show, and it became a huge hit on TikTok and other platforms.

Enka and Kayokyoku continue to have a strong base of users who enjoy karaoke, particularly among middle-aged and older demographics, and new releases are consistently sung. In recent years, both new and established artists have been actively creating buzz and posting on social media, leading to increased activity in revitalizing the genre. Although no enka or kayokyoku songs ranked in the [Overall DAM] category, seven songs in the [Songs Released in First Half] category made it into the TOP 20, demonstrating their presence.

4. [First Half Anime Theme Songs (Broadcast/Streamed/Released) TOP 20]

* Songs with multiple versions are aggregated as the same song.

◇ Explanation of [First Half Anime Theme Songs (Broadcast/Streamed/Released) TOP 20]

First place is "lulu." by Mrs. GREEN APPLE, the same as in the [Songs Released in First Half] category. The song was chosen as the opening theme for the second season of the anime "Sousou no Frieren" and, in synergy with the anime's popularity, reached a wide audience. The satisfying high notes and the liberating chorus have high affinity with karaoke, making it a song that people want to sing, not just listen to.

Second place is "AIZO" by King Gnu. They have previously handled the theme song and ending theme for "Jujutsu Kaisen 0 The Movie" and the opening theme for the second season, "Shibuya Incident." This is their fourth tie-up with the "Jujutsu Kaisen" series, making them an indispensable band for the franchise.

5. [First Half Enka and Kayokyoku Songs Released TOP 20]

* Songs with multiple versions are aggregated as the same song.

◇ Explanation of [First Half Enka and Kayokyoku Songs Released TOP 20]

First place is "Tabiji" by Yoshimi Tendo. This work marks the beginning of a new series following "Showa Katagi" and "Showa Gokoro," with the theme of "likening life to a 'journey' and reflecting on the time spent with loved ones." As the artist herself said, "It's a song that everyone can sing, please sing it," its approachable and easy-to-sing melody led to its popularity in karaoke.

Second place is "Honma Yade☆Nandeyanen☆Shirankedo" by Monaki. It is the only song by an artist who debuted this year to rank in the TOP 20, indicating its high level of attention and rapidly growing popularity.

Third place is "Hana to Samurai" by Hiroshi Miyama. Miyama, a pure enka singer, is also adventurous, having challenged a Guinness World Record for kendama on "NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen." For the start of 2026, he developed a new style of singing while playing the drums. He practiced diligently with an electronic drum kit at home and carried drumsticks with him to practice mentally during his free time. He delivered a stunning performance not only in the music video but also on music programs and concerts. This upbeat, rock-influenced enka song is also popular in karaoke for its ability to liven up a venue.

6. [First Half Debut Artist Songs TOP 20]

* Songs with multiple versions are aggregated as the same song.

◇ Explanation of [First Half Debut Artist Songs TOP 20]

Taking first place is Monaki's debut single "Honma Yade☆Nandeyanen☆Shirankedo." Monaki, formed from the "Second Chance Audition" produced by Kazuyoshi Sakai, the leader of the "Super Sento Idol" Junretsu, is a four-member kayokyoku group whose members have backgrounds as former company employees and former Super Sentai actors, attracting high interest even before their debut. Upon its release in April, the song quickly spread, achieving over 1.5 billion total views on social media (as of June 29), marking a brilliant debut and a rapid increase in "Monakama" (fan name).

STARGLOW, a five-member dance and vocal group formed from the winners of the audition program "THE LAST PIECE," accounted for five songs in the TOP 20. They officially debuted in January with the release of "Star Wish" (4th place) and are actively promoting, with plans to unveil their third single in July.

7. [First Half Boy Group Songs Released TOP 20]

* Songs with multiple versions are aggregated as the same song.

◇ Explanation of [First Half Boy Group Songs Released TOP 20]

First place, M!LK's "Bakuretsu Aishiteru," was released as a double A-side single along with "Suki Sugite Metsu!" (which ranked 2nd in [Overall DAM]) as their major 8th single. It was created with the concept of "universal love for fans and Japan." It achieved the number one spot on the "Billboard JAPAN Hot 100" for the first time (announced February 25). They also achieved the feat of being the fifth male artist in history to dominate the 1st and 2nd positions on the Oricon Weekly Streaming Ranking (announced April 29).

Second place is Monaki's "Honma Yade☆Nandeyanen☆Shirankedo," which ranked first in [First Half Debut Artist Songs]. As a rising kayokyoku boy group, they stand out without being overshadowed by the pop music wave.

Third place is "Five," the final single from the idol group Arashi, which concluded its activities after a Tokyo Dome performance on May 31. The song, their first new release in approximately five years and five months, themed around the bond between the five members and their gratitude to fans, captured the hearts of many.

8. [First Half Girl Group Songs Released TOP 20]

* Songs with multiple versions are aggregated as the same song.

◇ Explanation of [First Half Girl Group Songs Released TOP 20]

First place is "Gekiyaku Chuzoku" by =LOVE, an idol group produced by Rino Sashihara. =LOVE, composed of 10 women who received comprehensive voice actor training at Yoyogi Animation Academy, boasts the greatest appeal in the synergistic effect created by Sashihara's female-perspective lyrics and the members' expressive singing voices, captivating many fans. The song features provocative lyrics depicting the recklessness and conflict of being deeply in love, and a catchy melody that lingers in the ear. Its ability to express diverse emotions makes it repeatedly sung in "try singing" videos and karaoke.

"Cold Night" at 4th place is HANA's first anime tie-up and ranked 8th in [First Half Anime Theme Songs (Broadcast/Streamed/Released)]. It marked a complete change in atmosphere from their previous aggressive dance numbers, and was featured in various media as a new frontier song depicting their relatable struggles and unwavering strength. HANA has four songs ranked in the TOP 20 (3rd, 6th, and 9th places), demonstrating their continued popularity in their second year since debut.

Related Sites

・DAM Official Site 2026 First Half Karaoke Rankings Page:

https://www.clubdam.com/ranking/2026/firsthalf.html

・DAM Official Site 2026 Winter Anime Theme Song Karaoke Rankings Page:

https://www.clubdam.com/feature/standard/winter_anime_ranking_2026.html

・DAM Official Site 2025 Annual Karaoke Rankings Page:

https://www.clubdam.com/ranking/2025/