Anime & J-Pop Chord Progressions From Hit Songs
The chord progressions behind YOASOBI, Kenshi Yonezu, RADWIMPS, LiSA and Aimer hits, including the famous royal road progression. Every chord is spelled out, you can switch to any key, hear each loop in your browser and download it as a free MIDI file.
IVmaj7 – V7 – iii7 – vi
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Starting on the IV avoids the obvious home chord, the V7 builds tension, and the move to iii and vi lands somewhere bittersweet instead of resolving. That mix of lift and melancholy is the signature sound of J-pop and anime openings.
Tip: Keep the maj7 on the IV and the m7 on the iii; that colour is what listeners recognise. The same core loop appears in K-pop (see our K-pop page) and in Never Gonna Give You Up.
IVmaj7 – III7 – vi
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The III7 is a major chord that acts as the V of vi, so it pulls strongly into the minor vi. It is the same shape as the Just the Two of Us progression (VImaj7–V7–i7 in minor), seen from the relative major.
Tip: Make the vi a m7 and add a I or I7 at the end to turn it into a four-bar loop.
IVmaj7 – V – vi – I
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The bass climbs step by step from 4 to 6 before the loop returns to I, so each bar feels a little higher than the last. Ideal for an energetic opening chorus.
Tip: Push the tempo and put the vocal peak on the vi chord.
vi – IV – I – V
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The same four chords as the I–V–vi–IV pop loop, started on the vi, so the chorus begins in a darker place and climbs into the major.
Tip: Use a sus4 on the V, as Zenzenzense does, to keep the loop from sounding too final.
IV – I – V – vi
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Another order of the four pop chords, starting on the IV. Opening on the subdominant gives a reaching, emotional feel, and ending on vi keeps it unresolved.
Tip: Contrast it with a verse that starts on the vi. Lemon's verse runs vi–V–IV–I.
vi – I – IV – V
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Starting on the minor vi and moving quickly through the major chords gives tension and drive; the V at the end throws you straight back to the vi.
Tip: Play the I with its 5th in the bass (second inversion) so the bass line moves smoothly from vi.
i – VI – VII
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From the minor i the loop climbs through two major chords, VI and VII, building tension that resolves when it returns to the i. It is a go-to move for dramatic, cinematic themes (Eminem's Lose Yourself uses the same loop).
Tip: Layer strings or a choir pad on the VII to make the return to i hit harder.
Progressions with a lower-case i are shown in a minor key, the rest in major. Songs often use different chords in different sections; the section is listed for each example. "Song key" is the key of the recording as given in the published transcription.
All 7 Anime and J-pop progressions as MIDI, in every key
Every progression on this page in all 12 keys (84 MIDI files, chords and bass on separate tracks, at 120 BPM). You also get our full Chord Progression MIDI Pack (864 files) and The Songwriter's Cheat Sheet (PDF).
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DOWNLOAD ANIME MIDI → FULL MIDI PACK CHEAT SHEET PDFGot the chords? SongwriterMap walks you through writing the melody, hook and lyric on top. Try the free demo.
How anime and J-pop progressions work
Anime and J-pop harmony is usually richer than Western pop: more 7th chords, more secondary dominants and more chord changes per section. Two progressions are everywhere: the royal road (IVmaj7–V7–iii7–vi) and its close relative IVmaj7–III7–vi.
Choruses often start on the IV instead of the I. Beginning away from the home chord gives a feeling of lift and longing, and the resolution to I is saved for the end of the section, or skipped altogether.
3 ways to use them in your own songs
- Start the chorus on IV. Take any of the IV-first loops above and put your hook on the first beat of the IV chord.
- Add the 7ths. Most of these progressions only sound "J-pop" with maj7 on the IV and m7 on the iii and vi. Try our free piano chord chart for the voicings.
- Change key for the last chorus. Anime songs often modulate up a step or a half step for the final chorus. Use the key buttons above to hear the loop a step higher.
Turn the progression into a song
SongwriterMap covers what goes on top of the chords: song structure, hook writing, melody shapes, lyric devices and a 7-point melody check, with an exercise for every item. Try the free demo in your browser.
Quick answers
What chord progressions are used in anime and J-pop?
Common anime and J-pop progressions include IVmaj7 – V7 – iii7 – vi (Gunjou); IVmaj7 – III7 – vi (Gunjou); IVmaj7 – V – vi – I (Peace Sign); vi – IV – I – V (Zenzenzense); IV – I – V – vi (Lemon). Every progression on this page has playback in any key and a free MIDI download.
What chord progression does Gunjou by YOASOBI use?
Gunjou uses IVmaj7 – V7 – iii7 – vi in the chorus: E♭maj7 – F7 – Dm7 – Gm in B♭ major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Racing Into the Night by YOASOBI use?
Racing Into the Night uses IVmaj7 – V7 – iii7 – vi in the chorus (analysed as VI–VII–v–i in C minor): A♭maj7 – B♭7 – Gm7 – Cm in E♭ major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Gunjou by YOASOBI use?
Gunjou uses IVmaj7 – III7 – vi in the verse: E♭maj7 – D7 – Gm in B♭ major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does HANABI by Ikimonogakari use?
HANABI uses IVmaj7 – III7 – vi in the chorus (IV with add9, then I): Cmaj7 – B7 – Em in G major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Peace Sign by Kenshi Yonezu use?
Peace Sign uses IVmaj7 – V – vi – I in the chorus (My Hero Academia opening 2): A♭maj7 – B♭ – Cm – E♭ in E♭ major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Zenzenzense by RADWIMPS use?
Zenzenzense uses vi – IV – I – V in the chorus (V as sus4): G♯m – E – B – F♯ in B major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Lemon by Kenshi Yonezu use?
Lemon uses IV – I – V – vi in the chorus: E – B – F♯ – G♯m in B major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does crossing field by LiSA use?
crossing field uses vi – I – IV – V in the verse and pre-chorus (I in second inversion): Dm – F – B♭ – C in F major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Zankyou Sanka by Aimer use?
Zankyou Sanka uses i – VI – VII in the intro: G♯m – E – F♯ in G♯ minor, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
Can I use the same chord progression as a hit song?
Yes. Chord progressions are shared building blocks of music, and the loops on this page are used in hundreds of songs. What makes a song yours is the melody, the lyric and the production. (General information, not legal advice.)
Can I download these chord progressions as MIDI?
Yes. Every progression has a free MIDI download in the key and tempo you choose, with the chords and the bass on separate tracks, ready to drag into any DAW.
Sources: Gunjou, Racing Into the Night, HANABI, Peace Sign, Nandemonaiya, Zenzenzense, Lemon, crossing field, Zankyou Sanka, Royal road progression (Wikipedia). Song titles are given for reference only. No lyrics, recordings or sheet music are reproduced, and The Sonic Secrets is not affiliated with any artist or label.