Hi, I'm Shingo Suzuki, also known as Suzushin.
Listening again to Nana Mizuki recently made me want to rank my favorite songs. So, rather suddenly, here are my personal top ten. Whether you know her music already or not, I hope you'll enjoy reading.
This is entirely my own subjective taste. Comparing it with your favorites might be part of the fun.
How I started listening to Nana Mizuki
I first discovered her when I happened across a Nico Nico Douga video of her singing “深愛” (Shin Ai) on Kōhaku Uta Gassen, Japan's year-end music television show. I then watched the official music video, became hooked, and started listening to her other songs. That was around 2010. Since it's now 2026, I've been listening for 16 years.
She may be strongly associated with anime songs, but there's plenty beyond them too. This list includes both, along with my personal memories. I hope you'll stay with me to the end.
My completely subjective ranking: numbers 10 to 6
Let's start with ten through six. Treat the positions as a rough guide: these are all difficult to rank against one another.
No. 10: 恋の抑止力 -type EXCITER- (Koi no Yokushiryoku)
“恋の抑止力” (Koi no Yokushiryoku) began as a character song and is a bright pop dance number. Its words describe heartbreak, but its infectious rhythm stays with me. Nana looks so cool singing and dancing! Tomokazu Sugita's interjections also leave quite an impression on me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xi2aZH3JKh0
No. 9: Justice to Believe
An intensely passionate game theme, from WILD ARMS the Vth Vanguard. I especially love its striking melody. Powerful, full-throated songs like this suit Nana so well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysbppgHKGAY
No. 8: Orchestral Fantasia
Fans shorten it to “Okefan.” The music is simply so cool! As the title suggests, it works beautifully with orchestral sound. Nana's emotionally immersed live performance is overwhelming, almost as though something has possessed her. I strongly recommend watching a live performance!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy8d-DAvo_A
No. 7: SUPER GENERATION
“Supajene” for short: a bright, encouraging song that Nana wrote and composed herself. I often listened when I was down, and it cheered me up. She's associated with intense songs, but I love her encouraging music too. There are plenty of examples beyond this one, so explore them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI9FK8RvyG4
No. 6: DISCOTHEQUE
This is the song famous—perhaps?—for “churu-paya,” with that memorable opening refrain. It's an especially cute dance number in her catalog, and the choreography is adorable too. Could anyone hear it and not be charmed by Nana? Surely not!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe566fX9SWw
Getting closer to the top: numbers 5 to 2
How does the list look so far? Has anything caught your interest? Let's keep going!
No. 5: Gimmick Game
“Gimige” for short, this is an upbeat dance number that really raises my spirits. Nana is both cool and cute when she sings and dances to it live. It's also a song I often sing at karaoke. Personally, I think it deserves more appreciation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGIJsVwl_bs
No. 4: innocent starter
“Inosuta” is well known from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha, but I discovered the song first. During a very difficult period emotionally, it encouraged me. I was moved to tears more than once; the words felt so closely connected to what I was experiencing. I think it's a wonderful song that could move you too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u66FSKM50XQ
No. 3: 絶対的幸福論 (Zettaiteki Kōfukuron)
Watching its music video left a huge impression. The emotion in her singing brings tears to my eyes. The expressions on her face as she sings are indescribably beautiful. It naturally makes me want to be happy and to make someone else happy too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_plZ0bSyng
No. 2: ETERNAL BLAZE
“Etabure” is so representative of Nana that it's the song many associate with her. The sheer singing ability and performance make it impossible not to get excited! I heard it in person at LIVE EXPRESS, and “overwhelming” is the word. The sense of unity with the fans was wonderful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZFPVAOrdXQ
My clear number one: 深愛 (Shin Ai)
“深愛” (Shin Ai) takes first place by a wide margin. It introduced me to Nana, so nostalgia certainly plays a major part. Listening to it shows just how remarkable her singing and expressiveness are. And she's so beautiful and charming.
In the end, my favorite is the song that first introduced me to her.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePVJdev77Gw
Final thoughts
Those are my entirely personal top ten Nana Mizuki songs. Did anything catch your interest? How does the list compare with yours?
If you'd like to hear these on albums, the best-of collections are a good place to look. They're mainly on THE MUSEUM and THE MUSEUM II. Perhaps this is an opportunity to listen through all the best-of albums.
I've been a fan for 16 years, and I intend to keep supporting Nana wholeheartedly. I hope this article helps a few more people discover her music.
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