The "royal road" progression (王道進行, Ōdō shinkō) is to Japan what "the axis progression" is to the Western world. This chord progression comes up time and time again across Japanese music, to the point that to many listeners, the progression has a "Japanese" sound to it.

SOURCES:
The Quintessential VGM Chord Progression:    • The Quintessential VGM Chord Progress...  
Recipe for an anime song:    • Recipe for an Anime song (37 songs, 4...  
The anime chord progression:    • Common Chord Progressions In Anime  
Rick Ashtley is a magical girl:    • RICK ASTLEY IS A MAGICAL GIRL | Ongak...  

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0:00 Introduction
0:45 Japanese examples
2:36 Western examples
4:33 why does it work?
8:35 Piano outro