[Blazing] Carefully selected tracks perfect as BGM for cavalry battles at sports festivals!

Kibasen (cavalry battle), where teams of three to five form a “horse,” and the rider tries to snatch a hat or sash from riders on other “horses.” It’s a classic sports day event that gets not only the participants but also the spectators fired up, with battles as heated as those of samurai in the Warring States period! In this article, we introduce songs that are perfect for kibasen.

Drawing on the horseback theme, we’ve picked tracks from various genres—from theme songs of historical dramas depicting the lives of samurai, to sports day staples, to J-pop that fills you with energy just by listening.

Use this as a reference!

Playlist

[Blazing] Carefully selected tracks perfect as BGM for cavalry battles at sports festivals!
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	InfernoMrs. GREEN APPLE		The opening theme of Fire Force. A song packed with a sense of speed and fiery intensity.
2	SenbonzakuraWagakki Band		The fusion of Japanese and Western instruments in “Senbonzakura” invigorates the competition.
3	migratory bird[Alexandros]		Watari-dori is a staple song at school sports festivals.
4	Maximum reachSEKAI NO OWARI		An upbeat song by SEKAI NO OWARI
5	Crimson Lotus FlowerLiSA		Demon Slayer opening theme song
6	Shinsengumi! Main ThemeTakayuki Hattori		A grand musical piece that embodies the spirit of the Shinsengumi
7	single-minded; wholehearted; devoted; earnestKing Gnu		King Gnu's exhilarating theme song
8	Zankyo SankaAimer		Aimer’s powerful song for the Demon Slayer opening
9	RISINGYoshida Kyōdai		Tsugaru shamisen piece for cavalry battle
10	Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE		A youth song by Mrs. GREEN APPLE
11	Let’s give it a tryWANIMA		WANIMA boosting their spirit of challenge at the sports festival
12	Taiga Drama ‘Ryomaden’ Main ThemeSatō Naoki		The powerful sound of the Ryomaden theme song
13	William Tell OvertureGioachino Antonio Rossini		William Tell as the cavalry battle BGM at a sports day
14	We Will Rock YouQueen		Queen's signature songs, BGM suitable for cavalry battle
15	Soul RevolutionSuperfly		A powerful cheer song by Superfly
16	Soldier, run.B’z		A cheer song for Japan’s national rugby team, singing of the will to win.
17	Carmen PreludeGeorges Bizet		Bizet's Carmen Prelude—perfect for a cavalry charge
18	My Past Life, Many Lifetimes AgoRADWIMPS		Liven up the sports day with RADWIMPS’s “Zenzenzense.”
19	KICKBACKYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu Chainsaw Man OP song
20	Fūrinkazan – Main Theme –Senju Akira		An orchestral piece of “Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain”
21	Galop of the ClownsDmitri Kabalevsky		Composed by Kabalevsky, a classic song for sports festivals
22	MiserlouDick Dale & His Del-tones		Dick Dale's iconic surf rock song
23	Hideyoshi Main ThemeShōroku Reijirō		Hideyoshi’s theme song expresses the passionate spirit of the warlord with a grand melody.
24	Tenchijin ~ Opening ThemeŌshima Michiru		The opening theme of Tenchijin is performed at schools as well.
25	ultra soulB’z		A powerful anthem that supports the challenge toward one’s dreams
26	Heaven and HellOfufenbakku		The appeal of exhilarating classic songs perfect for sports days
27	William Tell OvertureRosshīni		A magnificent overture, marked by a powerful rhythm
28	In a Persian marketAlbert William Ketèlbey		A grand orchestral work with exotic flair
29	Symphony No. 9 “From the New World,” Fourth MovementAntonín Leopold Dvořák		Dvořák’s famous piece is popular at sports festivals.
30	L’Arlésienne Suite No. 2: FarandoleGeorges Bizet		A splendid festive dance piece originating from Provence
31	Start to shine and run forwardSambomasutā		A heartwarming cheer song that colors youth
32	GONGWANIMA		A rock song depicting challenges and the bonds of comrades
33	together; along with; bothWANIMA		A classic whose uplifting vocals give your heart a gentle push forward
34	flash[Alexandros]		Gundam theme song, hope and fighting spirit
35	We’ve gotta do what seems impossible.Sambomasutā		An anthem of support that gives you the courage to keep moving forward without giving up
36	BOW AND ARROWYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu to produce the opening theme song for Medalist
37	Rocky Themebirukonti		Rocky's theme song Effort and Growth
38	Symphony No. 5 “Revolution,” Fourth MovementDmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich		Mood boost with Shostakovich’s symphonies
39	I am the strongest.Ado		The powerful in-film song from the movie One Piece
40	Sword DanceAram Khachaturian		A powerful song suited for cavalry battles
41	“Star Wars” Main ThemeJohn Williams		Liven up the cavalry battle with the Star Wars theme song
42	So WhatP!nk		Pink breakup-recovery anthem becomes a global hit
43	cavalry battleHayashi Yuuki		Cavalry Battle BGM from My Hero Academia
44	Flight of the BumblebeeNikolai Rimsky-Korsakov		A fast-tempo classic for sports day, like Flight of the Bumblebee
45	One-Eyed Dragon Masamune ThemeIkebe Shinichirō		Introducing the theme song of an NHK Taiga drama suited for cavalry battles