AKB48 Love Songs: Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

Because I like you.AKB4829rank/position

[MV full] Because I Love You / AKB48 [Official]

This piece could be called a hidden gem by AKB48, a song about pure love that asks for nothing in return.

Riding on a driving, fast-paced band sound, it delivers a heartfelt message in classic idol-pop fashion.

Originally included as a B-side to the single “RIVER,” released in October 2009, it gained such passionate support from fans that it proudly took 2nd place at the following year’s Request Hour.

It was also used as the theme for the Wii game Tōmajiden commercials, so some listeners may already find it familiar.

The bright vocals from the Under Girls, including Aki Takajo, give listeners a powerful push forward.

If you listen when you’re feeling down or when you want to cheer someone on with all your might, you’re sure to get a dose of positive energy.

My idolized pop starAKB4830rank/position

Idolized Pop Star (Team A)

Admiration for a Pop Star depicts the fluttering feelings of a girl who swoons over her favorite idol as they deliver songs and dances amid thunderous cheers.

It’s performed by members of AKB48’s Team A.

With a retro sound reminiscent of Showa-era pop, it has an irresistibly nostalgic charm.

The song portrays a girl captivated by her idol’s shining presence at a live show.

From the moment she wakes up to the time she falls asleep, she thinks about the one she loves—an idol song overflowing with sweet, cute, and slightly bittersweet feelings.

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Cherry Blossom BookmarkAKB4831rank/position

[MV full] Sakura no Shiori / AKB48 [Official]

This work by AKB48, a group that represents the idol scene since the 2000s, is a full-fledged choral piece themed around springtime farewells and new beginnings.

The lyrics liken hope for the future to a “bookmark,” and the beautiful harmonies arranged by Kenichi Mitsuda are captivating—it’s so well-crafted that it’s even sung at real graduation ceremonies.

Released as a single in February 2010, it was also used as the theme song for the TV drama Majisuka Gakuen.

In the music video directed by Shunji Iwai, every member wears a different hakama, with meticulous attention to detail in the staging.

Centered by Minami Takahashi and Atsuko Maeda, this moving song is a perfect fit for March, when people take their first steps into a new chapter.

Graduation of Unrequited LoveAKB4832rank/position

Unrequited Love Graduation (Team K Ver.)

Let me introduce an AKB48 number that marks the passage of time at graduation and portrays an unspoken one-sided love.

Released in March 2007 as part of Team K’s 3rd Stage “Nounai Paradise,” it’s a song that has been passed down in theater performances.

You can laugh within your circle of friends, yet say nothing in front of the person you like as graduation day draws near.

Those bittersweet feelings are carefully spun over a gentle, mid-tempo melody.

Rather than flashy production, the arrangement treasures the afterglow of the words, quietly seeping into the listener’s heart.

This work captures a moment of youth swaying between the fear that love might end unfulfilled and the desire to express your feelings anyway.

It’s a number we recommend not only to those about to graduate, but also to anyone who wants to remember who they were back then.

I don’t need wings.AKB4833rank/position

[MV full] Tsubasa wa Iranai / AKB48 [Official]

This work features a pleasantly nostalgic, folk-inspired melody.

Released as a single in June 2016, it marked Mion Mukaichi’s first time as center.

The warm lyrics—telling you it’s okay not to rush, that even without wings you can keep walking firmly on the ground—really resonate.

The music video, crafted with a worldview reminiscent of the student movements of the 1970s, also drew attention, and the song is known as the theme for the Amazon Prime Video drama “AKB48 Sousenkyo Scandal: Akiba Document.” With the acoustic guitar tones layered with the members’ gentle chorus, it’s a track packed with a timeless charm that transcends generations.

Its relaxed tempo and comfortable range make it easy to sing, so it’s also a great pick when you want to raise your voices together and have fun at karaoke.

Dear my teacherAKB4834rank/position

AKB48 – Dear my teacher

Recommended for all students troubled by love, AKB48’s song “Dear my teacher” is a poignant number that expresses tender feelings toward a teacher.

Released in 2006, the track is remembered among fans as one of the emblematic songs from the group’s early musical activities.

Yasushi Akimoto’s delicate lyrics and Mione Okada’s melody capture the frustrations of youth and deeply resonate with listeners.

There are also different versions by Team K and Team A, each with its own distinct flavor, which is part of the song’s appeal.

When you feel the barrier between teacher and student, listen to this warm, comforting song and let it support your heart, even just a little.

Senior TakeuchiAKB4835rank/position

Senior Takeuchi (Team 4)

A hidden gem that’s included in the setlist for Himawari-gumi’s first stage, “Boku no Taiyo.” Atsuko Maeda and Yuko Oshima also sang this song and grew a lot through it.

By the way, Himawari-gumi was a joint team made up of AKB48’s former Team A and Team K.

Longtime fans may be very familiar with it.

The songwriting dream team of Yasushi Akimoto (lyrics) and Tsugutoshi Goto (music) created it.

The lyrics, about a girl who keeps pining for her senpai who’s two years above her, are pure to the core.

It’s a recommended “senpai song” that captures a bittersweet feeling in a bright melody!