AKB48 Popular Song Ranking [2026]

RIVERAKB4822rank/position

[MV full] RIVER / AKB48 [Official]

The popular idol group AKB48.

When it comes to their songs, many people probably think of a cute image.

However, among their tracks, there are also powerful cheering songs.

One of those is “RIVER.” This song compares painful experiences to a great river.

It carries the message that no matter how hard things get, you can overcome them.

Its strong lyrics and vocals are sure to give you energy.

In the music video, they also showcase a powerful dance that matches the lyrics.

Be sure to check it out as well.

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yamamoto

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Days of Light and ShadowAKB4823rank/position

[MV full] Days of Light and Shadow / AKB48 [Official]

When it comes to songs that conjure up realistic images of high school baseball players at practice, “Hikari to Kage no Hibi” comes to mind.

It’s included on the nationally beloved idol group AKB48’s 2016 release “LOVE TRIP/Shiawase wo Wakenasai,” and was chosen as ABC’s 2016 ‘Summer High School Baseball Cheer Song.’ It’s a grand ballad adorned with the resounding tones of beautiful strings.

Their cute choral work is irresistibly heart‑fluttering.

It’s a warm song that gives you the courage to pursue your dreams and goals.

Give it a listen while picturing the players’ efforts leading up to their moment on the big stage.

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mutō

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Gravity SympathyAKB4824rank/position

“Gravity Sympathy” MV / AKB48 [Official]

Many of you might recall this melody along with the excitement of the pachinko hall.

Created by “Team Surprise,” a unit formed from selected members of the AKB48 group, this popular number was released in September 2012 as part of a tie-in project with the pachinko machine CR Pachinko AKB48.

The lyrics beautifully liken the moment when your shoulder brushes against the person next to you on a bus’s sharp turn to the gravitational pull of love.

It gives you a sense of unity, as if hearts connect without words—just listening makes your heart race.

It’s also known for featuring Atsuko Maeda as the center, and its exhilarating, show-opening energy is a big draw.

Why not pick it for a group road trip or as the first song at karaoke to get everyone fired up?

Vegetable SistersAKB4825rank/position

[MV full] Vegetable Sisters / AKB48 [Official]

If you’re looking for a lively, feel-good cheer song to brighten up your breakfast table, how about getting pumped with this track? Featured on AKB48’s single “Heavy Rotation,” released in August 2010, this song became a household favorite as the CM song for Kagome’s “Yasai Ichinichi Kore Ippon.” The members singing in uniquely designed vegetable costumes caused quite a stir at the time.

Its rhythmic chants and catchy melody will have you humming along before you know it.

It’s the perfect song to dance to with your kids or to charge up your energy at the start of the day!

Mari-ko from aboveAKB4826rank/position

[MV Full] Ue Kara Mariko / AKB48 [Official]

This song is an AKB48 track released in 2011, written with Mariko Shinoda in mind, who took the center position after winning the rock-paper-scissors tournament.

The music video is an intriguing school drama where the student who wins at rock-paper-scissors becomes the student council president.

It’s interesting that even such a pop song uses the canon progression.

One of the great things about the canon progression is that the chords flow beautifully sideways without getting too much in the way of the melody.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Anklet in NovemberAKB4827rank/position

[MV full] Anklet of November / AKB48 50th Single [Official]

A bittersweet yet hopeful song that gently accompanies the deepening autumn of November.

Released in November 2017 as AKB48’s 50th single, this track is also known as Mayu Watanabe’s final work with the group.

Its charm lies in the contrast between a light, upbeat melody and heartrending lyrics, with an anklet symbolizing the end of a romance and a new beginning leaving a strong impression.

It sold 1,095,000 copies in its first week, debuting at No.

1 on the Oricon Weekly CD Single Ranking.

Highly recommended for those who, while sensing the end of autumn, want the courage to take a step toward winter.

365 Days Paper AirplaneAKB4828rank/position

[MV] Paper Airplane of 365 Days (Short ver.) / AKB48 [Official]

A single released by AKB48 in 2017.

It was used as the theme song for a morning drama and became a big hit.

In our daily working lives, not everything goes well.

There are times when all you can do is sigh and say, “Haa…” But when things aren’t going smoothly, why not try changing your perspective to, “This is just a preparatory phase for moving on to the next step”? It’s a song that helps calm your mind in that way.