Ranking of Popular Japanese Music/J-POP Artists Among University Students [2026]

The Zero Sense10-FEET85rank/position

10-FEET – The Zero Sense (Ending Theme Song of the Film 'THE FIRST SLAM DUNK')

A rock number that powerfully belts out a passion for basketball and the spirit of challenge! The lyrics, brimming with the drive to chase your dreams and the resolve to face adversity, feel like a push on your back.

10-FEET’s overwhelmingly powerful, tension-filled sound grabs your heart and won’t let go.

Featured on the album “COLLINS” and released in November 2022 as the ending theme for the film “THE FIRST SLAM DUNK,” this track is perfect not only for basketball and sports fans, but also for those moments when you want to strive toward your dreams or fire yourself up before an important showdown.

TOGEAKASAKI86rank/position

【AKASAKI】TOGE (Lyric Video)

AKASAKI is one of the singer-songwriters who drew attention following the breakout hit “Bunny Girl.” This track is his work from September 2025.

It marks a clear departure from his previously catchy style, tackling a very serious theme as he confronts his own painful experiences.

Carried by a quiet, minimal sound, his vocals vividly convey pain and memory, powerfully stirring the listener’s heart.

It’s the kind of song that will surely offer deep comfort on nights when you want to sit alone and face yourself in silence.

Double Double FIGHT!CANDY TUNE87rank/position

[MV] CANDY TUNE “Bai Bai FIGHT!”

CANDY TUNE’s cheer song “Baibai FIGHT!” is the perfect track to amp up the excitement at school sports days and athletic festivals.

Released as a digital-only single in April 2024, the song was written and composed by Tamaya 2060% of Wienners.

It embodies a positive spirit of getting back up again and again and continuing to take on challenges, conveying the strength to never give up even when faced with difficulties.

With its uptempo, energetic melody, it became a major topic of conversation after dance videos on TikTok sparked interest.

Its bright, lively sound is sure to powerfully push athletes forward as background music for competitions where friends pour their passion into a hot-blooded youth.

Perfect-Sense DreamerONE OK ROCK88rank/position

ONE OK ROCK "The Totally Sensational Dreamer"

This is the fourth single by ONE OK ROCK, a four-piece rock band active on the global stage.

Opening with an impactful drum fill amid guitar feedback, this track is guaranteed to amp up the excitement at any school sports day or athletic festival.

Its dynamic arrangement—featuring irregular rhythms in the first verse and a half-time feel in the pre-chorus—adds layers of contrast that make the soaring chorus hit even harder, pumping up listeners as they head into any event.

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Hoshino Takashi

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SpecialSUPER BEAVER89rank/position

SUPER BEAVER 'Special' Music Video

What will further liven up a heated sports day or athletic festival is “Special.” It’s included on the rock band SUPER BEAVER’s 2022 album Tokyo; they’re known for songs themed around “life” and “love.” The energetic, one-take music video leaves a strong impression.

The straightforward, driving band sound delivers a real sense of speed.

It’s a heartwarming message song that embraces worries and anxieties.

Give it a listen when you want to boost the excitement at events like the opening ceremony or the relay during a sports day or festival.

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mutō

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Helloyama × bocchiboromaru90rank/position

yama × Bocchi Boromaru “Hello” MV (TV anime “Pokémon” opening theme)

A heartwarming collaborative piece by yama and Bocchi Boromaru, brimming with positive energy as a rousing anthem.

It carries a message that awakens hope for the future and a spirit of adventure, with a simple yet powerful melody that resonates deeply.

The song is approachable for a wide audience and was chosen as the opening theme for the TV anime Pokémon starting in October 2023.

In December 2023, it was released on CD in two formats: a standard edition and a limited-time production edition.

As a positive track that makes you want to sing along with someone, it’s perfect for cheering at sports days and athletic festivals.

Raise your voices together with friends under the blue sky, and it will surely become a wonderful memory.

Go for it!!Urufuruzu91rank/position

Ulfuls – Guts da ze!!

With its powerful message and funky rhythm, this classic song amps up the excitement of any sports day scene.

Tortoise Matsumoto’s passionate vocals and the band’s danceable groove forcefully lift listeners’ spirits! Released in December 1995, the track was used as the ending theme for Fuji TV’s variety show “Shinpin Butai.” It boosted anticipation for the following year’s album “Banzai” and became a pivotal song that sparked Ulfuls’ breakthrough.

Straightforward with a slightly comical vibe, it’s perfect for easing pre-performance nerves.

Play it during sprints or relays, and it’ll be the ultimate cheer for the athletes—sure to make them push on with smiles!