Ranking of Most Popular Bands Among University Students [2026]

RPGSEKAI NO OWARI15rank/position

SEKAI NO OWARI「RPG」

SEKAI NO OWARI’s “RPG,” perfect for a closing ceremony, has a good tempo and is also recommended for the exit march.

It’s a song that will let you feel fulfilled and accomplished after taking part in the sports day with your classmates and having fun together.

In the end, the entire venue will surely become one, with everyone holding hands for a moving moment.

The powerful vocals and the band’s performance make it a song that sends encouragement to children stepping into the future.

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FateOfisharu Higedan Dism16rank/position

Official HIGE DANDism – Fate [Official Video]

Official HIGE DANDism is a band that has gained popularity for their piercingly high-toned vocals and classic, mainstream pop sound.

This song they perform is an energetic number where piano and brass tones layer together and gradually build in intensity.

It stands by the conflicts and anxieties you face before a big challenge, singing as if to powerfully push you forward.

Released as a single in July 2019 and included on the masterpiece album “Traveler,” it was also selected that year as the “ABC Summer High School Baseball Support Song” and the theme for the TV program “Netto Koshien.” It’s perfect as opening BGM for cultural and school festivals, or for brass band performances.

A highly recommended track that fires up the heart and colors a page of youth.

New Treasure IslandSakanakushon17rank/position

Shin Takarajima / Sakanaction SIT Band - Sapporo International Information High School Wind Ensemble

This lively song is brimming with the excitement of children embarking on unknown adventures.

Created by Sakanaction, it was produced in September 2015 as the theme song for the film Bakuman.

Its retro synthesizer tones and brisk beat are striking, evoking the sound of the late 1980s to early 1990s and making you feel as if you’ve time-traveled.

Giving you the courage to take a bold step toward the future, this track is perfect for a sports day entrance scene! It fills the entire venue with a bright mood and is a song that brings smiles to everyone’s faces.

Loverssumika18rank/position

sumika / Lovers【Music Video】

sumika is a rock band that captivates many listeners with refreshing melodies and heartwarming messages.

Originally released in March 2016 as a limited-edition single, this song was created in gratitude to fans and members after overcoming the hardship of a hiatus.

It became widely known when it was selected as the theme song for the “Mune-Kyun Sukatto” segment of the TV show “Tsuukai TV Sukatto Japan,” and it’s now beloved as a wedding staple.

Its brisk rhythm and catchy melody are perfect for school festival stages, too.

With handclaps and call-and-response, this pop tune is sure to bring the whole venue together in excitement!

My Past Life, Many Lifetimes AgoRADWIMPS19rank/position

RADWIMPS – Zenzenzense (movie ver.) [Official Music Video]

This is a RADWIMPS song created for director Makoto Shinkai’s animated film, singing of a fateful love that transcends time.

It’s a pop tune that conveys strength amid poignancy, marked by energetic guitar sounds and a driving, up-tempo rhythm.

Included on the album “Your Name.” released in August 2016, the track drew major attention alongside the film’s mega-hit success, and it’s also beloved as a staple at school festivals where everyone can get excited together.

If you simplify the guitar and drum rhythm parts, it can be enjoyed in performance regardless of skill level.

silhouetteKANA-BOON20rank/position

KANA-BOON “Silhouette” Music Video

How about a masterpiece whose driving guitar riffs and powerful band sound strike straight to the heart? It’s a single released in November 2014 by KANA-BOON, a rock band formed in Osaka.

Chosen as the opening theme for the TV anime Naruto Shippuden, it sparked major buzz both in Japan and abroad.

This work conveys a resolve to move forward while recognizing that past experiences and encounters shape who we are today, holding what’s precious close to our hearts.

Vocalist Maguro Taniguchi’s emotional voice powerfully encourages students who put in daily effort toward their big moment.

It’s the perfect cheer song for heated events like relays and pep rallies!

Start to shine and run forwardSambomasutā21rank/position

Sambomaster / Starting to Shine and Run - MUSIC VIDEO

It’s a cheer song brimming with youthful passion and hope.

It portrays a protagonist who carries deep pain in their heart and feels on the verge of losing themselves, yet by accepting that suffering, the work gives them the courage to take a new step forward.

Released by Sambomaster in August 2018, the track was chosen as the theme song for the TBS Friday drama “Cheer☆Dan,” and, alongside the story of high school students striving to conquer the United States, left a lasting impression on many viewers.

This piece is also perfect as background music for school sports days and athletic festivals, gently supporting students who give their all and sweat it out together with their friends.