[University Students] Popular Japanese Music / J-POP Rankings [By Generation]

SignalWANIMA64rank/position

WANIMA “Signal” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

A single song packed with a passionate message for the school festival that colors a page of youth.

It’s a cheering anthem by WANIMA that brilliantly depicts the drive to move toward the future and the real, everyday struggles we face.

While carrying anxieties about an unseen future, it expresses, through powerful rock sounds, the feelings of young people determined to walk their own path.

Featured on the album “Everybody!!,” the track was also used in a Lotte Ice “Sou” commercial, generating a huge response.

In a special NHK program, the band performed with 1,000 eighteen-year-olds, and the moving stage left a lasting impression on many viewers.

With a sound that unites the entire venue, it’s perfect for club presentations and as a theme song for school festivals.

SMILE ~Like a Clear, Sunlit Sky~Kuwata Keisuke65rank/position

Keisuke Kuwata “SMILE ~Like a Clear Blue Sky~” Commercial Broadcasters Official Special Movie (Joint Commercial Broadcasters Project ‘Let’s Do It Together’ Support Song)

This is the support song for the joint commercial TV project “Let’s Do It Together,” produced by Keisuke Kuwata.

The interwoven sounds and beautiful lyrics resonate and gently embrace you.

Kuwata-san singing about loneliness, connection, and dreams really hits home! Through sports and teamwork, those moments when we recognize each other and truly connect are just wonderful.

Sometimes we team up and cooperate.

I think it’s a warm number that carries the hope of overcoming things together.

If it played during the climax of an event or sports festival competition, I’d be overwhelmed with emotion.

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KEI

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Heart-throbbingHinatazaka4666rank/position

Hinatazaka46 “Kyun”

This is the debut and smash-hit song by Hinatazaka46, a Sakamichi-series group that grew out of Keyakizaka46’s Hiragana Keyaki.

Its addictive chorus and cute dance went viral, and the “Kyunkyun Dance” became a heavy rotation trend on TikTok.

If you want to showcase cuteness, it’s a great choice for a girls’ group performance.

The choreography features lots of upbeat, straightforward moves, which is another plus.

And of course, make the chorus’s Kyunkyun Dance as cute as you can!

Curtain callYuuri67rank/position

Curtain Call by Yuuri: My Hero Academia Special Music Video / My Hero Academia Season 7 Cour 2 Opening Theme Anime MV

This is a song by Yuuri featuring an exhilarating, up-tempo rock melody and lyrics filled with hope as two people strive to understand each other.

It powerfully and directly sings of the protagonist’s strong resolve to keep pursuing the path they believe in, while showing empathy toward those they stand opposed to.

A rousing cheer song that gives you a push to chase dreams together with teammates at sports days and athletic festivals, it was released in July 2024 and chosen as the opening theme for Season 7, Cour 2 of the popular anime My Hero Academia.

It’s a track we especially recommend to everyone competing with friends, helping one another, and giving their all toward their goals.

CHE.R.RYYUI68rank/position

CHE.R.RY – YUI (Full)

Released as YUI’s eighth single in 2007, “CHE.R.RY” was featured in a commercial for au’s LISMO service.

This song, which cutely captures the start of a romance, has become a staple love song.

It’s easy for women to sing and has a charming vibe, making it a crowd-pleaser at karaoke—one of YUI’s hit tracks.

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kurichan

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Beat de TouhiHama iku69rank/position

Hamaiku – Escape with the Beat [MV]

Hamaiku is a unit formed by Ryuichi Hamaya of Kamaitachi and Erika Ikuta.

Their song “Beat DE Touhi” is their debut track.

Many university students are probably familiar with it.

Since the two are not primarily active as singers, the vocal lines are set at a relatively low difficulty throughout.

Also, even though it’s a duet, there are no harmony parts, which makes it an easy song to sing.

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Ryo

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cherry (sweet cherry; cherry fruit)Otsuka Ai70rank/position

Ai Otsuka / Sakuranbo (Short Ver.)

This is a love song by Ai Otsuka, who made her mark on the pop scene with her cute vocals and unique worldbuilding.

With its glamorous style and lyrics that resonate perfectly with high school girls, it’s an easy pick as a karaoke song.