[University Students] Popular Songs Ranking by Generation [2026]

ANTENNAMrs. GREEN APPLE8rank/position

Mrs. GREEN APPLE「ANTENNA」Official Music Video

An energetic band sound that cranks up the excitement of a sports day to the max.

The melody woven by vocalist Motoki Omori will move your heart.

Portraying the will to press forward while carrying anxiety, this song by the hugely popular Mrs.

GREEN APPLE was also selected as the support song for Japan’s national team in Fuji TV’s “FIVB Paris Olympic Qualifiers / World Cup Volleyball 2023.” It’s the perfect BGM for those moments when you give your all in pursuit of victory.

A masterpiece with an overwhelming sense of scale, worthy of the passion of sports.

peace signYonezu Kenshi9rank/position

Kenshi Yonezu – Peace Sign

Crank up the energy with this powerful guitar rock tune! Written by singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu, it was released as a single in June 2017.

Chosen as the opening theme for Season 2, Cour 1 of the anime My Hero Academia, it quickly became a sensation.

The lyrics carry a message about overcoming your own weaknesses and charging toward the future, giving a strong push to anyone striving forward.

Blending a sense of speed with emotional vocals, this track is a perfect BGM choice for school sports days and athletic festivals where students give it their all—guaranteed to heat up any competition!

A Little Love SongMONGOL80010rank/position

A Little Love Song

While known as a leading force in “youth punk,” the rock band MONGOL800 remained committed to working out of their hometown of Okinawa.

Their signature song, ‘Chiisana Koi no Uta,’ despite never being released as a single, has been featured in numerous tie-ins and is still renowned today as a classic that artists continue to cover.

With its simple melody and driving rock sound, it’s guaranteed to get a crowd going at karaoke.

Since the key is low and the vocal range is narrow, it’s a youth anthem that’s also great for those who aren’t very confident at karaoke.

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Hoshino Takashi

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From Me to Youflumpool11rank/position

flumpool “Kimi ni Todoke” Music Video

Here’s a song that will make those precious moments of school life even more moving and dramatic! It’s “Kimi ni Todoke” by the rock band flumpool.

With its dynamic, dramatic progression, it’s a deeply touching track that perfectly matches the heart-pounding excitement of a school festival, when it feels like something is about to happen.

Combined with the music video shot on a school campus, it’s perfect for a day that feels like a page out of your youth.

Overlaying that scenery with this song will make everything feel many times more dramatic.

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Murakami Shinpei

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DREAMIN’ONDa-iCE12rank/position

Da-iCE / <TV Anime “ONE PIECE” Theme Song> “DREAMIN’ ON” Music Video

This song expresses the courage and strong will to pursue one’s dreams.

Released in August 2020, it was selected as the 23rd opening theme for the popular anime ONE PIECE.

As the first installment of Da-iCE’s six-month consecutive release plan, it was created with a focus on the theme of “vision.” The lyrics, written by Sota Hanamura, are notable for their powerful message.

The song celebrates the spirit of adventure in taking on unknown worlds with your friends and the importance of staying true to yourself.

Conveying the value of moving forward without being defeated by adversity, this track is sure to encourage everyone taking on events at sports days and athletic festivals together with their teammates!

to clear up (weather)Yorushika13rank/position

Yorushika – Haru (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

Yorushika’s Haru, released for streaming in 2024, was chosen as the opening theme for the TV anime Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and drew a strong response.

The song carries a message of not losing hope even amid harsh realities.

Its chorus, which builds with a sense of openness and exhilarating drive, is particularly striking.

It conveys the importance of overcoming sorrow and facing forward in life.

With its emotional sound, it’s a perfect cheer song for children giving their all at sports days and field days.

A track that fills you with energy and courage.

Kaiju no Hanabuta (Monster’s Flower Song)Vaundy14rank/position

Monster’s Flower Song / Vaundy [Simple Choreography for Lower and Middle Elementary Grades]

Vaundy’s “Kaiju no Hanauta” features a strikingly bright melody, and the way the chorus opens up like a widening landscape makes it a song that lifts your spirits.

Dancing to a track that puts you in a positive mood can make moving your body even more enjoyable.

Because it’s such an upbeat song, I recommend incorporating bouncy movements to match it, and being mindful of expressing a sense of fun in your facial expressions.

Imagining how the scenery suddenly expands in the chorus, using movements that spread your arms wide is also a key point for conveying the song’s world.

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kappamaki

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