Ranking of Popular Japanese Songs and J-Pop Among High School Girls [2026]

FLASHPerfume22rank/position

[Official Music Video] Perfume 「FLASH」

Released in 2016, it was the theme song for the film Chihayafuru starring Suzu Hirose, and the track itself was released in advance from the album that came out in April.

This advance-release version has a different arrangement from the regular album edition, and the distributed version is included only on the limited first-press edition.

Sugar Song and Bitter StepUNISON SQUARE GARDEN23rank/position

UNISON SQUARE GARDEN “Sugar Song and Bitter Step” Live Music Video

This song was used as the ending theme for season 1 of the popular anime Blood Blockade Battlefront.

It fits the anime incredibly well and is a fan favorite alongside the series itself.

It’s a killer tune that always gets the crowd going at live shows and festivals.

With its cute vibe and super poppy feel, it’ll make you want to start stepping to the beat.

It’s also a great song to hype up a karaoke session.

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utatane

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omnidirectional beautynozomi24rank/position

Noa (Noshii) – Omnidirectional Beautiful Girl [Official Music Video]

Noshi is a female singer-songwriter who has gained popularity for her music brimming with originality.

She has many comical songs, and their impact draws attention every time.

You could say her work is especially popular among subculture-inclined girls.

Among Noshi’s tracks, the one I particularly recommend is “Zen Hoko Bishoujo” (“All-Direction Beautiful Girl”).

Though it leaves a strong impression, its vocal range is not especially wide, spanning mid2A to hi C#.

If the falsetto parts are tough, it’s a good idea to lower the key with a focus on those sections.

Moody yet highly addictive, this song is sure to hype up any karaoke session.

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Ryo

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Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro25rank/position

Motohiro Hata / Promise of a Sunflower (Short Ver.)

When I listen to this song, it really makes me realize how important friendship is.

There are kinds of friendships you can only form at this time in your life, so I hope everyone finds at least one close friend.

It’s a song that sinks into your heart and makes you want to cherish the people around you.

KindnessFuji Kaze26rank/position

Fujii Kaze – YASASHISA (Official Video)

Fujii Kaze’s songs have a nostalgic feel, and though they’re in Japanese, they somehow sound like Western pop.

“Yasashisa” is another track where his world unfolds richly, pulling you in and making you want to listen over and over—it’s addictively replayable.

We all have those moments when daily life leaves us tired or when something in our relationships leaves us feeling hazy.

This is the kind of song that sinks deeply into your heart at those times and makes you feel like you can be gentle with yourself and with others.

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utatane

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365 Days’ Paper AirplaneAKB4827rank/position

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

It was released in 2015 as a coupling track on AKB48’s 42nd major single, “Kuchibiru ni Be My Baby.” The song was created as the theme for the NHK morning drama series “Asa ga Kita” and has been embraced by a wide range of generations.

Recently, it has also been performed in high school choirs.

May it be filled with kindnessFlower28rank/position

Flower “So That It Overflows With Kindness” [Movie “Evergreen Love (A Herb Book): I Picked Up a Fateful Love” Theme Song ver.]

It was released as the theme song for the 2016 film “Evergreen Love,” starring Takanori Iwata and Mitsuki Takahata.

The original song is by JUJU and was released in 2009.

The theme song was announced in March of the same year, and the music video was unveiled before the single’s release.