Songs that hype up Sports Day and Athletic Festivals: Japanese Music / J-Pop Artist Rankings [2026]

The Zero Sense10-FEET86rank/position

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

A powerful rock number that passionately belts out the spirit of basketball and the thrill of challenge! The lyrics, brimming with the fervor of chasing your dreams and the resolve to face adversity, feel as if they’re giving you a push from behind.

10-FEET’s sound, packed with overwhelming power and taut intensity, grips the listener’s heart and never lets go.

Featured on the album “COLLINS” and released in December 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.

Crimson Bow and ArrowLinked Horizon87rank/position

Attack on Titan OP [Guren no Yumiya] High Quality Audio

The opening theme of the anime Attack on Titan became so popular that it even appeared on the NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

Since the work’s theme is “battles with giants,” the lyrics are meant to rouse warriors.

Wouldn’t it be a perfect fit for a showdown program?

The One and Only Flower in the WorldSMAP88rank/position

The Only Flower in the World – SMAP

When it comes to moving songs, isn’t it impossible to talk about them without mentioning this one? It’s a signature track by SMAP, the nationally beloved idol group.

With lyrics themed around “Only One,” I think it’s perfect for school sports days, too.

It might be a slightly older song, but I believe it’s one of those timeless classics that still deserves to be loved.

The members’ gentle voices really touch the heart, don’t they?

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Hane Keisuke

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FRIENDS!!!imase89rank/position

【imase】FRIENDS!!!（MV）

In February 2025, imase crafted a new-generation pop song distinguished by its groovy rhythm and rich blend of instruments.

Centered on the importance of friendship and the depth of bonds, the piece was produced as the theme song for “Everyone’s Concert,” a collaboration project between the live communication app Pococha and Yamaha Corporation.

Gently expressing the awkward distance with friends you haven’t seen in a while and the enduring beauty of friendship that doesn’t change with time, it’s a perfect fit to close out a school sports day.

A special movie featuring a collaboration with over 120 performers was also created, hinting at the formation of new communities through music.

It’s a track you can enjoy while picturing the brisk exit scene, walking side by side with friends whose bonds have grown stronger, all to a comfortably soothing melody.

100% for Youkyarī pamyu pamyu90rank/position

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu – Kimi Ni 100 Percent [Legendado em Português]

This song was used as the theme for the Crayon Shin-chan movie.

With its bursting pop sound and catchy melody, it’s an adorable track! What I want you to focus on are the straightforward lyrics that give you motivation.

They make you feel like you’ve got to give everything you’ve got, so it’s a perfect match for sports days and athletic meets! It might be fun to have everyone dance to it, too…?