Popular Cheer Songs [Japanese Music Ranking]
We’re excited to present the latest top 100 ranking of Japanese motivational support songs, introduced all at once in order of most views!
There are moments when you need to fire up your team—or yourself—like during club or society matches, important exams or meetings, or when taking on a new challenge.
There are plenty of songs that will give you courage in those times, so be sure to give them a listen.
The playlist is updated weekly.
- [A Cheer for Myself] A pep song dedicated to you who are doing your very best
- [Moving] Tear-jerking cheer song. A roundup of popular motivational anthems that resonate with the heart!
- [For those doing their best] A collection of motivational cheer songs
- [Exams, Club Activities, Dreams] Encouragement songs recommended for teens: Tracks to listen to when you want to do your best
- Recommended cheer songs for elementary school students: popular tracks to listen to when you want a boost
- [Today's Cheer Song] To everyone giving it your all! A gem of an inspiring anthem that resonates with the heart
- Recommended cheer-up songs for middle schoolers: Classic Japanese hits that will empower student life
- A collection of uplifting songs: positive tracks to support you
- Recommended cheer-up songs for high school students: tracks that will motivate you to do your best on entrance exams and club activities when you listen to them.
- [Summer Cheer Song] A motivational anthem dedicated to those giving their all in sports or studying for exams
- [Cheering Songs] Japanese tracks to listen to when you’re troubled, lost, or feeling anxious
- Power songs that fill you with energy just by listening. Recommended classics and popular tracks.
- Encouraging songs: timeless masterpieces that resonate with the heart, recommended popular tracks
Popular Cheer Songs [Japanese Music Ranking] (11–20)
ApollodorusMrs. GREEN APPLE11rank/position
This work is a grand composition that expresses the athlete’s inner “calm” and “motion.” It delivers deep inspiration and courage to listeners—truly an anthem for everyone who takes on a challenge.
Released in July 2024, it was also used in broadcasts of the Paris Olympics.
It portrays the pain and anxiety experienced on the path toward a goal, as well as the strength to overcome them.
It’s a song we especially want students dedicated to their club activities and anyone striving toward their dreams to hear.
It’s a piece that lets you feel the breadth and depth of Mrs.
GREEN APPLE’s musicality.
Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE12rank/position
Released in August 2018, this song by Mrs.
GREEN APPLE was written as the theme for the film “Ao-Natsu: Kimi ni Koi Shita 30-Nichi” (Blue Summer: The 30 Days I Fell in Love with You).
Vocalist Motoki Omori’s soaring voice and lyrics that encourage you to feel like “we’re the main characters” make it a perfect fit for elementary school girls working hard at love or extracurriculars.
It’s also become a staple cheer song for high school baseball and is so powerful it’s even performed in the Koshien Alps stands.
Sing it with friends and you’re sure to feel energized.
It’s an incredibly emotional track that colors a sparkling page of youth.
StaRtMrs. GREEN APPLE13rank/position
A captivating track featuring a bright pop-rock sound filled with positivity and confidence.
Released by Mrs.
GREEN APPLE in July 2015, this song is packed with youthful, energetic sound and a message brimming with hope.
Its exhilarating guitar riffs and catchy melodies encourage the pursuit of happiness and the courage to take new steps forward.
Chosen for Kao Merit’s commercial and as the theme song for Fuji TV’s show “Cho Hamaru! Bakusho Chara Parade,” it captured the hearts of many listeners.
It’s an uplifting anthem perfect for moments when you want to reflect on yourself or resolve to take on a new challenge.
peace signYonezu Kenshi14rank/position
Kenshi Yonezu’s song, written as the opening theme for Season 2 of the youth anime My Hero Academia, is an anthem that powerfully portrays courage and challenge.
While acknowledging weakness, it follows a protagonist who takes a step toward their dreams, intertwining with a driving melody that stirs the listener’s heart.
Released in June 2017, the track topped the Billboard JAPAN Hot Animation weekly chart and became a massive hit, surpassing 300 million streams.
With its band-driven sound and Yonezu’s distinctive vocals, it’s a song that pushes all challengers forward.
Perfect for club practice or as a companion while watching sports—give it a listen.
Bridge of Gloryyuzu15rank/position
Among the many graduation songs out there, this one stands out for its powerful message that truly resonates.
The lyrics about the unseen tears and steady effort that have shaped who we are today mirror the graduates reflecting on their six years of school life, bringing a lump to the throat.
Released in July 2004 as Yuzu’s 21st single, it served as the official theme song for NHK’s Athens Olympics broadcasts, moving people across Japan.
This grand ballad, which gives us the courage to face the future after overcoming hardships, feels perfect for ceremonies celebrating a new beginning.
It’s a song you’ll want to sing as you head toward a hope-filled tomorrow, expressing gratitude to teachers and parents along the way.
As many times as you likeDREAMS COME TRUE16rank/position
“Nando Demo” is popular across all generations.
I used to sing it a lot too, and it seems many people are familiar with the chorus, so it always got the crowd going.
It’s definitely a song worth knowing! The tricky part of this song is the breathing during the chorus.
Where the same phrase repeats, you can run out of breath and it gets tough.
Proper diaphragmatic breathing is important, but rather than belting each phrase with full power, try to focus on connecting the lines as you sing.
When you shift your mindset, your body will adjust so your breath lasts through the phrase.
Also, the last chorus is the most demanding; singing it with a powerful voice is more for advanced singers.
Don’t push yourself—start by singing it lightly, and you’ll get used to it little by little.
It’s also a great song for strengthening your chest voice, so give it a try in practice!
migratory bird[Alexandros]17rank/position
![migratory bird[Alexandros]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/O_DLtVuiqhI/sddefault.jpg)
A signature number by [Alexandros], with a driving melody and piercing high-register vocals that stir the listener’s heart.
It was included on a single released in March 2015 and is also known as the theme song for the film “Ake Garasu (Akegarasu).” The lyrics, which depict striving single-mindedly toward dreams and goals like a bird spreading its wings and soaring into the sky, really resonate.
When your mock exam results aren’t great or you feel anxious because you can’t see what lies ahead, the song’s positive energy will give you a push forward.
It’s a track I want exam takers to keep as a good-luck charm—something to listen to when you want to believe in yourself and sprint all the way to the finish.
Don’t give upZARD18rank/position
A signature ZARD song known for its powerful, heart-touching message and warm vocals.
Released in January 1993 as the theme song for the drama “Reiko Shiratori desu!” this piece beautifully sings of feelings for a cherished person working hard far away.
Izumi Sakai’s gentle voice conveys encouragement and deep love for a beloved, resulting in a song that feels close to the listener’s heart.
It has been used as the entrance march for the Spring High School Baseball Tournament and in the 24-Hour TV charity marathon, becoming established as a cheering anthem.
It’s a reliable companion when you want to support someone striving toward their dreams—or to rouse your own spirits.
A Cheer Song Dedicated to YouHIPPY19rank/position
HIPPY is a singer-songwriter from Hiroshima who captivates listeners with passionate messages and a soulful voice.
Featured on the album “HomeBase ~Arigatou~,” released in March 2017, this song is a powerful anthem that cheers on everyone chasing their dreams.
It has been used frequently as walk-up music by professional baseball players and became a hot topic when it ranked No.
1 on the 2020 player walk-up song chart.
With lyrics that stay close to hearts on the verge of breaking and give the courage to rise again and again, it’s sure to resonate with elementary school students working hard in club activities and lessons.
Why not sing it as your own “mental switch” to fire yourself up at the decisive moment?
To tomorrowLittle Glee Monster20rank/position
Known by the nickname “Little Glee,” Little Glee Monster is a female vocal group celebrated for their overwhelming yet beautiful choral work.
This is their ninth single, chosen as the ending theme for the travel variety show “Nariyuki Kaido Tabi,” and it drew attention for being the group’s first song with lyrics written by the members themselves.
Even when your heart breaks or things don’t go your way, the message of never stopping your steps forward will surely give courage to those feeling uneasy in a new environment.
With an arrangement that blends pop sensibilities and grandeur, layered with Little Glee’s trademark harmonies, it’s an uplifting song that soothes the heart.
