Ranking of Commercial Songs and Popular Tracks by Male Japanese Artists [2026]

weathercockKobukuro29rank/position

Kobukuro LIVE TOUR ’08 Kazamidori (Weathercock)

It’s a song included on Kobukuro’s 14th single, “Tsubomi,” released in 2007.

Right after its release, it was used in a Shinken Zemi university acceptance announcement commercial.

Thanks to the huge success of “Tsubomi,” this track also gained attention and, despite being a B-side, has become very popular among fans.

It’s a song that gives you the strength to look forward.

BatonKobukuro30rank/position

Kobukuro “Baton” Image Movie

Kobukuro’s “Baton,” chosen as the image song for Ono Pharmaceutical’s 300th-anniversary TV commercial, is a grand composition.

Centered on the theme of a life baton passed down through generations, it’s a moving tearjerker that sings of views on life and death, the meaning of living, and hope for the future.

The piano and vocals are exquisite.

Effeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Gōruden Bonbā31rank/position

Effeminate / Golden Bomber – Music Video

It was released in 2009 as Golden Bomber’s seventh single.

A parody version titled “Nemutakute” was used in a commercial for House Foods’ “Mega Shaki,” and it became explosively popular in karaoke.

As one of Golden Bomber’s signature songs, it was performed at NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen for four consecutive years from 2012 to 2015.

yearsSakanakushon32rank/position

Sakanaction “years” - Music Video -

Many of you may remember it playing with Ichiro Yamaguchi’s narration in the Honda “Insight” commercial.

It’s a song Sakanaction released to the world in July 2011 as the B-side to the single “Bach no Senritsu o Yoru ni Kiita Seidesu.” It portrays the determination to keep believing in the unchanging things within oneself, even while being exposed to the currents of the times.

When you want to reexamine your core, listening to it will surely support your heart.

aruku aroundSakanakushon33rank/position

Sakanaction – Aruku Around (MUSIC VIDEO) - BEST ALBUM “Fish Encyclopedia” (3/28 release) -

One of Sakanaction’s signature songs, “Aruku Around,” was released in 2010.

Many of you may remember the strong impact it had at the time when it was featured in a kissmark commercial.

Set to a catchy, ear-pleasing melody you won’t forget after a single listen, the lyrics express a determination to keep moving forward despite inner conflict.

By the way, the music video was recorded in a single take at Makuhari Messe, and it’s very compelling—be sure to check it out.

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Hane Keisuke

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plateauSakanakushon34rank/position

Sakanaction / Plateau -Music Live Video-

Sakanaction’s “Plateau” was released in 2023 and is included on the album Adapt.

The way the sound gradually expands while a busy rhythm ticks away is striking, creating a unique sense of weightlessness.

I’m drawn to how it leans forward into its mysterious atmosphere—with elusive rhythms and a tense worldview.

As a commercial song, it was used in the Sante FX eye drops ad, where the concept of a new world opening up is overlapped with the effect of the eye drops.

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kappamaki

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Maybe the wind.Sakanakushon35rank/position

Sakanaction / Maybe, the Wind. -Music Video-

It was released in 2016 as Sakanaction’s 12th single.

The song was used in a commercial for Shiseido’s cosmetics brand ANESSA, and its use in the ad was announced before the title was revealed.

As it was for a sunscreen commercial aimed at women, the track was produced with images of sweat, women, and a sense of speed in mind.