Band rankings popular among junior high school students [2026]

AM11:00HY64rank/position

HY – AM11:00 (Official Music Video)

A love song notable for its male–female back-and-forth.

Beginning with a peaceful morning scene shared by lovers, it’s a heartwarming piece that captures everyday moments of happiness.

Included on HY’s album “Street Story” and released in April 2003, the song was featured in a RecoChoku commercial and later used as an insert song in the 2012 NHK morning drama “Jun to Ai.” It’s a mixture rock track that blends elements of rock, punk, and hip-hop, distinguished by a unique sound that evokes the atmosphere of Okinawa.

The instrumental parts aren’t overly complex, making it a great choice for bands looking to perform at school or cultural festivals.

So take a step forwardHi-Fi CAMP65rank/position

[PV] So Step Forward / Hi-Fi CAMP

Speaking of Hi-Fi CAMP, they’re a group known for their uplifting lyrics.

In “Dakara Ippo Mae e Fumidasite” (“So Take a Step Forward”), the positive, encouraging words really shine.

It’s a perfect cheer-up song to boost your spirits when you’re feeling down or about to lose heart, and it’s ideal for playing at sports festivals and school field days! Plus, its bright, catchy sound makes it great for energizing the crowd.

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Hane Keisuke

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Sorry for being cuteHONEY WORKS66rank/position

[Inverted] Sorry for Being Cute / HoneyWorks Tried Dancing [Practice Use]

HoneyWorks’ smash hit “Kawaikute Gomen,” released in November 2022, is known for its catchy melody and adorable lyrics—you’ve probably heard it on social media.

In particular, countless dance-cover videos have been posted on TikTok and YouTube, showcasing just how popular the song is.

The flirty, on-the-nose choreography matches the lyrics and is super cute—perfect for performing on a school festival stage.

It’s a top recommendation, especially for groups who want to synchronize the moves and dance together.

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Hane Keisuke

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Sora-buneTOKIO67rank/position

Sora-fune (Sky Ship) – TOKIO (Full)

TOKIO elevates a song written and composed by Miyuki Nakajima—imbued with a powerful message—into their own distinctive rock sound.

This gem of a track portrays a strong will and courage to chart one’s own course in life without handing the helm to others.

Released in August 2006 as their 35th single, it was used as the theme song for the Nippon TV drama “My Boss My Hero.” It topped the Oricon singles chart and won the Lyrics Award at the 48th Japan Record Awards.

Widely embraced across generations, the song’s structure also makes it easy to perform on school festival stages.

With its dramatic progression and catchy melody line, it’s a piece that lets you fully savor the thrill of live performance.

LOVE ROCKETSThe Birthday68rank/position

The Birthday – LOVE ROCKETS [MV] (Opening theme song of the film “THE FIRST SLAM DUNK”)

This is the opening theme of the film THE FIRST SLAM DUNK, which was released in December 2022 and became such a major topic that it could be called a social phenomenon.

The song was crafted by The Birthday, with Yusuke Chiba—who has long been active in Japan’s rock scene—on guitar and vocals.

It’s a rock tune with a dark atmosphere, characterized by Chiba’s husky, cool voice.

If your band’s vocalist has a husky tone, this is definitely a song you should try.

Also, since the intro layers the bass, drums, and guitar one by one, it could work well in a live setting to open the show with this track and have the members enter the stage one at a time.

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Hane Keisuke

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GRADUATIONSBACK-ON69rank/position

GRADUATIONS (Theme song for V-Cinext 'Kamen Rider Gotchard GRADUATIONS')

This song gently gives a push on the back as friends part ways and take their first steps onto new paths.

Holding the memories of precious friends they spent time with, it captures the wavering feelings of young people heading toward their respective futures through an emotional melody and powerful guitar sound.

Released by BACK-ON in February 2025, it serves as the theme song for Kamen Rider Gotchard GRADUATIONS, offering encouragement at the major life turning point of graduation.

It blends beautifully with the world of the V-Cinext work, further heightening the emotional impact of the piece.

It’s a perfect track for the grand finale of a school or culture festival, and for making memories with friends.

While conveying the importance of friendship and bonds, it’s a song that gives you the courage to start walking toward the future.

ShuraDOES70rank/position

DOES “Shura” (Gintama anime on TV Tokyo: Ending Theme)

DOES has a lot of straightforward songs, so they’re highly recommended for beginner bands.

If the guitar plays chords, the bass sticks to root notes, and the drums can handle an 8-beat, you can play most of their tracks.

It’s also nice that the vocal range is on the lower side.

This song, “Shura,” is well-known as the theme song for the anime Gintama.

Plus, it’s a clear, fast-paced track that’s sure to get the crowd going at live shows.