Ranking of Popular Band Songs Among University Students [2026]

Shunkan SentimentalSCANDAL57rank/position

SCANDAL “Shunkan Sentimental” / Shunkan Sentimental – Music Video

A song by SCANDAL, a four-member girls’ rock band whose members were mostly high school students at the time of their debut.

When the song was released, they performed in school uniforms, making it a perfect number to play at a school festival.

It’s also well-known thanks to being used as an ending theme for the anime Fullmetal Alchemist, and from a performance standpoint it’s easy to cover since the guitar parts are mainly played with power chords.

With its sense of speed, it’s a sure-fire number to get the crowd going at a school festival.

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Hoshino Takashi

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OH!SHISHAMO58rank/position

SHISHAMO「OH！」

The youthful days of experiencing the school sports festival will inevitably come to an end.

How deeply you’ll be moved when that end arrives depends on how hard you’ve pushed yourself up to that point.

No matter what you look like, be proud of giving it your all! That’s the kind of message you feel from this SHISHAMO track.

In school life, the sports festival comes around once a year.

To be honest, it can be a hassle, and you might feel embarrassed about going all out.

Even so, giving it your best can lead to great results and create unforgettable, moving memories with your friends.

This song gives you the strength to throw yourself into this once-in-a-lifetime moment—no matter how you look—just recklessly, wholeheartedly, and with everything you’ve got.

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SAKI

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ImaginationSPYAIR59rank/position

SPYAIR “Imagination” TV anime “Haikyu!!” opening theme

SPYAIR is a four-piece rock band whose announcement of a new vocalist in April 2023 has raised expectations for their future.

Their 14th single “Imagination,” used as the opening theme for the TV anime Haikyu!!, features an exhilarating, fast-paced ensemble that really amps up the energy.

With melodies and messages that evoke a favorable tailwind, it seems perfect for opening a school festival.

It’s a rock tune with a crisp band sound that feels great and will liven up any event.

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Hoshino Takashi

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My First KissHi-STANDARD60rank/position

MY FIRST KISS

Hi-STANDARD is a rock band that can arguably be credited with shaping Japan’s melodic hardcore scene.

“My First Kiss,” included on their second single “Love Is A Battlefield,” is an English-lyric cover of “Hajimete no Chuu,” known as the opening theme of the TV anime Kiteretsu Daihyakka.

While each part is generally played in a standard style, the intro guitar riff may be a bit challenging for beginners, so keep practicing.

Since it’s a famous song that almost everyone has heard at least once, it’s also a great pick for school festivals.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Kimisidai TrainONE OK ROCK61rank/position

Kimisidai Train

This ambitious work by ONE OK ROCK is marked by powerful vocals and a fast-paced, exhilarating sound.

Interweaving English and Japanese lyrics, it expresses a determination to move forward—believing in one’s own potential and drawing strength from past experiences.

The members’ passionate performance blends perfectly with a message that pushes listeners onward.

Included on the album “Zankyo Reference,” released in October 2011, it’s cherished as a staple in live shows that fosters a strong sense of unity with fans.

More than just a boost during sports day practices, this song serves as a source of support when standing at life’s crossroads or taking a new step forward.

Cry BabyOfisharu Higedan Dism62rank/position

Official HIGE DANDism – Cry Baby [Official Video]

An ambitious work crafted by Official HIGE DANDism as the opening theme for the anime Tokyo Revengers.

The song fuses lyrics that brilliantly capture the anime’s worldview with an innovative sound that shifts keys roughly ten times.

It sings of the protagonist’s indomitable spirit in the face of fate, his comeback from setbacks, and the bonds with his friends, inspiring courage and emotion in listeners.

Since its release in May 2021, it peaked at No.

4 on Billboard JAPAN’s Japan Hot 100.

It continued to be a long-running hit, ranking 13th on the year-end chart for 2021.

When you want to strive toward your goals together with your cherished friends, this song is sure to be a pillar of support.

The wind is blowing.ikimonogakari63rank/position

Ikimonogakari 'The Wind Is Blowing' Music Video

This is Ikimonogakari’s 24th single, released in July 2012.

It is widely known for being chosen as NHK’s broadcast theme song for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Seiji Kameda’s dramatic arrangement and the epic structure, running about 7 minutes and 35 seconds, are captivating and deeply moving.

The lyrics, which depict hope for living together through times of change, are powerfully yet transparently delivered by Kiyoe Yoshioka’s vocals, striking straight to the heart.

It’s a masterpiece perfectly suited for showcasing the fruits of dedicated effort, adding a moving touch to entrance marches and climactic moments at school sports days and athletic festivals.