Ranking of Popular Japanese Pop (J-POP) Artists Among Elementary School Students [2026]

Aim to be a Pokémon MasterMatsumoto Rika92rank/position

Aim to be a Pokémon Master

A heart-pounding song filled with passion for dreams and adventure, highlighted by Rica Matsumoto’s powerful vocals.

It delivers a youthful, positive message, singing of the courage to face hardship and the bonds with friends—perfect for boosting excitement at school sports days and athletic festivals.

Released as a single in June 1997, it was used as the opening theme for a TV anime.

It won the Work Award at the Heisei Anisong Grand Prize and garnered widespread support, reaching as high as No.

7 on the Oricon charts.

Even when practice time is limited for a sports-day cheer song, its simple, easy-to-remember melody and lyrics mean the whole class can start singing it right away.

Bring the Rain to Quench the ThirstMinami93rank/position

Minami “Kawaki wo Ameku” MV

Minami is a singer-songwriter who updates her live acoustic performance videos on TwitCasting and connects with fans as she works.

Her major-label debut song, Kawaki wo Ameku, was chosen as the opening theme for the anime Domestic Girlfriend.

She is known for songs with strong messages, similar to artists like Yorushika and YOASOBI, who are popular even among elementary school girls.

Even if the messages are complex, the animation-style music videos, her cool husky voice, and her mysterious worldview are captivating to people of all ages.

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SAKI

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Goodbye ElegySuda Masaki94rank/position

Masaki Suda “Sayonara Elegy”

Masaki Suda, who is active as both an actor and a singer.

His song “Sayonara Elegy” is also a popular karaoke pick! It was the theme song for the 2018 drama “Kiss That Kills,” with lyrics and composition by Huwie Ishizaki, a close friend of Suda’s.

The official music video, featuring Suda strumming the guitar, has surpassed 100 million views, showing just how popular the track is.

Its straightforward vocals and cool sound are sure to capture the hearts of elementary school boys!

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sasashina

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Song of a FriendBUMP OF CHICKEN95rank/position

BUMP OF CHICKEN “Friend’s Song”

BUMP OF CHICKEN, the hugely popular rock band whose appearance on the 2021 Kohaku Uta Gassen was a hot topic, has lifted many people’s spirits with their refreshing sound and fairytale-like, beautiful worldview.

Among their songs, the one I especially recommend for elementary school students is “Tomodachi no Uta” (Song for Friends), released in 2011.

It was written as the theme song for the film Doraemon: Nobita and the New Steel Troops—Winged Angels, which premiered the same year.

Friends are especially important for elementary schoolers, and this is a song that makes you want to cherish the friends who are by your side.

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Yoimachi Jēn

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Letter ~Dear Fifteen-Year-Old Me~Anjura Aki96rank/position

Angela Aki “Letter: To You, Fifteen” Music Video (HD)

A moving masterpiece ballad by Angela Aki, told through the unique concept of a letter written to her future self.

Released as a single in September 2008, it was also selected as the set piece for the Junior High School division of the NHK National School Music Competition.

Its beautiful, piano-centered singer-songwriter style is featured on the album ANSWER as well.

The dialogue between her troubled 15-year-old self and her gentle, watchful adult self quietly gives listeners a helpful push forward.

Many people may have heard it as it was used on NHK’s Minna no Uta and as the theme song for the film Have a Song on Your Lips.

It’s a perfect song to sing with hope during the spring season of graduations and moving up to the next grade.

Anpanman Taiso (Anpanman Gymnastics)doriimingu97rank/position

Anpanman Taiso (TV Size ver.) [Official Ending Theme]

Anpanman is a character hugely popular with toddlers.

It’s so widespread that there might not be a child who doesn’t know him.

Surely today’s elementary school kids also grew up watching the anime “Let’s Go! Anpanman” when they were little.

So how about singing an Anpanman song for the first time in a while? Our recommendation is “Anpanman Taisou.” It’s one of the anime’s ending themes.

As a song from a toddler-oriented anime, it’s naturally easy to sing, and its gentle, encouraging lyrics still resonate in your heart even now that you’re older.

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sasashina

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Odoru Pompoko RinE-girls98rank/position

E-girls / Odoru Ponpokorin

The opening theme song of the hugely popular anime “Chibi Maruko-chan.” Starting with the original B.B.

Queens, major artists like E-girls, Golden Bomber, and Momoiro Clover Z have kept the song going.

We’re featuring the E-girls version here, but if you think “E-girls’ dance might be a bit tough for the lower grades…,” we recommend the Momoclo version! I think the ability to pivot like that is one of this song’s strengths.

There are also videos online that teach the choreography, so you don’t need to build the dance from scratch.

Even if the moves aren’t perfectly in sync, this song will surely have your back!