Koichi Sugiyama’s Most Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

Fanfare for GI (Kanto)sugiyama kouichi22rank/position

Kanto G1 Fanfare

Among the fanfares played before horse races, this is the piece used for G1 races at the Kanto tracks—Tokyo Racecourse and Nakayama Racecourse.

It’s a famous fanfare also known for being composed by Koichi Sugiyama, the composer of the main theme for the game Dragon Quest.

As pre-race music, it’s a short piece, but it vividly conveys the anticipation for the start of the race and the gallant presence of the racehorses within its brief length.

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kappamaki

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Searching for a Love Songsugiyama kouichi23rank/position

Famicom sound source Dragon Quest II resurrection password input screen BGM “Searching for a Love Song” 15-minute endurance video

“Love Song Sagashite” was the BGM that played on the screen where you entered the “fukkatsu no jumon” (resurrection spell) in Dragon Quest II.

Back then, there were no save files, so you had to revive using a 52-character password.

Many people who wrote the resurrection spell down by hand ended up listening to this song over and over due to misreading or transcription errors.

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Saitō Ayumu

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Wandering Theme ~Drifting in Silence~ Another Worldsugiyama kouichi24rank/position

Wandering Theme ~Drifting in Silence~ Another World

It’s the field theme from Dragon Quest VI.

Among the series, it’s especially fantastical—perfectly fitting as the main theme for VI, which carries an overall mysterious atmosphere.

I think it’s a superb composition: grand in scope yet retaining a certain strangeness.

It’s written for the heroes traveling a vast world, but it seems to embody VI’s setting, which is more than just wide-open; there’s a delicate sense of unease woven in, making it a very nuanced piece.

Chromatic Marchsugiyama kouichi25rank/position

Chromatic March

From 1987 to 2009, the piece “Chromatic March” was used for GII and GIII races at racecourses in the Kanto region.

It is also a work by Koichi Sugiyama, known as a composer of racecourse entrance themes.

Compared to Shiro Sagisu’s “Dramatic One,” which was used in Kansai and Hokkaido during the same period, this one is a traditional fanfare-style march that conveys the warmth of live instruments.

It’s a superb classic that makes you want to imagine the excitement at the racecourses of the time, picturing the great horses making their entrances to this music.

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Murakami Shinpei

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Torneko’s Themesugiyama kouichi26rank/position

Torneko no Daibouken (SNES Version) BGM Collection -Part 1-

The main theme from “Torneko’s Great Adventure,” a game starring Torneko, a character from Dragon Quest IV.

The piece evokes Torneko’s personality—comical, easygoing, and generous.

It features a friendly, approachable, and pleasant-sounding melody and instrumentation that anyone can warm to.

Dragon Quest Concert Selectionsugiyama kouichi27rank/position

Dragon Quest Concert Selection / Koichi Sugiyama

A brass band medley whose fanfare announces the beginning of a grand tale of a hero known as the Player, instantly capturing listeners’ hearts.

Koichi Sugiyama, one of Japan’s leading composers, provided the timeless original melodies, which arranger Toshio Mashima has shaped into a dramatic 9-minute-48-second work.

Reimagined from video game music for the concert hall, this piece is structured to evoke vivid images of a hero journeying across vast lands and confronting formidable foes.

The fact that its source piece, Overture, was used at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2021 Olympics further attests to its musical significance.

With its thrilling, valiant sound, presenting it as the climax of a concert is sure to sweep the audience into a whirlwind of excitement.

Finalesugiyama kouichi28rank/position

Dragon Quest I Symphonic Suite – Finale

The very first game in the series, Dragon Quest.

The piece that plays during the end credits after you clear the game is Finale.

Since it’s used in the most rewarding end credits, many people probably remember it well.

It’s a fresh yet glamorous tune that lets you finish the game on a bright note.

It isn’t used as an end-credits theme in other titles, though it’s used a little in Dragon Quest Walk.

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yamamoto

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