Koichi Sugiyama’s Most Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

Dragon Quest Shrinesugiyama kouichi51rank/position

Dragon Quest III “Hokora – Small Shrine” (accordion)

This is the background music that plays during the Shrine scene in the popular game Dragon Quest.

With its fantastical and rich tones that capture the listener’s heart as if by magic, this piece lets you fully savor the appeal of the resonant accordion.

The melody, which invites players on a fantasy journey, seeps so deeply into the heart that you almost forget it’s game music.

While the original is performed by an orchestra, playing it on the accordion seems to heighten the sense of poignancy and melancholy, resulting in music that speaks even more directly to the emotions.

Dragon Quest Battle Themesugiyama kouichi52rank/position

Symphonic Suite Dragon Quest III: Battle Theme ~ BRASS EXCEED TOKYO

This song, the theme of the popular role-playing game Dragon Quest, has become indispensable to high school baseball.

When the brass band plays the Dragon Quest theme, the cheering naturally heats up as if charging into an adventure, and the venue instantly comes alive.

Dragon Quest / Overture ‘Loto’s Theme’sugiyama kouichi53rank/position

[Easy-to-Play Piano Sheet Music] Dragon Quest / Overture “Loto’s Theme” March [Beginner & Intermediate / DQ]

The pieces composed by Koichi Sugiyama, one of Japan’s leading composers, possess a grand worldview that transcends the realm of video game music.

Skillfully incorporating elements of classical music, this work is marked by an impressive, orchestral-style solemn melody.

Since its release in 1986, it has continued to be cherished as a masterpiece that remains in many people’s hearts.

The march-like tune that begins with a heroic fanfare powerfully evokes the start of an adventure.

Its structure heightens anticipation for an epic story, reminiscent of the curtain rising on a grand opera.

Its use at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2021 Olympics is proof that its appeal is recognized internationally.

In recent years, many musicians have performed game music, and this piece is also recommended for beginning pianists for its clarity; despite its simple structure, it allows for a moving performance.

From Dragon Quest I Overture (from the Piano Music Collection “Dragon Quest” I, II, III Official Score Book, supervised by Koichi Sugiyama (Sheet Music))sugiyama kouichi54rank/position

Overture/Dragon Quest I/Symphonic Suite Version/Overture March/DQI [Piano] I-1

Composed as the main theme for the video game Dragon Quest, this piece is notable for its exhilarating melody that evokes the beginning of an adventure.

Characterized by grand orchestration influenced by classical music, it perfectly suits a world that conjures images of medieval knightly tales.

Its widespread recognition and popularity are evident, for example, in its use as an entrance march for national teams at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games.

This work is beloved far beyond the realm of video game music.

Supervised by the composer Koichi Sugiyama himself, the official piano book offers an arrangement of moderate difficulty that is ideal for piano performance, making it a brilliant, crowd-pleasing choice even for an elementary school recital.

Dragon Quest V: Overture Marchsugiyama kouichi55rank/position

Dragon Quest V: Overture March

This is the famous Dragon Quest “Overture.” The arrangement differs with each entry in the series, and in the fifth installment, the overture has a particularly strong orchestral feel, resulting in a richly weighty sound.

Its expansive, world-opening tone makes it perfect for signaling the start of the game, and when the opening begins, it heightens your excitement to dive in even more.

It’s truly one of those pieces that deserves to be called the quintessential opening!

Dragon Quest Concert Selectionsugiyama kouichi56rank/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.

Dragon Quest Overturesugiyama kouichi57rank/position

Dragon Quest Overture - by Koichi Sugiyama

This is a promotional commercial for Dragon Quest VII Reimagined, a remake of the game Dragon Quest VII released in 2000.

Adorable characters rendered in doll-like 3D CG make an appearance.

By showing actual gameplay footage, the spot conveys the game’s appeal to the fullest.

The familiar Dragon Quest Overture is used as the BGM, and its catchy yet heroic melody stirs the spirit of adventure.

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Hane Keisuke

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Paddock Marchsugiyama kouichi58rank/position

Paddock March

From 1987 to 2007, for 20 years, the Kanto region’s special races were heralded by the much-loved entrance theme “Paddock March.” With this piece playing in the background as the racehorses appeared and the announcements chimed in, the scene surely heightened the anticipation for the races to come.

Composed by Koichi Sugiyama of the Dragon Quest series, it’s a grand march that unmistakably bears his signature touch.

Its dynamic contrasts are part of the appeal, and the moments when the sound swells and intensifies are truly exhilarating!

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Murakami Shinpei

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Lotto Themesugiyama kouichi59rank/position

Dragon Quest: March - Loto’s Theme

This is a commercial that introduces Asahi’s series of Jukki Cans and conveys the wish for people to include them in their enjoyable Golden Week moments.

It depicts Banana Man, Junichi Okada, and Riho Yoshioka opening the cans and savoring their taste, which also expresses trust in the flavor.

The music that further emphasizes the start of such fun times is “Loto’s Theme,” well known as the theme song of the Dragon Quest game series.

Drawing on the game’s imagery, the piece strongly evokes the beginning of an adventure, and its grand musical development elevates the sense of excitement.

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kappamaki

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Fivefold Demon Towersugiyama kouichi60rank/position

[DQ10] Fivefold Demon Tower

This is a piece you can hear in Dragon Quest X.

It’s the BGM that plays in the game’s Japanese-style region, the Eltona Continent, at majestic towers and ancient shrines.

The charm of this track lies in how it expresses the ethereal aesthetic of gagaku using only Western orchestral instruments—for example, rendering the koto with a harp and the hichiriki with an oboe.

It beautifully fuses the tension of exploring the tower interiors with a mysterious atmosphere.

It’s a rare, Japanese-flavored work in the Dragon Quest series—be sure to give it a listen.