A wonderful classic

[J-Pop, Vocaloid, Anime Songs] Popular and Classic Songs Loved by Elementary School Students

Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

We’re introducing J-pop, Vocaloid tracks, and anime songs that are popular with elementary school kids!

Elementary schoolers are very sensitive to trends.

These days, with video sites making it easy to discover music, their favorite songs—and the ones trending among kids—change all the time!

Even if you want to find out which songs are popular with elementary schoolers, it’s easy to worry they might already be outdated.

So in this article, we’ve gathered both new hits that kids love and long-standing classics.

The selections come from artists who are especially popular with elementary schoolers, so feel free to use this as a guide.

They’re great for karaoke, too!

[J-Pop, Vocaloid, Anime Songs] Popular Songs and Classics Loved by Elementary School Students (71–80)

Happinessarashi

Happiness – Arashi (Full)

Happinessarashi

Speaking of Arashi, they’re a male idol group that represents Japan—there’s hardly a day you don’t see its members on TV.

Of course, they’re popular among elementary school students too! Although the song was released in 2007, it remains one of their signature hits.

Some elementary schoolers may even have sung it in music class or at a chorus contest.

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My Neighbor TotoroInoue Azumi

♪ My Neighbor Totoro / Azumi Inoue

My Neighbor TotoroInoue Azumi

Speaking of Totoro’s songs, besides “Sanpo,” this one is unforgettable too! Its popularity is so high that you could say there isn’t an elementary schooler who doesn’t know it.

The clear, soaring vocals are truly memorable.

The lyrics sing about Totoro, whom only children can meet, and listening to it brings back the adventures depicted in the film and fills you with excitement!

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Rat-tat-tatSandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu

‘Rat-tat-tat’ Official Music Video / Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS from EXILE TRIBE

Rat-tat-tatSandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu

A hugely popular, addictive dance track, “Rat-tat-tat”! It was released for streaming in September 2019 as a song by Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS from EXILE TRIBE.

It became a massive hit on the app TikTok, which is popular among younger generations, with over 200 million views.

The song also collaborated with Universal Studios Japan’s “Halloween Event 2020,” so many kids have probably danced to it.

The choreography is easy enough for elementary school students to copy, which is great!

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[J-Pop, Vocaloid, Anime Songs] Popular and Classic Songs Loved by Elementary School Students (81–90)

Make you happyNiziU

NiziU 『Make you happy』 M/V

Make you happyNiziU

It’s no exaggeration to say that the song “Make you happy” is making waves around the world.

The group singing it is NiziU, a nine-member girls’ group selected through the Japan–Korea joint audition project “Nizi Project.” Among younger generations, it’s already known as a popular dance track.

It’s a very cute song that lifts your spirits and makes you feel happy.

It might even become a staple as a performance song at weddings and thank-you parties in the future!

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boys and girlsKanzaki Iori

Boys and Girls / Iori Kanzaki

boys and girlsKanzaki Iori

Kanzaki Iori is active as a Vocaloid producer, singer, music producer, and novelist.

This song, “Shounen Shoujo” (Boys and Girls), is his first release since going independent, and its lyrics feel like they capture the emotions of that new beginning.

When you start something new and take your first steps toward a dream, a wall inevitably appears in your path.

I can’t help but feel that this song is what you need to keep going without letting your spirit break.

All of Kanzaki Iori’s works give me the impression of a “cry from the heart,” and this track is no exception—one I recommend listening to before you bottle up your emotions.

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To Hikarimiwa

miwa “To the Light - short ver.”

To Hikarimiwa

With her cute looks and outstanding vocal ability, acoustic vocalist miwa captivates many fans with her classic hit “Hikari e.” Among her songs, which are often used in dramas and commercials, this is one of the most famous and is especially popular with the younger generation.

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Christmas songback number

back number – “Christmas Song” Music Video

Christmas songback number

Some people may have come to like this song because of their parents’ influence.

It’s a track by back number, a three-piece rock band from Gunma Prefecture.

It was released in 2015 as their 14th single.

The song served as the theme for the drama “5→9: From Five to Nine.” As the title suggests, it’s a straightforward love song perfect for the Christmas season.

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