[Sports Day] Recommended Songs for Tug-of-War: A curated selection of powerful BGM to fire up your fighting spirit!

GUTS !arashi

[Karaoke] GUTS! / Arashi

Many people remember Arashi’s “GUTS!” as a cherished sports day song—some even say they did group gymnastics to it or that it was their school sports festival cheer song.

Doesn’t just hearing the intro make you feel like someone’s cheering, “Hooray, hooray,” for you? The lyrics, which urge you to sprint through your youth with your friends, are a perfect match for sports day events like tug-of-war.

It’s a song that blows away pre-race nerves and gives you the courage and confidence to compete with integrity.

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mixed nutsNEW!Ofisharu Higedan Dism

Official HIGE DANDism – Mixed Nuts [Official Video]

A song I’d recommend both when you’re competing for victory and when you want to hype things up with a festival-like vibe.

Released in April 2022 by the one-and-only band Official HIGE DANDism, this track was chosen as the opening theme for the smash-hit anime SPY×FAMILY.

It unfolds with a driving band sound interwoven with the bright tones of a brass band.

While depicting the inner struggles hidden in superficial relationships and a fabricated everyday life, it carries a message that conveys the preciousness of the time we spend together.

Try incorporating this powerful anime song, beloved by kids as well, into your sports day tug-of-war.

My Past Life, Many Lifetimes AgoNEW!RADWIMPS

RADWIMPS – Zenzenzense (movie ver.) [Official Music Video]

It’s a rock tune known for its explosive popularity, tightly linked to the film’s world.

It expresses a powerful bond that transcends time and space, and the protagonist’s unwavering resolve to find their beloved again no matter the obstacles.

The driving guitar riffs and powerful band performance ignite a passion deep in your heart.

Produced by RADWIMPS, it’s included on the album “Your Name.” released in August 2016.

It became a massive hit as the theme song for the animated film “Your Name.” released the same year.

Highly recommended as background music to powerfully spur on children pulling a rope together with all their might as one team.

Kaiju no Hanabuta (Monster’s Flower Song)NEW!Vaundy

Monster’s Flower Song / Vaundy: MUSIC VIDEO

Set to a high-energy guitar rock sound, this song delivers a warm, encouraging message that pushes you toward the future and embraces individuality.

Created by multi-artist Vaundy, it was pre-released in May 2020 and included on the album “strobo.” It became widely known after being featured in the commercial song for Maruha Nichiro’s frozen food “WILDish.” The track is characterized by its powerful vocals in the chorus and its brisk band sound, making it a perfect fit for children pulling the rope with all their might as they aim to win at tug-of-war.

With its momentum that unites the audience in cheering, try choosing it as BGM for heated competition scenes.

R.Y.U.S.E.I.NEW!Sandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu

Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS from EXILE TRIBE / “R.Y.U.S.E.I.” Music Video

Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS from EXILE TRIBE captivate many with their powerful dance performances.

Released in June 2014, this track had multiple tie-ins, including TCK’s campaign song, and became one of their signature songs, winning the Japan Record Award that same year.

Its fast-paced EDM sound and lyrics about a fiery bond striving toward dreams make it a perfect BGM for a tug-of-war where the whole team fights as one.

It’s a song everyone can get hyped to, recalling the buzzworthy “Running Man” steps.

Limit-Break x SurvivorNEW!Hikawa Kiyoshi

Kiyoshi Hikawa / Limit-Break x Survivor – from the DVD “Kiyoshi Hikawa Special Concert 2018: Kiyoshiko no Yoru Vol. 18” [Official]

With its powerful beat and catchy chorus, this track ignites the listener’s fighting spirit.

Kiyoshi Hikawa, one of Japan’s leading singers, delivers a passionate message about pushing past one’s limits with forceful, aggressive high notes.

The song was tied in as the opening theme for the Universe Survival Saga of the TV anime Dragon Ball Super and was released in October 2017.

It was also highly acclaimed as a finished work, winning the Composition Award at the 61st Japan Record Awards in 2019.

Resonating with a driving, full-bodied band sound, this piece is a perfect BGM choice for a tug-of-war when you want to muster every last bit of strength.

KICKBACKNEW!Yonezu Kenshi

Kenshi Yonezu – KICKBACK

This hit number by Kenshi Yonezu was chosen as the opening theme for the anime Chainsaw Man and quickly became a hot topic.

Released in November 2022, the track features a dynamic sound that fuses rock and electronica.

It also achieved a historic milestone as the first Japanese-language song to receive Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America.

The rapidly shifting melodies and fast-paced, driving beat fiercely stoke the listener’s fighting spirit.

It’s an energetic song that will take events like tug-of-war, where the entire student body works together, to an absolute fever pitch.