Lovely anime song

[For Band Members] Recommended Anime Songs for Cultural and School Festival Live Performances [2025]

Accompanist / Piano InstructorYuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.
music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and have been contributing to music magazines and web media for over 15 years. Although Western music is my main field, I always strive to stay curious with the motto, “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in a band, where I was a bassist responsible for songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve performed on include bass, guitar, and piano. I resumed piano lessons after turning 40 and have been continuing ever since!

Speaking of anime songs, they’ve become mainstream in the music industry recently, haven’t they?

If you look at music charts, it’s not unusual to see anime theme songs lined up at the top.

In this article, we’ll introduce popular anime songs that are sure to hype up your school festival for those who want to perform anisongs and get the crowd going!

We’ve selected not only the latest hits, but also classic favorites and songs that are easy for beginner bands to cover, so use this as a reference when choosing your setlist!

[For Band Members] Recommended Anime Songs for School Cultural Festival Live Shows [2025] (21–30)

The Story You Don't Knowsupercell

The Story You Don’t Know – supercell

The Story You Don’t Know — supercell

This is the song used as the ending theme for Bakemonogatari.

It’s so popular that it hardly needs any introduction.

It’s a karaoke staple and is always near the top of the rankings.

I recommend it not only for light music bands but also for karaoke contests and wind ensemble performances.

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Sugar Song and Bitter StepUNISON SQUARE GARDEN

UNISON SQUARE GARDEN “Sugar Song and Bitter Step” Short Ver.

Sugar Song and Bitter Step by UNISON SQUARE GARDEN

It’s the ending theme of the anime “Blood Blockade Battlefront.” Its frighteningly catchy hook sticks with you after just one listen, and many people end up addicted.

It does require a fair bit of skill, but if you’re a three-piece band playing at a school festival, this is a song I’d love to see you nail.

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[For Band Members] Recommended Anime Songs for School Culture Festivals and Campus Live Shows [2025] (31–40)

Don't cover it up with selfishness.THE ORAL CIGARETTES

THE ORAL CIGARETTES “Don’t Cover It Up with Selfishness” Music Video <TV Anime “revisions” Opening Theme>

Don't cover it up with selfishness - THE ORAL CIGARETTES

This is the song used as the opening theme for the anime “revisions.” It was released in 2019 as the ninth single by THE ORAL CIGARETTES, a four-piece rock band from Nara Prefecture.

The highly addictive rhythm and sweet vocals are wonderful.

If performing it live, you’d want to put thought into the outfits too and go for a mature look.

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Catch the MomentLiSA

LiSA 『Catch the Moment』-Music Clip RADIO EDIT ver.-

Catch the MomentLiSA

This is the theme song for the 2017 film Sword Art Online The Movie: Ordinal Scale.

It features an impressive, dynamic rock sound and is a very cool track.

The soaring chorus and the vocals—powerful yet delicate—are especially compelling.

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If I could become a constellationcable tie

[LIVE Footage] Kessoku Band “If I Could Become a Constellation” LIVE at Shuka Festival / In-Show Song from “Bocchi the Rock!”

If we could become a constellation, we’d be Kessoku Band.

Kessoku Band is a four-piece rock band that appears in the TV anime Bocchi the Rock!.

Their track “If I Could Be a Constellation,” included on their first album Kessoku Band, makes a strong impression with its funky guitar sound and slap-based bass lines.

Since it’s an in-anime song from a hugely popular series, it should get the crowd going if you perform it on a school festival stage.

However, if the band isn’t tightly in sync, it can end up sounding disjointed, so be sure to practice thoroughly both individually and as a band before the performance.

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ImaginationSPYAIR

SPYAIR “Imagination” TV anime “Haikyu!!” opening theme

Imagination SPYAIR

SPYAIR’s “Imagination,” the opening theme of the anime Haikyu!!, has a straightforward, exhilarating band sound that should get the crowd going at a school festival performance.

If the whole band focuses on making a clean cut in the pre-chorus break, it will add dynamic contrast to the song.

When you want to build momentum in the final chorus, it’s still all about being conscious of the interplay between quiet and loud.

If you play it well, it’s a song that really lets you feel the joy of locking in as a band.

Once you’re comfortable, adding the chorus vocals near the end of the hook will boost the sense of unity even more.

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cloudy skyDOES

DOES 'Donten' (TV Tokyo anime 'Gintama' opening theme)

Overcast DOES

The opening theme of the anime Gintama.

For DOES, this is their second tie-in with the same anime.

The deep bass that resonates in your gut feels incredibly good, and the husky vocals match the hard sound perfectly! It’s a cool track, but it’s actually quite easy to play.

A rock number recommended for beginner bands.

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