A coming-of-age song that was a hit in the ’90s. A classic and popular track in Japanese music.
“SAY YES,” “Tomorrow never knows,” and “Nani mo Ienakute… Natsu”—
The youth songs of the ’90s hold treasured memories hidden in everyone’s heart.
The bittersweet love of CHAGE and ASKA, the hope for the future from Mr.Children, the summertime melancholy of THE JAYWALK.
It’s as if we’ve boarded a time machine, and those shining memories of back then come flooding back.
Shall we look back on that page of youth engraved in our hearts, together with those nostalgic songs?
Ah.
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Coming-of-age songs that were hits in the 90s. Classic and popular J-pop tracks (21–30)
If I Could Become a StarMr.Children
Let me introduce a classic song that perfectly fits graduation season, beautifully capturing both the resolve to set off for a new place in pursuit of dreams and the bittersweetness of parting.
This early representative work by Mr.Children is included on the album “Kind of Love,” released in December 1992.
It’s also known as an insert song in the 1994 drama “Wakamono no Subete,” and although it wasn’t released as a single, it remains a fan favorite.
Composed in collaboration with Yohito Teraoka, the hopeful lyrics penned by Kazutoshi Sakurai and the catchy melody strike straight to the heart.
It gently encourages those who want to change their present situation and reach greater heights.
Be sure to give it a listen as a motivational anthem for your new life starting this spring!
The Reason We Set Out on a JourneyOzawa Kenji
When those dazzling horns ring out in the intro, your heart starts to race and you feel a touch of bittersweetness, don’t you? The lyrics, sprinkled with words like “Tokyo Tower” and “airport,” are full of a tenderness that seems to affirm even the loneliness of parting.
Included on the classic 1994 album LIFE and later released as a single in 1996 as the theme song for the drama Shota no Sushi, this track also features a memorable phrase borrowed from a Paul Simon song, and it continues to be loved as a signature Shibuya-kei anthem.
It’s perfect for listening while thinking of friends or lovers far away, and it’s sure to give a fresh, gentle push to anyone setting off on a spring journey!
Believe in your dreamsTokunaga Hideaki
This is the ninth single by singer-songwriter Hideaki Tokunaga, who has created numerous classic ballads with his one-of-a-kind voice and, in recent years, captivated many listeners with his cover works.
The song was used as the ending theme for the TV anime Dragon Quest, and it’s a number distinguished by Tokunaga’s expansive, powerful vocals.
Its message—overcoming past tears and doubts to press forward toward the future you believe in—is sure to resonate especially with graduates whose hearts are filled with both hope and anxiety.
Released in January 1990, the single became a long-running hit, staying on the Oricon charts for 24 weeks.
It’s a song that gently nudges you toward realizing your dreams and warmly supports new beginnings.
Until the World Ends…WANDS
When it comes to the second ending theme of the TV Asahi anime SLAM DUNK, this is the song.
It truly stands as a golden milestone of youth basketball manga.
Many people probably started playing basketball because they admired this series, and shared their youth not only with the manga and anime, but with this song as well.
By the time of the Christmas carolsInagaki Junichi
A classic Christmas song that colors the bustling holiday streets with Junichi Inagaki’s sweet, bittersweet, and sentimental vocals and phrasing.
The content is by no means happy, but many people spent their youth with this song, cherishing faint Christmas memories.
I’m only gazing at you.Daikoku Maki
When it comes to the first ending theme of the TV anime SLAM DUNK, it has to be this song.
I imagine many people started playing basketball because they admired that quintessential coming-of-age basketball manga, and shared their youth not only with the manga and anime but also with this song.
Dan Dan Kokoro HikaretekuFIELD OF VIEW
The opening theme of the anime Dragon Ball GT.
This song brings back memories of those days in my youth when I was glued to the TV, utterly captivated.
It’s an energetic track that stirs up the feelings from that time—when I was overflowing with dreams and chasing after them.