[Youth Anthems] A curated selection of popular and latest songs to hype up your school cultural festival

Our FutureNEW!ieiri reo

Leo Ieiri - “Our Future” (Full Ver.)

This is a song by singer-songwriter Leo Ieiri, whose powerful, emotionally rich vocals resonate deeply.

Released in May 2016 as her 12th single, it was chosen as the theme song for the NTV drama “Omukae Desu.” It’s a grand, pop-rock number themed around human bonds and hope, celebrating the joy of living together with someone.

Brimming with a liberating melody that feels like breaking free from loneliness and moving forward, it’s perfect for cultural or school festival stages.

It warmly supports the passion of creating something together with friends and the positive feeling of walking toward the future.

It’s a song you’ll want to link arms and sing together, one that will be etched deeply in your memories.

Starting Now ~ To the New MeNEW!Shimizu Miisa

Miisha Shimizu – Starting Now ~To the New Me (Official Video)

A perfect song to powerfully kick off a school festival! This is a number by Miisha Shimizu that captivates with overwhelming vocal prowess and expressiveness.

Released digitally in June 2021, it was included on the album “Ultimate Princess Celebration Album,” released in August of the same year.

Chosen as the Japanese theme song for Disney’s celebration, it generated major buzz.

Its grand, musical-like scale and powerful, soaring vocals resonate deeply.

The theme—depicting the determination to carve out one’s own future—is pure youth itself! With its dazzling sound, it’s sure to shine as a stage performance piece or opening BGM.

Blue NoteNEW!M!LK

M!LK – Aono Oto (Official Music Video)

A track brimming with the fresh vibe of summer and the exhilaration of racing ahead with your friends! Its positive theme—that you can feel “seishun” (youth) again and again depending on your mindset—makes it perfect for cultural and school festivals where everyone moves toward a single goal, don’t you think? Released as a single in July 2025, it also made waves as the tie-in song for the body care brand Sea Breeze’s commercial featuring M!LK member Hayato Sano.

It became a major hit, selling over 180,000 copies in the same month.

The exhilarating melody of classic pop and the rich, layered choruses are perfect for shouting and jumping together.

Highly recommended for creating the best shared memories on dance or band performance stages!

FateNEW!Ofisharu Higedan Dism

Official HIGE DANDism – Fate [Official Video]

Just a school event, and yet more than a school event.

This moving number by Official HIGE DANDism resonates powerfully in the heart, as if embracing that burning passion.

The beautiful piano melodies and the vibrant horn arrangements blend magnificently, gently enveloping both the victories and setbacks you seize together with your friends.

Released as a single in July 2019, it was chosen as the Asahi Broadcasting Corporation’s summer National High School Baseball Championship support song and the theme for “Nettō Kōshien.” It was later included on the acclaimed album Traveler.

It’s a perfect song for students who want to color a page of their youth vividly—whether performing as a band on the culture festival stage or singing in chorus with the whole class.

Starting OverNEW!sumika

sumika / Starting Over [Music Video] - TV Anime “MIX MEISEI STORY: The Second Summer, Beyond the Sky” Opening Theme

A refreshing melody that gives you the courage to take a step toward your dreams resonates in your heart! This track by the pop-rock band sumika portrays people moving forward while sharing their anxieties with friends who face the same struggles, even as they feel confusion and impatience in a new environment.

The message of treasuring what you love is sure to give you a push.

Released early in April 2023, this song was written as the opening theme for the TV anime MIX MEISEI STORY: The Second Summer, Beyond the Sky.

Its worldview of overcoming hardships and moving ahead is a perfect fit for cultural and school festivals where you create something together with your friends! It’s a wonderful, hope-filled song recommended for those who want to have as much fun as they can, even while carrying their worries.

The world is smiling at you.NEW!Little Glee Monster

The world is smiling at you.

This work, released in August 2018 by the hugely popular vocal group Little Glee Monster, is also well known for being chosen as Coca-Cola’s annual image song! Its lyrics carry a bright, positive message, and the lively melody will make you want to clap along.

It’s also included on the album FLAVA.

Just listening to it will lift your spirits, making it perfect as BGM or for stage performances at school festivals.

If you sing and dance to it with your friends, it’s sure to become an unforgettable memory!

Youth FlagNEW!Novelbright

Our Youth Flag

Novelbright is a five-member band known for their powerful messages and exhilarating rock sound.

“Seishun-ki” (Youth Flag), included on their major-label first full album “Kaimaku Sengen” released in April 2021, is a motivational song written as a campaign track for Idemitsu Kosan.

It embodies the determination to keep moving forward even amid the hardships of the pandemic, with strong words that resonate deeply.

Portraying the resolve to overcome setbacks and make a fresh start, this piece is perfect for moments when you hit a wall while preparing for a school or cultural festival, or when you want to boost your class’s morale for the big day.

It’s a great choice for an energizing opening BGM that brings everyone together, as well as for stage performances.