Youthful songs recommended as theme songs and openings for cultural and school festivals

HappinessAI

AI – Happiness

Although this song is loved as a Christmas tune, it’s of course popular outside the holiday season too! Its sparkling, festive sound is perfect for kicking off a school culture festival.

Don’t you think the chorus, with its theme of smiles, is just right for such an event? It’s a great pick to start a festival filled with everyone’s smiles.

It’s fun to sing together, and the strong, easy-to-follow beat makes it great for dancing as well.

It’s also recommended as BGM for the opening movie.

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Hane Keisuke

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HarukaYOASOBI

YOASOBI 'Haruka' Official Music Video

A moving work from YOASOBI—known for their gentle, warm vocals and story-rich songs—that poignantly depicts parting from a loved one.

From the unique perspective of a moon prince who has become a mug and watches over a girl through half her life, the song tenderly weaves themes of family and friendship bonds, the joy of growth, and the sorrow of farewell.

Released in December 2020, the piece was featured as the image song for “Art Aquarium Exhibition 2021: Hakata—Festival of Goldfish” and in a Takara Tomy commercial.

Its warm narrative carried by a simple melody will be there to comfort you when you want to look back on memories with your companions, or when you need courage before saying goodbye to someone important.

flash[Alexandros]

[Alexandros] – Flash (MV) Theme Song of Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway's Flash

With its exhilarating guitar riffs, this powerful song is imbued with a strong will to face the future.

Created as the theme song for the film Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway, [Alexandros] released this work in May 2021.

The protagonist’s journey of overcoming past fears to become a new self resonates perfectly with the band’s fresh start as they officially welcomed Ibu Riad as a member.

The grand music video shot in a factory drew significant attention, and by May 2023 the song surpassed 100 million streams.

It has become a work loved by a wide audience beyond Gundam fans.

If performed on a school festival stage, it would likely envelop the entire venue in an overwhelming sense of unity.

VSBLUE ENCOUNT

BLUE ENCOUNT 'VS' Music Video [TV Tokyo Anime 'Gintama' Porori Arc Opening Theme]

A powerful track created by the Japanese rock band BLUE ENCOUNT.

With their signature emotional rock approach, it conveys a strong determination to face one’s inner battles.

Released in November 2017, this song was tied in as the opening theme for the anime Gintama.: Porori Arc.

The lyrics, themed around inner transformation and growth, leave a strong impression.

With word choice and a rhythmic feel influenced by hip-hop—done in BLUE ENCOUNT’s own style—it strikes something fiery in the listener’s heart.

For students trying to break out of their shells and move forward, this might be a song that truly resonates.

Be sure to play it with your friends and shout it out loud at your school festival!

Anniversary!!E-girls

E-girls / Anniversary!!

If you’re looking for a song that can turn the entire school into a dance floor, we recommend “Anniversary!!”.

Released in 2015 by the female dance and vocal group E-girls, this track delivers a refreshing, pop-infused electro sound.

Don’t miss their upbeat choreography that matches the rhythmic tempo.

Its festival-like, energetic vibe makes it perfect for special occasions.

How about using this bright, uplifting track as BGM to liven up the atmosphere around campus?

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mutō

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MAGICsumika

sumika / MAGIC【Music Video】

The blaring horn section gets you pumped up whether you like it or not! It’s a song by the pop-rock band sumika, included on their 2016 release SALLY e.p.

That lively, fun sound is so quintessentially sumika! Even when you’re weighed down by worries or run into a wall, this song makes you feel like you can push through.

It’s a wonderful piece that adds a brilliant splash of color to the quintessential youth events of school and culture festivals!

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Araki Jakkan

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Everyone is a heroAI

Minnagaminna Au (Full Version)

The lyrics, which capture a slice of everyday life, deftly express emotions we all carry—setbacks, failures, and anxieties—while reminding us of the importance of keeping on moving forward.

Even when we’re troubled by headwinds, we’re encouraged by the message that hope still shines like stars when we look up at the sky.

Familiar as the theme song for au’s “Santaro” commercial series in 2016, the track has also been released in a new version titled “Everyone’s a Hero 2024.” If you’re struggling or in pain right now, give this song a listen.

You just might discover a new you.