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

Is youth embarrassing, or is it youth if it’s embarrassing?Ryokushokushakai

Ryokuoushoku Shakai 'Is Youth Embarrassing?' Official Video / Ryokuoushoku Shakai – Hazukashiika Seishun wa

A power-charged, feel-good song that captures the straight-from-the-heart spirit of youth in sound and lyrics! Ryokuoushoku Shakai’s exhilarating, fast-paced sound is packed with the passion of young people chasing their dreams head-on.

Featured on the album “Channel U,” this track was chosen as the theme song for ABEMA’s original romance show “Kyou, Suki ni Narimashita: Summer Vacation 2024,” and was released in July 2024.

This piece, which gives a strong push to everyone living in the here and now, is also perfect as stage BGM to brighten the opening of school and culture festivals!

OrangeSPYAIR

SPYAIR “Orange” Music Video (Theme Song for Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle: The Movie)

A bittersweet yet powerful anthem that captures a fleeting moment of youth! Released in February 2024 as the theme song for the film “HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle,” this SPYAIR track was featured as the title song of the EP “Orange” and broke into the top 10 on streaming charts.

It paints scenes of sweet-and-sour youth and the emotions of parting with friends while holding onto hope for the future, all set to a fresh, energetic melody.

Gently reminding us of the importance of keeping our eyes forward and continuing to walk on, this piece is sure to resonate as an opening theme for cultural or school festivals.

Dear, boyHump Back

Hump Back – “Dear, Boy” Music Video

Currently enjoying passionate support from the younger generation is the girls’ rock band Hump Back.

This signature song of theirs is a fiery track overflowing with a sense of youth from start to finish! The exhilarating guitar rock sound paired with the powerful, gritty vocals is incredibly cool and guaranteed to get everyone hyped.

If you get the chance to perform as a band at the opening of your school festival, you should definitely play this song! School festivals are such an important event that marks a page of youth, so this track is a perfect fit!

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Hane Keisuke

Report a problem

Fanfaresumika

sumika / Fanfare [Music Video]

A refreshing yet powerful cheer song that portrays facing hardships and holding hope for the future.

Its lyrics gently accompany anxious hearts and give a supportive push to walk forward together, inspiring the courage to take a new step.

Released in August 2018 as sumika’s second single, it also drew attention for being chosen as the opening theme for the feature-length anime Let Me Eat Your Pancreas.

It’s a perfect song for school and cultural festivals—moments that will likely be etched into many students’ memories as a page of their youth.

Let’s give it a tryWANIMA

Yattemiyou

A powerful cheering song that blows away anxious feelings! One of WANIMA’s signature tracks, it’s been beloved as the tie-in song for au’s Santaro (Three Taro) commercial series since 2017.

The upbeat lyrics call on us to value not only what’s right but also what’s fun, and the energetic rock sound really stirs the soul.

Featured on the album “Everybody!!,” this song gives you the strength not to give up in the face of hardships and trials, and the courage to move forward toward the future with your friends.

It’s truly a perfect track for a school culture festival or campus festival built together with your peers.

We areONE OK ROCK

ONE OK ROCK: We Are [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

An empowering anthem that stands by the anxieties and struggles of young people, powerfully singing the importance of living true to yourself! Taka from ONE OK ROCK delivers an emotionally rich vocal performance, and the fusion with the emotive melody creates a soul-stirring sound that leaves a lasting impression.

Featured on the album “Ambitions” and released in January 2017, this track was chosen as NHK’s soccer theme song and deeply moved many viewers.

It’s a warm song that supports and encourages not only students in the midst of their youth, but also those who feel unable to face societal pressures and surrounding prejudice, and those on the verge of losing their sense of self.

lulu.NEW!Mrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE「lulu.」Official Music Video

A hit by Mrs.

GREEN APPLE whose expansive sense of scale and lively rhythm resonate pleasantly.

The song, themed around endings and beginnings and the feelings passed down, is a grand pop-rock track that blends freshness with dramatic development.

Released in January 2026, it was chosen as the opening theme for Season 2 of the hugely popular TV anime Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.

The surprise drop of the video during a pre-release livestream also generated major buzz.

Its sound brimming with momentum toward a new stage makes it perfect for kicking off culture festivals and school festivals in style.

It’s a must-listen for students whose hearts are swelling with anticipation for the journey of youth that lies ahead.