[2026] Graduate with a Smile! Recommended Uplifting Graduation Songs

Prologue.Yuika

Prologue. / “Yuika” [MV]

The piece YuiKa released on the day of her high school graduation isn’t about the end of youth—it’s a song with a forward-looking message that says “the real journey starts here,” resonating deeply.

Released in March 2023, right as she returned from about a 10-month hiatus, the track was also featured as an insert song in ABEMA’s romance reality show “Koisuru Weekend Homestay 2023 Spring ~Sweet Orange Memory~.” It tenderly captures the feeling of realizing that everyday moments—like filming each other with friends in the classroom—were actually treasures, allowing listeners to overlay their own memories onto the song.

The delicate piano combined with the band’s sound creates a warm yet bittersweet atmosphere, and the swelling dynamics toward the chorus stir the emotions.

It’s the perfect graduation song for those who want to set off with smiles instead of tears, and for anyone looking to take a bold step into a new chapter of life.

Brand New DayDXTEEN

DXTEEN | ’Brand New Day’ Performance Video

DXTEEN’s debut song features an exhilarating retro-pop sound that feels like the start of a new school term.

Released in May 2023 as the lead track of their first single, it entered the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart at No.

5.

Set to a dazzling, modernized take on ‘80s–‘90s synth-pop, the lyrics celebrate the resolve to take a first step toward one’s dreams and the bonds shared with friends.

Chosen as the ending theme for Kansai TV/Fuji TV’s “Tuesday is Full Power! Hanada-san and Chidori-kun,” the track gained popularity across a wide audience.

Its positive message—anticipation and a hint of anxiety about new beginnings, yet the courage to move forward with friends by your side—will surely resonate with anyone at a graduation milestone.

It’s a hopeful number perfect for a graduation ceremony where you want to celebrate the send-off with a smile.

18imase

【imase】18（MV）

This is a song in which imase offers a down-to-earth cheer to the generation that came of age during the pandemic.

It stands by 18-year-olds whose memories include photos with only their eyes visible behind masks and events that were restricted, carrying a positive message that “the fun starts now.” Its light beat and refreshing pop sound are pleasant, and it’s the kind of track that naturally brings a smile as you listen.

Released in April 2023, the song was written as a tie-in for Suntory’s web video “Otonajan / Kokokara dane 04,” and it’s also included on the album Bonzai, released in May 2024.

Rather than lamenting lost time, it encourages coloring the life ahead in your own way—making it perfect for the milestone of graduation.

Recommended for those taking a step into a new environment or feeling uncertain about becoming an adult.

Forget-me-notMarushii

Marcy – Forget-me-not (Official Music Video)

Marcy’s “Wasurenagusa” is a song whose bright message, cheering on graduation as a new beginning, resonates deeply.

While the lyrics carry the sadness of parting, they also convey the strength to turn that feeling into power and move forward.

Its energetic melody will give courage to everyone facing graduation.

The image of pushing past farewells and charging toward one’s dreams carries an intensity that makes you want to cheer them on.

The transparent, airy band arrangement and vocals add vivid color to the track.

If this song plays at a graduation ceremony, it will etch hope for a new future into everyone’s hearts along with their cherished memories.

On nights when cherry blossoms fallaimyon

Aimyon – On the Night the Cherry Blossoms Fall [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

Released in 2021 as a digital-only single, “Sakura ga Furu Yoru wa” is a song Aimyong wrote with the theme of spring, a season of encounters and farewells.

It’s a light, buoyant number that sings of a love fluttering like cherry blossoms as you walk along the riverbank in the still slightly chilly early-spring breeze.

The graduation season can make us sentimental with its lonely goodbyes, but spring is sure to bring new meetings.

No one knows what lies ahead, but it’s nice to turn your gaze to that excitement and look forward to what’s to come.

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hiyori

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The happiest treasuresutopuri

[MV] The Most Wonderful Treasure / Strawberry Prince

Strawberry Prince (SutoPuri) is a six-member entertainment group active across a wide range of fields, including YouTube, TwitCasting, music distribution, and stage performances.

Their 27th single, “Saikou no Takaramono” (The Happiest Treasure), opens with a refreshing guitar riff that feels great right from the intro.

The lyrics, which pray for a bright future for someone precious, are something everyone wishes for at the milestone of a graduation ceremony.

It’s a crisp, refreshing pop tune that you’ll want to sing your heart out to at karaoke with friends graduating alongside you.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Only the graduation photo knowsHinatazaka46

The Only One Who Knows Is the Graduation Photo by Hinatazaka46

A song by Hinatazaka46 themed around graduation.

It gently sings of the bittersweet feelings of the cherry blossom season and the love that went unspoken.

Memories and regrets sealed in graduation photos resonate deeply, intertwined with clear, transparent vocals.

Set for release on January 29, 2025, the track features Nao Kosaka as center and will be available in five editions: limited first-press versions and a regular edition.

It was premiered at their Tokyo Dome concert on December 26, 2024.

It’s a recommended listen not only for students entering graduation season, but also for anyone who wants to reflect on past loves.