Uplifting! Heisei-Era Cheer Songs: The Best Hits
Here come the true classics: a roundup of the cheer songs that were big hits in the Heisei era!
The 1990s were the peak era for CD sales, and the Heisei period produced countless hit songs that are still sung today.
These are tunes everyone could hum along to.
They topped sales charts and are frequently featured on music shows.
Focusing on the “Best Hits,” we’ve compiled a variety of cheer songs—from anthems by the era’s biggest artists that defined Heisei, to hidden gems born from special projects with a touch of cool sophistication.
Dive in whenever you’re feeling nostalgic and in need of the comfort that Heisei cheer songs bring.
- An energizing song that was a hit in the 2000s—a classic that gives you strength.
- Just listening will lift your spirits! Energetic and cheer-up songs that defined the Heisei era.
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- Songs from the Heisei retro era that will get any generation excited! Timeless tracks you’ll want to listen to now.
- [Cheer-Up Songs Special] Songs that give you courage when you're feeling down. Encouraging tracks.
- [Exams, Club Activities, Dreams] Encouragement songs recommended for teens: Tracks to listen to when you want to do your best
- [For those doing their best] A collection of motivational cheer songs
- Cheer songs that were hits in the 2000s
- [Showa-Era Classics] A carefully selected collection of uplifting anthems that empower people across generations
- Songs that make you feel positive when you listen. Top recommended cheer and positive tracks.
- Now’s the time to listen! Uplifting Showa-era songs that brightened Japan
- Just listening will surely move your heart! A moving song that represents the Heisei era.
Energizing! Heisei-Era Cheer Songs: The Best Hits (11–20)
Our TomorrowElefanto Kashimashi
‘Oretachi no Ashita’ feels like a song that lets you greet the next day with a positive mindset.
It’s a track by the rock band Elephant Kashimashi—known for their straightforward lyrics and passionate performances—released in November 2007.
This was their first release after switching record labels.
The song seems to cheer themselves on as they faced a new environment.
Also, the lyrics sound like they’re speaking to an old friend, which makes it feel as if they’re talking directly to you—and that makes the song even more relatable.
It’s a track you’ll want to keep as a charm for those crucial moments when you need to push through.
Go for it!Urufuruzu
An energetic cheer song by Ulfuls, with powerful shouts and an up-tempo melody that resonates in the heart.
Its theme is walking forward with confidence and courage, carrying a message to face difficulties with a positive attitude.
Upon its release in December 1995, it took the music scene by storm, as if casting new light on the spirit of the times.
The album “Banzai” also became a massive hit, selling over one million copies, and the band went on to perform in the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen the following year.
This work is truly a song of encouragement for the heart, gently giving you a push when you need a little boost in everyday life or want to rally yourself.
Let’s do our best.SMAP
SMAP, a five-member idol group celebrated as a national phenomenon, enjoyed immense popularity.
Their 14th single, “Ganbarimashou,” was used as the opening theme for the travel quiz show “Naruhodo! The World.” Its message—keep doing your best every day no matter what others think—can give you a push when you’re feeling down.
With its pop melody and tight ensemble brightening your mood, it’s a powerful, uplifting tune.
NIPPONShiina Ringo
The 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil sent all of Japan into a frenzy.
This powerful anthem, crafted by Ringo Sheena as NHK’s soccer theme song, skillfully fuses traditional Japanese elements with a modern rock sound.
The track symbolically expresses the Japanese spirit—pure ambition and the pursuit of lofty ideals.
Included on the album Hi Izuru Tokoro, it was created as a cheer for players competing on the world’s greatest stage.
Recommended for those seeking a song to give them a push in decisive moments or to elevate their mindset before an important match.
Fukuwarai (a traditional Japanese “lucky laugh” face-making game)Takahashi Yuu
Yu Takahashi has many songs that give you the strength to keep going when times are tough and help you stay positive.
This track is exactly one of those: it conveys, in a straightforward way, that smiles are a universal language that transcends linguistic barriers.
The hope that one person’s smile will inspire another’s, creating a happy chain that spreads across the world, really resonates.
Released in February 2011 as Takahashi’s third single, this song became widely loved as the CM song for Tokyo Metro’s “TOKYO HEART.” For some reason, Yu Takahashi’s music brings a deep sense of reassurance—it makes you feel like you have an unfailing ally.
Listening to it gives you that comforting feeling, like a dose of nourishment for the heart—an empowering number.