[Clubs, Friendship, Romance] Youth songs middle schoolers should listen to

GarnetOku Hanako

Garnet

This is the theme song of the animated film “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time,” a track where Hanako Oku’s vocals resonate deeply with the heart.

It captures the sparkle of days gone by and an unchanging feeling for someone precious—listening to it might just make your heart ache a little.

Released as a single in July 2006, it further heightened the film’s emotional impact.

Try listening to it on a summer evening when you want to sink into a slightly sentimental mood or when you’re remembering old friends.

It’s a song that will surely stay gently by your side.

Unchanging ThingsOku Hanako

Unchanging Things

This is a piece with a beautiful piano melody, perfect for those summer evenings when you want to sink into a slightly sentimental mood.

Through the lyrics—almost as if a character in a film were speaking directly to you—feelings of nostalgia for irreplaceable days gone by and a deep, unwavering affection for someone precious, unchanged by time, come straight through via Hanako Oku’s clear, translucent voice.

If you’ve ever had those sudden moments when a memory rushes back and your chest tightens, this will really resonate.

The song is included on the single “Garnet,” released in July 2006, and can also be heard on the album “TIME NOTE,” released in March 2007.

It is also known for coloring some of the most moving scenes as an insert song in the feature-length animated film The Girl Who Leapt Through Time.

It’s a work I hope you’ll experience at least once in a summer filled with youthful memories—friendship, first love, and more.

Kimisidai TrainONE OK ROCK

Kimisidai Train

This ambitious work by ONE OK ROCK is marked by powerful vocals and a fast-paced, exhilarating sound.

Interweaving English and Japanese lyrics, it expresses a determination to move forward—believing in one’s own potential and drawing strength from past experiences.

The members’ passionate performance blends perfectly with a message that pushes listeners onward.

Included on the album “Zankyo Reference,” released in October 2011, it’s cherished as a staple in live shows that fosters a strong sense of unity with fans.

More than just a boost during sports day practices, this song serves as a source of support when standing at life’s crossroads or taking a new step forward.

FRIENDS!!!imase

【imase】FRIENDS!!!（MV）

This is a heartwarming song themed around friendship, whose gentle melody seeps into the soul.

Imase’s soft vocals tenderly capture the subtle distance and mutual changes felt when reconnecting with an old friend.

It conveys the importance of a friendship that, even as we grow, can return to the carefree bond of the past, and the enduring connection that doesn’t fade with time.

Released in February 2025 for the collaborative project “Everyone’s Concert” by the live communication app Pococha and Yamaha Corporation, the piece features a striking sound highlighted by Shingo Kubota’s arrangement.

Recommended as a youthful, uplifting track perfect for memorable moments like school festivals or stage performances, it’s a song that unites friends and lifts the mood when shared together.

Friends Friends FriendsMomoiro Kurōbā Zetto

Friends Friends Friends

A warm, heartwarming song themed around eternal friendship.

Momoiro Clover Z delicately conveys encounters and farewells, and the importance of irreplaceable bonds with their nuanced vocals.

The melody gently embraces feelings not only of friendship, but also for that special someone you think of—be it a lover or family.

Included on the album “Hydra,” this work is an anniversary song released in May 2024 to commemorate the group’s 15th anniversary.

It’s a song provided by singer-songwriter Ryujin Kiyoshi, his first contribution in about eight years, beautifully expressing his distinctive worldview.

Recommended as a finale-ending song for school and cultural festivals, and as a memorable track shared with friends and companions.

A friend of a friendOkazaki Taiiku

A friend of a friend

Have you ever had that awkward experience of going over to a friend’s house and finding a kid you don’t know there? Taiiku Okazaki’s hit song takes that relatable “we’ve all been there” moment as its theme! With a catchy melody and humor-packed lyrics, it tickles the listener’s heart.

Broadcast on “Minna no Uta” since October 2024, it’s loved by people of all ages, from kids to adults.

This piece is filled with the unique charm of Taiiku Okazaki, who excels at expressing the subtleties of human relationships through music, and the more you listen, the more you relate.

Listen with your friends—you’ll be saying, “So true!” together for sure!

Everyone, everyone is shining.Yugeda Kensuke

Everyone, everyone is shining (unison chorus)

Riding on a cherry-blossom-colored breeze, this heartwarming song by Kensuke Yugeda gently sings of the hopeful arrival of spring.

It carries a message of encouragement for children taking their first steps forward, conveying a sense of anticipation for a shining future.

Its melody, expressing both endearing freshness and the courage to walk toward one’s dreams, tenderly nestles against the listener’s heart.

The piece is included on the album “Shiawase ni Naare” and is a beloved song performed at entrance ceremonies and welcome events for new students in elementary schools across Japan.

Since June 2018, it has been passed down in schools nationwide, and through more than 2,000 school concerts, Mr.

Yugeda has delivered it directly to children.

It is a springtime song brimming with joy, one we hope new students, teachers, and families will listen to.