Koshien: That hit song too!? A comprehensive roundup of historic spring and summer march tunes

paprikaFoorin

[Paprika] Dance Music Video | Foorin × Kenshi Yonezu | NHK

A song Kenshi Yonezu wrote in 2018 as a cheering song for the “NHK 2020 Cheer Song Project,” themed as a “cheer song that kids can sing and dance to.” He says it was created by recalling his own childhood—running around in the mountains and swimming in rivers—and the lyrics about freely romping around and sowing seeds as you paint your dreams feel like a cheer from his childhood self to his grown-up self.

It’s a track that gives you confidence with a powerful message that everyone has limitless potential.

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hiyori

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If there really is a destined person for meNishino Kana

Kana Nishino “If There Is a Fated Person” Live on ‘Love Collection Live 2019’

The light and pop number “If There’s Such a Thing as a Soulmate” is Kana Nishino’s 26th single, released in 2015.

It’s a powerful song that bursts with her catchy, cute worldview, and its brisk, country-tinged tempo makes it perfect even for a high school baseball entrance march.

With a pure, straightforward message—like waiting for a prince on a white horse—it grabs listeners’ hearts and fills them with a tender, bittersweet feeling, making it a true youth anthem.

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hiyori

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You are the star.Sazan Ōrusutāzu

Southern All Stars – You Are the Star [Official Music Video]

In 2005, the selected entrance march for the National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament was “Kimi Koso Star da” (“You Are the Star”).

This song, created by Southern All Stars as a commercial jingle, features lyrics written by Keisuke Kuwata, who was inspired by athletes performing at the Olympics.

The message tells people who continue striving toward their dreams that “you are the star.” Its appeal lies in the fact that it can be listened to in various contexts—not only sports, but also work, hobbies, and more.

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Odoru Pompoko RinB.B. Kuīnzu

B.B. Queens “Odoru Pompokolin ~ Chibi Maruko-chan 25th Anniversary Version ~”

This is a song that put smiles on faces across Japan as the ending theme of a beloved national anime, and in 1991 it also inspired high school ballplayers as the entrance march for the Spring High School Baseball Tournament.

With lyrics by Momoko Sakura that capture the joy of everyday life, and an irresistibly cheerful melody composed by Tetsurō Oda, it lifts the spirits of everyone who listens.

Released in April 1990, the song became a million seller and won the Pop/Rock category at that year’s Japan Record Awards.

It’s a cross-generational happy song that makes both children and adults want to sing and dance together.

Until we meet againOzaki Kiyohiko

Mata Au Himade

With its dynamic vocals that convey a palpable sense of hope even amid the sadness of parting, this is a moving song by Kiyohiko Ozaki.

It portrays, with a powerful yet gentle melody, two people saying goodbye to the past they walked together and stepping forward into their respective futures.

Released as a single in March 1971, it served as the entrance march at the 44th National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament in 1972, inspiring many ballplayers.

Listen to it at the moment of a new challenge or departure, and you will surely feel your heart stirred.

Cat’s EyeAnri

CAT’S EYE

With a cool, fast-paced melody that feels like tearing through the city at night, this song has an instant, irresistible allure.

Released as a single in August 1983, it became a major hit as the theme song for the anime Cat’s Eye.

It was performed at that year’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen, and in the spring of 1984 it was selected as the march for the 56th National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament.

Using an anime theme at Koshien was groundbreaking at the time and created a huge buzz, so many of you may remember it.

It’s a classic that propels people toward their goals and stirs the passion they carry within.

Love MemoryMatsuzaki Shigeru

Love Memory

Shigeru Matsuzaki’s signature song, delivered with a soul-stirring voice that exalts the joy of irreplaceable love.

It paints, on a grand scale, the happiness brought by a loved one’s angelic smile and an eternal bond that vows never to part, even if one becomes a star.

Released in August 1977, the piece was originally produced for a 1976 music festival and became a massive hit as a commercial jingle.

In 1978, it resounded through Koshien as the march for the 50th National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament, carrying the dreams of Matsuzaki himself, a former high school ballplayer.

It’s a song that offers courage and inspiration at life’s major milestones and when you want to convey deep gratitude to someone important.