Also great for karaoke with friends! Youthful songs that hype up the Reiwa era
In the past, “youth songs” often brought romantic themes to mind, but in recent years more songs have portrayed youth in a variety of ways.
Of course, youth and romance are inseparable, but there’s been a rise in broader takes on youth songs—tracks about friendship or songs that evoke club activities, for example.
So this time, we’re introducing youth songs released in the Reiwa era.
They’re the kind of tracks that not only lift your spirits just by listening, but also get everyone hyped when sung together at karaoke.
Be sure to check them out!
- Packed with everything from friendship to romance! Youth anthems recommended for Gen Z
- Easy-to-sing youth songs for karaoke: recommended classics and popular hits
- Bright friendship songs recommended for high school students. A collection of hype-up tracks.
- [Clubs, Friendship, Romance] Youth songs middle schoolers should listen to
- An anthem for your 30s. Beloved and popular songs that are both heart-pumping and heart-fluttering.
- Colorful coming-of-age songs perfect for autumn listening
- [For adults too] Youth songs that let you look back on your memories
- [Classic & Latest] Famous and Popular Songs That Sing of Youth
- Friendship songs recommended for high school students: classic and popular J‑pop hits
- Idol Songs from the Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa Eras: Classic and Latest Hits That Light Up Karaoke
- A roundup of youth-themed songs recommended for high school students
- Recommended for high school students! Fun, crowd-pleasing songs for karaoke
- Emotional friendship songs recommended for high school students
Also great for karaoke with friends! Youth songs that hype up the Reiwa era (21–30)
Why do we run?Nogizaka 46
This is a song by Nogizaka46 that vividly captures the dazzling glow of youth—being driven by something for no reason at all.
In response to the question of why we run and sweat, the lyrics boldly declare, “There’s no meaning,” embodying that uniquely youthful impulse where the body moves before the mind can think.
Perhaps it’s precisely because it’s sung by the 6th generation, the group’s next wave, that the words carry a genuine, unfeigned radiance.
Included on the single “Same numbers,” released in July 2025, this track is a youth pop anthem that blends coolness with an emotional resonance.
Double Double FIGHT!CANDY TUNE
CANDY TUNE is an idol group from ASOBISYSTEM, currently the hottest idol agency.
They specialize in pop and cute tunes, with releases from 2023.
Among their songs, the one I especially recommend is “Bai-Bai FIGHT!” It’s popular on TikTok, so I think many high schoolers are familiar with it.
While the track has a lot of spoken-style phrases that give it a rap-like element, it’s actually very easy to sing in terms of following the pitch.
The overall vibe is poppy, and the vocal range—mid1 G♯ to hi D—isn’t excessively wide, so as long as you can handle the talk-like delivery, you should be able to sing it without issues.
It’s fantastic for getting the crowd hyped, so definitely consider adding it to your repertoire.
Also great for karaoke with friends! Youth songs that liven up the Reiwa era (31–40)
snowdropConton Candy
Set to a fast-paced, exhilarating rock sound, this Conton Candy track gives voice to the complex emotions unique to adolescence.
Written as the opening theme for the TV anime Rascal Does Not Dream of a Santa Claus, it builds on the keyword “Adolescence Syndrome” to vividly portray the protagonists’ wavering hearts.
It’s a song of encouragement that pushes you forward—struggling through imperfect realities yet still trying to face ahead.
Perfect for immersing yourself in the anime’s world, and just right for the moments you need courage.
FRIENDS!!!imase
Imase’s new song, which portrays long-standing friendship and its changes with a pop sound, is gaining buzz, especially among younger listeners.
It gently conveys the beauty of friendships that don’t fade with age—even amid the awkwardness of a long-awaited reunion—through tender vocals, and stands out with its groovy rhythm and richly arranged instrumentation.
Released in February 2025 as the theme song for the collaborative project “Everyone’s Concert” by the live communication app Pococha and Yamaha Corporation, the track also inspired a special video featuring a performance with over 120 musicians.
It’s a perfect pick for meeting an old friend or reminiscing about cherished memories with someone close.
speedGRe4N BOYZ
A powerful message song that sings about the importance of keeping moving forward.
It’s a track by GRe4N BOYZ and serves as the TV commercial song for “Keirin,” commissioned by the JKA Foundation and the Japan Keirin Promotion Association.
From a quietly unfolding intro to a steadily rising climax, its progression is striking.
The lyrics carefully portray the feelings of searching for a yet-unseen version of oneself and the strong determination to move toward one’s goals, offering real encouragement.
Team friendsChiba Yūki
Despite profoundly influencing the hip-hop scene—and, by extension, the broader Japanese music scene—throughout the 2010s under the name “KOHH,” he announced a hiatus in 2021, then made a triumphant return in February 2024 under his real name, Yuki Chiba, with the landmark track “Team Tomodachi.” The song generated huge buzz, becoming a meme across social media and asserting an overwhelming presence not just among hip-hop fans but music listeners at large as one of 2024’s defining tracks.
Even if you don’t know much about Chiba, you’ve probably heard the chorus that repeats the title at least once—it’s the kind of song that seems perfect for karaoke.
Since it’s a special occasion, we hope you’ll try rapping it with your friends from back home and have a blast together!
Friends ForeverB.B.WAVES
This is the second pop song from B.B.WAVES, set to an exhilarating soundscape that celebrates the importance of friendship and shared memories.
Released on April 9, 2025, the track blends warm, embracing EDM production with melodic, standout vocals.
Its hopeful vibe is sure to put you in a positive mood.
It’s a perfect song for graduation season, the start of a new chapter, or whenever you want to capture a youthful moment with your closest friends.