Eight types of cheering songs. Cheering songs for different scenes.
When you’re at a crossroads in life, feeling down, or cheering at a school sports day or athletic event, there are many moments when you might look for a motivational song.
Conversely, there may be times when you want to be cheered on and you search for an encouragement song yourself.
But when you actually start looking, you might find it surprisingly hard to discover a song that fits perfectly, right?
So in this article, we’ll introduce the best motivational songs organized by different cheering scenarios!
I’m sure you’ll find the encouragement anthem you’ve been looking for.
- [A Cheer for Myself] A pep song dedicated to you who are doing your very best
- [For those doing their best] A collection of motivational cheer songs
- [Sports Day Cheer Songs] A roundup of classic cheer songs and recommended tracks for parody versions
- [To All Athletes] Inspirational Sports Anthems & Empowering Theme Songs
- Carefully selected J-pop to liven up sports days and athletic festivals! Also great as entrance songs.
- Job-change anthems: inspiring and popular songs that give you courage
- Sports Day/Athletics Festival: Crowd-Pleasing Cheer Battle Ideas and Performances
- [Cheering Songs] Japanese tracks to listen to when you’re troubled, lost, or feeling anxious
- Before a match or when you feel like giving up! Cheer songs to keep you going in club activities
- Tear-jerking motivational songs by Japanese bands: recommended classics and popular tracks
- [A Life-Affirming Anthem] An Encouraging Song to Cheer You On
- A cheer song that gives you the strength to keep going
- A song that encourages you just by listening
Life Cheer Songs (11–20)
Helloyama × bocchiboromaru

A heartwarming collaborative piece by yama and Bocchi Boromaru, brimming with positive energy as a rousing anthem.
It carries a message that awakens hope for the future and a spirit of adventure, with a simple yet powerful melody that resonates deeply.
The song is approachable for a wide audience and was chosen as the opening theme for the TV anime Pokémon starting in October 2023.
In December 2023, it was released on CD in two formats: a standard edition and a limited-time production edition.
As a positive track that makes you want to sing along with someone, it’s perfect for cheering at sports days and athletic festivals.
Raise your voices together with friends under the blue sky, and it will surely become a wonderful memory.
together; along with; bothWANIMA

This song, which celebrates friendship, hope, and the strength to overcome hardship, fills listeners with energy and courage.
WANIMA’s exhilarating, fast-paced sound and positive message stand by those who continue to face challenges, serving as a powerful support.
Released in August 2016 as the theme song for Nivea Kao’s “8×4” commercial, it also carries the members’ deep love for their hometown of Kumamoto and their hopes for its recovery.
Included on the album “Are You Coming?”, the track was also performed at the 2017 NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
With its strong message, the song brings the perfect blend of excitement and refreshment for a school sports day’s exit scene.
It is expected to heighten the sense of unity in the venue, along with the children’s feelings of accomplishment and emotion after giving their all in competition.
FRIENDS!!!imase

In February 2025, imase crafted a new-generation pop song distinguished by its groovy rhythm and rich blend of instruments.
Centered on the importance of friendship and the depth of bonds, the piece was produced as the theme song for “Everyone’s Concert,” a collaboration project between the live communication app Pococha and Yamaha Corporation.
Gently expressing the awkward distance with friends you haven’t seen in a while and the enduring beauty of friendship that doesn’t change with time, it’s a perfect fit to close out a school sports day.
A special movie featuring a collaboration with over 120 performers was also created, hinting at the formation of new communities through music.
It’s a track you can enjoy while picturing the brisk exit scene, walking side by side with friends whose bonds have grown stronger, all to a comfortably soothing melody.
Rocky Themebirukonti

A sports anthem that resonates with a powerful brass section and full orchestral sound, portraying humanity’s boundless potential and passion.
Known as a quintessential masterpiece at the intersection of film and music, it stages a grand narrative themed around hard work, growth, and a leap toward one’s dreams.
Composed by Bill Conti for the film Rocky, released in February 1977, it reached No.
1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in July of the same year and ranked 58th on AFI’s 100 Years of Film Scores.
Beyond exit scenes, it’s a highly effective track for moments when you want to encourage people who are giving their all—such as school events, sports day practice, and lineup formations.
winding roadNovelbright

Carrying honest feelings and hope in its lyrics, Novelbright’s refreshing cheer song was born in January 2025.
Set to a grand melody and the band’s performance, the courage to overcome life’s hardships resonates deeply in the heart.
The song has been chosen as the theme for the TV Tokyo drama “Dragon of the Court,” and with vocalist Yudai Takenaka’s warm voice, it gently stands by listeners, as if watching over the growth of young people.
I believe it’s a song that gives a powerful push to those who, standing at life’s crossroads, keep moving forward despite their worries.
Brimming with youthful energy, it’s perfect for boosting your spirits before a school sports festival or athletic meet.
C.h.a.o.s.m.y.t.h.ONE OK ROCK

This is a powerful song that celebrates youthful passion and friendship, included on the album “Zankyō Reference,” released in October 2011.
Within its heavy sound that fuses metalcore and post-hardcore, ONE OK ROCK’s signature refreshing melodies shine through.
It portrays the earnest determination of young people who, carrying the bonds and memories shared with their friends, move forward into the future.
The track was also used as the ending theme for the TV program “To the Top of the Earth: Fumita Kuriki’s New Challenge.” It’s a perfect choice as BGM for school sports days and athletic festivals, resonating deeply with teammates who sweat together and encourage one another.
Life’s Cheer Songs (21–30)
superstarKetsumeishi

This song celebrates recognizing the potential and talent hidden within yourself and letting them shine.
Its empowering message—that everyone has a unique brilliance—blends beautifully with the pop sound.
Ketsumeishi’s positive lyrics and catchy melody carry a warm, gentle push for listeners.
Released in November 2020, it was chosen as the theme song for the TV Asahi anime Crayon Shin-chan.
The music video, filmed in India, also captures the song’s bright and uplifting worldview.
It’s a perfect fit as a cheer song for school events like sports festivals, and for anyone seeking encouragement to discover their true self.


