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
For examinees to listen to (1–10)
We’ve gotta do what seems impossible.Sambomasutā
One of Sambomaster’s signature songs—by a band loved across generations for their straightforward Japanese lyrics and moving message songs.
I think entrance exams are one of the toughest challenges you’ll ever face.
There are probably many students who, even if the odds seem slim, work hard every day aiming to get into the school they truly want.
Those taking on a challenge that might look like “there’s no way you can do it” are surely carrying a lot of anxiety.
When you feel like you’re about to give up, listen to this song—It’ll give you the courage to push just a little further! This song will rouse your spirit, so keep challenging yourself to the very end without giving up!
Sakura, Bloom!arashi
Arashi, the national idol group that temporarily suspended activities at the end of 2020.
Their song “Sakura Sake” might be the perfect anthem to cheer on exam-takers.
Released in 2005 as Arashi’s 14th single, it’s well known among fans for having its rap lyrics written by member Sho Sakurai.
It’s a song that helps you push forward, giving you the powerful energy to make daily efforts pay off and bounce back from your anxieties.
It’s a must-hear support song for students preparing for entrance exams.
For sports days and school athletic festivals (1–10)
An energizing cheer song!
I think many people, when they look back years later, find themselves reminiscing along with the music—like, “Oh yeah, that song was playing back then.” If you’re looking for audio tracks for a school sports day or athletic festival, please use this as a reference.
One Heartatarashii gakkou no rīdāzu
A song that brings everyone’s hearts together! It’s a青春 (coming-of-age) cheer anthem that echoes through the gym.
Atarashii Gakko no Leaders created a brand-new song for Bourbon’s “Fettuccine Gummi” TV commercial, premiering in March 2025.
This powerful track expresses the drive to keep moving forward, and through fans’ cheers and dance performances, it brings both adults and kids together in excitement.
For the music video shoot, about 300 fans gathered to pull off a large-scale group performance in a gymnasium.
It’s a fresh, energetic, and powerful song that will lift spirits not only at graduations and sports days, but also for anyone starting a new chapter in life.
lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE
Delicately portraying both the radiance and bitterness of youth, this work by Mrs.
GREEN APPLE weaves a profound message into its gentle melodies.
It reflects not only the shining memories of student days, but also the struggles of confronting real-world obstacles, giving it the powerful quality of an uplifting anthem.
Selected as the opening theme for the TV Tokyo anime “Oblivion Battery” starting in April 2024, the song achieved remarkable success, winning the Grand Prix at the 66th Japan Record Awards.
It’s recommended both as a track to energize the crowd with its dynamic guitar rock sound at school sports days and athletic festivals, and as an empowering song for taking a new step forward.
Bling-Bang-Bang-BornCreepy Nuts
A track marked by powerful beats and addictive phrases, it vividly portrays a protagonist who fights with muscle as a weapon in a world where magic is the norm.
Set to an up-tempo rhythm and inventive sound design, it expresses the life of a hero with strength and conviction that defy common sense.
This song, which incorporates Jersey club elements—arguably Creepy Nuts at their best—debuted in January 2024 as the opening theme for Season 2 of the anime Mashle: Magic and Muscles.
Together with its opening visuals, it became a hot topic and sparked a new culture on social media where music and dance fused as one.
It’s a track that resonates with anyone who holds an unbreakable spirit and the courage to take on challenges.
Yes, with pleasure.kocchi no kento
This is a song released by Kocchinoken-to in May 2024, an uplifting anthem that pairs a catchy rhythm and melody with a heartwarming message.
The “Giri Giri Dance,” which spread mainly through social media, became a hot topic as an easy, accessible performance for everyone and has been a huge hit as background music and a cheer song at school sports days.
The track packs a powerful, confidence-boosting message into its up-tempo sound, keeping you feeling positive from start to finish.
It also garnered major buzz on TikTok and even led to a collaboration with Sanrio characters.
Its breezy, get-you-running rhythm and friendly, singable melody are part of its charm.
Perfect not only for school sports festivals and athletic events, it’s also a great pick-me-up for everyday motivation.
idolYOASOBI
YOASOBI’s song “Idol,” known as the opening theme for the anime Oshi no Ko, features lyrics that portray the duality of an idol, mirroring the character Ai Hoshino from the show.
It’s highly acclaimed by anime fans and is popular not only in Japan but worldwide.
Since it’s a song everyone knows, it could really liven things up as a cheer song for a school sports day.
If you use it as a parody, how about a theme where someone is working hard to excel at the sports day but doesn’t show any of that effort?
