A Must-See for Those in Their 20s: A Collection of Youthful Songs That Bring Back School Days
People in their 20s today—what songs come to mind when you hear the phrase “youth anthem”? The songs you listened to as a student can instantly bring back the fun times and the tough moments, right? Why not take this opportunity to look back on those memorable classics from your youth? In this article, we’ll introduce songs that people in their 20s find nostalgic.
Surely, memories of what happened back then—exchanges with friends, and the person you had a crush on—will all come vividly flooding back.
- Hype Songs Recommended for People in Their 20s [Classic and Popular Japanese Hits]
- An anthem for your 30s. Beloved and popular songs that are both heart-pumping and heart-fluttering.
- [2026] Graduation Songs That Move People in Their 20s
- [Guaranteed to resonate!] Youth songs that strike a chord with teens. Recommended coming-of-age tracks.
- [For adults too] Youth songs that let you look back on your memories
- Recommended love songs for men in their 20s: classic and popular Japanese hits
- Popular Youth Songs Ranking [2026]
- Relive those feelings from back in the day! Youth anthems recommended for the Yutori generation
- [2026] Recommended Japanese Songs for Driving: Popular J-POP for People in Their 20s
- [2026 Edition] Youth Anthems for Your 40s! A Roundup of Popular Heart-Pounding × Heartwarming Songs
- A roundup of youth-themed songs recommended for high school students
- [Spring Songs] Recommended for people in their 20s! Masterpieces to listen to during cherry blossom season that color meetings and farewells
- Memories come flooding back! Graduation songs recommended for the Yutori generation
[A Must-See for People in Their 20s] Collection of Youthful Songs That Bring Back School Days (41–50)
sense of shameshuuchishin
Quiz! Hexagon II aired from 2005 to 2011.
The show was very popular at the time, and many people probably remember it often coming up and getting everyone excited at school and elsewhere.
From among the show’s cast, a unit was formed that debuted as singers: Shuchishin.
The three members—Naoki Nokubo, Takeshi Tsuruno, and Yusuke Kamiji—were a big hit back then.
Their song Shuchishin shares the same title as the unit name and was released in 2008 as their debut single.
Maybe you have memories of dancing or singing it with friends at school?
Ms. Hanako on a high pedestalback number
A candid summer love song about unrequited feelings for someone you admire.
It’s a work by back number, the three-piece rock band behind numerous hits like “Suiheisen” and “Christmas Song,” released in 2013 as their eighth single.
In recent years, it was featured in a TV commercial starring vocalist Shimizu, so some people may have heard it again there for the first time in a while.
Its light, buoyant sound, straightforward vocals, and nostalgic melodic lines intertwine exquisitely to create a pleasantly immersive sonic image.
MisterKARA
You might find yourself humming along as soon as the intro starts! This smash hit by the Korea-born idol group KARA was released in 2010 as their debut single in Japan.
Its catchy melody and that distinctive dance became a huge topic back then.
The lyrics portray a passionate, straightforward view of love in a very cute way.
It’s sure to be a hit if you pick it at karaoke with people from the same generation.
Definitely give it a try at a reunion or similar get-together!
Rising SunEXILE
Maybe some of you can sing and dance too? Here’s the hit number “Rising Sun” by the dance-vocal group EXILE.
It was released in 2011 as their 37th single.
It’s a support song for the reconstruction after the Great East Japan Earthquake, and its hopeful lyrics—saying that no matter what happens, the sun will rise again—are truly encouraging.
That message fits perfectly with the grand, futuristic sound.
It’s a work that gives you a push when times are tough and you’re struggling.
LISTEN TO THE STEREO!!GOING UNDER GROUND
LISTEN TO THE STEREO!!, which was also hugely popular as the theme song for the anime Reborn!, is the 20th single by GOING UNDER GROUND, released in 2010.
The track was produced by Toru Hidaka, who at the time was active as the frontman of BEAT CRUSADERS.
It’s a hard-hitting, hype-boosting number that makes you want to throw your fist in the air and sing along—just picturing it brings the scene to life.
Sing it at karaoke and it’s bound to turn into a wave of nostalgic, full-throated group singing.
CHE.R.RYYUI
The song I’d recommend for a scene where people in their twenties reminisce about their youth is “CHE.R.RY.” It was released in 2007 by the singer-songwriter YUI and is known as one of her signature tracks.
Some listeners may feel nostalgic about the au by KDDI “LISMO!” commercial it featured in.
The song portrays a cute crush—liking someone but not quite being able to take that first step—and evokes the sweet-and-sour feeling of youthful days.
Its lively sound features bright synth tones.
Why not give it a listen as you look back on the romances of that time?
peace signYonezu Kenshi
If you’re in your 20s, you probably can’t talk about hit songs without mentioning him.
Kenshi Yonezu has now become a top artist, a name known nationwide.
His song “Peace Sign” was released in 2017 and served as the opening theme for season 2 of the anime My Hero Academia.
Many people were encouraged and made more positive by this track.
When you listen to it as an adult, rather than just feeling nostalgic, it still gives you strength—almost like a protective charm of a song.