With a thirteen year tenure and 61 songs to date — not including variants of the same song released in different years — there is no denying that Houkago Princess have a pretty decent discography under their belt. Over the years, Houkago Princesses sound has continued to evolve and new tracks have undoubtedly shined over older ones, so it begs the question: which of these tracks truly defines Houkago Princess, and which ones have stood the test of time?

It’s time to take a look at some of the songs in Houkago Princesses repertoire and see which ones currently define the group as a whole.

Back in July of 2011, I was reading my daily dose of Tokyohive when a little article popped up about a new group that would make their debut. With a debut date set for August 7th 2011, Houkago Princess was soon born. Now, 13 years on, the group is still thriving and their music has truly evolved since their humble beginnings in Ikebukuro.

With this milestone in mind, I wanted to create a list of thirteen songs that I feel truly define Houkago Princess, be it in image or sound. With so many songs, it makes sense that some will be performed more than others, so I wanted to challenge myself as a fan of the group and their music to whittle down exactly which ones currently define the group as a means of celebrating their 13th year as a group.

The list itself is undeniably late – I aimed to post it back in August – however I still wanted to post it, because I adore Houkago Princess (obviously), and because I love making lists whenever the desire hits. There is no actual order to this except for the final song in this list, so please keep that in mind when reading.

Of course, I do have some criteria for the songs to meet and, while I would have loved to shove a few other songs into the list – Junpaku Antoinette, ahem – I have stuck to this very criteria so that my bias doesn’t completely take over. So, with that said and done, I will list the criteria for this list:

• Milestone tracks – This could mean anniversaries, graduations, leadership changes… etc. Anything that could potentially define a specific moment in Houkago Princesses history.
• Hard-hitters – These are the tracks that are continuously performed no matter what and have seldom been shelved. Also songs that get the crowd going.
• Songs that represent the group as a whole – A track that most fans and casual listeners will always affiliate with the group.
• A song that got them noticed – this could be media attention, fan attention… anything that gets the group noticed thanks to a songs sound or image.

This list is by no means definitive; much like anything written on here that isn’t backed up by fact, polls or research, this post is completely subjective and made from my own observations of which songs are performed most or have specific meaning to the group. There is no deeper meaning to it, so please just take it for what it is: a fun little list made by a fan of the group.

With that all said and done, let’s dive into my list of 13 Songs to Define Houkago Princess. Enjoy!

---

Kojikishika!

A staple for the stage, Kojikishika! is a crowd pleaser for fans old and new. With a catchy opening that includes chants from both the members of HouPri and what we can assume are the fans, Kojikishika! is a song that actively encourages crowd participation from beginning to end.

Originally released back in 2012, Kojikishika! has been a part of the groups history almost as long as HouPri has been around. While it may not be used as frequently with the current line-up these days, there is no denying that Kojikishika! is one of HouPri’s key songs. It’s this song that I think of when I think of HouPri on stage, and it was this song that immediately sprang to mind when making up this list.

Kojikishika! may be one of the groups oldest tracks, but it’s a classic for a reason and one that has continued to define Houkago Princess since their humble beginnings. It’s a true crowd pleaser, one that is always a lot of fun to watch and join in with.

Atsu wa Natsui!

If there’s ever going to be a Houkago Princess song performed during the summer days, it’s Atsu wa Natsui! With its bright sound and catchy melody, this track never fails to heat up the stage of any venue Houkago Princess perform at.

Though it’s not my favourite song on this list, the hold that Atsu wa Natsui! has on the crowd is undeniable once it begins. It’s one of those songs that everyone knows from beginning to end thanks to how easy it is to follow along with, and the energy of both Houkago Princess and the crowd when this track is performed is second to none.

Another classic from the vault, Atsu wa Natsui! was originally released in 2013 but has continued to grace the stage since then. To say this is one of their most performed tracks would be an understatement, and it’s easy to see why everyone loves it so much when it comes on!

Princess no Teigi

Released in 2019, Princess no Teigi was introduced as the song that would define a new generation for Houkago Princess, as well as celebrate the crowning of their second leader, Sekine Sasara. With its sweet, vibrant sound, this is the very track that celebrates the everyday girl being a princess in their own right.

If here’s ever going to be a song that defines the image and theme of Houkago Princess to a T, it’s Princess no Teigi. Wholesome and bright, this song has been a consistent contender for various live performances, and for good reason! Princess no Teigi never fails to bring joy to the crowd whenever it performs, and the energy that the girls portray when performing it is genuinely wonderful. It’s a blast to watch live and a lot of fun when you’re just listening to the studio recording.

This is a catchy and memorable song, one that will always make me smile whenever I hear it. Though I don’t think that this is one of their more unique songs on the list, I do think that it’s a track that perfectly defines HouPri as a whole. Not that that’s a surprise; the title track literally translates to ‘Definition of a Princess’!

Seifuku Cinderella

From humble beginnings to a glittering major debut, Seifuku Cinderella is the start of Houkago Princesses journey as ‘Idols who transform after 4pm’. With a new era beginning for the group in 2015, Seifuku Cinderella quickly became the song that would introduce multiple new generations into the group.

There is no denying the fact that, of their entire discography of 61 songs, Seifuku Cinderella is an incredibly important song. This was the beginning of HouPri’s journey into the ‘Princess’ theme, a theme that continues to define the group a great deal today, and also allowed the group to branch out musically with different themes, new composers and various lyricists.

I adore Seifuku Cinderella and all it stands for, as well as the overall Princess theme it brought us for future Houkago Princess tracks. The song itself is wonderful, too, bringing us an cheerful, fun sound that details the hope of the group and their dreams coming true thanks to their major debut. I adore the warmth Seifuku Cinderella brings me as a listener and always feel a thrill whenever it begins.

Dream Door

Written long before the groups major debut, Dream Door is a song that celebrates a substantial moment in the groups history and commemorates the hard work and dedication the members put in to make finally see their dreams come true.

Though it may not be as actively performed as other tracks on this list, Dream Door’s very existence is pivotal to the history of Houkago Princesses discography. Written long before the groups major debut, Dream Door was created to only be released when a milestone was hit and contains lyrics that depict the desires of the members as they run towards their dreams.

A precious song in its own right, Dream Door is undeniably significant to HouPri’s major debut era, but also to each member who performs it. This is a song that will speak to both the members and their fans, encouraging us all to run towards our dreams and celebrate our milestones, no matter how big or small they might be. Regardless of how much time has passed, Dream Door is one of those songs that is there to remind us to keep running towards the door that holds our dreams and goals, no matter how far off they might seem.

Kaguya ni Negai wo

In one of the groups most heart-wrenching songs, Houkago Princess depicts the story of Kaguyahime in Kaguya ni Negai wo, a track which also acts as the final release for three significant members within Houkago Princesses history.

Though it might not be one of the most significant songs to some, Kaguya ni Negai wo was the beginning of a big change within HouPri’s history at the time. With the graduations of first generation member and original leader Odagiri Nana, as well as 3rd and 4th generation members Yamaguchi Miran and Kizuki Saori, Houkago Princess would see a big change in the groups line-up and structure as fans knew it at the time.

Of course, the song itself has a lot of thought and meaning put into its production. From the costume design to the use of lighting and sound, Kaguya ni Negai wo is an impressive track that only gets better with each listen. What makes it even more meaningful to Houkago Princess is that it takes inspiration from Japanese folklore and is the first of their princess themed songs to do so. I especially love how management tied the meaning of Kaguyahime’s story to the world of idols: much like Kaguyahime had to leave earth to return to the moon, the idols in question had to leave the sparkling world of idols to become normal girls once again.

Gachi Only You

Released on the groups major debut mini-album, Gach Only You has continued to act as a constant presence in Houkago Princess performances since its release. With a catchy instrumental and melancholy lyrics, Gachi Only You is a bittersweet song about unrequited love.

Typically the opener or middle track during performances, Gachi Only You is yet another song in HouPri’s impressive collection that leads you astray when it comes to its lyrics vs its sound. Depicting the story of a person experiencing a one-sided love, Gachi Only You boasts impressive vocals – courtesy of Maika – and cute choreography fit for a princess. Much like the protagonist’s crush within the song, Gachi Only You is the kind of track that you can easily fall in love with.

Though it might not seem significant to some, Gachi Only You is a track that creeps up a lot in HouPri performances, regardless of how much the generations may change. For me, this is a song that defines the energy of Houkago Princess while the lyrics showcase the depth of a protagonists heart despite the smile they might wear on the outside. Similar to Baka da ne, this is a song that creates joy in its sound and sadness in its meaning, a contrast that Houkago Princess do very well in their songs.

Tonari no Sekai no Princess

Originally released on the groups first album, Tonari no Sekai no Princess is a popular track that is regularly performed by Houkago Princess. With a bright, beautiful sound fit for spring, this is a song that depicts the sweet beginnings of love for a Princess-like classmate.

A popular track that is performed regularly both in the past and with the current line-up, Tonari no Sekai Princess is one of those songs that feels like it has been a part of HouPri’s discography since the beginning. Elegant and romantic, this song has become a staple in Houkago Princesses setlist and only seems to get better with each line-up that performs it.

Personally, I love this song. There’s a depth to it I didn’t know before now, and while I liked it upon its release, I never truly appreciated it until the line-up from 2022 until now began performing it regularly. Every member who has performed this song since its release in 2017 embodies the lyrics beautifully, but I truly believe that the current line-up has made it ‘theirs’ and brought out the youth and heartfelt message of the song.

In regard to the lyrics, it is also interesting to note that the story of Tonari no Sekai Princess is incredibly similar to that of Gachi Only You. Though this theory may be my own, it feels like this track specifically is the beginning of the story, whereas Gachi Only You is a continuation that allows the listener to realise the protagonist has come to understand that their love is unrequited. I could be completely wrong of course, but that’s my theory on the two songs for now.

Manatsu no Yoru no Yume

Thanks to its cool sound and mature look, Manatsu no Yume brought Houkago Princess more attention than expected upon its release.

Though it is not performed as much these days compared to other songs, the chokehold that Manatsu no Yoru no Yume has on the fandom is undeniable. Moodier in sound, this track was void of the usual youthful cheer that Houkago Princess often portrayed at the time of its release. Combined with the vocal addition of Maika, it’s no wonder people took notice of HouPri with this song; Manatsu no Yoru no Yume is incredible, and as the last indie release before the groups major debut, it really helped to showcase the groups range and variety in their sound.

When I started creating this list, one of the first songs I considered for the list was Manatsu no Yoru no Yume. It’s a song that truly defines Houkago Princess in my mind, and I genuinely equate a good chunk of their later success to the release of this track and Maika’s addition to the group. This is the song that got them noticed by people outside of their main fans. This is the video that had overseas fans checking them out, and I understand why. Manatsu no Yoru no Yume is amazing and I genuinely wish it was performed more because it is so freaking good!

Mukai Kaze wo Tsukinukete

Celebrating both the graduating members and a brand new line-up at the time of its release, Mukai Kaze wo Tsukinukete is a song that passes the baton between generations as they all run headlong into a bright, undetermined future full of possibilities.

The coupling track to Psyllium no Shoumei, the significance of Mukai Kaze wo Tsukinukete is pretty great when it comes to Houkago Princesses history as a group. With the older generation at the time getting ready to graduate, this quickly became the song that defined Houkago Princesses future and delivered a message to the fans: Even though the graduating members are running towards a new path, the new generation is ready to break through the headwind and lead the group into a new future.

This is an incredibly powerful song in its own right. It’s also the first for both Yupi and Amiti before making their debut as full members of the group, which only helps to make it even more sentimental for me as a listener. Mukai Kaze wo Tsukinukete is a pivotal track not only because of its positive outlook, but because of how it showcases the ever-changing shape of Houkago Princess.

Himitsu no Tiara to Gelato

A song that showcases the beauty of Houkago Princesses costume change, Himitsu no Tiara to Gelato has since become the groups magnum opus and continues to be one of their most significant releases to date.

Though some might disagree with the use of magnum opus for Himitsu no Tiara to Gelato, there is no denying that this song has become an important part of Houkago Princesses identity since its release. With its quick costume change, energetic choreography and colourful worldview, Himitsu no Tiara to Gelato has become one of the groups most identifiable tracks (and costumes). This is an incredibly beautiful song, one that truly showcases the image Houkago Princess and their transformation from everyday idols to royalty in all their splendour.

I am a big fan of this song – it’s one of my favourites! – but that’s not why I consider it such a significant part of HouPri’s discography. It’s important because it’s one of those songs that has simply become a part of the groups identity. It’s the song that you think of when you look back at their history and the song that defines this specific era of Houkago Princess. It’s an amazing, colourful song that truly represents the groups major debut and princess era both in sound and image, and it’s a song that continues to represent the groups identity 8 years on!

Oh, and it’s Marty Friedman’s favourite Houkago Princess song, too!

Baka da ne

One of the groups most popular tracks, Baka da ne has become a Houkago Princess staple since it was first introduced to the stage. With its melancholy lyrics and bright, upbeat instrumental, this song is a crowd favourite that never fails to incite crowd participation.

This is undoubtedly one of my favourite tracks from Houkago Princess, period, and it pleases me greatly to know that it is such a beloved song from the group. Though it is not always performed, there was a point that this would be the final track of about 90% of the groups performances. It’s a great song to end a show with, one that will always amass a great amount of energy from the crowd the second it begins.

I simply adore Baka da ne and could listen to it all day. It’s a fun song, one that always makes me smile and cry and wish I was experiencing it live. I love it so much and, of all the songs HouPri have offered us over the years, I do consider this to be one of two tracks that truly defines the sound, image and essence of Houkago Princess as a whole.

Juliet ~Kimi wo Suki na 100 no Riyuu~

Is there a song more iconic that defines the very essence of Houkago Princess?

Hailing back to the groups debut days, Juliet ~Kimi wo Suki na 100 no Riyuu~ was originally released as a special single in December of 2011, and to date has eight variants, including a 10th Anniversary edition.

Memorable in melody, Juliet includes a fun, easy to remember choreography and catchy lyrics. Even now it continues to stand the test of time and is still one of the key players in the groups discography for any and all performances.

Bright, energetic and the very definition of a quintessential idol tune, Juliet ~Kimi wo Suki na 100 Riyuu~ is the song that not only makes me think of Houkago Princess, but idols as a whole. Perhaps it feels a little generic at times, but the pure delight it brings and the energy it delivers as a track is second to none. It’s pure joy and always makes the crowd cheer, so it’s no wonder that this has become Houkago Princesses signature song since it was first performed.

There is a lot of history with Juliet ~Kimi wo Suki na 100 no Riyuu~, a history that continues to be defined with each new generation and milestone the group has and will celebrate. It’s a wonderful track and, while it might be the most intriguing or even original song on the list, there is no denying the power Juliet ~kimi wo Suki na 100 no Riyuu~ holds over its fans.

This is the Houkago Princess track, a song that I will love until the very end. More specifically, the 2017 and 10th Anniversary versions. Which one is your favourite?

---

Though Houkago Princess might not have the most expansive discography out there, the music the group has released thus far showcases a variety in terms of sound, image and quality. From sweet tracks fitting their sparkling idol image to more mature songs, it’s incredible how diverse Houkago Princesses sound has become over the years.

Surprisingly, this list was not as difficult to create as I had anticipated. Though a couple of songs were eventually switched out in favour of others, I already knew a handful of tracks that I would be including here prior to even writing out this list. It helps that a lot of these songs are consistently performed of course, but I also wanted to factor in the songs that may not be performed as much but still have great meaning to the group as a whole.

All in all, I hope that this list has opened you up to a few of Houkago Princesses songs you might not have considered before now, or even introduced you to a group that I adore. Whatever it may be, I just hope you enjoyed reading the list and my thoughts on each song!

Is there a song that makes you think of Houkago Princess whenever you hear it? Or perhaps there’s another group or idol who have certain songs that immediately make you think ‘this is the definition of xx’ the moment it begins? Regardless of whether or not you have listened to HouPri before now, it would be interesting to read your thoughts on which songs define the group you love.

Written and Edited by Kelly