Songs that junior high school students like. Classic and popular Japanese hits.
Once you’re in junior high school, you naturally start listening to all kinds of music—not just the songs that hit the charts, but also tracks you discover through your family and friends!
I’m sure many of you feel like, “I want to discover new music!” or “I want to keep up with my friends’ music conversations!”
So in this article, we’ll introduce a collection of songs from buzzworthy artists in recent years, as well as tracks by artists who are staples in the J-POP scene.
We’ve gathered songs you’ll definitely want to hear as a junior high student, including tracks trending on TikTok and anime theme songs.
Listen to the songs we’re about to introduce, and share them with your friends too!
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Songs that junior high school students like: Classic and popular Japanese hits (11–20)
Planet LoopEve feat. Nayutan Seijin
It’s widely popular not only among junior high students but across elementary, junior high, and high schoolers.
It’s a highly addictive dance-rock number that sticks in your head after just one listen.
A collaboration song by the alien Vocaloid producer and NayutalieN.
It was released on Niconico in 2016 and quickly became the talk of the town.
It’s included on the album “Object Y from Planet Nayuta,” released the same year.
If your school has Vocaloid fans, it’s sure to hype everyone up.
Try recommending it to your friends, too!
DropoutSEKAI NO OWARI
It’s been quite some time since they began performing on the front lines, yet they still enjoy strong support from younger generations! In their early days, their style combined band sounds with electronic elements, and they’ve kept on challenging themselves ever since.
This track, in particular, is finished with an EDM-like approach.
With its polished production and Fukase’s beautifully soaring vocals—even with effects applied—it’s the kind of song you can’t help but want to dive into unconditionally.
Waiting for springWANIMA
WANIMA is a rock band bursting with brightness and full of exhilarating momentum, whose positive lyrics cheer the heart—many of you probably like them, right? Among Japanese rock bands, they appear in the media quite often, and for many people, they were the gateway to liking melodic punk and rock bands in general.
This song combines their trademark catchiness with a warm, human message—that’s part of its charm.
Although they give off an image of being “mischievous big brothers,” they sometimes sing gentle songs that stay close to our hearts.
It’s probably this gap that captivates so many fans!
ChessboardOfisharu Higedan Dism
This work by Official HIGE DANDism likens the game of life to a chessboard, teaching us the importance of taking steps that are true to ourselves—not just winning or losing.
Its lyrics, depicting someone advancing while hesitating on black-and-white squares, are sure to resonate deeply with junior high school students who feel uncertain about the future.
Released in September 2023 as a double A-side single with “Nichijou” (Everyday), it was created as the set piece for the Junior High School Division of the 90th NHK National School Music Competition.
It was also broadcast on NHK’s Minna no Uta, so many of you may have heard it.
Give it a listen when you’re stuck in your studies or unsure about the path you should take.
It’s a masterpiece that gives you the courage to find a meaning on the board that’s yours alone.
Unrequited loveAimer
In recent years, among female singer-songwriters, Aimer has stood out with a truly distinctive presence.
This song is one of her most popular, and you’ve probably heard it on YouTube or various streaming services.
It portrays the story of a man and a woman in familiar, everyday language, and as you listen, the scenes seem to unfold right before your eyes.
Her uniquely expressive voice further enriches the narrative in a striking way.
This kind of beautiful, romantic story is something I’d recommend even for middle school students!
Teenager ForeverKing Gnu
King Gnu, now an undisputed top artist.
This song is included on their third album, CEREMONY, released in 2020.
It’s a famous track, partly because it was used in a commercial.
Middle schoolers and teens—do you have dreams for the future? As we grow up, our dreams and hopes often get crushed by reality, but this song makes you want to keep living honestly, with the same unwavering intensity, without losing yourself.
Songs that junior high school students like. Masterpieces and popular J-Pop songs (21–30)
Eine KleineYonezu Kenshi
When it comes to junior high schoolers, many are probably excited or troubled about romance, right? Falling for someone brings lots of fun, but there are times when you suddenly feel sad or scared and your mood drops.
A sentimental love song that perfectly matches those feelings is Kenshi Yonezu’s “Eine Kleine.” Even though thinking about someone you like should make you happy, it’s easy to slip into negative thoughts—that happens to everyone.
It’s a sad yet deeply moving love song about wishing for that person’s happiness, even if it means sacrificing your own feelings.