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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- Ranking of Popular Japanese Music and J-Pop Artists Among Junior High School Students [2026]
- Unrequited love songs recommended for junior high school students. Popular love songs and romance tracks.
- [Middle School Students] Popular Japanese Songs / J-POP Rankings [By Generation]
- [Clubs, Friendship, Romance] Youth songs middle schoolers should listen to
- Featured Songs Popular with Junior High School Boys! A Roundup of Trending Tracks
- Most Popular Japanese Songs and J-Pop Among Junior High School Girls [2026]
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Songs that junior high school students like: Classic and popular Japanese hits (1–10)
Philadelphia fleabaneYOASOBI
If you’re someone who always keeps up with the latest music on YouTube or diligently follows streaming charts, chances are YOASOBI has caught your attention.
The duo—producer Ayase, known as a Vocaloid creator, and singer ikura—is distinctive for crafting songs based on novels.
Their breakout hit ‘Yoru ni Kakeru’ had a piano rock feel, but this track takes a dance-pop approach instead.
Even so, ikura’s beautiful, supple vocals and the exhilarating, catchy vibe are fully intact—definitely a song you’ll want to listen to closely.
parabolaOfisharu Higedan Dism
For trend-savvy middle schoolers, you just can’t leave their songs out! They were already popular, but in 2019 they truly skyrocketed, with each new release dominating the top of the charts.
This particular song of theirs opens with lyrics that evoke the start of a new life, and the hopeful, forward-looking words about the future are especially memorable.
It’s a bit different from their previously stylish tracks—brighter and fresher—and many people might actually prefer this kind of upbeat sound.
PRESENT (Japanese ver.)Mrs. GREEN APPLE
Mrs.
GREEN APPLE has many songs with bursting melodies that can lift your spirits.
The track “PRESENT,” included on the album ‘5’ released in July 2020, comes in two versions: English and Japanese.
When you hear “present,” you might think of a tangible gift you receive on a birthday, but in this song, the present isn’t an object—it’s an intangible gift.
With a sense of speed and a soaring vocal performance that raises the energy, it’s a song that hits hard with its optimistic lyrics.
Ghost in the FlowersYorushika
Yorushika, formed by Vocaloid producer n-buna and singer suis, is another artist many middle schoolers these days really like! I’m sure a lot of people regularly listen to Vocaloid songs, and if that’s you, you’ll definitely enjoy their music.
One of their biggest draws is their piano rock–based sound, which feels so pleasant; this song also has a tone that evokes youth, doesn’t it? It was written as the theme song for the film “A Whisker Away,” and it’s a track I’d love not only music fans but also movie lovers to give a listen to at least once.
Mela!Ryokushokushakai
Mela! is a track included on Ryokuoushoku Shakai’s second album SINGALONG, released in April 2020.
This song, packed to the brim with the band’s signature pop sensibility, grabs your heart right from the start.
Have you ever tried to bring something vague in your heart to life, only to hear that inner voice asking, “Isn’t now the time?” It’s a positive song that stirs that feeling—pushing you to try something, to take on a challenge.
Make sure you study up, okay?zutto mayonaka de ii no ni.
“Zenzen Mayonaka de Ii no ni.” (ZUTOMAYO), who became hugely popular especially among younger listeners with their breakout hit “Byoushin wo Kamu,” have done it again.
Compared to “Byoushin wo Kamu,” this track feels much brighter and catchier.
同時に、ZUTOMAYO特有のグルーブ感と、ACAねの力強く高音域のボーカルも健在だ。
The piano and bass in the interlude are especially cool, too.
At first glance, the lyrics might leave you wondering what the song is actually about, but if you read them through to the end, it seems to be expressing the protagonist’s feelings for an unrequited love.
“Study up on my feelings, will you!!” is such an adorable line—and one a lot of people can probably relate to.
If I could hum at dawnKamishiraishi Mone
Mone Kamishiraishi, who voiced the heroine in the 2016 smash-hit film “Your Name.” and drew major attention with her role in the 2020 drama “Love Lasts Forever,” is an actress with many fans—even among middle school students.
She is also highly praised for the beauty of her singing voice and is deeply committed to her music career.
This song is one of her original tracks, allowing you to fully savor her signature clear, beautiful vocals.