Good songs recommended for junior high school students. Classic and popular Japanese hits.

A hundred flowers in full bloomIkuta Rira

Lilas Ikuta “Profusion of a Hundred Flowers” Official Music Video

A dramatic song by Rira Ikuta that paints a vividly colored future beyond hardship.

The melody, infused with traditional Japanese elements, blends beautifully with the grand sound.

Her translucent vocals and powerful beat deftly express the protagonist’s inner strength and delicate emotions.

Released in December 2024, the track was chosen as the opening theme for the anime “The Apothecary Diaries,” which begins airing in January 2025, and its vibrant jacket photo by Mika Ninagawa also drew attention.

It’s a song not only for anime fans, but one to hear when you’re at a crossroads or feeling lost.

It will surely awaken the courage sleeping in your heart.

BOW AND ARROWYonezu Kenshi

Kenshi Yonezu – BOW AND ARROW / Yuzuru Hanyu Short Program ver.

This is a powerful track that Kenshi Yonezu poured his heart and soul into, created as the opening theme for an anime centered on figure skating.

Depicting a story of challenge and growth, the work captures the passion of those who push themselves in the world of sports through its strong melody and profound lyrics.

Released in January 2025, it was written specifically as the theme song for the anime “Medalist,” and it’s memorable that Yonezu, a huge fan of the original manga, personally offered to create it.

The song was also performed on the opening day of the nationwide tour “Kenshi Yonezu 2025 TOUR / JUNK,” captivating the audience.

It’s highly recommended for anyone striving toward the dreams and goals of their youth, making it a perfect choice to boost motivation during morning commutes to school or before club activities.

PlasmaYonezu Kenshi

Kenshi Yonezu – Plazma

The world of Kenshi Yonezu woven from imaginative melodies and innovative electronic sounds.

Set against the backdrop of space, this work—depicting life’s choices and fateful encounters—was released in January 2025 as the theme song for the animated film “Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-.” It carries Yonezu’s signature delicate sensibility and straightforward passion, familiar from albums like “diorama” and “BOOTLEG.” Alongside its high-energy musicality, the lyrics powerfully convey the courage to step into new worlds and the drive to face the unknown, leaving a deep impression.

It’s a song I especially recommend to younger listeners who are determined to forge their own path.

Kinnikuman HeroEndō Masaaki

Kinnikuman Hero – Masaaki Endoh | Official Audio

With his powerful vocals that stir the soul, Masaaki Endoh pours his passion into a heartfelt cry from the spirit.

It brilliantly portrays a hero who stands firm in justice and friendship, powerfully expressing blazing fighting spirit and bonds with comrades.

The brassy resonance and drum’n’bass beat add even more excitement to stunning effect.

Released in January 2025 as the opening theme for the TV anime “Kinnikuman: Perfect Origin Arc Season 2,” the song is written and composed by APAZZI.

It’s a track I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who wants to etch a tale of indomitable spirit and friendship in their heart, and to those seeking the courage to face adversity.

A Gentle BallAimer

Aimer “Gentle Ball” Lyrics/English/Indonesian | NHK “Minna no Uta” | 25th single “SCOPE”

Set at a starlit nighttime ball, this enchanting work spins a fantastical tale.

Aimer’s husky voice blends exquisitely with the classical waltz motif, vividly portraying mysterious scenes unfolding in the stillness of the night.

Beautiful like a fairy tale yet tinged with a certain wistfulness, its world seems to mirror the feelings of a girl wavering on the boundary between dreams and reality.

Included on the single “SCOPE,” released in February 2025, and broadcast around the same time on NHK’s Minna no Uta, this piece is made all the more magical by arrangements from Ryota Nakano and Yusuke Tanaka.

It’s a song that will stay close to your heart—whether you’re spending time with friends after school in an empty classroom or lost in thought while gazing up at the night sky.

CorrectRADWIMPS

RADWIMPS – The Answer [Official Music Video]

RADWIMPS delivers a tender melody with a profound message that resonates deeply during graduation season.

The warm soundscape woven by piano tones and a student choir gently embraces moments of looking back on youthful days.

The lyrics, which depict the search for the right answers in life and the journey to find one’s true self, strike a universal chord that anyone can relate to.

Released for streaming in January 2024 and followed by a limited-production CD in February, this work was born from encounters with the younger generation and takes on a new challenge by incorporating a student choir.

It is a heartwarming song that stands beside young people leaving their schools and those facing turning points in life.

LOVE TRIPAKB48

[MV full] LOVE TRIP / AKB48 [Official]

LOVE TRIP, performed by AKB48, was used as the opening theme for The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, which aired in the summer of 2016.

It reached number one on both the Billboard Japan Hot 100 and the Oricon chart.

The center position was held by Rino Sashihara.