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Recommended for junior high school students! A roundup of J-pop and Japanese songs to boost your study motivation

Recommended for junior high school students! A roundup of J-pop and Japanese songs to boost your study motivation
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Many middle school students lead busy lives, working hard at their studies and club activities while also spending time with friends.

Even when you sit down at your desk intending to study, it can be hard to flip the switch and get started.

In this article, we’ve picked out songs that are perfect for boosting study motivation for middle schoolers.

We’ll introduce tracks filled with messages that encourage and uplift you when you’re tired or just can’t find the motivation.

Be sure to check out this lineup—perfect for right before studying or during a break.

Recommended for junior high school students! A collection of J-POP and Japanese songs to boost your study motivation (1–10)

-ness; typicality; the quality/essence of being [X] (as in “X-ness” or “X-like character”)Ofisharu Higedan Dism

This is a song by Official HIGE DANDism, a four-piece piano pop band from Shimane Prefecture.

Set to a fast-paced rock sound, it delivers a powerful message that affirms a heart wavering amid competition and inner conflict.

Released as a single in August 2025, the track serves as the theme song for the animated feature film “100m,” which portrays young athletes taking on track and field.

Its dramatic development, linked to the passionate themes of the original manga, is sure to give listeners a strong push forward.

When you hit a wall in club activities or studies, or when you can’t find motivation, listening to it will spark the courage to think, “It’s okay to be myself.” Perfect for boosting motivation right before a make-or-break moment.

MagicMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE「Magic」Official Music Video
MagicMrs. GREEN APPLE

With the theme of “a little magic that changes your everyday mood,” this exhilarating number gives listeners a powerful push forward.

When your heart feels weary, its message helps flip your mindset to a positive “might as well enjoy it.” Released by Mrs.

GREEN APPLE in June 2023, it’s also known as the opening track of the album ANTENNA.

Written specifically for a Coca-Cola commercial, the song has garnered strong support, surpassing 300 million streams.

It’s perfect for a quick refresh between study sessions or when you just can’t get motivated.

The uplifting sound will clear away a gloomy mood in an instant.

single-minded; earnest; wholehearted; dedicatedSUPER BEAVER

SUPER BEAVER “Hitamuki” Music Video (TV Anime “My Hero Academia” Season 6 Opening Theme)
single-minded; earnest; wholehearted; dedicatedSUPER BEAVER

This is a work I want middle schoolers to hear when they’re on the verge of breaking down because they’re not getting the results they hoped for in studies or club activities: the latest from SUPER BEAVER, a rock band that delivers passionate messages.

It’s a straightforward cheer song that affirms giving your all—in other words, “single-minded dedication” itself.

No matter how many times you fail, the will to take just one step forward from there is what leads to hope for the future—the song gives you a powerful push on the back.

The lyrics, which preach the importance of believing in yourself and moving forward, are sure to resonate with anyone working hard at their studies.

Released as a single in November 2022, it was chosen as the opening theme for Season 6 of the popular anime My Hero Academia.

It also aligns with the anime’s worldview of facing hardships, making it perfect for those clutch moments before a test or a game when you need to fire yourself up!

Que sera, seraMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE “Que Sera Sera” Official Music Video
Que sera, seraMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs.

GREEN APPLE is a band that enjoys strong support from young people.

Their song “Que Sera Sera” has a striking title inspired by the Spanish phrase meaning “whatever happens.” It has gained popularity as a drama tie-in track, and its strongly message-driven lyrics give courage to many listeners.

In particular, if junior high school students listen to it before studying or when they feel close to breaking, they should be able to regain a positive mindset.

If you listen to it as a quick break, you might find new energy welling up.

Wake Me UpTwice

TWICE「Wake Me Up」Music Video
Wake Me UpTwice

How about a cute, upbeat song for a study break? It’s a track by TWICE, a music group from South Korea.

Its pop sound and positive lyrics share the energy the members are known for.

Released in 2018 as their third single.

If you listen between study sessions, it might refresh your mood and help you get back to work!

ChessboardOfisharu Higedan Dism

Official HIGE DANDism – Chessboard [Official Video]
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.

Maximum reachSEKAI NO OWARI

SEKAI NO OWARI “Highest Altitude” ONE PIECE Lyric MV
Maximum reachSEKAI NO OWARI

SEKAI NO OWARI’s “Saikō Tōtatsuten” (Highest Point) is perfect for junior high school students who are feeling worn out from studying and daily activities.

Chosen as the opening theme for the TV anime ONE PIECE, the song portrays a protagonist who never gives up in the face of adversity, and its message-filled lyrics are inspiring to listeners.

Fukase’s clear, soaring vocals help flip your study switch, and the catchy melody is sure to lift your spirits.

It’s an ideal track for a quick refresh before studying or when your concentration starts to fade.