[2000–2009] A roundup of theme songs from popular dramas!
In the 2000s, many TV dramas achieved exceptionally high ratings, with several surpassing 30%.
Many of these shows are still cherished as masterpieces, and for many people they remain vividly memorable even today.
Back then, it was common for theme songs from blockbuster dramas to appear on the music charts and become hits in their own right.
In this article, we’ve gathered theme songs from dramas that aired between 2000 and 2009—popular tracks still used in various settings today, along with a host of nostalgic hit songs.
Be sure to listen and relive those times.
- [2010–2019] A roundup of theme songs from popular dramas
- Theme and insert songs from the long-running Monday 9 p.m. dramas: classic hits from popular series and recommended fan favorites
- [Drama Theme Songs] Over 800 Million Plays! A Curated Selection of Unforgettable Classics
- Songs That Bring Back the Shows: Beloved Drama Theme Songs
- All big hits! A roundup of classic J‑Pop songs that were popular in 2000
- 2000s Japanese Hits | Unforgettable Once You Hear Them! Exquisite Masterpieces
- Nothing but iconic hits that defined an era! 2000s classics popular on TikTok
- Popular love song themes from Monday 9 p.m. dramas. Including the theme song from that smash-hit drama.
- 2000s: A Collection of Hit Karaoke Classics
- [Korean Drama OSTs] Classic Popular Songs That Color the Story: Best Masterpieces
- A comprehensive look at all the theme songs from Mezamashi TV and Mezamashi Doyoubi throughout the years!
- Theme Songs of NHK Taiga Dramas Through the Years: The Allure of Music That Colors Historical Stories
- A catchy tune that sounds familiar
[2000–2009] A Roundup of Theme Songs from Popular Dramas! (21–30)
Give me a gentle kiss.DREAMS COME TRUE
Seicho Matsumoto’s full-length mystery novel “Suna no Utsuwa” (The Castle of Sand) is a classic that has been adapted for film and television many times.
In the 2004 TV drama version, Masahiro Nakai starred, and Yasuko Matsuyuki appeared as an original heroine character not found in the novel.
The theme song at that time was DREAMS COME TRUE’s “Yasashii Kiss o Shite” (“Give Me a Gentle Kiss”).
Crafted as a poignant adult ballad, it reached No.
2 on the Oricon singles chart.
It’s a famous song that has been covered by many artists, including Hideaki Tokunaga and Mika Nakashima.
Sora-buneTOKIO
Starring Tomoya Nagase, My Boss My Hero is a popular school drama that aired in 2006 in NTV’s Saturday drama slot.
It tells the story of a yakuza, played by Nagase, who grows through his experiences in school life.
The heroine is played by Yui Aragaki—known as Gakky—and the show is also known as her breakout work.
The theme song is TOKIO’s “Sorafune” (“Ship in the Sky”), a number written by Miyuki Nakajima.
Nagase’s powerful vocals pair perfectly with Nakajima’s characteristically strong, message-driven lyrics, resulting in an incredibly cool track.
[2000–2009] A Roundup of Popular Drama Theme Songs! (31–40)
ORIONNakajima Mika
Based on Keigo Higashino’s mystery novel, the live-action drama “Ryusei no Kizuna” aired on the TBS network in 2008, starring Kazunari Ninomiya.
It’s a suspense drama in which three siblings, whose parents were brutally murdered when they were young, hunt down the real culprit to take revenge, making it a work you can enjoy while deducing the perpetrator.
Mika Nakashima’s “ORION,” used as an insert song, features heartrending lyrics and melody and became one of her signature tracks.
Erika Toda, who played the younger sister of the three siblings in the drama, also appears in the music video, so be sure to check that out too!
All or NothingB’z
Buzzer Beat: Gakeppuchi no Hero, starring Tomohisa Yamashita (aka YamaP), is a popular basketball drama that aired in 2009 in Fuji TV’s Monday 9 p.m.
slot.
Set around a professional basketball team, it offers a story that blends friendship and romance in the classic “Getsuku” style.
B’z’s 46th single, Ichibu to Zenbu, was used as the theme song.
It’s a pleasant, mid-tempo number built on their signature rock sound.
It’s a staple at their live shows and sounds like a sure crowd-pleaser at karaoke, too!
NO MORE CRYD-51
A hit school drama that epitomized the 2000s, Gokusen returned in 2005 with its second season.
The teacher Yankumi—Kumiko Yamaguchi, played by Yukie Nakama—is the heir to a yakuza family.
The show became popular for its formula in which she swoops in with overwhelming strength to rescue her students—played by heartthrobs like Kazuya Kamenashi and Jin Akanishi—whenever they’re in a tight spot.
The insert song for this second season was NO MORE CRY by the Okinawa-born duo D-51.
With lyrics evoking the bonds between classmates and teacher and vocals that soar with refreshing clarity, the track was a comfortable, uplifting listen and a big enough hit to land them a spot on that year’s NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
It remains one of their signature songs.
EverythingMISIA
The drama Yamato Nadeshiko, starring Nanako Matsushima, was a huge hit.
It became one of her signature works, comically depicting the love story of a woman who dreams of marrying into wealth and a man she mistakenly believes to be rich but who actually lives an ordinary life.
The theme song was MISIA’s seventh single, Everything, released in 2000.
Along with the drama’s massive success, the theme song was also a big hit, instantly making MISIA’s name widely known.
As a theme song that added vivid emotion to the story of discovering true love, it gave many listeners goosebumps.
SwimmyEvery Little Thing
A song marked by its breezy guitar sound and clear, translucent vocals.
It remains memorable to many as the theme for the Kansai TV/Fuji TV drama “The Man Who Can’t Marry,” which portrays a bachelor architect played by Hiroshi Abe growing through his interactions with others.
Its message—that individual existences come together to form great strength—draws from the works of picture-book author Leo Lionni, and it blends seamlessly with the drama’s worldview.
Released as a single in August 2006, it was re-cut from tracks on the album “Crispy Park” and reached No.
16 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
In 2019, a new version was produced for the sequel drama “Still, The Man Who Can’t Marry,” and the song continues to be loved across generations.