![[Nostalgic] A roundup of anime songs and theme songs that were hits in the 1980s](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/ufM8QaPomzs/maxresdefault.webp)
[Nostalgic] A roundup of anime songs and theme songs that were hits in the 1980s
The 1980s were a time when TV anime boosted both its quality and presence alongside advances in technology.
And when it comes to anime songs from that era, the mainstream was tracks that boldly put passion front and center, often with the series title right in the song name.
I bet you’ve got a few unforgettable classics that still stick with you.
In this article, we’ll be introducing hit anime songs from the ’80s one after another.
It’s a playlist that’s perfect for rekindling your childhood spirit—or making brand-new discoveries!
[Nostalgic] Compilation of Anime Songs and Theme Songs That Hit in the ’80s (1–10)
Like MelosShinya Chiba
The TV anime Blue Comet SPT Layzner, which began airing in 1985, is a science fiction work set in 1996 that depicts the story of humanity expanding to Mars and robots with personalities.
The song created as its opening theme employed a novel approach that had never been used before.
A segment without vocals was inserted in the middle of the song to introduce highlight scenes from the episode, complete with dialogue—a groundbreaking idea.
This went on to strongly influence subsequent anime works and, by extension, the structure of opening sequences.
CobraYoko Maeno
Many people might say it’s no exaggeration to claim we all grew up reading Weekly Shonen Jump.
Don’t you think Jump’s manga used to feel more mature than it does now? For example, titles like Black Angels or Circuit no Ōkami.
And when it comes to mature-feeling manga, Cobra is one of them too.
The anime’s theme song even has a pretty bluesy intro.
Plus, the way the chorus meshes with the animation is perfect! If hearing it brings back memories, be sure to try imitating the Psycho-Gun!
Hello, SadnessYuki Saito
Maison Ikkoku is an anime based on Rumiko Takahashi’s romantic comedy manga, depicting the love story between Yusaku Godai and Kyoko Otonashi set in the boarding house Ikkoku-kan.
The opening theme sung by Yuki Saito reached No.
3 on the Oricon weekly chart.
Yuki Saito also performed this song at the 37th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
BEYOND THE TIMETM NETWORK
Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack is an animated film released in 1988, in which the battle between Amuro Ray and Char Aznable comes to a conclusion.
The theme song is performed by TM NETWORK, and its highest position on the Oricon chart was 4th.
NIGHT OF SUMMERSIDEMasanori Ikeda
The TV anime Kimagure Orange Road began airing in 1987.
It’s a school story centered on the eldest son of a family with psychic powers.
This song was produced as the opening theme for the anime.
It’s a cool, nostalgic track that reeks of the late ’80s.
The then wildly popular rock band NOBODY composed it, Masao Urino wrote the lyrics, and Masanori Ikeda—also known as an actor and voice actor—performed it.
It remains one of those timeless, unfading anime songs.
Pegasus FantasyMAKE-UP
Saint Seiya was a work that appealed not only to its main target audience of boys but also enjoyed strong popularity among women, and it became a pioneer of the so-called “battle suit” genre.
The opening theme Pegasus Fantasy, sung by MAKE-UP, was later covered by Takeshi Tsuruno and Shoko Nakagawa.
Aim for the Top! ~Fly High~Noriko Hidaka, Rei Sakuma
The sci-fi robot anime Top o Nerae! (Aim for the Top!), produced by GAINAX, is a classic OVA that represents the 1980s.
The insert song Top o Nerae! ~Fly High~ is sung by Noriko Hidaka as Noriko Takaya and Rei Sakuma as Kazumi Amano.