[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!
- Recommended anime songs for people in their 50s. Classic and popular anime theme songs.
- Anime songs recommended for people in their 40s, from nostalgic classics to the latest hits.
- Anime songs that were hits in the 1990s. Recommended masterpieces and popular tracks.
- Anime songs recommended for people in their 60s: from nostalgic classics to the latest hits
- [Showa Classics] A Collection of Nostalgic 70s Anime Songs
- [Nostalgic Songs] A compilation of classic anime themes that hit home for those born in the Showa and Heisei eras
- [Classic Hits] Popular Anime Songs Representing the Showa Era. Also Introducing Recommended Anime Songs!
- [Collection of Epic Songs] A compilation of cool anime songs chosen by anime fans
- [Nostalgic] Classic and Popular Anime Songs Recommended for People in Their 30s
- A special feature on classic and hit songs by bands that were active in the 1980s
- 80s commercial songs. A roundup of Japanese songs from the 80s that have been used in commercials.
- Cute Anime Song Special: From the 1970s to Today!
- Get Fired Up! Anime Songs for Men – Classics and New Hits
[Nostalgic] A roundup of anime songs and theme songs that were hits in the ’80s (11–20)
Ganmō Doki!Sūjī Matsubara
The TV anime Gu-Gu Ganmo began airing in 1984.
The protagonist is Ganmo, a creature that resembles a chicken, and the series depicts his everyday life after he ends up boarding with a human family.
The original work is a manga by Fujihiko Hosono, who is also known as the creator of Sasuga no Sarutobi.
The theme song was sung by Miki Matsubara, under the name “Suzy Matsubara.” Perhaps that stage name was chosen as a playful nod to oden ingredients like “ganmo”? Enjoy, as you reminisce about those days.
You can do something.99Harmony
The baseball manga Captain, drawn by Akio Chiba.
Centered on members of a middle school baseball team, it was a highly relatable and stirring work.
And when it was adapted into an anime, its opening theme was Kimi wa Nani ka ga Dekiru (You Can Do Something).
The lyrics were written by Michio Yamagami, and the music composed by Toshiyuki Kimori.
Its refreshing, beautiful choral arrangement, together with the lyrics, makes it a memorable classic.
Of course, both the original manga and the anime are still thoroughly enjoyable today, so if you haven’t experienced them yet, by all means do.
Ro-Ro-Ro-Russian RouletteNakahara Meiko
Dirty Pair, which began airing in 1985, is an anime set in a futuristic world.
It follows Kei and Yuri, a pair of beautiful trouble consultants with the codename “Lovely Angels,” as they solve a variety of problems.
The opening theme, sung by Meiko Nakahara—who also scored a big hit with “Kimitachi Kiwi Papaya Mango da ne”—is a track richly infused with late-1980s pop sensibilities that really captures the spirit of the era.
Ninja Hattori-kunHori Ayako
One of Fujiko Fujio (A)’s representative works, Ninja Hattori-kun, began airing as a TV anime in 1981 and became a long-running series with a total of 694 episodes.
The opening theme was sung by Junko Hori, who played Hattori-kun, and was later covered by Shingo Katori.
Fate of FlameTETSU
Armored Trooper VOTOMS is one of director Ryosuke Takahashi’s signature works and can be considered a pinnacle of the “real robot” genre, which portrays robots as weapons.
The opening theme, Fate of the Blaze, was also used in OVAs produced after the TV broadcast ended, making it a familiar song to fans.
Wai Wai WorldMizumori Ado
Dr.
Slump Arale-chan is a television anime based on Akira Toriyama’s manga and was a long-running popular series.
Its theme song, Wai Wai World, sung by illustrator and singer Ado Mizumori, topped Oricon’s TV Anime/Children’s Songs category for two consecutive years.
[Nostalgic] A roundup of anime songs and theme songs that were hits in the 80s (21–30)
Glory Covered in Scarsobotakeshi
Speaking of the theme songs for Ashita no Joe, the one sung by Isao Bito that aired from 1970 is famous, but this is the opening theme from the second series, which aired starting in 1980.
It’s a cool, fast-paced track, isn’t it? The saxophone in the interlude is memorable, too.
The singer, Takeshi Obō, also performed songs for the classic Star of the Giants.
An American film with the same title, depicting a professional boxer, was released in 1956, so the song’s title may have been inspired by that.