Anime songs that were hits in the 1990s. Recommended masterpieces and popular tracks.
Back in the 1990s, it still wasn’t the age of the internet.
These days, late-night anime and VOD subscriptions are the norm, but when you think of 90s anime, it was all about those early evening broadcasts.
Many of you probably spent your grade-school days rushing home after classes and turning on the TV right away.
This time, we’re featuring anime songs from that nostalgic 90s era!
Be sure to look for tracks from the shows you were obsessed with.
They’re great picks to keep in mind for karaoke, too!
- [Nostalgic] Classic and Popular Anime Songs Recommended for People in Their 30s
- Anime songs recommended for people in their 40s, from nostalgic classics to the latest hits.
- [Nostalgic] A roundup of anime songs and theme songs that were hits in the 1980s
- Anisongs that were hits in the 2000s: a nostalgic collection of legendary tracks
- Recommended anime songs for people in their 50s. Classic and popular anime theme songs.
- A coming-of-age song that was a hit in the ’90s. A classic and popular track in Japanese music.
- [Nostalgic] A special feature on legendary anime theme songs: revisiting those classic tracks
- [Top 20] Anime Song Sales Ranking of the Heisei 30 Years!
- [Nostalgic Songs] A compilation of classic anime themes that hit home for those born in the Showa and Heisei eras
- Including global smash hits! Anime songs recommended for Gen Z
- [Nostalgic & Latest] A Special Feature on Anime Songs Recommended for People in Their 20s
- 1990s J-Pop to listen to in summer: classic and hit summer songs
- [Hot & Cool] Up-tempo, hype-inducing anime song
Anime songs that were hits in the 1990s: recommended masterpieces and popular tracks (71–80)
Hurry, hero!!Dan Jiro
This is the theme song from when the manga DRAGON QUEST: The Adventure of Dai—an original story based on the Dragon Quest series—was adapted into an anime.
It is sung by actor Jiro Dan, with composition by Koichi Sugiyama, well known for his work on the Dragon Quest series.
As myselfHouko Kuwashima
Martian Successor Nadesico is a science fiction anime produced by XEBEC that aired from 1996 to 1997, and it later received a theatrical film.
The ending theme is “Watashi Rashiku,” Houko Kuwashima’s major-label debut song.
Houko Kuwashima also voices the main heroine, Yurika Misumaru.
I can't even breatheZARD
This ZARD classic sets the chest-tightening, heart-racing moment of falling in love to a driving rock sound.
It captures a straightforward love so consuming that you can’t think of anything but the other person.
The lyrics sparkle with the early stages of romance, and Izumi Sakai’s vocals—combining clarity with strength—leave a lasting impression.
Released in March 1998 as their 24th single, it became widely known as the opening theme for the anime “Chuuka Ichiban!” and reached No.
3 on the Oricon Weekly Chart.
Listen to it as a fight song when you’re about to take on something new, and you’ll surely feel courage welling up from deep within.
IN MY DREAMEri Shingyoji
It’s a wonderful song that makes you feel like you can pursue your own dreams.
It was used as the opening theme for Brain Powerd, which aired on WOWOW.
As her debut single, IN MY DREAM is Eri Shingyoji’s signature track and her biggest hit.
It was released in May 1998.
The lyrics and composition were also done by Eri Shingyoji.
S.O.SHaruna Ikezawa, Megumi Toyoguchi
This is the opening theme of the anime Alice SOS, which aired within NHK’s children’s program Tensai TV-kun.
The song was originally by the legendary idol duo Pink Lady, and for Alice SOS a cover version sung by the voice cast who appeared in the show was used.
Just hearing the intro makes you feel excited!
Ojamajo Doremi Carnival!!MAHO-do
It’s the opening theme of Ojamajo Doremi, which aired starting in 1999.
It’s incredibly bright and poppy—a song you find yourself humming before you know it.
I bet some of you often sing it at karaoke, too.
You can almost see the characters’ smiling faces in your mind.
100% CourageHikaru Genji
This is the opening theme of Nintama Rantarō, which has been airing since April 10, 1993 and continues to this day.
It was originally performed by Hikaru GENJI, and has since been passed down and sung by successive Johnny’s groups such as Ya-Ya-yah, Hey! Say! JUMP, NYC, Sexy Zone, and Junior Boys.
I bet many of you can sing it even without looking at the lyrics.