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!
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- 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)
HEART OF SWORD ~Before Dawn~T.M.Revolution
This is a gem of a song, known as the ending theme of the anime Rurouni Kenshin, that powerfully sings of loneliness and hope.
Set in the stillness before dawn, its strong will to believe in one’s own path and move forward is expressed through a forceful melody.
Its striking, tempestuous sound and emotionally rich vocals resonate together, piercing deeply into the listener’s heart.
Released as T.M.Revolution’s third single in November 1996, it was used twice as an ending theme during the anime’s broadcast run.
It has been included on numerous acclaimed records, such as the albums “restoration LEVEL→3” and “B★E★S★T.” When you feel lost in life or are facing an important decision, listening to this song is sure to give you the courage to take a new step forward.
GET THE WORLDHironobu Kageyama
Just hearing the intro makes your heart start dancing—this is that kind of song.
It’s the theme song of Bakusō Kyōdai Let’s & Go!! Thanks to this anime, Mini 4WDs became a social phenomenon.
The cool melody and vocals are irresistible! Sing it at karaoke and it’s guaranteed to hype everyone up.
It’s a work that matches the anime’s image perfectly.
For my beloved personAkemi Sato
This is the opening theme of the TV anime adaptation of Fushigi Yugi, which ran as a shoujo manga in the ’90s and enjoyed great popularity.
Akemi Satou, who performed the vocals, also sang the opening theme for the OVA version of Fushigi Yugi, so I imagine many people associate her voice closely with the series.
The oriental sound, the lyrics incorporating Chinese, and the wistful melody of the chorus fit the world of the work perfectly—it’s fantastic.
Another highlight is the sudden exchange of guitar and saxophone solos that appears right after the first verse.
Anime songs that were hits in the 1990s: recommended masterpieces and popular tracks (81–90)
Give me an unbalanced kissHiro Takahashi
This masterpiece expresses a bittersweet yearning for love through delicate imagery—like a crying figure reflected in a cracked mirror and fingers tracing the moon.
Chosen as the ending theme for the beloved classic anime Yu Yu Hakusho, it became a cross-generational favorite, thanks in part to Hiro Takahashi’s clear, translucent vocals.
Since its release in December 1993, it has been included on the albums WELCOME TO POPSICLE CHANNEL and Hiro Takahashi Best Collection, selling around 300,000 copies.
Its sweetly aching, love-like melody and arrangements that evoke the spirit of 1970s kayōkyoku create a gentle mood reminiscent of a romantic film soundtrack.
Savor this heartwarming song—one to treasure as a cherished memory.
Where the clouds goTetsuya Takeda
It’s the theme song for the film Doraemon: Nobita and the Kingdom of Clouds.
It’s a classic by Kaientai, with Tetsuya Takeda on vocals.
Kaientai frequently handled the theme songs for Doraemon films at the time.
Among them, this song is particularly popular.
The exquisite combination of Doraemon and folk music added depth to the movie.
Listening to it again now, you’ll be struck by the profoundness of Kaientai’s lyrics.
To the sky…Hiroko Kasahara
These are songs by Hiroko Kasahara, who is active as a voice actress and stage actress.
Her clear, translucent singing voice is highly captivating.
One of her songs was selected as the opening theme for the Fuji TV anime Romeo’s Blue Skies.
The anime is based on The Black Brothers by German author Lisa Tetzner.
Hiroko Kasahara has performed as a voice actress in numerous anime series.
Ore TarurutoTARAKO
This is a classic, orthodox anime song whose title directly uses the name of the anime’s protagonist.
It served as the theme song for the TV anime “Magical Taluluto-kun,” which aired from 1990 to 1992, and the protagonist Taluluto’s voice actor, TARAKO, also performed the vocals.
Many people likely remember the cute singing voice.
It’s an anime song notable in several ways: the original creator, Tatsuya Egawa, took part in writing the lyrics, and the composition was handled by Godiego’s Yukihide Takakawa.