Anime songs that were hits in the 1990s. Recommended masterpieces and popular tracks.

Fly, fly, big sisterShinnosuke Nohara (CV: Akiko Yajima) Action Kamen (CV: Tesshō Genda)

Fly, fly, big sister

The voices of Shinnosuke Nohara and Action Kamen ring out powerfully! Released in April 1998, this song was used as the opening theme for the anime Crayon Shin-chan.

Its bright, rhythmic tune pairs perfectly with Shinnosuke’s distinctive singing style and Action Kamen’s heroically resonant vocals.

Incidentally, it was also chosen as the theme song for the film Crayon Shin-chan: Blitzkrieg! Pig’s Hoof’s Secret Mission.

Elbow jabs flying in all directionsNinjers

Elbow Blows in All Directions / Mayumi Funaki

“Shihō Happō Hiji Teppō” stands out for its lively rhythm and playful lyrics.

Since 1995, it has been used as the ending theme for season 3 of Nintama Rantarō and has been beloved by anime fans for many years.

Capturing the show’s fun atmosphere, it portrays a world where ninja skills and the tension of combat coexist with a sense of humor and playfulness.

Listening to it makes you want to sing along.

It’s a song enjoyed by a wide range of people, from children to adults.

memoriesMaki Otsuki

memories ～17years after～

This work is known as one of Maki Otsuki’s signature songs.

It was chosen in December 1999 as the first ending theme for One Piece, marking Otsuki’s major-label debut.

A nostalgic pop-rock tune, its warm, wistful vocals gently wrap tenderly around memories of days gone by.

In July 2016, an arranged version titled “memories ~17years after~” was also released.

It’s the kind of song that sinks deeply into your heart when you listen to it at dusk.

Clear skies, hallelujahAki Okui

Clear skies, hallelujah

Magical Circle Guru-Guru is a manga by Hiroyuki Eto that was serialized in Monthly Shonen Gangan, and the opening theme for the second cour of the first anime series is “Harete Hareruya.” It is Aki Okui’s biggest hit, and its highest position on the Oricon chart was 18th.

JAMTHE YELLOW MONKEY

THE YELLOW MONKEY – JAM

THE YELLOW MONKEY is a band that steadfastly upholds its own aesthetic, grounded in glam rock.

Released in February 1996, this song is a heavy rock ballad whose piercing, earnest message resonated widely.

It portrays a sharp gaze toward society and a thirst for life—touching on everyday loneliness and the unease felt toward overseas news coverage.

It was used as the ending theme for NHK’s music program “Pop Jam,” and its coupling track became the theme song for the anime Rurouni Kenshin.

When you want to feel the human vulnerability and quiet prayer that lie behind the dazzling sound, this is a track well worth listening to.

ETERNAL WIND ~A Smile in the Shining Wind~Hiroko Moriguchi

ETERNAL WIND ~A Smile in the Shining Wind~

This piece is the song performed by Hiroko Moriguchi as the theme for the film Mobile Suit Gundam F91.

It became her first entry into the top 10 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart, peaking at No.

9, and ranked No.

47 on the year-end chart.

Befitting a grand anime set in space, the lyrics carry prayers for peace and a message of hope, also giving it an anti-war dimension.

Though a mid-tempo ballad, its sweeping choruses and strings create a sense of scale that offers a powerful comfort to people living with the anxieties of the times.

It’s an iconic 1990s anime song that makes you want to overlay feelings of parting and reunion with loved ones, and thoughts about the future.

A third of pure-hearted feelingsSIAM SHADE

One-Third of True Feelings – SIAM SHADE with Lyrics (Full)

One of the biggest hits that represented Weekly Shonen Jump in the 1990s was Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story.

The anime was also hugely popular, and the song that became a hit after being used as its ending theme was “1/3 no Junjou na Kanjou” by the rock band SIAM SHADE.

This track was their first major hit, and it has been covered by many artists, not only rock bands but also those from the anison (anime song) scene.