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

Butter-FlyWada Kōji

Butter-Fly – Kouji Wada (Full) (Digimon Adventure OP)

Digimon Adventure became extremely popular among children at the time and helped bring the Digimon franchise into the mainstream.

The theme song of this hit anime is Koji Wada’s “Butter-Fly.” Even today, it remains a classic anime song with tremendous popularity—many of you have probably sung it at karaoke.

GHOST SWEEPERHarada Chie

Chie Harada – Ghost Sweeper

“Ghost Sweeper Mikami” is a TV anime based on the manga by Takashi Shiina.

You can really feel the era from the fact that the protagonist, Reiko Mikami, wears body-con outfits.

The theme song “GHOST SWEEPER” is Chie Harada’s debut single, with lyrics by Satomi Aomori and composition by Toshiyuki Omori.

Give a reasonHayashibara Megumi

Slayers NEXT Opening (Give a reason)

“Give a reason” is a signature song by Megumi Hayashibara, who is active as a voice actress, narrator, lyricist, and radio personality.

It was the opening theme for the TV Tokyo–aired anime Slayers NEXT and was released in 1996.

It won the Voice Actor Song Award in the Heisei Anisong Grand Prize for 1989–1999.

The song brought widespread attention to Megumi Hayashibara as a voice-actor artist, earning strong public support.

I stopped being alone.Yano Akiko

I stopped being alone.

It’s a warm pop song whose beautiful piano melody resonates in the heart.

Released by Akiko Yano in August 1999, it was used as the theme song for Studio Ghibli’s “My Neighbors the Yamadas.” The song carries a message of overcoming loneliness and cherishing connections with others.

Yano’s gentle voice and the sound of the piano envelop the listener.

Give it a listen when you want to recall the warmth of time spent with family and friends.

Smile BombMawatari Matsuko

Masako Maeda – Smile Bomb (theme song of Yu Yu Hakusho)

This is the opening theme of Yu Yu Hakusho, which began airing in 1992.

It was released in 1992 as the second single by Masako Mawata, a singer from Miyazaki Prefecture.

There are many cover versions as well, so some of you may know it from those.

A Maiden’s PolicyIshida Yoko

Otome no Policy – full version

Sailor Moon is a globally beloved series.

This is the ending theme of its second installment, Sailor Moon R.

The singer is Yoko Ishida from Niigata Prefecture.

It was released in 1993 as her debut single.

Back when it aired, there must have been many female fans glued to their TVs.

Until the World Ends…WANDS

Until the World Ends... – WANDS (Full)

This is the ending theme for episodes 25–49 of SLAM DUNK, which aired from October 16, 1993 to March 23, 1996.

SLAM DUNK itself is an amazing work, and its music is full of great songs, too.

Listening to it makes me want to play basketball.