Anime songs recommended for people in their 40s, from nostalgic classics to the latest hits.

Run, Honest OneSaijō Hideki

ED2 – Run, Honest Man

Superstar Hideki Saijo, who captivated countless fans with his passionate vocals and performances.

Among his many classic hits, this is an unmissable anime song that always fires up a karaoke crowd.

Released as a single in April 1991, it became beloved as the ending theme for the nationally treasured anime Chibi Maruko-chan.

Its brisk beat infused with ska rhythms and lyrics packed with playful, comical wordplay are irresistibly catchy.

The collaboration came about because the original creator, Momoko Sakura, was a fan of Saijo, with Tetsuro Oda handling the composition.

The unique phrase said to be inspired by a commercial from that era also leaves a strong impression, and listening to it will surely bring back memories of those days.

No tricky techniques required—belt it out with energy and power, and it’s a song that will put smiles on the faces of friends from the same generation.

Well then,SURFACE

SURFACE – Now then

Let me introduce a song that revives that rush of speed that makes you want to break into a run, alongside nostalgic anime visuals.

SURFACE’s single “Saa,” released in November 1998, electrified viewers at the time as the opening theme for the TV anime Mamotte Shugogetten! There’s a famous episode about how the lyrics and melody each member brought in miraculously clicked the moment they tried them together with a “Ready, go!” It’s a straightforward rock number that blasts away hesitation.

It was featured on a TV program in October 2015 and drew fresh attention again—proof that it continues to be loved across generations.

If you thrust your fist into the air with your friends to the striking chant at the start of the chorus, the passion of that era will come flooding back, and your karaoke room will instantly be wrapped in the feverish energy of a live venue.

1/2Kawamoto Makoto

【MV】Makoto Kawamoto “1/2”

A timeless youth anthem where tender ache and deep affection overflow, carried by the comforting resonance of acoustic guitar.

The lyrics delicately depict a powerful wish to become one with another, and the frustration of that wish remaining out of reach, gently embracing the kind of love we’ve all felt.

Seamlessly blending Makoto Kawamoto’s translucent voice with her unique worldview, the song reached No.

2 on the Oricon Weekly Chart after its release in March 1997, and etched itself into many hearts as the opening theme of the anime Rurouni Kenshin.

It’s a heartwarming track you’ll want to listen to when you long to share in pure feelings, thinking of someone special.

Butter-FlyWada Kōji

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

When it comes to karaoke anime classics, this is the one! It’s the theme song from the anime Digimon Adventure.

It’s highly recommended for karaoke—everyone knows it, so you can sing it together, and the song itself is super cool, so it’s sure to get the crowd pumped.

A third of pure-hearted feelingsSIAM SHADE

A third of pure-hearted feelings

Do you know the passionate love song that colored the late-’90s J-Rock scene? Released as a single by SIAM SHADE in November 1997, it was used as the ending theme for the hugely popular anime Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story and became the band’s biggest hit.

Also included on the album SIAM SHADE IV: Zero, this classic masterfully fuses hard-edged instrumentation with a catchy melody.

One of its greatest charms is that, despite the band’s high level of musicianship, the chorus is so familiar and easy for anyone to sing along to.

It’s incredibly well-known—just the intro is enough to trigger cheers.

Try singing it when you want to create a sense of unity at a get-together with friends from the same generation!

Cat’s EyeAnri

cat’s eyes (1983 Cat’s Eye) OP

A song by singer-songwriter Anri that served as the opening theme for the anime Cat’s Eye.

It’s a pop number with a mysterious vibe that perfectly fits a show about a beautiful phantom thief who hides her identity and targets works of art.

Sharing its title with the anime, the song is widely known across generations, and for many people, the anime and the track are inseparably linked in their memories.

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Hoshino Takashi

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The sun rises again and again.Dragon Ash

Dragon Ash “The sun rises again and repeats”

A single released in May 1998, this monumental work established Dragon Ash’s early style.

Chosen as the opening theme for the TV anime DT Eightron, the track features the trio fusing rap and rock to create a distinctive groove.

Kj’s message—both wistful and powerful—will likely resonate deeply with those who spent their youth wrestling with similar struggles.

Despite its epic length of over seven minutes, its relaxed tempo makes it comfortable to sing even at karaoke.

On your way home from work, sing it while recalling the passion of those days, and you’re sure to feel energized for tomorrow.