Great anime songs that colored the Heisei era
The 1990s…
Riding the wave of Jump’s golden age, the anime world was experiencing a huge surge in excitement.
One of the factors that fueled this anime boom was anime songs, or “anisong.”
In the early Heisei era, unlike today where popular rock bands often perform them, anisong were mostly sung by musicians who specialized in the genre.
This time, we’re spotlighting some of the most popular anisong from that Heisei period!
They’re all famous tracks that people of all ages have likely heard at least once, so be sure to check them out!
- [Nostalgic] Classic and Popular Anime Songs Recommended for People in Their 30s
- [Nostalgic & Latest] A Special Feature on Anime Songs Recommended for People in Their 20s
- Anisongs that were hits in the 2000s: a nostalgic collection of legendary tracks
- Anime songs that were hits in the 1990s. Recommended masterpieces and popular tracks.
- [Heisei Songs] Classic hits from the Heisei era that are popular on Instagram Reels
- [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
- Songs from the Heisei retro era that will get any generation excited! Timeless tracks you’ll want to listen to now.
- Iconic scenes overlap! Anime songs recommended for the yutori generation
- [Collection of Epic Songs] A compilation of cool anime songs chosen by anime fans
- Including global smash hits! Anime songs recommended for Gen Z
- [From 2010 onward] A roundup of anime that teenagers feel nostalgic about
- Anime songs recommended for people in their 40s, from nostalgic classics to the latest hits.
Great Anime Songs That Colored the Heisei Era (1–10)
Until the World Ends…WANDS
In the past, it was common for anime theme songs to be performed by dedicated anison singers.
If there’s an anime that broke that mold, it would have to be SLAM DUNK, right? This series drew a lot of attention because WANDS, a band that was hugely popular in Japan at the time, handled the theme song.
These days, there are many songs that don’t quite match an anime’s atmosphere, but in WANDS’ case, what’s remarkable is how perfectly they captured SLAM DUNK’s world in their music.
Among their tracks, “Sekai ga Owaru made wa…” was especially popular.
It’s an excellent piece both as music and as an anime song, so definitely check it out.
A Cruel Angel’s ThesisTakahashi Yoko
The original anime Neon Genesis Evangelion, which became a social phenomenon in Japan.
Among early Heisei-era anime, it can be considered one of the biggest hits alongside Dragon Ball.
And when it comes to Neon Genesis Evangelion’s theme song, it has to be A Cruel Angel’s Thesis.
This classic by Yoko Takahashi is still used across various media today.
Here we’re featuring the orthodox version, but there are many different arrangements, so be sure to compare them and find your favorite!
mysteryKomatsu Miho
Detective Conan is a work that continues to enjoy enduring popularity even today.
It’s the flagship series of Weekly Shonen Sunday, as everyone knows.
The anime has also been a huge success, and each new movie release invariably generates buzz.
When it comes to theme songs for Detective Conan, many candidates come to mind.
There are so many that it’s hard to choose, but this time I’d like to introduce Nazo from the first season.
I bet many of you vividly remember the chorus melody.
Great anime songs that colored the Heisei era (11–20)
Fluffy TimeHōkago Tī Taimu
K-On! sparked a band boom among anime fans and had a major influence on later series as well.
Its big appeal lies in the gentle, everyday lives of the girls in the light music club, and the genuine band sound that’s born within those days.
“Fuwa Fuwa Time” is a song that appears in the show, and it’s notable that there are two different vocal versions depending on the story.
It’s a hit classic that conveys cuteness while delivering a light, energetic band sound—a catchy vibe that makes you want to cover it.
Moonlight LegendDALI
For millennial women, isn’t the most popular anime Sailor Moon? Beyond its popularity as a shoujo manga, it was a major hit as an anime as well, and its format continues to influence many works today, such as the Pretty Cure series.
The theme song of Sailor Moon is Moonlight Densetsu.
This song, which expresses both femininity and strength, immersed girls of the time in the world of Sailor Moon.
My First Kissanshin papa
This is a song used as the theme for the anime Kiteretsu Daihyakka, which is based on a manga by Fujiko F.
Fujio.
Like Doraemon, it features a mascot-like character who uses mysterious gadgets to help the protagonists, but with the added twist that the gadgets were made in the Edo period, giving it a historical flavor that’s part of its appeal.
Hajimete no Chu, which was used as both the opening and ending theme, doesn’t directly reflect the story, but its distinctive singing voice left a strong impression, and it has long been loved as a song that symbolizes the series.
Portraying a somewhat frustrating, budding romance, the combination of the vocals and lyrics creates a very cute and endearing atmosphere.
Refrain of SoulsTakahashi Yoko
A work that symbolizes the Heisei era and is said to have had a major influence on subsequent anime, Neon Genesis Evangelion.
This song was used as the theme for its theatrical version, Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth.
One of its appeals is how it brings to the forefront the inner conflicts everyone carries and evokes a restless, unstable worldview.
Although Death & Rebirth was released as a remake of the TV broadcast, many viewers were likely unsettled by the story’s gradual divergences.
The rhythm-forward sound, along with various unstable accents layered over it, conveys a sense of instability.
Another key point is the sections where the song’s development shifts dramatically, allowing you to feel the world of the work itself undergoing transformation.