Listen More! A Collection of Hidden Gems in Anime Songs

Scarlet BalletMay’n

May’n「Scarlet Ballet」Music Video

This is a song used as the opening theme for the anime Aria the Scarlet Ammo.

It’s a work by May’n—the singer who also provided Sheryl Nome’s vocals in Macross Frontier—and it was released in 2011 as her fourth single.

It’s a very energetic electronic tune.

The way the grand scale of the sound pairs with its sense of speed is incredible, and May’n’s cool vocals really shine.

It’s a fiery anisong that’s perfect for boosting your motivation.

scabIsao Chiwata

Kasabuta / Hidetaka Chi-wata

It’s the opening theme of the anime “Zatch Bell!”.

The story, in which humans team up with demon children to battle, was a hot topic at the time.

The song evokes the image of protagonists who, despite their doubts and anxieties, continue to grow.

A night when the moonlight softly fallsNanao Ogawa

Nano Ogawa – A Night When Moonlight Softly Falls

It’s the 9th ending theme of the anime Crayon Shin-chan.

The distinctive vocals and gentle lyrics linger in your ears.

I think it’s perfect to listen to while taking a walk, looking up at the night sky with the moon out, thinking of someone you love.

River of TimeFENCE OF DEFENSE

FENCE OF DEFENSE feat Daisuke Asakura TOKINOKAWA -2014

A cool anime song with an oriental vibe.

It’s one of the signature tracks by the three-piece rock band FENCE OF DEFENSE, released in 1991 as their 11th single.

It was used as the opening theme for the first season of the anime “Yokoyama Mitsuteru Sangokushi.” Since the work is based on Chinese history, the lyrics are crafted to match that worldview.

You can tell from this song alone that an epic story is about to begin.

It’s a passionate piece brimming with romance that will stick in your head after just one listen.

UninstallChiaki Ishikawa

Chiaki Ishikawa LIVE January 2015 “Uninstall”

You’ll find yourself drawn into its unique worldview.

The song, written by Chiaki Ishikawa—also known as the vocalist of the music duo See-Saw—was released in 2007 as her fourth single.

It was composed as the main theme for the anime Bokurano.

The stylish sound arrangement pairs well with the profound lyrics that reflect the story’s themes.

Her clear, translucent vocals suit it perfectly, too—it’s really nice.

You should be able to enjoy it as a kind of art piece.

cloverMeg Rock

(meg lock) Solty Rei Clover Full High-Quality Ver_

If you’re an anime fan from the generation that’s attached to 2000s anime, this is bound to make your heart swell.

This is the second solo single released by Megumi Hinata, a.k.a.

meg rock, in 2005, and it was used as the opening theme for the TV anime SoltyRei, which aired the same year.

It’s one of the standout anison classics of the 2000s, with an exceptionally catchy melody, lyrics that showcase a unique feel for language, and meg rock’s charming vocals at their best.

Personally, I’d also love for people to pay attention to the band ensemble, which clearly shows influences from UK rock.

The guitar solo that flows in, overlapping with the final chorus, is super cool, and the Western pop sensibilities you can feel throughout are also evident in melodie cute (melocure), her legendary unit with the late Ritsuko Okazaki.

If this song is how you came to know her, be sure to check out her 2006 single incl.

as well!

Fairy Tale LabyrinthYukari Tamura

Yukari Tamura – Fairy-tale Labyrinth {From the DVD released on 2007.12.24 [*Pinkle ☆ Twinkle Party* 2006 Winter]}

Beyond her undeniable ability as a voice actress, Yukari Tamura also has a solid track record as a voice-acting artist, having become the third voice actress—after Hekiru Shiina and Nana Mizuki—to perform at the Nippon Budokan.

She is also known for her passionate fanbase, so much so that there’s even the term “Yukari Kingdom,” where Tamura is the princess and her fans are the citizens.

Her 2006 single “Fairy Tale Labyrinth” served as the first opening theme for the anime “Otogi-Jushi Akazukin,” in which she herself starred.

The lyrics were written by Aki Hata, a songwriter indispensable to any discussion of anime songs from the 2000s onward.

Tamura’s vocal performance is marvelous—maintaining a fairy-tale atmosphere without tipping into excessive sweetness—and the driving arrangement and irresistibly catchy melody fuse at a very high level to create a masterpiece.

It feels like the methodology of this track went on to greatly influence later anime songs and Vocaloid tunes.

As an aside, the follow-up single “Princess Rose,” which became the second opening theme for the same anime, is also a gem that reached No.

6 on the Oricon chart!