A masterpiece by Yoko Kanno. Recommended songs.
Yoko Kanno is so active across so many fields—anime, commercials, games—that it’s hard to imagine anyone who hasn’t heard her music.
Did you know she also composed and arranged “Ray of Water,” performed by Arashi at the national celebration honoring the Emperor’s enthronement?
In this article, we’ll introduce some of Yoko Kanno’s masterpieces and recommended tracks.
From nostalgic anime songs to famous commercial jingles, they’re all must-listen gems.
Take this opportunity to dive into the world of Yoko Kanno!
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Yoko Kanno’s masterpieces. Recommended songs (1–10)
Interstellar FlightNakajima Ai
A track that puts lightness front and center.
The occasional off-kilter chord progressions give it a distinctly mischievous feel.
I think the vocalist’s slightly thin timbre matches those progressions extremely well.
It’s delightful, and the way the drum beat propels the song forward is irresistible.
Seeds of Life
This song, familiar from Cosmo Oil’s TV commercials, is Seeds of Life composed by Yoko Kanno.
If you watch TV often, you’ve probably heard it at least once.
Its relaxed tempo and clear, transparent piano tone are soothing.
When the music swells, the notes seem to burst and scatter, becoming lively as if celebrating something.
It’s a track that makes you want to sing Cosmo Oil’s catchphrase without even thinking!
Genesis of AquarionAKINO
When it comes to anime songs that took the 2000s by storm, isn’t “Sousei no Aquarion” the one that comes to mind? You can’t help but find yourself humming the lyrics.
AKINO’s high notes feel so good to listen to that you want to imitate them.
And when you sing it at karaoke, just hearing the intro is guaranteed to hype everyone up.
Yoko Kanno’s masterpieces. Recommended tracks (11–20)
VOICESNii Akino
This song, also used as the ending theme of Macross Plus, is VOICES, sung by Akino Arai.
It’s a mysterious piece that feels like you’ve wandered into a fantasy world.
The way the track unfolds, the choice and use of synthesizer sounds—all radiate Yoko Kanno’s signature style.
Akino Arai’s girlish vocals, as a labelmate, also perfectly match the song’s atmosphere.
Sea of MiraclesSakamoto Maaya
This is the song “Kiseki no Umi,” which was used as the opening theme for the anime Record of Lodoss War: Chronicles of the Heroic Knight.
It’s a powerful and grand piece that evokes the anime’s world.
The singer is Maaya Sakamoto, who is both a vocalist and a voice actress.
Although Sakamoto herself is from Tokyo, in this song she delivers a vocal performance with a faintly folk-like quality, showcasing the breadth of her expression as a singer.
Memory of TimeSEIKA
This is a song called “Toki no Kioku” sung by SEIKA.
The airy, slightly fragile vocals perfectly match the mood of the piece, leaving listeners with a pleasant sense of loneliness.
The warm timbre of the synthesizer somehow evokes a nostalgic feeling.
It begins with a minimal arrangement that syncs with the melody, and from the middle it unfolds into a grand, strings-led development, making it a very romantic track.
Ray of Waterarashi
This song, performed as a celebratory piece for His Majesty the Emperor’s enthronement, drew attention because it was sung by Arashi, a nationally beloved idol group.
It was memorable to see Crown Princess Masako moved to tears while listening to the song.
The lyrics, which wish for someone’s happiness, and the gentle melody linger in the ear, making it a very comforting track to listen to.