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)
Inner UniverseOriga
This mysteriously opening track is a song called “Inner Space,” used in the anime Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex.
The vocalist is Origa, a Russian singer well known for performing on Yoko Kanno’s works.
The lyrics blend Russian and English, further enhancing the song’s sense of mystique.
Origa’s voice resonates powerfully, like a single beam of light piercing the darkness.
Cocoon of the MoonOkui Aki
This song, popular among fans and used as the ending theme for the TV anime Turn A Gundam, is Tsuki no Mayu sung by Aki Okui.
It makes you feel as if you’re floating alone in space.
Rich in a sense of floating and mystery, it perfectly matches the anime’s worldview.
Okui’s expansive, prayer-like vocals also add color to the track.
riseOriga
Isn’t this the song that comes to mind when you think of Ghost in the Shell, the globally beloved anime that was even remade in Hollywood in 2018? With its driving drums and fast-paced feel, the track conveys a distinctly near-futuristic atmosphere that perfectly reflects the story.
The vocalist is Origa, a Russian singer who sadly passed away in 2015.
Her mystical voice matches the mood of the work perfectly.
It’s a song with a captivating power that draws you in from the very first listen.
LionMay’n / Nakajima Ai
This song, the theme for the anime Macross Frontier, could be called a staple of anime music.
Even people who aren’t into anime have probably heard it at least once.
It’s guaranteed to get everyone pumped at karaoke.
Plus, the back-and-forth between May’n and Megumi Nakajima is a real pleasure to listen to.
TrianglerSakamoto Maaya
The long sustained note at the start of the chorus and the minimally changing chord progression draw the listener into a vast world.
The transparent vocals blend beautifully with the sound.
Clever touches—like sudden key changes—keep the listener engaged, making it a track you can’t take your ears off until the very end.
Bound to be on heavy rotation!
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.
Tank!shiitoberutsu
Haven’t you heard this intro on TV shows and the like? It’s the main theme “Tank!” from the popular anime Cowboy Bebop, beloved both in Japan and abroad.
The performers are The Seatbelts, the band led by Yoko Kanno.
The authentic jazz performance is absolutely stunning! The powerful brass gives it an urban feel.
And the saxophone, freely soaring over the groovy percussion and drums, is super cool too!