Lovely anime song

Recommended anime theme songs for children: timeless anime song classics you should listen to at least once.

Recommended anime theme songs for children: timeless anime song classics you should listen to at least once.

Last updated:2025/9/11

Accompanist / Piano InstructorYuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICSasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

We’ve put together a collection of anime songs that are popular with kids!

Anime is one of Japan’s treasured cultural pillars.

These days, some artists gain popularity through tie-ins with anime, and many children discover their favorite artists through anime.

Anime has always been loved by kids, past and present.

In this article, we’re shining a spotlight on anime theme songs.

We’ve gathered songs that are buzzing among children and anime tracks we recommend for kids.

If you’re interested, be sure to check them out!

Recommended anime theme songs for children: classic anime songs you should listen to at least once (1–10)

Anime songs that are super popular with kids!

First up are 10 carefully selected tracks! There are as many anime songs as there are anime, but we focused on those that became popular among kids. These are all anime songs that really struck a chord with anime-loving children. If there are any you don’t know yet, be sure to give them a listen. They’re great karaoke picks, too!

Pocket Monsters

1, 2, 3After the Rain (Soraru × Mafumafu)

[Pokémon OP] 1・2・3 / After the Rain (Soraru × Mafumafu)

1・2・3 After the Rain (Soraru × Mafumafu)

This song was used as the opening theme for Pokémon.

It’s a track by After the Rain, the duo of Soraru and Mafumafu, who rose to fame through their work as vocalists.

The upbeat lyrics and call-and-response style melody are irresistible.

Fans of Pokémon will also love the arrangement that incorporates music from the games—definitely a must-listen.

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Bocchi the Rock!

If I could become a constellationcable tie

[Lyric Video] Kessoku Band “If We Could Become Constellations” / In-episode song from TV anime “Bocchi the Rock!” Episode 12

If we could become a constellation, we’d be Kessoku Band.

This is a song released as part of Kessoku Band, the group the protagonist belongs to in the anime “Bocchi the Rock!”.

Its distinctive groove, with a breezy atmosphere that makes you want to sway to the beat, is striking.

This light, airy sound seems likely to convey the joy of music across generations.

The lyrics’ portrayal of longing for something far out of reach and the resolve to change feels aligned with the story of the work itself.

In the scene where the song is performed in the show, the guitar solo is altered on the fly to deal with equipment trouble during the performance, and both that solo section and the build-up to it are points worth noting.

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HeroYOASOBI

YOASOBI “The Brave” Official Music Video / TV anime “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” opening theme

Hero YOASOBI

A song by YOASOBI that drew widespread attention as the opening theme for the anime Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.

It portrays a fantasy world that begins where a grand tale ends.

The lyrics, which sing of the quiet after the hero’s journey and the memories it leaves behind, resonate deeply with listeners.

Released in September 2023, it reached No.

2 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 and claimed the top spot in the animation category.

It’s recommended not only for viewers of the anime but also for anyone at a turning point in life.

A must-listen for children brimming with hope for the future.

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Chiikawa

soliloquyHachiware (CV: Makoto Tanaka)

[Chiikawa] Hachiware – Monologuing / Chiikawa

Hitorigotsu Hachiware (CV: Makoto Tanaka)

This song, sung by Hachiware, serves as the ending theme for Chiikawa, a work whose charm lies in its adorable characters and the distinctive worldview that can be felt in the background.

While it basically depicts the characters’ cute everyday lives, it doesn’t stop there—that broader scope is one reason the series drew attention.

The song also conveys Chiikawa’s unique worldview, setting lyrics about half-dried laundry against a gentle, nostalgic sound.

It’s a curious track sprinkled with puzzling details that make you perk up and listen, even if you’re only half paying attention.

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Nintama Rantarō

100% Courage

100% Courage – Nintama Rantarō (Full)

100% Courage

A song that has been used as the theme for the TV anime Nintama Rantarō from 1993 to the present.

Originally released as the 21st single by Hikaru GENJI, the legendary Johnny’s group, the song has since been passed down and performed by groups like Hey! Say! JUMP and Sexy Zone.

Its upbeat melody and forward-looking lyrics—like a hand reaching out to help—perfectly match the feel of the anime.

It’s an anime song that’s been sung for over 25 years, full of memories for both children and adults, and highly recommended.

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Thomas the Tank Engine

Thomas the Tank Engine Theme 2Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends

Thomas the Tank Engine Theme 2 (Season 19) / Engine Roll Call Season 19 (Japanese)

Thomas the Tank Engine Theme 2: Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends

One of the theme songs from Thomas the Tank Engine, a must for kids who love trains, cars, and the Shinkansen—just like Plarail—is featured here.

The sound includes steam and whistle effects, and the lyrics introduce the main character along with his uniquely charming friends.

It’s also great that the song teaches you each friend’s name and what their personality and traits are.

Everyone is different, but each has their own strengths, and if they all give their best, they can overcome anything—this song delivers that message, so I’d love for children to listen to it.

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Jujutsu Kaisen

Kaikai KitanEVE

Kaikai Kitan – Eve MV

Kaikai Kitan EVE

This is the fourth major-label digital-only single by singer-songwriter Eve, who made his major debut in 2019.

The song was selected as the opening theme for the TV anime Jujutsu Kaisen, and its thrilling yet catchy sound—very characteristic of Eve, who built his career primarily on the internet—makes it an unforgettable number.

With a complex yet exhilarating vibe, it heightens children’s anticipation for the anime that’s about to begin, making it a perfect fit for an opening theme.

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