[Nostalgic Songs] A compilation of classic anime themes that hit home for those born in the Showa and Heisei eras

Don’t we all have anime songs we used to listen to a lot as kids?

You might not remember the story, but you can still sing the opening chorus—pretty relatable, right?

In this article, I’ve rounded up nostalgic anime songs that will take you right back to your childhood the moment you hear them.

I’ve picked tracks from the 1980s to the 2000s, so it should resonate with a wide range of ages.

Take your time and see if you can find that one song from your memories!

Playlist

[Nostalgic Songs] A compilation of classic anime themes that hit home for those born in the Showa and Heisei eras
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	OK!Rika Matsumoto		Pokémon third-generation opening theme song 'OK!'
2	GO!!!FLOW		FLOW's 'GO!!!' is a NARUTO theme song.
3	Grip!Every Little Thing		InuYasha’s opening theme “Grip!” is a bright, happy song.
4	RewriteASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION		The opening song of Fullmetal Alchemist, 'Rewrite'
5	Love is thrill, shock, and suspenseRina Aiuchi		Detective Conan opening theme, a classic by Rina Aiuchi
6	Katsushika RhapsodyKohei Dojima		The local theme song from the anime “Kochikame”
7	Love Song of LumYuko Matsuya		Urusei Yatsura, Lum’s Love Song
8	RomancePENICILLIN		The 90s band boom and the appeal of PENICILLIN
9	We are!Hiroshi Kitadani		I was moved by the first One Piece opening theme, "We Are!"
10	Pegasus FantasyMAKE-UP		“Pegasus Fantasy” is the theme song of Saint Seiya.
11	I’m only gazing at you.Maki Ohguro		The ending theme of SLAM DUNK: Maki Ohguro’s classic hit
12	Hamtaro Tottoko SongHam-chans		A masterpiece featuring Hamtaro’s charmingly cute singing voice
13	1/2Makoto Kawamoto		The masterpiece opening theme of Rurouni Kenshin
14	A Night for OnePorno Graffitti		Pornograffitti promotes relocation to Innoshima
15	Smile BombMasako Mawatari		The opening theme of Yu Yu Hakusho, a moving masterpiece
16	Get WildTM NETWORK		The techno-style 'Get Wild' is gaining popularity.
17	Blue waterMiho Morikawa		“Blue Water” is Miho Morikawa’s anime theme song.
18	Boy’s HeartHOME MADE Family		HOME MADE Kazoku's youth anime song
19	Take back the love!!Crystal King		Theme song of Fist of the North Star, a masterpiece of fiery soul
20	A Cruel Angel’s ThesisYoko Takahashi		The Evangelion opening theme “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis”
21	Dan Dan Kokoro HikaretekuFIELD OF VIEW		A song of fresh young love and youth
22	A hill where summer begins to showDaisuke		Refreshing, heart-stirring music of summer
23	The Star of the SeineColumbia Cradle Society		Theme song of a girls' anime set during the French Revolution
24	To the Rock RiverKumiko Osugi		Kumiko Ōsugi’s heartwarming friendship-themed anime theme song
25	See, spring has come.Ushirogami Hikaretai		A song that celebrates the arrival of spring and the exhilaration of the season
26	Song of Hakushon DaimaoYuri Shimazaki		A classic that delights families with the Demon King’s heartwarming song
27	Defeat Galactor!Columbia Cradle Society		The theme song for the Science Ninja Team that protects peace
28	Let’s do it with a bang! The Way of BaseballYumi Chiba, Young Fresh, Korogi ’73		A classic song that sings of dreams and passion for baseball
29	Brave RaideenMasato Shimon		Guardian of the great sky, the song of a hero of justice
30	Oak Wood MocKumiko Onogi		The heartwarming appeal of songs that reach children
31	Song of Steel JeegIchiro Mizuki		The valiant spirit of robot anime theme songs
32	Gamba’s SongHiromasa Kawahara		A classic 1970s anime song that sings of adventure and friendship
33	Fly! GrendizerIsao Sasaki		A valiant hero theme that protects world peace
34	Dororon Enma-kunChinatsu Nakayama		The charm and nostalgia of yokai anime songs
35	Together with Don ChuckKumiko Osugi		An adorable theme song from a 1970s anime
36	Babel IIIchiro Mizuki		A fiery song about a psychic boy who protects world peace
37	Fight! PolymerIsao Sasaki		A powerful theme song from a 1970s hero anime