[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!Matsumoto Rika		Pokémon third-generation opening theme song 'OK!'
2	Grip!Every Little Thing		InuYasha’s opening theme “Grip!” is a bright, happy song.
3	GO!!!FLOW		FLOW's 'GO!!!' is a NARUTO theme song.
4	Love is thrill, shock, and suspenseAiuChi Rina		Detective Conan opening theme, a classic by Rina Aiuchi
5	RewriteASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION		The opening song of Fullmetal Alchemist, 'Rewrite'
6	Love Song of LumMatsutani Yūko		Urusei Yatsura, Lum’s Love Song
7	RomancePENICILLIN		The 90s band boom and the appeal of PENICILLIN
8	Katsushika RhapsodyDōjima Kōhei		The local theme song from the anime “Kochikame”
9	We are!kitadani hiroshi		I was moved by the first One Piece opening theme, "We Are!"
10	Hamtaro Tottoko SongHamuchanzu		A masterpiece featuring Hamtaro’s charmingly cute singing voice
11	1/2Kawamoto Makoto		The masterpiece opening theme of Rurouni Kenshin
12	A Night for OnePorunogurafiti		Pornograffitti promotes relocation to Innoshima
13	Pegasus FantasyMAKE-UP		“Pegasus Fantasy” is the theme song of Saint Seiya.
14	Smile BombMawatari Matsuko		The opening theme of Yu Yu Hakusho, a moving masterpiece
15	Blue waterMorikawa Miho		“Blue Water” is Miho Morikawa’s anime theme song.
16	I’m only gazing at you.Daikoku Maki		The ending theme of SLAM DUNK: Maki Ohguro’s classic hit
17	Get WildTM NETWORK		The techno-style 'Get Wild' is gaining popularity.
18	Boy’s HeartHOME MADE kazoku		HOME MADE Kazoku's youth anime song
19	Take back the love!!kurisutaru kingu		Theme song of Fist of the North Star, a masterpiece of fiery soul
20	A Cruel Angel’s ThesisTakahashi Yoko		The Evangelion opening theme “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis”
21	Dan Dan Kokoro HikaretekuFIELD OF VIEW		A refreshing song filled with young love and courage
22	A hill where summer begins to showDaisuke		Refreshing, heart-stirring music of summer
23	Gamba’s SongKawahara Hiromasa		Express courage and bonds in a 1970s anime-style cheer song
24	Song of Hakushon Daimaoshimazaki yuri		A comical tale emerging from the Demon King’s magic jar
25	The Star of the SeineKoromubia Yurikago-kai		A Girl’s Tale from the French Revolution: A Beautiful Singing Voice
26	Defeat Galactor!Koromubia Yurikago-kai		Gatchaman ending theme song
27	Let’s do it with a bang! The Way of BaseballChiba Yumi, Yangu Furesshu, Koorogi ’73		A heartwarming classic that expresses a passionate love for baseball
28	To the Rock RiverŌsugi Kumiko		A classic song depicting the friendship between a boy and a raccoon
29	Brave RaideenShimon Masato		Guardian of the great sky, the song of a hero of justice
30	Oak Wood MocOnogi Kumiko		A heartwarming, nostalgic classic for children
31	Song of Steel JeegMizuki Ichirō		The valiant spirit of robot anime theme songs
32	Fly! Grendizersasaki isao		A valiant hero theme that protects world peace
33	Dororon Enma-kunNakayama Chinatsu		A 1973 anime theme song depicting yokai
34	Together with Don ChuckŌsugi Kumiko		An adorable theme song from a 1970s anime
35	Babel IIMizuki Ichirō		A fiery song about a psychic boy who protects world peace
36	See, spring has come.ushirogami hikaretai		A song that celebrates the arrival of spring and the exhilaration of the season
37	Fight! Polymersasaki isao		Powerful songs from 70s hero anime