[Nostalgic] A special feature on legendary anime theme songs: revisiting those classic tracks

Go! Tiger MaskHiroshi Nitta, Schoolmates

Go! Tiger Mask by Hiroshi Nitta

Tiger Mask is a television anime based on a professional wrestling manga by Ikki Kajiwara and Naoki Tsuji.

It depicts Tiger Mask battling assassins sent by the organization ‘Tiger’s Den.’ The opening theme was sung by Hiroshi Nitta (now Hideyo Morimoto).

Aim to be a Pokémon MasterRika Matsumoto

Pokémon First Opening: Aim to Be a Pokémon Master (full)

It’s the opening theme of the hugely popular game Pokémon’s anime.

Basically, it feels like a song that tells a story about the anime’s characters and their adventures, and it’s a great track.

Listening to this song pumps me up and makes me want to play Pokémon again.

I am Kaibutsu-kun.Fuyumi Shiraishi, Masao Imanishi, Hiroshi Ōtake, Shingo Kanemoto

I'm Kaibutsu-kun (Fuyumi Shiraishi) / Another version

Kaibutsu-kun is a manga by Fujiko Fujio A about the crown prince of Monster Land, Kaibutsu-kun, who comes to the human world and causes all sorts of commotion.

The theme song of the first TV anime, which began airing in 1968, was sung by the voice actors who played Kaibutsu-kun and his attendants.

FutureJunko Minagawa, Ryo Hirohashi

Echizen Ryoma ~ Future

This is the opening theme of The Prince of Tennis.

The moment I hear the intro, I get chills.

It’s not the kind of song that gets wildly hyped and pumps you up, but it’s crafted very carefully.

The protagonist, Ryoma Echizen, is just incredibly cool.

Dororo SongYoshiko Fujita

Dororo - Opening

Dororo is a manga by Osamu Tezuka set in the Sengoku period, depicting the journey of Hyakkimaru, whose body was stolen by demons, and Dororo.

A live-action film was also made in 2007.

The theme song of the TV anime version is Dororo no Uta, sung by Toshiko Fujita, who is also active as a voice actress.

Mach GoGoGo 1997Kentaro Hayami

Mach Go Go Go 1997 opening full(japanese)

“Mach GoGoGo” is an anime about car racing by Tatsunoko Production, and it was also adapted into a live-action film in the United States.

The opening theme of the second series, which aired in 1997, is sung by Kentaro Hayami, known as one of the ‘Uta no Onii-san’ (a children’s TV singing host).

Ogon Bat Counting SongYasushi Suzuki, Columbia Yurikago-kai

Strong! Absolutely strong: “Golden Bat Counting Song”

Golden Bat is a work that depicts the exploits of the hero Golden Bat, who has a golden skull face and wears a black cape.

It was originally created as a kamishibai (paper theater).

Yasushi Suzuki’s “Golden Bat Counting Song” was used as the ending theme for the TV anime version.