Songs That Bring Back the Shows: Beloved Drama Theme Songs
Dramas that make people’s hearts race with excitement, no matter the era.
Whether it’s the flutter of a love story or the nail-biting tension of a suspenseful plot, many of us can’t wait for the day our favorite drama airs each week!
And what’s indispensable to those dramas are the theme songs that embody their worlds.
In this article, we’ll introduce some nostalgic drama theme songs.
We’ve gathered a selection of masterpieces that will make you want to watch those dramas all over again the moment you hear the music.
Whether you watched them when they first aired or are discovering them for the first time, give them a listen and immerse yourself in the world of the dramas!
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Recall the works! Nostalgic drama theme songs (1–10)
Maru-Maru-Mori-Mori!Kaoru to Tomoki, tama ni Mukku.
This song was a huge hit in 2011 as the theme for the drama “Marumo no Okite.” The Marumori Dance by Mana Ashida and Fuku Suzuki, who were six years old when the show aired, melted the hearts of adults.
The easy-to-copy choreography became a hot topic among children as well, and it was hugely popular as a performance piece at kindergarten recitals.
Both of them are now thriving as an actress and an actor.
Even when you see them as adults, many people probably find that their adorable voices from back then somehow resurface in the corner of their minds.
The world calls it love.Sambomasutā
This is Sambomaster’s fifth single, a song written specifically as the ending theme for the 2005 TV drama Densha Otoko.
The drama portrays the romance between a kindhearted Akihabara-style otaku and a beautiful office worker at a trading company.
“Love will change the days to come—your past doesn’t matter!” Backed by the internet community’s support, the protagonist bravely takes on unfamiliar territory in love, and many listeners have said they themselves were encouraged by Sambomaster’s powerful sound that plays as if cheering him on.
It’s an uplifting anthem to listen to when you want to break free from the fog and feel more positive.
rainbowFukuyama Masaharu
This is Masaharu Fukuyama’s 18th single, chosen as the theme song for the drama WATER BOYS.
The song, which evokes a bright summer sky and a refreshing breeze, perfectly matched the drama depicting a summer in the lives of high school boys in the swim club who, while clashing with one another, grow as they strive toward a single goal: a successful synchronized swimming performance.
With lyrics that seem to push you forward—“Let’s spread our wings beyond our ideals”—it’s a refreshing cheering anthem I’d like to dedicate to those working hard toward their dreams and goals, or those mustering the resolve to bloom once more.
Remember the Works! Nostalgic Drama Theme Songs (11–20)
SwimmyEvery Little Thing
The smash-hit drama that even spawned a series, where you can see a comical Hiroshi Abe, is The Man Who Can’t Get Married.
The theme song, Every Little Thing’s “Swimmy,” is a track with a gentle intro and exhilarating electric guitars that feels great.
Kaori Mochida’s rounded vocal tone is adorable, and combined with the pop melody, it’s a classic that somehow lifts your spirits! The lyrics evoke the scent of water, and you can feel the longing to see the one you love while swimming through and struggling with everyday life.
NO MORE CRYD-51
Gokusen is a school drama that became a huge hit, starring Yukie Nakama as Kumiko Yamaguchi—aka Yankumi—the passionate teacher raised in a yakuza family.
The series spawned multiple seasons and is also known for launching many actors who are now at the forefront of the industry.
D-51’s NO MORE CRY, with a chorus melody everyone can hum, was used as the theme song for the second season and became a big hit.
It’s a track with a driving intro and pleasing harmonies from the duo.
Because it was used in a school drama, just hearing the intro brings back nostalgic memories of our school days and youth.
Even when things are tough, this song makes you feel like you can get through it.
I for YouLUNA SEA
The Fuji TV hit drama that became actress Kyoko Fukada’s breakout work is “God, Please Give Me More Time.” Despite dealing with the sensitive topic of HIV, the fearless performances by Taiwanese actor Takeshi Kaneshiro and Fukada drew a lot of attention.
The theme song, LUNA SEA’s “I for You,” is the ultimate love ballad, where its beautiful melody matches perfectly with RYUICHI’s wistful vocals.
Alongside the drama’s worldview, it remains an enduring, tear-jerking classic to this day!
Can You Keep A Secret?Utada Hikaru
HERO is the Fuji TV Monday 9 p.m.
drama series that became a massive hit starring Takuya Kimura.
With an average rating of over 30% for every episode, it was the biggest hit of the mid-Heisei era.
The theme song was Hikaru Utada’s “Can You Keep A Secret?,” which became the first single released in the 21st century to sell over a million copies.
Everything about it—Utada’s husky tone and vocal style, the melody, the lyrics—radiates a charm only she can deliver.
It also matches perfectly with the drama’s world, which centers on prosecutors, so whether you know the show or not, it’s absolutely worth a listen!