[2026] A roundup of popular theme and opening songs from TV period dramas

The Three Swordsmen Slash! Main ThemeKobayashi Asei

Three Swordsmen Slash! Main Theme by Asei Kobayashi, from the TV Soundtrack Anthology [Background Music for Work]

This is the opening theme song of the refreshing, feel-good period drama “Sanbiki ga Kiru!” It’s about three ronin traveling separately who happen to come together over a single incident and team up to cut down evil.

The nicknamed “Tonosama” is played by Hideki Takahashi, “Sengoku” by Koji Yakusho, and “Tako” by Shunpûtei Koasa.

With modern, conversational language, it’s a period drama that’s easy to get into.

A pair of two travelersAmachi Shigeru

A Pair Traveling Together — Song: Shigeru Amachi

This is the theme song of the period drama “Fang of Edo,” which aired from October 2, 1979, to March 25, 1980.

The story follows four members of the Honjo office—derided within the magistrate’s organization as the “gutter cleaners” and the “sump”—who are in fact part of a special investigative unit called “Fang of Edo,” cutting down the evils that plague the city.

So it seems the ‘they were actually ○○ all along’ twist has been around for decades.

shadowChiba Shinichi

Kage — Shinichi Chiba

The ending theme song of Kage no Gundan IV is sung by Sonny Chiba, who plays the lead role of Hattori Hanzo.

Announced as the “final chapter” of Kage no Gundan after a three-year hiatus, this series features a departure from the usual (night-use) ninja garb.

That’s because the star, Sonny Chiba, proposed the change after being inspired by a band’s fashion he saw in New York.

In contrast to Chiba’s proactive stance, however, the ending theme has a wistful tone.

Gaman HillKitajima Saburō

Gaman Hill – Saburo Kitajima

This is the ending theme song for Abarenbo Shogun III and IV, sung by Saburo Kitajima.

The lyrics and composition are credited to Joji Hara, which is Saburo Kitajima’s pen name when he writes and composes.

Both the lyrics—like “If I don’t do it, who will?”—and Kitajima’s vocals convey Yoshimune’s spirited resolve.

Tetego BridgeBābu Satake

Lone Wolf and Cub OP Tetego Bridge

This is the opening theme song of “Lone Wolf and Cub,” the story in which Kinnosuke Nakamura plays Itto Ogami and Kazutaka Nishikawa plays his surviving son, Daigoro, as they set off on a wandering journey.

Even if you’ve never seen this period drama, many people are probably familiar with the famous scene where Daigoro calls Itto “chaan.” I myself am one of those people who only know the “chaan” part.

Someone in the windKamijō Tsunehiko

Someone in the wind: Kogarashi Monjirō

This is the theme song of the TV period drama “Kogarashi Monjirō,” based on Saho Sasazawa’s wandering-swordsman historical novels.

Born into a poor farming family in Mikazuki Village, Nitta District of Jōshū, Monjirō narrowly escaped being culled thanks to his sister’s quick thinking, yet spent an unhappy childhood branded as a ‘failed cull.’ He set off on the road at the tender age of ten.

The song conveys, with striking directness, the yearning feeling that ‘someone, somewhere, is waiting for me.’

madder-red cloudskawada tomoko

Akane Clouds by Tomoko Kawada

This is the song used as the theme for “New Hissatsu Shioinin” and the special “Hissatsu Special: Autumn! The Professionals vs.

the Entire Edo Police.” Many incidental music tracks based on this song also exist.

The singer of this song, Tomoko Kawada, made her debut with the single “Akane-gumo,” and its B-side, “Tsumugi Uta,” was also used as an insert song in New Hissatsu Shioinin.