[Nostalgic & New] A Collection of Pokémon Songs That Resonate with the Heart

Only One StoryZEROBASEONE

[Official] Pokémon Anime “Rayquaza Rising” Opening Theme: “Only One Story”

It’s the opening theme song for the TV anime Pokémon.

The performers are ZEROBASEONE, a group formed through an audition program.

The upbeat, powerful message in the lyrics seems to mirror the protagonists as they meet new companions and step into uncharted worlds, doesn’t it? It truly feels like the beginning of an adventure where they weave a story all their own—something that gets your heart racing.

It also ties in with the group’s journey of “starting from zero,” making it all the more stirring.

This track, released in October 2024, marks their first-ever anime tie-in.

It will also be included on their Japanese debut EP, “Prezent,” set for release in January 2025.

It’s a song with a comforting sound that feels like a push forward when you’re starting a new challenge.

Psycho Every Day!akiyoshi fumie

Pocket Monsters OP13 / DP OP3 (V1) – “The Greatest – Everyday!” (RAW)

It’s a pop tune that really resonates, featuring Fumie Akiyoshi’s soaring vocals—she also contributed to the lyrics.

The passionate feelings nurtured through adventures with Pokémon—friendship, love, grit, and growth—are delivered straight to the heart on a driving, exhilarating melody.

It’s an energetic piece that makes you feel empowered just by listening.

Released as a single in February 2010, the song became the opening theme for the anime “Pokémon Diamond & Pearl” starting with episode 158.

The switch to the BAND VERSION partway through was also memorable.

It’s a track that will give you a push when you’re taking on a challenge or need one more burst of effort.

Ready Go!Tamura Naomi

Pokémon OP5 'Ready Go!' Naomi Tamura

This is the opening theme that marked the finale of the original series of the anime Pokémon.

Naomi Tamura’s energetic vocals instantly heighten the sense of anticipation for the grand adventure to come.

You can almost see a hopeful scene of racing across the sunlit earth and heading beyond the rainbow.

It conveys the protagonist’s pure excitement as they step toward new encounters and unseen worlds.

Released as a single in March 2002, the song was used in the anime from Episode 239 through the final episode.

It’s a track that gives you a powerful push when you want to start a new challenge or take that last step toward your dream.

Truly a perfect send-off song for setting out on a journey.

Mega VYūsuke

Pokemon XY OP2 FULL SONG – Mega V (Volt) by Yusuke

It’s a rousing track sung by Yusuke, who’s also well known as an actor and TV personality.

Centered on themes of friendship and the courage to chase your dreams, it’s packed with elements that heat up your heart just by listening.

The lyrics, which rhythmically list Pokémon types, are very unique and amplify the excitement for the battles to come.

Released as a single in June 2014, the song served as the opening for the anime Pokémon XY and the film Pokémon the Movie: XY — Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction.

Its structure—adding new lyrics to a previous theme song—also conveys a sense of the story’s evolution.

It’s the kind of song that gives you a powerful boost when you’re about to take on a new challenge.

Aim to Be a Pokémon Master – 20th Anniversary –Matsumoto Rika

Aim to Be a Pokémon Master -20th Anniversary-

This is the 20th-anniversary version of the original opening theme from the anime Pokémon.

It’s sung by Rica Matsumoto, who voices the protagonist Ash, and her powerful vocals are as strong as ever.

On top of the original’s momentum, the live-instrument performance gives the sound an extra boost that’s enough to get your heart racing just by listening.

The music vividly conveys the excitement of the beginning of an adventure chasing dreams with your friends, as depicted in the lyrics.

Marking twenty years since the original song’s 1997 release, this version was used as the theme song for the movie Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! Incidentally, at a commemorative event in December 2017, about a thousand fans gathered and the venue was filled with a sense of unity.

It’s an uplifting track that I think gives a push to anyone taking on a challenge.

Advance Adventuregarden

Pokémon AG OP1 Advance Adventure

With the start of a new chapter, the title changed, and this is the first opening theme song of “Pokémon: Advanced Generation.” It’s a song made for the work that clearly focuses on the main theme of adventure while incorporating many place names and terms from the series.

The lack of complicated expressions also makes it a song that feels close to children.

Meowth’s SongInuyama Inuko

Pokemon Ending 2 Nyarth’s Song Pokémon ED 2 Nyaasu no Uta

It’s the theme song of Meowth—the human-speaking Pokémon who exudes a unique presence in the series—and serves as the second ending theme.

Its melancholic atmosphere is distinctive and somehow lingers in your ears.

Meowth performing it in a stripped-down, singer-songwriter style in the ending sequence is also memorable.