Legendary Composer of the Anison World! Ranking of Kohei Tanaka’s Popular Songs
Composer Kohei Tanaka has been responsible for numerous anime songs since he began his career in 1982.
He studied abroad for two years at Berklee College of Music, and in 2002 he won the Music Award for Animation of the Year at the Tokyo Anime Award.
With a career spanning over 40 years, his body of work is something that people of virtually any generation have likely encountered in some form.
Here, we present a ranking of Kohei Tanaka’s most popular songs, befitting his reputation as a legendary composer.
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Legendary Composer in the Anisong World! Kohei Tanaka's Popular Songs Ranking (11–20)
Wholesome Teigeki LifeTanaka Kouhei11rank/position
The popular game Sakura Wars is set in the fictional “Taisho era,” and this track uniquely blends a real Taisho Romance ambience with techno elements.
It was used as the BGM when moving around inside the Grand Imperial Theater that appears in the story.
In contrast to the tense battle scenes, it has a heartwarming feel—just as the title suggests.
Sakura Wars Jump: Debate, Maidens!Tanaka Kouhei12rank/position
This work was produced by composer Kohei Tanaka, the creator of the series’ music, as a related recording for the game Sakura Wars 4 ~Fall in Love, Maidens~.
Released in April 2002, it is included on the acclaimed album Sakura Wars 4 ~Fall in Love, Maidens~ Complete Collection: Geki! Teikoku ~Final Chapter~, which won the 17th Japan Gold Disc Award.
The dazzling sound arrangement feels as if it’s rallying the maidens—truly wonderful.
Victory!Tanaka Kouhei13rank/position
In Sakura Wars, this is the BGM that plays when you win a battle.
Paired with each character’s victory pose, this music is something fans who’ve played the game have heard countless times.
A game’s victory theme is like a triumphant war cry—its exhilarating sound and frequent repetition make it instantly familiar to gamers.
You, oh flowerTanaka Kouhei14rank/position
This is the ending song of the fourth installment in the popular game series Sakura Wars, Sakura Wars 4: Fall in Love, Maidens.
Due to circumstances such as the discontinuation of the Dreamcast, the hardware platform, and the fact that this is the last title to feature Ichiro Ogami—the protagonist since the first game—in the lead role, the music has a grand, series-concluding feel.
Centered around narration by Akio Suyama, who plays Ichiro Ogami, this track is guaranteed to move players who are deeply attached to the series to tears.
Warriors of the EarthTanaka Kouhei15rank/position
This is the theme song of Sakura Wars V: So Long, My Love, the fifth installment of the popular Sakura Wars series, released in 2005.
Unlike previous entries, it is set in New York, and the music has a Broadway musical feel rather than an operatic style.
It’s a bright, upbeat song that embodies the game’s catchphrase, “A bang-bang in the skyscrapers!”
Bell of MiraclesTanaka Kouhei16rank/position
The girls who serve as combatants in the Sakura Wars series also lead double lives as members of a musical theater troupe.
One of their musical numbers is “Miracle Bell,” which appeared as a song in the Christmas opera in Sakura Wars 2: Thou Shalt Not Die.
It also stands on its own as a well-crafted Christmas song and was chosen as the opening theme for the film Sakura Wars: The Movie.
Enemy · Battle 1Tanaka Kouhei17rank/position
When it comes to battle BGM in Sakura Wars, this is the one.
It was used as the standard combat theme in the game until the new equipment “Jinbu,” used by the characters, was completed.
The track carries a palpable sense of tension, and for those who actually played the game, it likely brings back memories of the nerves from that very first battle scene.
Its excellence as a battle theme showcases the true strengths of the composer, Kohei Tanaka.
Time fades into oblivionTanaka Kouhei18rank/position
This is a piece used as the nighttime BGM of the Grand Imperial Theater in Sakura Wars.
Unlike the daytime version, it has a more subdued, gentle tone.
Although the Sakura Wars series is set in the fictional ‘Taisho Era,’ among its many BGMs this track in particular evokes the atmosphere of the real Taisho period.
In contrast to the tension of the battle scenes, it creates a very calm, peaceful mood.
Flowers dance in the imperial capitalTanaka Kouhei19rank/position
“Hana, Teito ni Mau” from Sakura Wars 4: Fall in Love, Maidens was released in 2002.
Composed by the series’ composer Kohei Tanaka, the piece is characterized by its grand and powerful melody.
I’m sure there are many who feel their hearts race when they hear its thrilling orchestral sound.
This track, which dramatically colored the opening of the story, deserves a spot on your playlist.
Blossoming MaidenTanaka Kouhei20rank/position
When it comes to the most famous song in the Sakura Wars series, the first game’s opening theme Geki! Teikoku Kagekidan is the obvious choice, but we mustn’t forget its counterpart, the ending theme Hanazaku Otome.
Its lyrics center on the theme of an actress reminiscing about her past.
Both composer Kohei Tanaka and lyricist Oji Hiroi have commented that they feel a particularly strong attachment to this piece, and it’s also highly popular among fans.