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Lovely senior life

Anime songs recommended for people in their 70s: nostalgic theme songs that let you feel the history of anime.

People in their 70s are a generation that has walked alongside the gradual increase and establishment of anime.

Since anime began gaining momentum in the 1960s, there are likely some who didn’t grow up engaging with it.

This time, we’ll introduce recommended anime songs that even people in their 70s may have heard.

For those who watched the shows, they’ll feel nostalgic, and even for others, these are songs that have gone down in anime history—offering a chance to learn about the progress of the culture.

Anime songs recommended for people in their 70s: nostalgic anison that let you feel the history of anime (21–30)

TouchIwasaki Yoshimi

Touch / Yoshimi Iwasaki / Full-size / With lyrics
TouchIwasaki Yoshimi

An anime theme song that captures the bittersweetness of youth was released in March 1985.

It’s a wonderful track featuring Yoshimi Iwasaki’s clear, transparent vocals and a melody that resonates deeply.

The lyrics convey the feelings of a girl in love with her childhood friend, leaving a lasting impression with its sweet, heartrending portrayal of adolescence.

The song drew major attention as the opening theme for the anime Touch and reached No.

12 on the Oricon Weekly Chart.

It has also become widely used as a cheer song for high school baseball, a staple performed in the stands.

With a melody everyone can hum along to, it’s a perfect choice for karaoke with friends.

Daichan Counting SongYoshida Yoshimi

"From 'Inakappe Taisho': Daichan Counting Song"
Daichan Counting SongYoshida Yoshimi

Known as an anime song with the flavor of enka, this piece was released in 1970.

It was put out under the name Yoshimi Yoshida by Yoshimi Tendo, who was a junior high school student at the time.

Beloved as the opening theme for the anime Inakappe Taisho, it features counting-song style lyrics.

The powerful vocals vividly express the protagonist’s growth, dreams, and earnest—if slightly clumsy—spirit.

The melody shaped by the rhythm of Japanese taiko drums and lyrics in the traditional 7-5 meter is striking, and it continues to be loved across generations, having been featured on NHK’s Shin BS Nihon no Uta in April 2023.

It’s a song that gives courage and energy to anyone setting out on a new step in life.

strollInoue Azumi

[My Neighbor Totoro] ♪ Stroll / Azumi Inoue
strollInoue Azumi

As the opening theme of Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbor Totoro, this song is captivating for Azumi Inoue’s clear, pure vocals.

Through the lively image of the main character going for a cheerful stroll, it portrays encounters with nature and the joy of friendship, delivering a heartwarming message with simple musicality.

The song was released alongside the film in 1988.

It’s familiar to many older adults, and singing it with a wide mouth naturally engages the muscles around the mouth, making it a fun way to support health—highly recommended for music recreation sessions.

Let’s all sing together and savor the pleasant springtime mood.

Hayato, the Zero FighterBōkaru Shoppu

Vocal Shop’s “Zero Sen Hayato” has continued to be loved by many as the theme song of an anime broadcast in 1964.

Composed by Takeo Watanabe, the song has long been cherished for its lively rhythm and distinctive calls and responses.

While the work deals with the heavy subject of war, its lyrics powerfully express a wish for peace, leaving a strong impression.

It may evoke a fragment of the youth of those who lived in an era where everyday life and war were intertwined.

As a song that conveys the history of anime, it can be enjoyed across generations.

Flames of the starsTōkyō Konsei Gasshōdan, Misuzu Jidō Gasshōdan

Star Flame 140 Version Space Ace Theme Song Misuzu Children's Choir, Tokyo Philharmonic Chorus
Flames of the starsTōkyō Konsei Gasshōdan, Misuzu Jidō Gasshōdan

Sung by the Misuzu Children’s Choir and the Tokyo Philharmonic Chorus, “In the Flame of the Stars” is the theme song for the 1965 anime Space Ace.

With lyrics by Takashi Yanase and a melody by Taku Izumi, it continues to capture listeners’ hearts across generations.

The song elegantly colors the tale of a boy whose adventures sparkle like the stars.

For those who lived through that era, it likely evokes images of their youthful days.

Enjoyable for audiences of any age, this work can rightly be called a landmark in anime music.

In conclusion

Although it may have been a generation when there were still relatively few anime during our childhood, many of the works we watched and the songs we listened to were rare and noteworthy, weren’t they? They’re all pieces that are deeply etched in history and let us feel the evolution of Japanese animation.

Since the things that feel nostalgic are what have supported that history, how about taking this opportunity to look back on the path we’ve traveled so far? Some have even been remade, so using these works and their music as a springboard, it might be nice to explore animations you haven’t seen before.