![[Classic Hits] Popular Anime Songs Representing the Showa Era. Also Introducing Recommended Anime Songs!](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/uTqUiqszKAg/maxresdefault.webp)
There are so many masterpieces from the Showa-era anime that have gone down in history, aren’t there?
Even if you don’t remember the plots that well, many people can still sing the theme songs—or the moment they hear a song, the anime comes rushing back.
Here, we’re showcasing a generous selection, including anime songs that were big hits in the Showa period and tracks that are being reappraised today through the lens of city pop’s popularity.
When you get together with friends from the same generation who watched those shows, a karaoke session with a “Showa anime songs only” rule is sure to be a blast.
And of course, even if you don’t know much about anime from that era but are curious, please give these songs a listen!
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Classic Hits: Popular Anime Songs Representing the Showa Era. Recommended Anime Songs, Too! (1–10)
Galaxy Express 999Godiego
This song by Godiego was released in 1979 as the theme for the film version of Galaxy Express 999.
The year before, in 1978, Godiego had scored a hit with the theme for Journey to the West, and this track too can be seen as breaking free from the conventional boundaries of anime theme songs.
Just hearing the intro conjures an image brimming with hope for the future, doesn’t it? It’s easy to see why this masterpiece has been loved across generations.
I'll give you romanceUshio Hashimoto
A song by female singer Ushio Hashimoto, who calls herself a “maverick legendary anisong singer” and has performed numerous anime and kids’ songs.
Used as the ending theme for the TV anime Dragon Ball, the track captivated viewers with its contrast to the well-known opening theme, “Mystical Adventure!” Many listeners were likely reminded of an anime heroine by her voice, which blends cuteness and sensuality.
Even today, it’s often cited as a classic Showa-era anime song and stands as a signature number of this beloved national boys’ anime.
City Hunter ~Don't Let Love Disappear~Kahoru Kohiruimaki
This is one of Kahoru Kohiruimaki’s signature songs, best known as the opening theme for the quintessential Showa-era anime City Hunter.
Released in May 1987, it was used from episode 1 through episode 26.
Its distinctive sound fuses 80s city pop with rock, and the energetic tempo perfectly matches the anime’s atmosphere.
The lyrics, which sing of a poignant longing for lost love, resonate deeply with listeners.
It’s a must-listen not only for anime fans but also for anyone interested in 80s music—and it’s guaranteed to be a hit at karaoke.
Summer MirageKanako Wada
Kanako Wada’s classic song, released in August 1987, is known as the ending theme of the anime Kimagure Orange Road.
With a motif of a summer mirage, its lyrics delicately portray a fleeting yet bittersweet love, leaving a lasting impression.
The light yet nostalgic melody pairs beautifully with Wada’s gentle vocals.
Incorporating elements of city pop and synth-pop, the track epitomizes the sound of Japan’s 1980s music scene and conjures up dreamlike summer landscapes for listeners.
It’s a must-listen not only for those who feel nostalgic for Showa-era anime songs, but also for younger generations interested in ’80s music.
TouchYoshimi Iwasaki
This is the 20th single by female singer Yoshimi Iwasaki, who has produced numerous anime song hits and, upon resuming her singing career, studied French and chanson to broaden her expressive range.
The song was used as the opening theme for the TV anime Touch and is also known as Iwasaki’s biggest hit.
The lyrics and melody, which expand on the work’s themes of baseball and romance, evoke a refreshing yet poignant feeling that brings scenes from the anime vividly back to mind.
Though a classic from the Showa era, it is a masterpiece loved across generations and one that will surely remain in the history of J-pop.
Love Song of LumYuko Matsuya
This is the debut single by Yuko Matsutani, a female singer who was active as a voice actress in the 1980s and has effectively retired from show business today.
The song was written as the theme for the TV anime Urusei Yatsura, and Matsutani’s self-cover in 2005 also drew attention.
Its cute lyrics and melody create a perfect contrast with the strongly comedic tone of the anime, likely making viewers’ hearts race at the time.
Even now, it frequently ranks high among songs that men want women to sing at karaoke—an enduring anime classic known across generations.
Get WildTM NETWORK
This is the 10th single by the three-member music unit TM NETWORK, which has continued to evolve with a style that incorporates contemporary trends in each album, based on the TK sound that dominated the J-POP scene in the 1990s.
Designed from the outset to be the ending theme for the TV anime City Hunter, its urban, fast-paced arrangement is superb.
The melody, which blends an exhilarating feel with a touch of melancholy that links to the anime’s story, has earned support from listeners across generations.
It’s one of TM NETWORK’s signature songs—an immensely popular anime theme that also transcends the confines of “anisong.”