One essential element that cannot be overlooked in anime from Japan is the opening and ending theme songs, which appear at the beginning, end, or during specific dramatic moments, often closely tied to the storyline. If you are a fan who grew up in the 90s, a golden era for many famous anime, you have surely heard many iconic songs that, whenever played, instantly remind you of which series they belong to. Below are 20 outstanding anime songs from the 90s, ranked by the highest votes from Japanese fans on Charapedia last week:
20. “Tamashii no Refrain”
Artist: Takahashi Yōko
Anime: Neon Genesis Evangelion
Tamashii no Refrain LIVE
19. “Otome no Policy”
Artist: Ishida Yōko
Anime: Sailor Moon
Ishida Yoko – Otome no Policy (Maiden’s Policy)
18. “Will”
Artist: Yonekura Chihiro
Anime: “Hōshin Engi”
Yonekura Chihiro – WILL
17. “JUST COMMUNICATION”
Artist: TWO-MIX
Anime: New Mobile Report Gundam Wing
GUNDAM WING Opening Concert – Just Communication – Two-Mix
16. “Unmei no Roulette Mawashite”
Artist: ZARD
Anime: Detective Conan
Detective Conan OP 04 – Unmei no Roulette Mawashite
15. “My Friend”
Artist: ZARD
Anime: “Slam Dunk”
ZARD – My Friend
14. “ETERNAL WIND – Hohoemiwa Hikaru Kazeno Naka -”
Artist: Moriguchi Hiroko
Anime: Mobile Suit Gundam F91
ETERNAL WIND – Hiroko Moriguchi
13. “Rinbu – Revolution -”
Artist: Okui Masami
Anime: “Revolutionary Girl Utena”
Masami Okui – Rinbu Revolution
12. “Nazo”
Artist: Komatsu Miho
Anime: Detective Conan
Komatsu Miho – Nazo
11. “Geki! Teikoku Kagekidan”
Artists: Yokoyama Chisa and the “Teikoku Kagekidan” group
Anime: “Sakura Wars”
Geki! Teikoku Kagekidan
10. “Arashi no Naka de Kagayaite”
Artist: Yonekura Chihiro
Anime: Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team
Yonekura Chihiro – Arashi no Naka de Kagayaite
9. “Platinum”
Artist: Sakamoto Maaya
Anime: Cardcaptor Sakura
Sakamoto Maaya – Platinum
8. “Hohoemi no Bakudan”
Artist: Mawatari Matsuko
Anime: YuYu Hakusho
Mawatari Matsuko – Hohoemi no Bakudan
7. “Moonlight Densetsu”
Artist: DALI
Anime: Sailor Moon
DALI – Moonlight Densetsu
6. “Yuzurenai Negai”
Artist: Tamura Naomi
Anime: Magic Night Rayearth
Tamura Naomi – Yuzurenai Negai
5. “Sobakasu”
Artists: Judy and Mary
Anime: Rurouni Kenshin
Judy and Mary – Sobakasu
4. “Give a reason”
Artist: Hayashibara Megumi
Anime: Slayers Next
Hayashibara Megumi – Give A Reason
3. “You Get To Burning”
Artist: Matsuzawa Yumi
Anime: Martian Successor Nadesico
Yumi Matsuzawa – YOU GET TO BURNING
2. “Mezase Pocket Master”
Artist: Matsumoto Rica
Anime: Pokémon
Matsumoto Rica – Mezase Pocket Master
1. “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis”
Artist: Takahashi Yōko
Anime: Neon Genesis Evangelion
Takahashi Yoko – A Cruel Angel’s Thesis
It is not surprising that even in the two decades that followed, the song “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis,” a classic, still captures the hearts of Japanese audiences and dominates karaoke rooms as usual. However, what is particularly striking is the song that ranked second, “Mezase Pocket Master” from the anime “Pokémon.”
Surely there will be many who feel nostalgic about their youthful days after listening to the above songs, while also yearning for the wonderful times they experienced during that splendid decade. So what are you waiting for? Quickly create a playlist of all these classic anime songs, at least 20 tracks long!
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