Lovely anime song

[Showa Classics] A Collection of Nostalgic 70s Anime Songs

Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICKeisuke Hane
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. After working at a music studio and in wedding sound engineering, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with various instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in middle school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on personal music activities and professional experience, produces daily articles, including song introductions, features on music festivals around Japan, and live reports. Enjoys a wide range of music, from domestic and international rock to, more recently, a broad spectrum of J-pop.

Back in the 1970s, many iconic anime that represent Japan were broadcast.

Not only the anime themselves, but their theme songs have also captivated many people since those days.

In this article, we’ll introduce a wide selection of nostalgic anime songs from the ’70s for those who remember that era.

We’ve picked everything from timeless standards you still hear often today to unforgettable classics you might not have heard recently but can hum the moment they start playing.

As you look back on those times, take this opportunity to sit back and enjoy these nostalgic masterpieces.

[Showa Era Classics] Nostalgic 1970s Anime Songs Collection (11–20)

Song of Hakushon DaimaoYuri Shimazaki

Song of Hakushon Daimao

The Song of Hakushon Daimaō by Yuri Shimazaki

Starting with adorable opening sound effects, the friendly lyrics vividly conjure the image of a great demon king emerging from a magic jar.

His character—honest, quick to tears, and full of human warmth—is wonderfully portrayed, making this a heartwarming piece that children and adults alike can enjoy.

Yuri Shimazaki’s bright, soaring vocals further enhance the comedic storytelling atmosphere.

Released by Nippon Columbia in October 1969, it gained popularity as the opening theme for a Fuji TV–broadcast anime airing at the same time.

It’s a perfect track for moments when everyone wants to have fun together—like family time on holidays or children’s events.

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Fly! GrendizerIsao Sasaki

[Official] UFO Robo Grendizer Episode 1: "Koji Kabuto and Duke Fleed" <1970s Anime>

Fly! Grendizer - Isao Sasaki

This is a heroic anthem characterized by a powerful melody and a message that resonates with the heart.

Depicting the exploits of a protagonist and a robot who protect the peace of Earth, the work’s gallant tone vividly expresses a deep appreciation for the planet’s beauty and the preciousness of peace.

Isao Sasaki’s passionate vocals convey courage and hope in the face of invaders from space.

Released in 1975, it was used as the opening theme for the TV anime UFO Robo Grendizer, which aired from that same year through 1977.

It was re-released in June 1998.

Highly recommended for those who want to thrill to the tale of a hero fighting for peace or draw energy from a fiery sense of justice.

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Please tell me.Kayoko Iju

Kayoko Iju – Oshiete (2002)

Teach me, Kayoko Iju.

This is the theme song of the anime Heidi, Girl of the Alps, which aired in 1974 as part of the World Masterpiece Theater series and is based on children’s literature by Swiss author Johanna Spyri.

The sound has a majestic, sunny feel—as if gazing out over the Alpine mountains where the story is set—and it seems to reflect the protagonist Heidi’s bright, straightforward personality.

The timbre of the brass at the beginning and the yodeling chorus draw listeners into the world of the work.

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Brave RaideenMasato Shimon

Brave Raideen

Hero Reideen Komon Makoto

Set to a march-like midtempo that lifts the spirit, the song—paired with Masato Shimon’s expansive vocals—feels as if it portrays a radiant guardian of the skies soaring through the light.

Its friendly, accessible melody, beloved by children and adults alike, vividly depicts a righteous hero’s bravery, infused with a sense of duty to protect peace and a steadfast resolve to carry the hopes of the people.

Broadcast as the opening theme for a robot anime that began in April 1975, it earned high acclaim as a masterpiece that perfectly captured the show’s worldview.

In November 1980, a soundtrack album was released by Nippon Columbia, and it continues to captivate many fans.

It’s a track that, when played during your morning commute to work or school, makes you feel like the protagonist yourself and gives you the courage to face a brand-new day.

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Genius BakabonIdol Four

[Episode 1] Tensai Bakabon (1971) | A filmed adaptation of a masterpiece gag comic by Fujio Akatsuka, the king of gag manga | TMS 60th Anniversary

Genius Bakabon Idol Four

One of the manga artists whose name is etched in Japanese history, Fujio Akatsuka, is best known for his work Tensai Bakabon.

This song is the opening theme of the very first anime in the long‑loved Tensai Bakabon series, which also includes live-action dramas, and it’s an indispensable element when discussing the franchise.

Throughout the song, it deliberately sings incorrect “facts,” and as a result many listeners even ended up remembering the direction of the sunrise incorrectly.

It’s a track that strongly conveys a positive message—namely, that it’s okay to be wrong.

The vocals are performed by the Idol Four, known for mood kayo (mood ballads) and comic songs.

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Galaxy Express 999Isao Sasaki

Galaxy Express 999 [Isao Sasaki] High Quality Audio

Galaxy Express 999 Isao Sasaki

Galaxy Express 999 is one of Leiji Matsumoto’s signature works, said to have been inspired by Kenji Miyazawa’s Night on the Galactic Railroad and Maurice Maeterlinck’s The Blue Bird.

As it portrays the struggles of the protagonist, Tetsurō Hoshino, and the absurdities of this world, the work is also characterized by a somewhat dark tonal palette.

The opening theme song likewise carries a nostalgic impression that matches the atmosphere of the series.

It’s a piece that conveys a sense of loneliness—like continuing a journey while believing that one day you’ll reach hope.

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[Masterpieces of the Showa Era] A Collection of Nostalgic 1970s Anime Songs (21–30)

Haikara-san: Here Comes Miss ModernShosuke Sekita

Haikarasan ga Tōru ~Anime Theme Song~ cover

Haikara-san Ga Tōru Sekita Shosuke

Haikara-san ga Tooru is one of Waki Yamato’s signature manga works, set in the Taisho era.

The TV anime aired from June 1978 to March 1979, and the opening theme was sung by Shosuke Sekita.

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