[Theme Song & BGM] Popular Anime Soundtrack Special

Lupin the Third Original SoundtrackYuji Ohno

Lupin the Third Theme ’78 – Yuji Ohno

Released in 1978, Lupin the Third Original Soundtrack is arguably one of the most famous anime soundtracks in Japan.

The irresistibly cool and stylish sound of Lupin the Third, crafted by Yuji Ohno—one of Japan’s foremost jazz pianists and composers—stands as a perfectly realized musical work on its own.

In particular, Theme from Lupin the Third is not only a theme song that belongs in the annals of animation history, but an eternal masterpiece of Japanese jazz.

Another distinctive feature is the inclusion of freshly recorded, lively dialogue exchanges by the main cast so familiar to the Showa generation—Yasuo Yamada, Kiyoshi Kobayashi, Makio Inoue, Eiko Masuyama, and Goro Naya.

However, since some tracks have dialogue inserted midway, those who want to enjoy only the music are advised to pick up a reissue that includes the pre-edit versions as bonus tracks.

As an aside, this album is the soundtrack to the TV series’ second season; the first TV adaptation of Lupin the Third aired in 1971, and the music then was not by Ohno but by Takeo Yamashita—another leading Japanese jazz musician and a composer of international renown.

A bit of trivia to remember: that famous theme was born starting with the second series!

Yutra♨ Yuri!!! on ICE / Original SoundtrackShōjima Taku, Umebayashi Tarō

DEAN FUJIOKA – “History Maker 〜HITM Ver.〜” Music Video

Yuri!!! on ICE is an anime that portrays the story of young people striving to push each other to greater heights in the world of figure skating.

It also drew attention for having DEAN FUJIOKA—who is active as an actor and model—perform the opening theme.

Figure skating and music are inseparable.

However, the soundtrack introduced here isn’t a collection of the songs played during competition scenes; it’s a compilation of background music used in the drama parts and elsewhere.

Even so, every track is of high quality and truly resonates with the heart.

If you’ve watched Yuri!!! on ICE, I bet these tracks will bring specific scenes to mind the moment you hear them.

Over the StarSaki Oshitani

OVER THE STAR

This is a ballad whose grand sound, woven by piano and acoustic guitar, evokes the boundless cosmos.

Released as a single in June 2009, it was featured as an insert song in episode 17 of the anime Dragon Ball Kai.

It movingly sings of the courage born from thinking of someone dear and a prayer for the future.

The lyrics, imbued with a strong will to overcome fate and move forward, resonate deeply with listeners.

It will surely gently illuminate your heart as you strive toward your goals.

TV Anime “Forest of Piano” Music CollectionHarumi Fuki

Rie Murakawa / Place of Beginnings (TV Anime “Forest of Piano” Season 2 Ending Theme)

The anime Piano no Mori unfolds from the moment the protagonist, Kai Ichinose—who grew up playing a piano in the forest from a young age—meets his classmate Shūhei Amamiya, who aspires to be a pianist, and their teacher, the former pianist Sōsuke Ajino.

As the title and synopsis suggest, the work features many famous piano pieces and classical music.

However, what we’re introducing here is the soundtrack of Piano no Mori’s original compositions, which play during the drama segments and more.

It’s a collection of BGM that conveys the atmosphere of each scene and the characters’ emotional shifts.

The key point might be that it’s “not just piano pieces.”

TV anime 'Sound! Euphonium' Original Soundtrack: 'Memory Music'Akito Matsuda

Tutti!

Hibike! Euphonium, a hugely popular anime by Kyoto Animation with a music theme like K-On!, is based on Ayano Takeda’s novels and carefully portrays an ensemble drama of high school students spending their youthful days in a concert band.

Naturally, the soundtrack of Hibike! Euphonium is highly acclaimed and enjoys strong popularity on its own.

In this article, let’s introduce the Season 1 TV anime soundtrack, Omoide Music.

The score by composer Akito Matsuda—who openly calls himself an anime and voice-actor enthusiast—comes in a lavish two-disc set packed with everything from the famous concert band classics featured in the show to brand-new pieces written specifically for this work.

The performances are by the Senzoku Gakuen College of Music Freshman Wind Ensemble.

Whether you have experience in wind ensemble or not, simply listening might spark your interest in the world of concert band.

Ta-da☆Zedd feat. C&K

TV Anime “Dragon Ball DAIMA” Non-Credit Opening Video | “Jaka☆Jaan”

It’s the opening theme for the TV anime Dragon Ball DAIMA.

This track sparks a chemical reaction between cutting-edge dance music crafted by Grammy-winning producer Zedd and the soul-stirring vocals of C&K! The exhilarating feeling that heralds the start of an adventure and the lyrics depicting bonds with friends link perfectly with the story’s worldview.

Whether you’ve been following the series or are discovering it for the first time, it’s a moving masterpiece that’s sure to set your heart ablaze.

ignited -Ignited-T.M.Revolution

T.M.Revolution “ignited” (TV anime Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY opening theme song)

A powerful number that fuses electronic sounds with hard rock, depicting the resolve and inner conflict of a protagonist swept up by the fate of battle! The heavy sound woven by synthesizers and fierce guitar riffs captures the very tension of an interstellar war.

Released in November 2004, this song was selected as the first opening theme for the TV anime Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY, and it claimed the top spot on the Oricon Weekly Chart for the first time in about six years.

The lyrics, imbued with a strong will to uphold one’s beliefs on the battlefield and a pure desire to protect the ones you love, are sure to push you forward when you face major life decisions.