Autumn anime songs: iconic tracks for the deepening fall

Hitominakablock

Hitominaka / Tei [MV] (TV Anime 'Tsurune: The Linking Shot' Ending Theme)

Singer-songwriter Tei.

Not only does she have a beautiful singing voice, but her style of singing while accompanying herself on a mini harp has garnered a great deal of attention.

Tei wrote “Hitominaka” as the ending theme for the anime Tsurune: The Linking Shot.

It’s a song filled with hope and anticipation for the future, with the mini harp’s tones creating a dreamy, ethereal atmosphere.

I hope you’ll listen to it in a dreamlike state and let it heal you.

The Last PromiseMariko Kouda

The Final Promise [with lyrics]

This song was used as an insert track in the anime Marmalade Boy, which is based on a shoujo manga.

It’s sung by Mariko Kouda, who is also active as a voice actress and narrator.

The lyrics capture the heartbreaking feelings of having to part from someone you love, and they really hit home even just reading them.

Kouda’s delicate voice is wonderful, too—it feels like it delves deeper into the song’s world.

Autumn often brings a mysterious sense of loneliness, and this sad love ballad is a perfect fit for that season.

Hold meMaaya Sakamoto

Maaya Sakamoto “Hold Me” Music Video (Full Ver.)

This song evokes the start of a new day, bathed in warm sunlight.

Released digitally in January 2024, it was selected as the ending theme for Season 2 of the WOWOW anime The Fire Hunter.

Maaya Sakamoto’s gentle vocals offer comforting closeness to the listener.

With lyrics by Senri Oe, it expresses the feeling of cherishing the small joys of everyday life.

On an autumn day worn down by busyness, when you feel like pausing to reflect on your own dreams and wishes, please give this piece a listen.

It’s sure to bring you peace.

WindAkeboshi

Akeboshi – “Wind” (Studio Session)

It’s an anime song that somehow puts you in a nostalgic mood.

It was the first ending theme of the hugely popular anime NARUTO, which has fans all over the world, sung by Akeboshi, a singer-songwriter from Kanagawa Prefecture.

It’s included on his first mini-album, STONED TOWN, released in 2002.

The song’s appeal lies in its wistful tone centered around the piano.

It also gives the impression of overseas folk music.

The lyrics carry an encouraging message to keep moving straight toward your goals.

It’s a song I recommend listening to while feeling the autumn breeze on your skin.

Square of the sacred number 3Kanako Itou

Square of the sacred number three

This is a song by Kanako Itou, who is also known for performing theme songs for works like “When the Higurashi Cry” and “STEINS;GATE.” It was released in 2016 as her 19th single.

Her mysterious vocals and the hard rock sound are a perfect fit.

Still far away.Maaya Sakamoto

Maaya Sakamoto "Still Far Away" Music Video (Short Ver.)

Maaya Sakamoto, who is active in many fields as an actress, voice actress, and singer, created “Mada Tooku ni Iru” as the ending theme for the anime The Fire Hunter.

The unusual ring of this phrase—combining two words that normally wouldn’t be paired—naturally piques your interest.

The song’s A and B sections are arranged in an operatic style, then shift dramatically into a rock-like sound for the chorus.

Also pay close attention to the lyrics and the instrumental interlude, which evoke the anime’s grand sense of scale.

DREAM×SCRAMBLE!AiRI

AiRI / DREAM×SCRAMBLE! - Preview Video (TV Anime “Keijo!!!!!!!!” Opening Theme)

This is the song used as the opening theme for the anime Keijo!!!!!!!!, which depicts a story about girls battling in a sport that’s part sports drama and part gag comedy.

The brisk, exhilarating sound feels great to listen to.