The music we loved as kids somehow sticks with us even after we grow up, doesn’t it?
In an unexpected moment, a song can start playing in your mind along with scenes from back then.
It brings on an indescribable feeling of nostalgia.
In this article, we’ve put together anime songs that people in their 40s will definitely want to check out.
Whether you were glued to the TV watching anime as a child, or you’re just getting into anime now, this is for you.
You might even find yourself time-traveling back to your childhood.
Anime songs recommended for people in their 40s: from nostalgic classics to the latest hits (1–10)
Until the world endsNEW!WANDS
SLAM DUNK – Until the World Ends
The 8th single chosen in 1994 as the ending theme for the landmark basketball manga SLAM DUNK became a million-seller and one of WANDS’s signature songs.
The lyrics, written by then-vocalist Sho Uesugi, depict loneliness and a sense of loss in the big city, infusing the personal pain of heartbreak with an urgent feeling that hints at the end of the world.
Composed by Tetsuro Oda, the driving melody merges perfectly with Uesugi’s soul-stirring vocals.
The song reached No.
1 on the Oricon weekly chart and stayed in the Top 10 for nine consecutive weeks.
For those who spent their youth with the anime, just hearing it may bring back a flood of memories.
It’s a classic that’s guaranteed to unite the room when everyone belts out the chorus at karaoke.
Mary’s Blood “Pegasus Fantasy” Music Video (released August 26, 2020)
A song by the rock band MAKE-UP, led by Nobuo “NoB” Yamada.
Used as the opening theme for the anime Saint Seiya, it even includes the anime’s title in the lyrics, making it a quintessential “anisong.” Its catchy vocal phrases and cool sound have kept it beloved for years, and NoB himself has re-recorded it with the band—truly a timeless classic.
[High Quality] Take Back the Love! (Subtitled).mp4
A song by Crystal King used as the opening theme for the anime Fist of the North Star.
The exhilarating contrast between the piercing high vocals and the powerful low vocals brings a refreshing edge to a work known for its frequent violent and grotesque depictions.
Though it is an anime theme song, it has been covered by numerous artists, making it a true gem.
This masterpiece expresses a bittersweet yearning for love through delicate imagery—like a crying figure reflected in a cracked mirror and fingers tracing the moon.
Chosen as the ending theme for the beloved classic anime Yu Yu Hakusho, it became a cross-generational favorite, thanks in part to Hiro Takahashi’s clear, translucent vocals.
Since its release in December 1993, it has been included on the albums WELCOME TO POPSICLE CHANNEL and Hiro Takahashi Best Collection, selling around 300,000 copies.
Its sweetly aching, love-like melody and arrangements that evoke the spirit of 1970s kayōkyoku create a gentle mood reminiscent of a romantic film soundtrack.
Savor this heartwarming song—one to treasure as a cherished memory.
[Duet with the original artist] DAN DAN Kokoro Hikareteku / FIELD OF VIEW’s Yuya Asaoka & CHIAKI
This song is characterized by its refreshing melody and lyrics that gradually intensify the feeling of being in love.
Captivated by the other person’s smile, it conveys a positive determination to break free from the darkness and the courage to embark on a new adventure.
Released in March 1996 by FIELD OF VIEW, the track features a powerful performance by the band and emotive vocals in perfect harmony, and it also drew attention as the opening theme for the anime Dragon Ball GT.
With heartwarming lyrics by Izumi Sakai and a memorable melodic line by Tetsurō Oda, this is a highly recommended song for those who want to relate to the feelings of being in love or look back on memories of their youth.
Masako Maeda – Smile Bomb (theme song of Yu Yu Hakusho)
Yu Yu Hakusho is one of manga artist Yoshihiro Togashi’s signature works, and its anime adaptation was also a hit, with an average viewer rating of 17.
6%.
The opening theme is Smile Bomb, sung by Matsuko Mawatari.
Its highest position on the Oricon chart was 45th.
