[Summer Anisongs] Iconic and Popular Anime Tracks That Feel Like Summer

Summer of GoodbyeAoi Teshima

Eng sub From Up on Poppy Hill “Summer of Goodbye” with lyrics, covered by Miho Kuroda

The theme song from Studio Ghibli’s 2011 coming-of-age film From Up on Poppy Hill.

The movie portrays high school students living earnestly during Japan’s period of rapid economic growth in the Showa era.

Set to a melody that moves between a touch of sadness and a hint of joy, it expresses a young woman’s feelings for the man she likes.

It doesn’t evoke a vividly fresh summer, but rather a summer scene with a certain shadow cast over it.

It’s a slightly bittersweet song that conveys both parting and the hope that follows.

HAJIKE-YO!!Aoi Sorano (CV: Sayaka Kitahara)

Aoi Sorano (Voiced by Sayaka Kitahara) “HAJIKE-YO!!” (Music Video)

It’s the ending theme of the anime Inazuma Eleven GO.

It gives off a refreshing summer vibe, and you can imagine your spirits rising along with the temperature.

It’s an uplifting anime song that’s also great as background music while driving.

mellowKeina Suda

Suda Keina – Mellow (Music Video)

Keina Suda, who is also active as a Vocaloid producer, created “Mellow” as the opening theme for the anime Skip and Loafer.

The word “mellow” can mean “soft light,” and in the song, love is depicted through the metaphor of mellowness.

In recent years, slow-tempo tracks with a relaxed atmosphere are often described as “mellow songs,” and this piece fits that description perfectly.

It also features many phrases that evoke the feeling of summer, which is another highlight.

Shining in the StormChihiro Yonekura

[MAD/AMV] Live Audio: Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team Theme Song “Shine in the Storm” 4K High Quality

This is the opening theme of the anime Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team.

Sung by Chihiro Yonekura—an artist who has performed numerous anime theme songs—it was her debut single, released in 1996.

It’s a passionate anison with a powerful message: no matter how difficult things get, face them head-on! In the muggy, scorching humidity of summer, you might need energetic music like this to turn the heat into something fun.

It’s also a great pick for belting out at karaoke.

1/2Makoto Kawamoto

1/2 Makoto Kawamoto - Guitar [Rurouni Kenshin] Cover

It’s the opening theme of the anime Rurouni Kenshin.

The lyrics depict a passionate love that won’t lose even to the heat of summer, making it intensely fiery.

Because Rurouni Kenshin’s visuals were created to match the music, the song and the anime’s world are perfectly aligned.

As a result, every song associated with the anime became a massive hit.

Venus LineKohmi Hirose

Venus Line

Kohmi Hirose is one of Japan’s leading singer-songwriters.

She wrote “Venus Line” as the opening theme for the anime BIRDIE WING -Golf Girls’ Story-.

It’s a jazz-tinged track featuring piano and violin, and its lyrics capture the buoyant excitement of the protagonist who pours her heart into sports.

Also noteworthy is how the lyrics use expressions premised on the anime’s story—for example, reading “daikyū” (a struck ball) as “kibō” (hope).

Meteor Dance FloorORESAMA

ORESAMA / Meteor Dance Floor - MUSIC VIDEO - (TV Anime “Magical Circle Guruguru” Cour 2 Opening Theme)

The opening theme of the anime Magical Circle Guruguru.

With a disco-like sound, it’s a track that makes you want to start dancing.

Its sparkling vibe is pleasant to the ears, so I think it’s perfect for listening while gazing up at the summer night sky.