Music and Japanese anime have always been intertwined. The intro and end credits are always accompanied by a song – usually one that embodies the show or film’s worldview. In the ’60s anime developed into a musical genre in its own right, evolving into what is now one of the most popular types of Japanese music out there. Anisong, or anime music, is a music genre in itself, that appeared along with TV anime series.The first song designed for an animation work was created in 1963 for the anime Tetsuwan Atom (Astro Boy). At the time, most anime openings and endings were sung by children’s choirs, or sometimes by one of the main voice actors of the show.
It was not until the early 70s that singers specialized in anime songs appeared. One of the first singers was Mitsuko HORIE who sang the second opening of Kurenai Sanshirô (Judo Boy). Soon after her, the major voices of Japanese animation showed up with Isao SASAKI (Yamato, Grendizer) or Ichirô MIZUKI (Captain Harlock, Mazinger Z). Opening and ending songs are featured all along the series, which maked producers take great care with them. This trend recedes with City Hunter in 1987 and to this day as songs unrelated to the anime they feature in are chosen as openings and endings.
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