Throwback Thursday| Anime OSTs from My Childhood

Hellooooo~ I was thinking of lots of different things to do for my TBT post today. However, I thought I would kick it back and just talk about some memorable anime soundtracks from my childhood. Kenny had a similar post that had some great anime openings. Make sure to check that one out too~ The anime openings and endings I will talk about today are basically some of the songs that despite over a decade, I can still remember and jam to. I’ll be sticking to the anime OSTs from before my teenage years. Before I get into it, let me explain something. I’m an American born and raised Asian chick. However, throughout my childhood I basically spent ever summer in Asia. My parents wanted me to be visit my family, experience the motherland, and be fluent with the mother tongue. So I basically spent every summer in Thailand, and I would often watch the original Japanese versions of the animes that were dubbed in Thai. I would also watch plenty of animes that at the time hadn’t been released in the US yet. Basically, I was watching alot of anime before Toonami and all that. Although, I will admit that I don’t remember most of these damn series at all…I only remember the songs. Perhaps I’ll re-watch some of these for future TBT posts. Still, accompany me on my mini journey of nostalgia~ I’d also like to note that these songs are in no particular order.

美少女戦士セーラームーン/BISHOUJO SENSHI SERA MUN
(PRETTY SOLDIER SAILOR MOON/PRETTY GUARDIAN SAILOR MOON/SAILOR MOON)

Dali: ムーンライト伝説/Moonlight Densetsu (Moonlight Legend)

You all had to have known that this would’ve been on my list right? It’s not just because I’m a hella basic Asian chick though. The Sailor Moon series is an iconic anime; Both overall and in regards to the shoujo and mahou shoujo genres. This anime series will forever hold a special place in my heart. I loved the series so much while growing up. I had a box set of the anime (dubbed in Thai), the movies on DVD and VHS, Sailor Moon dolls and toys, and a Sailor Moon dress up sticker doll set. While the US version of the Sailor Moon theme song is catchy and fun to sing to, it’ll never beat the original opening. Even with Sailor Moon being rebooted with Sailor Moon Crystal, “Moonlight Densetsu“ will always be the best Sailor Moon opening. You can also bet that I’m down to sing/karaoke this at any time.

 

新機動戦記ガンダムW(ウイング)/SHIN KIDOU SENKI GANDAMU WINGU
(NEW MOBILE REPORT GUNDAM WING/MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM WING)

Two-Mix: Just Communication

I’ve said it many times before, that I mostly grew up on girly shoujo anime series. However, Gundam Wing was one of the few non-shoujo series that I watched and enjoyed. I mainly got into it because of my uncle (mom’s younger cousin; Asians don’t do that complicated “second cousin, twice removed” bullshit), who was 6 years older than me. He was obsessed with the Gundam series and franchise. He used to collect and build all sorts of Gundam model kits. He still does to this day, and he proudly has them displayed all over his condo. I basically watched alot of series because of him. I admit I don’t remember much of the series, but this was one of my favorite anime OST songs at the time. I also have a random fact for you. Anyone a fan of Detective Conan (aka Case Closed)? Well Takayama Minami, the Japanese voice actress for Conan, sang this song. To be more accurate, she’s half of the duo Two-Mix.

少女革命ウテナ/SHOUJO KAKUMEI UTENA (Revolutionary Girl Utena)

奥井 雅美/Okui Masami: 輪舞/Rinbu Revolution (Round Dance Revolution)

Not going to lie. I don’t even really remember the Utena anime. All I remember was something about swords and Utena being a badass. I just remember her refusing to be a princess waiting to be saved. Rather, she aimed to be the prince and protect others. I think. Again, it’s incredibly fuzzy. I just remember my uncle used to watch it, and that I’d watch it on TV in the afternoon when he was at school. I don’t think I realized that it was a yuri series at the time though. I do believe that this series was raved about for having a strong female protagonist though. Though I can’t recall the series very well, I clearly remember the opening from this series despite it being like 20 years later.

 

 

新白雪姫伝説プリーティア/SHIN SHIRAYUKI-HIME DENSETSU PURIITIA   (Prétear/Prétear: The New Legend of Snow White)

石田 燿子/Ishida Yoko – White Destiny

This one is fuzzy too, but I do remember it was an enjoyable mahou-shoujo series. If I remember correctly (and as it’s obvious in the title), this had a big Snow White kind of theme/influence to it. I think this was one of the few mahou-shoujo series that I liked and didn’t cringe too much with. Although, I do remember feeling like it was an incredibly short series. The opening definitely fits the mahou shoujo vibe though.

 

 

るろうに剣心 -明治剣客浪漫譚/RURONI KENSHIN – MEIJI KENKAKU ROMAN TAN
(Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story/ Ruroni Kenshin/ Samurai X)

川本真琴/ Kawamoto Makoto: 1/2

Okay, finally an anime that I can actually remember (for the most part)! I loved the series when I was growing up. It’s one of the series where I did collect some dvds and the Thai boxed set of the anime. I basically loved almost all of the songs from this series. Though, I’ll admit I didn’t particularly care for “Freckles”.  I preferred “1/2″~ It was upbeat, but not in an annoying way for me. On a random note: I specifically remembered bonding and becoming better friends with Kenny because of this series (though it was more on the live action movie that came out then).

T.M. Revolution: Heart of Sword

I loved this ending. I don’t know why, but I always felt hella hyped when I heard it. It’s my most favorite out of the series’ endings. Yes, it has a hella 90’s sound to it. But it’s one of the things I love about it.

Bonnie Pink: It’s Gonna Rain

I just always liked Bonnie Pink. This is one of my favorite anime songs to karaoke to~

 

妖しのセレス/AYASHI NO CERES
(The Mystery of Ceres/Ceres, Celestial Legend)

岩男潤子/Iwao Junko: スカーレット/Sakuretto (Scarlet) 

I once mentioned that I was a big fan of Watase Yuu’s different manga series. Although, I’ll admit I’d probably be hella annoyed by various things if I were to re-watch it now. The opening for the series was performed by Iwao Junko, who also voiced Ceres in the series. It’s a beautifully sad ballad piece.

Day-Break: Cross My Heart

Not going to lie, I loved the songs for the series. However, the endings weren’t very impressive. The ED animation was pretty boring compared to the OP animation. Though I guess I shouldn’t be too tough since it was around 2000-2001. I still liked the song though. It’s got that late 90s sound to it too, but I liked it.

名探偵コナン/MEITANTEI KONAN
(Detective Conan/Case Closed)

小松未歩/ Komatsu Miho: 謎/Nazo (Mystery) [Opening #3]

Detective Conan has been probably the longest running series that I’ve ever read or watched. The anime’s been running since 1996! There have been various opening and ending OSTs for the series. However, I always remember and associate this one with the series.

There was also a remake version by idol group La Pom Pom that was used as Opening #41. Was I the only one reminded of Girls’ Generation’s “Catch Me If You Can” by La Pom Pom’s second outfits?

Another fun fact about the series: Remember how I was talking about Takayama Minami of Two-Mix? Not only did she provide the voice for Conan, but she was also married to Aoyama Gosho, the creator of Detective Conan, for 2 years before they split up.

-BONUS-
I don’t think I’ve ever actually watched うる星やつら/Urusei Yatsura. I do remember it coming up on the TV sometimes, so I remember the theme song ラムのラブソング/Lum no Love Song (Lum’s Love Song). The series is by Takahashi Rumiko. You might recognize her other works such as: Ranma ½ (らんま1/2), Rin-ne (境界のRINNE), Inuyasha (犬夜叉), and Maison Ikkoku (めぞん一刻).

I thought I’d throw in the 2012 remake by Orange Caramel (A sub-unit from the K-Pop girl-group, After School). They’re all so prettyyyy~ I love Nana~