Sounds of Anime & Tokusatsu

This is my third post for January’s Hello Japan Mini Challenge – Music to my ears. This time I want to do a little flash back to my childhood.

I could say that the 1st Japanese Music I’ve heard is music from the opening of Anime & Tokusatsu.

I’m sure that everyone knows what Anime is…but some of you might know nothing about Tokusatsu. Tokusatsu is Japanese live action superheroes, such as Ultraman, Kamen Rider and Power Rangers (American Tokusatsu).

As time goes by, changes are happenng in Anime & Tokusatsu’s soundtrack…and that’s what I want to talk about here.

When I was in my late elementary years and in the beginning of my junior high years…I saw lots of Anime and Tokusatsu, they were the first reason I like Japan. At that time, their opening songs are so iconic and original. Original because they really made a song for the Anime & Tokusatsu…the songs really defined what the show is all about. Iconic because everyone remembers that song even after years of stop watching it and even the people who didn’t watch the show know about that song.

Kids remembered the lyric both the sub-dubbed one or the original one.

Here are some example of those iconic Anime & Tokusatsu’s opening songs.

Doraemon, Anime that has run for more than 30years, has the most unfogetable song.

Konna koto ina, dekitara ina, anna yumme konna yumme ippai aru kedo, minna minna minna kanaete kureru, fushigi na pokette kanaete fureru…aji sonna tabita ina…ee take koputa…an an an totemo daisuki…Doraemon (Translation: I want to do this, I want to do that, there are so many things I want to do, everything can be granted from the magic pocket…).

Tho it’s been 20 years since I 1st watch this anime…I stil remember the song and I still watch it once in a while too

Google V, it was the 1st tokusastu I’ve ever watched…Power ranger is somewhat like Google V. I used to sing along whenever the opening song started. Since I didn’t know Japanese back then,I made up my own lyric except for this part ‘google Red, google Black, pink, yellow and blue‘

Sailor Moon. I didn’t watch this anime because I was (and am still) not really into Shoujo Anime (anime for girls)…but I couldn’t escape from it’s iconic opening song.

Kamen Rider Black. Talking about this Tokusatsu brings back so many childhood memory. The intro of the opening song successfully made children stop playing and run to their television set. And again, I made up my own lyric ;p

last but not least Saint Seiya. There’s no one in J-Community (people who love Japanese entertainment) who doesn’t know Sant Seiya’s song…the song is still often played in many events.

I made a video of those songs plus pictures to let know the characters of those Anime & Tokusatsu’s opening songs

Nowadays….

Anime & Tokusatsu’s songs have changed drastically….they do not use original songs anymore they prefer to take songs from famous singers or bands. I don’t say it was a bad thing because I get to know some J-music from anime & tokusatsu, such as Asian Kungfu Generation from Naruto, Siam Shade from Full Metal Alchemist, and many more…however, I prefer the old time better, songs that are made specially for the show have better grip than songs taken from famous singers.

Here are the songs I mentioned above