Nostalgia for the good old days is a sentiment that often manifests itself in discussions about popular culture, and in the world of anime, and now this nostalgia has led to an online debate about the quality of anime songs from different eras. On a popular website in Japan dedicated to anime and pop culture, users have expressed their divided opinions on whether the music of yesteryear was superior to that of today. This question has sparked a wave of comments and reflections on the evolution of music in anime, the influence it has had and the changes in the industry.
Is it true that the songs in the anime were better in the past?
Recently, a question posed on a Japanese website has opened up a debate about the evolution of songs, with many users in that country commenting on how music was in the past compared to now. In the 1980s and 1990s anime songs often did not have a direct connection to the plot of the series, in many cases, producers would choose songs from popular artists of the time, regardless of whether they fit with the anime, this trend of using tie-in songs (songs that do not necessarily relate to the story), was quite common.
While some fans appreciate the experimentation, others feel that a deeper connection between the music and the content was missing, for example, in the 80’s and 90’s, many popular series featured songs performed by big name artists, such as Chage & Aska. And while some of these songs became big hits, they did not always reflect the tone or subject matter of the series, however, this era is also fondly remembered by many, as it allowed for the appearance of songs that became popular beyond the series in which they appeared.
Over the years, especially from the 2000s onwards, anime songs began to align more closely with the themes and atmosphere of the series. Music began to be more carefully selected to reflect the content and emotion of the story they were telling; many fans consider this stage, which includes genres such as denpa songs (songs with a very specific and experimental style), to be one of the most creative and exciting for music. Throughout the 2000s, there were big hits such as Naruto or Bleach songs, which are still remembered with nostalgia today.
In more recent years, especially from the 2010s onwards, anime music has seen a new trend, tie-ins with famous artists are still popular, but now original songs written specifically for each series have also increased. The most popular ones are often accompanied by songs by well-known artists, which helps to appeal to a wider audience. However, there are still many songs that do not rely on the fame of the singer, but are designed to perfectly complement the story and characters of the anime.
A prominent comment from one user reflects this perspective: “If I had to choose, I prefer anime songs from some time ago, but still, every season some songs come out that I like.” Another fan mentions that the anime songs of the 2000s were the best, noting the wide variety of styles they offered, from epic to softer, more emotional songs, always with a clear connection to the anime.
Although the debate about which is the best era for anime music remains subjective, most fans agree that, regardless of the year, there is always something unique and valuable in each type of music. In this sense, current generations, too, have learned to appreciate classic anime songs, while older fans also appreciate the innovations that have come with new generations of songs.
