Successful music artists only in unpopular anime 171i3h
Anime
Mainstream successful artists who are present only in titles with <100k on MAL.
*Disclaimer that "popular" here refers to MAL stats only. The titles below may be well-known with Japanese/older/niche audiences, in non-English broadcast countries or are dubbed/childhood anime.
Artists here have either:
- reached top 50 on a music sales chart / 1 album certified platinum or higher
- several million views on streaming sites for at least one song
- several decades of activity
- are considered influential in their genre
*Very WIP. So far it's mostly artists I like from outside of anime :v
*Ordered from most to least
The first entry before/after a 10k mark is noted since MAL hides member count in list view (whichever is closer).
Entries listed here are the artist's highest member count (or only) anime appearance, except in some entries that list multiple artists.
Honorable mentions who are only in 1 anime >100k MAL :
CAPSULE - Sidonia no Kishi: Ai Tsumugu Hoshi (only anime performance, although the composer frequents in anime)
GACKT - His only popular anime, Sket Dance, features him as a VA as well as in a fictional band.
Ichiko Aoba - Koukaku Kidoutai Arise
POLKADOT STINGRAY - Radiant (& soon I Have a Crush at Work)
Spitz - Honey and Clover
tricot - Kimi wa Meido-sama. (their first anime appearance after 14 years of activity)
ZIGGY - Detective Conan (& have their own anime movie)
Many artists have One Piece as their only popular anime appearance.
*Disclaimer that "popular" here refers to MAL stats only. The titles below may be well-known with Japanese/older/niche audiences, in non-English broadcast countries or are dubbed/childhood anime.
Artists here have either:
- reached top 50 on a music sales chart / 1 album certified platinum or higher
- several million views on streaming sites for at least one song
- several decades of activity
- are considered influential in their genre
*Very WIP. So far it's mostly artists I like from outside of anime :v
*Ordered from most to least
The first entry before/after a 10k mark is noted since MAL hides member count in list view (whichever is closer).
Entries listed here are the artist's highest member count (or only) anime appearance, except in some entries that list multiple artists.
Honorable mentions who are only in 1 anime >100k MAL :
CAPSULE - Sidonia no Kishi: Ai Tsumugu Hoshi (only anime performance, although the composer frequents in anime)
GACKT - His only popular anime, Sket Dance, features him as a VA as well as in a fictional band.
Ichiko Aoba - Koukaku Kidoutai Arise
POLKADOT STINGRAY - Radiant (& soon I Have a Crush at Work)
Spitz - Honey and Clover
tricot - Kimi wa Meido-sama. (their first anime appearance after 14 years of activity)
ZIGGY - Detective Conan (& have their own anime movie)
Many artists have One Piece as their only popular anime appearance.
Crayon Shin-chan 5z3q1q

TV, 1992, ? eps Me:- Author:-
Kazumasa Oda
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
Morning Musume
Southern All Stars
[incomplete]
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
Morning Musume
Southern All Stars
[incomplete]
X 5o6x10

TV, 2001, 24 eps Me:- Author:-
X Japan
Interstella5555: The 5tory of The 5ecret 5tar 5ystem 2kp1s

Movie, 2003, 1 ep Me:- Author:7
Daft Punk
Peak: #1 Billboard
Peak: #1 Billboard
King's Raid: Ishi wo Tsugumono-tachi 8611v

TV, 2020, 26 eps Me:- Author:-
DREAMCATCHER
Peak: Circle #1 (2021), Billboard World Albums #5 (2017), Oricon #7 (2019)
Peak: Circle #1 (2021), Billboard World Albums #5 (2017), Oricon #7 (2019)
One Piece Movie 09: Episode of Chopper Plus - Fuyu ni Saku, Kiseki no Sakura 3e382e

Movie, 2008, 1 ep Me:- Author:-
DREAMS COME TRUE
> Also in: G Gundam, Insect Land
> Also in: G Gundam, Insect Land
Turn A Gundam 3l4m4x

TV, 1999, 50 eps Me:- Author:-
Hideki Saijo - prolific 70s-90s singer & actor
Peak: Oricon #1 (1973, 1979)
52,154 (25/04/06)
Peak: Oricon #1 (1973, 1979)
52,154 (25/04/06)
Wangan Midnight 6b3d6k

TV, 2007, 26 eps Me:- Author:-
TRF
Angel Densetsu 19364u

OVA, 1996, 2 eps Me:- Author:-
JUN SKY WALKER(S)
Peak: Oricon #1 (1989 & 1991)
45th anniversary tour ongoing
Peak: Oricon #1 (1989 & 1991)
45th anniversary tour ongoing
Black Jack (TV) 1z2m6f

TV, 2004, 61 eps Me:- Author:-
globe (OP2), EXILE (ED3)
38,585 (25/04/06)
38,585 (25/04/06)
Devilman: Tanjou-hen 23692c

OVA, 1987, 1 ep Me:- Author:7
ANTHEM
Peak: Oricon #14 (2023)
Peak: Oricon #14 (2023)
Hana wa Saku, Shura no Gotoku 1t2n5c

TV, 2025, 12 eps Me:- Author:-
SHISHAMO
Peak: Oricon #3 (2018, 5th album)
The recent adaptation from Hibike Euphonium's mangaka
Peak: Oricon #3 (2018, 5th album)
The recent adaptation from Hibike Euphonium's mangaka
Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo 27m2

TV, 1997, 148 eps Me:- Author:-
PENICILLIN
Supernatural The Animation 5l5t6s

OVA, 2011, 22 eps Me:- Author:-
CNBLUE
Peak: Circle #1 (2011, 2015), Oricon #1 (2012, 2015), Billboard World Albums #1 (2013)
Peak: Circle #1 (2011, 2015), Oricon #1 (2012, 2015), Billboard World Albums #1 (2013)
Deltora Quest 553239

TV, 2007, 65 eps Me:- Author:6
AKB48 (OP2), Delta Goodrem (OP3)
31,208 (25/04/06)
31,208 (25/04/06)
Daicon Opening Animations 4e5x5u

Special, 1981, 2 eps Me:- Author:-
Electric Light Orchestra
Doraemon (2005) 3b5158

TV, 2005, ? eps Me:- Author:-
Masaharu Fukuyama (ED6), Perfume (ED9)
Sentou Yousei Yukikaze 49645v

OVA, 2002, 5 eps Me:- Author:-
Hiroshi "Monsieur" Kamayatsu
Peak: Oricon #1 (1975)
Peak: Oricon #1 (1975)
Kochira Katsushikaku Kameari Kouenmae Hashutsujo 4c4b3z

TV, 1996, 373 eps Me:- Author:-
Hoff Dylan (ED1), Arashi (ED12)
20,423 (25/04/06)
20,423 (25/04/06)
Hanada Shounen-shi 4w3b3k

TV, 2002, 25 eps Me:- Author:-
BACKSTREET BOYS
Hime-chan no Ribbon 54l3y

TV, 1992, 61 eps Me:- Author:-
SMAP
Mamotte Shugogetten! 94j4p

TV, 1998, 22 eps Me:- Author:-
SURFACE
9,920 (25/04/06)
9,920 (25/04/06)
Dragon Quest: Yuusha Abel Densetsu t263t

TV, 1989, 43 eps Me:- Author:-
Hideaki Tokunaga
Peak: Oricon #1 (1987, 1990, 1991, 2007, 2009, 2010)
The OP "Yume wo Shinjite" peaked at #3
Peak: Oricon #1 (1987, 1990, 1991, 2007, 2009, 2010)
The OP "Yume wo Shinjite" peaked at #3
Doraemon Movie 20: Nobita no Uchuu Hyouryuuki 6i442q

Movie, 1999, 1 ep Me:- Author:-
SPEED
High School! Kimengumi 15h6

TV, 1985, 86 eps Me:- Author:-
Onyanko Club
Toki no Tabibito: Time Stranger 57142v

Movie, 1986, 1 ep Me:- Author:-
Mariya Takeuchi - most known for Plastic Love
> Also in: Pokemon Concierge
> Also in: Pokemon Concierge
Chouon Senshi Borgman 413b2m

TV, 1988, 35 eps Me:- Author:7
EARTHSHAKER
Peak: Oricon #27 (1987)
Peak: Oricon #27 (1987)
Odin: Koushi Hansen Starlight 304s56

Movie, 1985, 1 ep Me:- Author:-
LOUDNESS
Peak: Oricon #2 (1992)
Peak: Oricon #2 (1992)
KO Seiki Beast Sanjuushi 5z1h39

OVA, 1992, 7 eps Me:- Author:-
SCANCH
Peak: Oricon #5 (1994)
> Also in the Virtual Trilogy that aired on Tensai TV-kun
Vocalist ROLLY appears in Chikyuu Bouei Kazoku & Zoku/Goku Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei
Peak: Oricon #5 (1994)
> Also in the Virtual Trilogy that aired on Tensai TV-kun
Vocalist ROLLY appears in Chikyuu Bouei Kazoku & Zoku/Goku Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei
Watashi to Watashi: Futari no Lotte 6m294t

TV, 1991, 29 eps Me:- Author:-
Wink
Peak: Oricon #1 (1988-1990)
> Also in: Tsuyoshi Shikkari Shinasai
Peak: Oricon #1 (1988-1990)
> Also in: Tsuyoshi Shikkari Shinasai
Mahjong Hishouden: Naki no Ryuu 526a3g

OVA, 1988, 3 eps Me:- Author:5
Teresa Teng
Gekkou no Pierce: Yumemi to Gin no Bara Kishidan 3u4d4l

OVA, 1991, 1 ep Me:- Author:-
Kyosuke Himuro - Vocalist of J-rock band BOOWY
Konchuu Monogatari Mitsubachi Hutch: Yuuki no Melody 3n31s

Movie, 2010, 1 ep Me:- Author:5
Yui Aragaki - popular actress married to singer Hoshino Gen
Peak: Oricon #2 (2008)
Peak: Oricon #2 (2008)
Ore no Sora: Keiji-hen 1up60

OVA, 1991, 2 eps Me:- Author:-
CHAGE and ASKA
Peak: Oricon #1 (1981, 1989, 1991-1996, 1999, 2002)
> Also has an animated MV On Your Mark
Peak: Oricon #1 (1981, 1989, 1991-1996, 1999, 2002)
> Also has an animated MV On Your Mark
GO-GO Tamagotchi! 5k4n2l

TV, 2014, 50 eps Me:- Author:-
Ariana Grande
From North Field a71c

ONA, 2019, 2 eps Me:- Author:-
Noriyuki Makihara