Successful music artists only in unpopular anime 82ga
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 b2u2i

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 1w1k31

TV, 2001, 24 eps Me:- Author:-
X Japan
Interstella5555: The 5tory of The 5ecret 5tar 5ystem h1l73

Movie, 2003, 1 ep Me:- Author:7
Daft Punk
Peak: #1 Billboard
Peak: #1 Billboard
King's Raid: Ishi wo Tsugumono-tachi 2h4v3s

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 4r2v4l

Movie, 2008, 1 ep Me:- Author:-
DREAMS COME TRUE
> Also in: G Gundam, Insect Land
> Also in: G Gundam, Insect Land
Turn A Gundam 1p6a11

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 5t5y1c

TV, 2007, 26 eps Me:- Author:-
TRF
Angel Densetsu 1c1x1g

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) 1mq71

TV, 2004, 61 eps Me:- Author:-
globe (OP2), EXILE (ED3)
38,585 (25/04/06)
38,585 (25/04/06)
Devilman: Tanjou-hen p5x4y

OVA, 1987, 1 ep Me:- Author:7
ANTHEM
Peak: Oricon #14 (2023)
Peak: Oricon #14 (2023)
Hana wa Saku, Shura no Gotoku 2x40d

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 601q4n

TV, 1997, 148 eps Me:- Author:-
PENICILLIN
Supernatural The Animation 2n555c

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 3788

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 586o66

Special, 1981, 2 eps Me:- Author:-
Electric Light Orchestra
Doraemon (2005) 2a4i73

TV, 2005, ? eps Me:- Author:-
Masaharu Fukuyama (ED6), Perfume (ED9)
Sentou Yousei Yukikaze 6s3l3i

OVA, 2002, 5 eps Me:- Author:-
Hiroshi "Monsieur" Kamayatsu
Peak: Oricon #1 (1975)
Peak: Oricon #1 (1975)
Kochira Katsushikaku Kameari Kouenmae Hashutsujo 1d342l

TV, 1996, 373 eps Me:- Author:-
Hoff Dylan (ED1), Arashi (ED12)
20,423 (25/04/06)
20,423 (25/04/06)
Hanada Shounen-shi 1m5447

TV, 2002, 25 eps Me:- Author:-
BACKSTREET BOYS
Hime-chan no Ribbon 1h2z2u

TV, 1992, 61 eps Me:- Author:-
SMAP
Mamotte Shugogetten! 1v6368

TV, 1998, 22 eps Me:- Author:-
SURFACE
9,920 (25/04/06)
9,920 (25/04/06)
Dragon Quest: Yuusha Abel Densetsu 12545d

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 386o4b

Movie, 1999, 1 ep Me:- Author:-
SPEED
High School! Kimengumi 71196t

TV, 1985, 86 eps Me:- Author:-
Onyanko Club
Toki no Tabibito: Time Stranger 4p5b4f

Movie, 1986, 1 ep Me:- Author:-
Mariya Takeuchi - most known for Plastic Love
> Also in: Pokemon Concierge
> Also in: Pokemon Concierge
Chouon Senshi Borgman 3w3p1w

TV, 1988, 35 eps Me:- Author:7
EARTHSHAKER
Peak: Oricon #27 (1987)
Peak: Oricon #27 (1987)
Odin: Koushi Hansen Starlight 3l1g3e

Movie, 1985, 1 ep Me:- Author:-
LOUDNESS
Peak: Oricon #2 (1992)
Peak: Oricon #2 (1992)
KO Seiki Beast Sanjuushi 1v252p

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 171c

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 5b6z3a

OVA, 1988, 3 eps Me:- Author:5
Teresa Teng
Gekkou no Pierce: Yumemi to Gin no Bara Kishidan 4xl1

OVA, 1991, 1 ep Me:- Author:-
Kyosuke Himuro - Vocalist of J-rock band BOOWY
Konchuu Monogatari Mitsubachi Hutch: Yuuki no Melody 5373f

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 6c4al

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! 6vu39

TV, 2014, 50 eps Me:- Author:-
Ariana Grande
From North Field 1g1o1b

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