History AwesomeMusic / IchiroMizuki

* The 1972 series ''Anime/{{Astroganger}}'' (another show like Manga/GiantRobo, but in color!) had an Ichiro theme (and actually beat ''Mazinger Z'' to the air by two months) in "[[https://youtu.be/HTxDZBvGKxk Astroganger]]". The guys who made this show went on to make ''Anime/ChargemanKen''.

* The 1972 series ''Astroganger'' (another show like Manga/GiantRobo, but in color!) had an Ichiro theme (and actually beat ''Mazinger Z'' to the air by two months) in "[[https://youtu.be/HTxDZBvGKxk Astroganger]]". The guys who made this show went on to make ''Anime/ChargemanKen''.

* His first theme song was for 1971's ''Anime/RyuTheCaveBoy'', entitled "[[https://youtu.be/mFh-1yl_Vhk Genshi Shounen Ryuu ga Yuku]]" at the suggestion of Nippon Columbia's director at the time, Hidetoshi Kimura who also managed Creator/MitsukoHorie.

* His first theme song was for 1971's ''Genshi Shounen Ryuu'', entitled "[[https://youtu.be/mFh-1yl_Vhk Genshi Shounen Ryuu ga Yuku]]" at the suggestion of Nippon Columbia's director at the time, Hidetoshi Kimura who also managed Creator/MitsukoHorie.

* In 1972, Ichiro sang a theme song for a mecha anime and the world was never the same again. ''Anime/MazingerZ'' was the anime and the song is "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmLI7TtsgfQ Mazinger Z]]". Ichiro also did the ending theme "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-Ug7eEwfDI Bokura no Mazinger Z]]".
* He followed up on ''Anime/GreatMazinger'' two years later with the song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBwk5n73pdA Great Mazinger]]" and the later song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXLvcx2iFoQ Ore wa Great Mazinger]]". There is also the end theme "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCiw4H3IagY Yuuja wa Mazinger]]".
* ''Anime/KotetsuJeeg'' from 1975 provides the song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeZNHrsC-vg Kotetsu Jeeg no Uta]]" and the end theme "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y03Xj8gg4dY Hiroshi no Theme]]".
* ''Anime/CombattlerV'' from the following year has "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjSlEQbEcUo Combattler V no Uta]]". He also did the end theme "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUrQy2XX1GA Go! Combattler V]]", and the insert songs "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjggFEjWCwY Let's Go! To the Battle for Justice]]" and "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bmh5M52BY94 Hyouma's Feelings]]".
* ''Gowapper 5 Godam'' provides "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg5-Xt5VcQc Yukuzo! Gordam]]". Ichiro also did the end music "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSOLXSNAU6Q Song of Gowapper 5]]".
* The 1977 series ''Balatack'' has another Ichiro mech theme song, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdBwDNUMK80 Chojin Sentai Baratack]]".
* ''Anime/GoLion'' from 1981 had its theme song by Ichiro, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KPajfxOwOA Obtain! Golion]]", as well as the insert song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgGLb3bBHdU Golion Sanka]]" and the end theme "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Zfp1uleAQs Gonin de Hitotsu]]".
* He then provided the end theme for 1983's ''Anime/VoltesV'', "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiaG4KuQQqI Chichi o Motomete]]". The link lists the singer as Aoi Akira but the Website/AnimeNewsNetwork encyclopedia lists the music as sung by Ichiro.
* The ''Anime/{{Dangaioh}}'' OVA from 1987 had its opening theme, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj9gJimvSzc Cross Fight]]", sung by Ichiro and Mitsuko Horie in a duet. The two also sang the first ending and second opening to ''Anime/{{Godannar}}'', "Zangou no Hitsugi" and "Engage! Godannar".
* For 1998's ''Shin Getter Robo'' (Getter Robo Armageddon), Ichiro sang the first opening, which was a march, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boAV7wVPlqQ Ima ga Sono Toki da]]". That's right: Ichiro was so HotBlooded that he could sing a ''march'' for a mech anime opening and make it work. One of the few marches you'll ever hear as an anime theme. This was replaced after the third episode, but the march returned for the ending of the final episode. The idea of using a march for a mech anime isn't original. The Raideen theme song is a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJwS0oxJ2JA march]], but it's definitely not HotBlooded.

* His first theme song was for 1971's ''Genshi Shounen Ryuu'', entitled "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFh-1yl_Vhk Genshi Shounen Ryuu ga Yuku]]" at the suggestion of Nippon Columbia's director at the time, Hidetoshi Kimura who also managed Creator/MitsukoHorie.
* The 1972 series ''Astroganger'' (another show like Manga/GiantRobo, but in color!) had an Ichiro theme (and actually beat ''Mazinger Z'' to the air by two months) in "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTxDZBvGKxk Astroganger]]". The guys who made this show went on to make ''Anime/ChargemanKen''.
* ''Babel ni Sei'' from the following year gave us the song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwpzRfazVrE Babel ni Sei]]". Although this show, based on the ''Manga/BabelII'' manga by Misuteru Yokoyama, had a giant robot in it, it wasn't really a mech anime (it was more along the lines of Giant Robo). Ichiro also did the end song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sOfu3LSQvo Seigi No Chônôryoku Shônen]]".
* ''Anime/{{Tekkaman}}'' from 1975 has the song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8qLTxsU0vM Tekkaman no Uta]]" and the end theme "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ChvnRtL0lA Space Knight no Uta]]".
* The 1976 series ''Anime/CaptainHarlock'' has its title track, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSkgGpHe3n4 Captain Harlock]]". He also did the end theme "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8O13CYpAHk We're Going on a Journey]]".
* ''Arrow Emblem Grand Prix'' (Hawk of the Grand prix) from 1977 had its opening, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW-l8oiSiiU Grand Prix no Taka]]". He also did the end theme which can be found at the 4 minute mark [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMgfdD2hSbo here]].
* For the second season of the second ''Franchise/LupinIII'' TV show in 1978, he sang a vocal version of the "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsoXC7SKUB0 Love Theme]]" for the ending.
* Ichiro also sang for the second ''Captain Harlock'' anime (Arcadia of my Youth/Endless Orbit SSX) in 1982 with the song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkOEd9iT_io Oretachi no Funade]]". He also did the end theme, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_8JuKf_lXY Harlock no Ballad]]".
* ''Game Center Arashi'' from 1982 had an Ichiro theme by the same name, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPOsmjxb0pw Game Center Arashi]]".
* Not even ''Transformers'' could escape Ichiro. He did the opening "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbMKtmPNz5g Transformers Zone Theme]]" for the 1989 ''Transformers Zone'' OVA.

* ''Choujin Barom-1'' from 1972 had the theme song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNWMXzS96TA Bokura no Barom 1]]". This show was based on the ''Barom-1'' manga by Takao Saito.
* The first music Ichiro sang for the Franchise/KamenRider franchise was the first season ending for 1973's ''Kamen Rider V3'', “[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emtcb1FrdEg Shounen Kamen Rider Tai no Uta]]”.
* Also in 1973, ''Robot Detective'' was given "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PMFJOK343c Robot Detective K]]". This show was made by Creator/ShotaroIshinomori.
* ''Ganbare!! Robocon'' (another Creator/ShotaroIshinomori show) from 1974 had a theme by the same name, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P3-EgvC1zw Ganbare!! Robocon]]".
* ''Kamen Rider X'' (the third Kamen Rider show, aired 1974) had "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2H9qJBYGlM Set Up! Kamen Rider X]]".
* ''Akumaizer 3'' (another Creator/ShotaroIshinomori show from 1975) was given the eponymous song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT1SwyjbOck Akumaizer 3]]".
* ''Kamen Rider Stronger'' from 1975 was given a theme of the same name, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtbEYEjKSQE Kamen Rider Stronger]]". Ichiro also did the insert song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aa5xwyqS3c Mi yo!! Kamen Rider Stronger]]".
* ''Kamen Rider Skyrider'', the sixth ''Kamen Rider'' from 1979, had the opening theme “[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKh1QcKiKm4 Moero! Kamen Rider]]” and the end theme “[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye3EnwR9Gv0 Haruka naru Ai ni Kake]]”.
* The 2004 series ''Zebraman'' had its theme song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2b0XcWRX-I Zebraman no Uta]]".
* For 2007's ''Juken Sentai Gekiranger'' (the 31st ''Super Sentai'' show), Ichiro did the end theme "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5iYp7Bc7sw Tao]]". He also sings the insert song "Burning Up ~Jounetsu o Uketsuite" alongside Takayoshi Tanimoto, who sang ''Gekiranger'''s opening.

The Emperor of Anime Songs. A veteran singer, actor and voice actor, he started singing in the 1960s and continued until his death on the 6th of December 2022 (though his passing wasn't announced until the 12th). The cause of death was lung cancer, which he revealed he'd been suffering from in April of 2021. As a side effect, he suffered partial paralysis of his vocal chords, something he noted was a new experience in his over-50 year long career. His final performance was on the 28th of November 2022.

Born Toshio Hayakawa in 1948, he was exposed to music at a young age thanks to his parents running a record store. His mother in particular was a great fan of jazz, and as a result he wanted to become a singer as early as 5 years old. He taught himself how to sing while listening to the records of the likes of Music/NatKingCole. His big break came in 1964 when he was 16 years old, when he got the attention of Teruo Sakurai, the 2nd generation leader of the rock-and-roll band The Drifters, who suggested that he participate in a singing contest held at a famous jazz cafe in Kabukicho. After he handily won the contest, Sakurai encouraged him to pursue singing professionally, suggesting he could become the "Music/FrankSinatra of Japan".

Despite this, the music scene of the Showa Era was highly competitive with so many stars that any aspiring singer needed both talent and luck. Mizuki himself would recall criticism from those early years, specifically that he was once told that his singing had "no personality". He even considered giving up his dream of being a world-famous singer and instead become a composer. However, he was then asked to perform the opening theme to 1971's ''Genshi Shonen Ryu'' ("Ryu the Caveman"), an anime adaptation of ''Ryo No Michi'' by Creator/ShotaroIshinomori. This would change Mizuki's life.

During this time, the opening themes of animes were viewed as children's songs, the sort of thing a successful singer would consider an OldShame. Worse, there wasn't much money in them, since it was thought that no one would want to buy records of "children's songs". However, Mizuki looked at it differently. The passion and romance of the lyrics spoke to him, and he also realised that those same "silly children's songs" would be repeated on national TV week after week.

His instinct paid off in a big way. Around the 70s, televisions were becoming common sights in Japanese homes as signs of post-war economic recovery, and more and more television programmes (including tokusatsu and anime) were being created to match the demand. Thanks to singing the opening themes to tokusatsu series like ''Manga/ChoujinBarom1'' and ''Series/HenshinNinjaArashi'', as well as anime like ''Anime/Devilman'' (all in 1972), Mizuki's voice became very familiar to television viewers both adult and child. And of course, his single greatest hit would be the legendary opening to ''Anime/MazingerZ'' (also in 1972).

Remembering the criticism from his early days that he was “singing without personality” Mizuki took the criticism to heart to truly find his niche in the anisong genre. Mizuki’s unique thick voice, combined with various roars and adverbial words in the lyrics (most often [[CallingOutYourAttacks attack names]] like "Rocket Punch!" or "Thunder Break!") helped make his voice stand out. Furthermore, the influence of jazz and Western songs he grew up with could be heard in how he would warble his voice like an old-school crooner. His ability to sing with passionate HotBlooded-ness to gentle and romantic meant that he could perform for almost any sort of genre from a combat oriented SuperRobot show to a cutesy kids cartoon.

Between 1971 and 1975, Mizuki recorded over 150 songs for various series. The opening theme to ''Mazinger Z'' in particular sold over 700,000 copies. This made him the TropeMaker (or at least TropeCodifier) for the anisong genre as a whole. While anime openings existed before him, he is credited with actually making anisong an actual genre of music. In addition, due to the sheer number of songs he did for the genre he's also credited with popularising the SuperRobot genre. [[note]] After Mizuki's passing Creator/GoNagai, creator of Mazinger Z, tweeted that a big part of Mazinger's success could be attributed to Mizuki's performance of the opening theme and so thanked him one last time.[[/note]]

Over his 50 year career, he recorded at least 1,200 songs. He also performed as a voice actor for anime, tokusatsu and video games. Suiting such a legendary and long-performing entertainer, he was acquainted with many of the biggest names in Japanese entertainment. Creator/IsaoSasaki was his senior when they were learning to sing (and Sasaki himself is known as "The Great King of Anime Songs" (アニソンの大王 Anisong no Daiō) to Mizuki's "The Emperor of Anime Songs"), Creator/MitsukoHorie was his old friend and frequent collaborator (Horie being "the Queen of Anime Songs"　(アニソンの女王 Anisong no Jōō)), he was a founding member of Music/JAMProject, and made several appearances on shows hosted by Creator/Downtown.

It's difficult to overstate his effect on the anime industry. Because many anime and tokusatsu series exported overseas didn't bother to replace the theme songs while they were being dubbed, his voice became the first exposure many people had to the Japanese language (fittingly enough, the same way he became a household name in Japan itself).

Mizuki's music maintained an old school style and sound over the years. It's one of the things that distinguished him from Music/JAMProject, especially all the ballads he did. He could've probably been the King of Enka if he had chosen to do so.

!!Tropes associated with Ichiro Mizuki:

* ActorAllusion:
** His famous "ZETTT!" catchphrase (normally said when he walks on-screen) is a reference to his single most famous hit: the opening theme to ''Anime/MazingerZ''.
** His penchant for wearing an overly starched red scarf (shaped to look like it's billowing in the wind) came about when he agreed to appear on the 2006 [[Series/GakiNoTsukaiYaArahende Gaki no Tsukai 24-hour Batsu Police special]], where he appeared as the sole staff member of a petrol station. A member of staff approached him with the scarf and told him that because they had an image of him singing songs from the ''Franchise/KamenRider'' series, they prepared a similar scarf for him. In his own words, Mizuki recalled his reaction at the time was, "Sounds like fun! Let's do it!" He liked it so much that it became part of his trademark look.
* BadassBaritone: When he sang, he could drop his voice extremely low. A good example would be the first opening of ''Shin Getter Robo: Armageddon'', which was performed as a march.
* ConsummateProfessional: No matter if he's singing in a concert hall for an audience of tens of thousands, a convention center for a couple thousand, or a smaller venue with a few dozen, when Ichiro Mizuki came to sing he'd sing his heart out.
* CoolOldGuy: As one of the most veteran performers still active at the time of his death, Mizuki had the reputation of being a good sport and quite happy to roll with working with both young talent and veterans.
* DentedIron: It was an open secret after his diagnosis with lung cancer that while Mizuki was fully willing to give his all in any performance he gave, his body was simply not able to keep up anymore. As an example, during a celebratory online concert to commemorate the ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars'' series' 30th anniversary, while he clearly tried to sing with all his strength he still had to be supported by other members of JAM Project due to visibly struggling to hold the notes.
* Determinator:
** In September 1999, he famously performed over 1,000 songs over 24 hours.
** Even after being diagnosed with lung cancer, even when his vocal cords were partially paralyzed, Mizuki continued to perform as best he could while undergoing treatment. It's telling his final performance was a mere 7 days before his passing.
* DoingItForTheArt: When asked if he'd ever considered trying to break into the mainstream music industry (as opposed to specialising in the anisong genre), Mizuki noted that he wasn't really interested. The biggest reason he gave was that he genuinely loved singing anime songs, especially because the lyrics often brought out in him as sense of passion and romance.
* LargeHam: Gleefully engaged in this in his appearances on variety shows and the like (such as the Series/GakiNoTsukaiYaArahende ''24-hour Batsu game'' specials), most famously punctuated by a hearty, "ZETTT!". In an interview, he noted that it gave him a larger than life presence and people seemed to enjoy it, and crucially he had fun as well.
* PunnyName: His title of "Aniking" (given to him because of his extensive discography of anime songs, especially in the 70s). It's a mix of his nickname "Aniki" (big brother) and "king".
* RedBaron: His titles of "Aniking" (アニキング, Anikingu) and "Emperor of Anime Songs" (アニソングの帝王, Anisongu no Teiō). He was also famously nicknamed "Aniki" (lit. big brother) by his fans, and the nickname was adopted by just about everyone in the Japanese entertainment industry.
* RelationshipVoiceActor: Creator/MitsukoHorie was his old friend and collaborator, being managed by the same man when they were both starting out. Hironobu Kageyama (with whom he'd found Creator/JAMProject) was another frequent partner, as well as fellow legend Creator/IsaoSasaki.
* ScarfOfAsskicking: Roughly around the early 2000s, Mizuki became known for wearing overly-starched scarves that were shaped to look like they were being blown by the wind. He was inspired to do so after participating in the famous ''24-hours No Laughing'' variety program (a fuller description is mentioned under ActorAllusion above). He noted while he was aware some people thought it made him look silly, to him the scarves reminded him of heroes like Kamen Rider, and he hoped that be wearing them he'd similarly inspire HotBlooded-ness in others.
* SenpaiKohai: Had an unusual case of this with fellow legend Creator/IsaoSasaki. Whenever the two of them appeared together, Mizuki would address Sasaki as "senpai" due to Sasaki being his senior when they were learning how to sing. In return, when asked Sasaki would point out that Mizuki actually began singing earlier than him, meaning in terms of the music industry Mizuki is ''his'' senpai.
* SignatureSong: Sing it with us now... "[[Anime/MazingerZ MA-ZIN-GA--ZETTTT!]]" During his famed 1,000 song marathon concert, Mazinger Z's opening was naturally the first song he sang... and then sang it again to make it the 1,001st song of the concert as a bonus.
* SoMyKidsCanWatch: One of the reasons Mizuki loved singing anime songs was because he viewed it as a way to inspire children and instill a love of music and the power of song, the same way he was inspired when he himself was a child.

Between 1971 and 1975, Mizuki recorded over 150 songs for various series. The opening theme to ''Mazinger Z'' in particular sold over 700,000 copies. This made him the TropeMaker (or at least TropeCodifier) for the anisong genre as a whole. While anime openings existed before him, he is credited with actually making anisong an actual genre of music.



Suiting such a legendary and long-performing entertainer, he was acquainted with many of the biggest names in Japanese entertainment. Creator/IsaoSasaki was his senior when they were learning to sing (and Sasaki himself is known as "The Great King of Anime Songs" to Mizuki's "The Emperor of Anime Songs"), he was a founding member of Music/JAMProject, and made several appearances on shows hosted by Creator/Downtown.

It's difficult to overstate his effect on the anime industry. Because many anime exported overseas didn't bother to replace the theme songs while they were being dubbed, his voice became the first exposure many people had to the Japanese language (fittingly enough, the same way he became a household name in Japan itself).

Mizuki's music maintained an old school style and sound over the years. It's one of the things that distinguished him from Music/JAMProject, especially all the ballads he did. He could've probably been the King of Enka if he had chosen to do so.

* Determinator: Even after being diagnosed with lung cancer, even when his vocal cords were partially paralyzed, Mizuki continued to perform as best he could while undergoing treatment. It's telling his final performance was a mere 7 days before his passing.

* RedBaron: His title of "Emperor of Anisongs" (i.e. anime songs). He was also famously nicknamed "Aniki" (lit. big brother) by his fans, and the nickname was adopted by just about everyone in the Japanese entertainment industry.

The Emperor of Anime Songs. He started singing in the 1960s and continued until his death in December of 2022.

Mizuki's music maintained an old school style and sound over the years. It's one of the things that distinguished him from Music/JAMProject, especially all the ballads he did. Ichiro could've probably been the King of Enka if he tried hard enough.

The Emperor of Anime Songs. He had been singing since the 1960s and continued until his death in December of 2022.

Just like Music/JAMProject he's sung a lot of mech theme songs. It's some of the earliest music he did so lets start there. A lot of the early music consisted of listing the mech's special attacks, so the lyrics aren't too inspiring. Later on this music got more HotBlooded and became the mech music we all know and love.
* In 1972, Ichiro would sing a theme song for a mecha anime and the world was never the same again. ''Anime/MazingerZ'' was the anime and the song is "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmLI7TtsgfQ Mazinger Z]]". Ichiro also did the ending theme "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-Ug7eEwfDI Bokura no Mazinger Z]]".

Ichiro had also done music for many live action shows (Tokusatsu), and it was some of the earliest music he did in addition to mech anime.

The Emperor of Anime Songs. He had been singing since the 1960s and continued until he passed on in December of 2022. Mizuki's music maintained an old school style and sound over the years. It's one of the things that distinguished him from Music/JAMProject, especially all the ballads he did. Ichiro could've probably been the King of Enka if he tried hard enough.

The King of anime. He's been singing since the 1960s and never stopped. Mizuki's music maintains an old school style and sound over the years. It's one of the things that distinguishes him from Music/JAMProject, especially all the ballads he's done. Ichiro could probably become the King of Enka if he tried hard enough.

%%* His first theme song was for 1971's ''Genshi Shounen Ryuu'', entitled "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFh-1yl_Vhk Genshi Shounen Ryuu ga Yuku]]".
%%The above example has been commented out for not being in a folder. Do not uncomment it without moving it to the appropriate folder.

Just like Music/JAMProject he's sung a lot of mech theme songs. It's some of the earliest music he's done so lets start there. A lot of the early music consisted of listing the mech's special attacks, so the lyrics aren't too inspiring. Later on this music gets more HotBlooded and becomes the mech music we all know and love.
* In 1972, Ichiro sang the first mech theme song and the world was never the same again. ''Anime/MazingerZ'' was the anime and the song is "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmLI7TtsgfQ Mazinger Z]]". Ichiro also did the first mech anime ending theme "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-Ug7eEwfDI Bokura no Mazinger Z]]".

* For 1998's ''Shin Getter Robo'' (Getter Robo Armageddon), Ichiro sang the first opening, which was a march, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boAV7wVPlqQ Ima ga Sono Toki da]]". That's right: Ichiro is so HotBlooded that he could sing a ''march'' for a mech anime opening and make it work. One of the few marches you'll ever hear as an anime theme. This was replaced after the third episode, but the march returned for the ending of the final episode. The idea of using a march for a mech anime isn't original. The Raideen theme song is a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJwS0oxJ2JA march]], but it's definitely not HotBlooded.

* The 1972 series ''Astroganger'' (another show like Manga/GiantRobo, but in color!) had an Ichiro theme (and actually beat ''Mazinger Z'' to the air by two months) in "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTxDZBvGKxk Astroganger]]". The guys who made this show went on to make ''ChargemanKen''.

Ichiro has also done music for many live action shows (Tokusatsu), and it is some of the earliest music he did in addition to mech anime.

* The ''Anime/{{Dangaioh}}'' OVA from 1987 had its opening theme, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj9gJimvSzc Cross Fight]]", sung by Ichiro and Mitsuko Horie in a duet. The two also sang the first ending and second opening to ''Anime/{{Godannar}}'',"Zangou no Hitsugi" and "Engage! Godannar".

* The ''Anime/{{Dangaioh}}'' OVA from 1987 had its opening theme, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj9gJimvSzc Cross Fight]]", sung by Ichiro and Mitsuko Horie in a duet. The two also sang the first ending and second opening to ''Anime/ShinkonGattaiGodannar'',"Zangou no Hitsugi" and "Engage! Godannar".

* ''Babel ni Sei'' from the following year gave us the song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwpzRfazVrE Babel ni Sei]]". Although this show, based on the ''Babel 2'' manga by Misuteru Yokoyama, had a giant robot in it, it wasn't really a mech anime (it was more along the lines of Giant Robo). Ichiro also did the end song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sOfu3LSQvo Seigi No Chônôryoku Shônen]]".

* He followed up on ''Anime/GreatMazinger'' two years later with the song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBwk5n73pdA Great Mazinger]]" and the later song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCFkRfvO350 Ore wa Great Mazinger]]". There is also the end theme "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCiw4H3IagY Yuuja wa Mazinger]]".

* ''Tekkaman'' from 1975 has the song "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8qLTxsU0vM Tekkaman no Uta]]" and the end theme "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ChvnRtL0lA Space Knight no Uta]]".

* ''Anime/CombattlerV'' from the following year has "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEs04UJ2sac Combattler V no Uta]]". He also did the end theme "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUrQy2XX1GA Go! Combattler V]]", and the insert songs "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjggFEjWCwY Let's Go! To the Battle for Justice]]" and "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bmh5M52BY94 Hyouma's Feelings]]".

* The ''Dangaioh'' OVA from 1987 had its opening theme, "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj9gJimvSzc Cross Fight]]", sung by Ichiro and Mitsuko Horie in a duet. The two also sang the first ending and second opening to ''Anime/ShinkonGattaiGodannar'',"Zangou no Hitsugi" and "Engage! Godannar".

* ''Anime/KotetsuJeeg'' from 1975 provides the song "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvv0fh6snM0 Kotetsu Jeeg no Uta]]" and the end theme "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y03Xj8gg4dY Hiroshi no Theme]]".

* The 1972 series ''Astroganger'' (another show like GiantRobo, but in color!) had an Ichiro theme (and actually beat ''Mazinger Z'' to the air by two months) in "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTxDZBvGKxk Astroganger]]". The guys who made this show went on to make ''ChargemanKen''.

* His first theme song was for 1971's ''Genshi Shounen Ryuu'', entitled "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFh-1yl_Vhk Genshi Shounen Ryuu ga Yuku]]".

* The ''Dangaioh'' OVA from 1987 had its opening theme, "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj9gJimvSzc Cross Fight]]", sung by Ichiro and Mitsuko Horie in a duet.
** The two also sung the first ending and second opening to ''Anime/ShinkonGattaiGodannar'',"Zangou no Hitsugi" and "Engage! Godannar".

* For 2007's ''Juken Sentai Gekiranger'' (the 31st ''Super Sentai'' show), Ichiro did the end theme "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5iYp7Bc7sw Tao]]". He also sings the insert song "Burning Up ~Jounetsu o Uketsuite" alongside Takayoshi Tanimoto, who sung ''Gekiranger'''s opening.

* For 2007's ''Juken Sentai Gekiranger'' (the 31st ''Super Sentai'' show), Ichiro did the end theme "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5iYp7Bc7sw Tao]]".

* He then provided the end theme for 1983's ''Anime/VoltesV'', "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiaG4KuQQqI Chichi o Motomete]]". The link lists the singer as Aoi Akira but the AnimeNewsNetwork encyclopedia lists the music as sung by Ichiro.

[[/folder]]

* 1971. His first theme song was for ''Genshi Shounen Ryuu'', entitled "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFh-1yl_Vhk Genshi Shounen Ryuu ga Yuku]]".

* 1972. Ichiro sang the first mech theme song and the world was never the same again. ''Anime/MazingerZ'' was the anime and the song is "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmLI7TtsgfQ Mazinger Z]]". Ichiro also did the first mech anime ending theme "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-Ug7eEwfDI Bokura no Mazinger Z]]".
* 1974. He followed up on ''Anime/GreatMazinger'' with the song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBwk5n73pdA Great Mazinger]]" and the later song "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCFkRfvO350 Ore wa Great Mazinger]]". There is also the end theme "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCiw4H3IagY Yuuja wa Mazinger]]".
* 1975. ''Anime/KotetsuJeeg'' with the song "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvv0fh6snM0 Kotetsu Jeeg no Uta]]". Don't forget the end theme “[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y03Xj8gg4dY Hiroshi no Theme]]”.
* 1976. ''Anime/CombattlerV'' with the song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEs04UJ2sac Combattler V no Uta]]". He also did the end theme "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUrQy2XX1GA Go! Combattler V]]". There are also the insert songs "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjggFEjWCwY Let's Go! To the Battle for Justice]]" and "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bmh5M52BY94 Hyouma's Feelings]]".
* 1976. ''Gowapper 5 Godam'' with the song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg5-Xt5VcQc Yukuzo! Gordam]]". Ichiro also did the end music "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSOLXSNAU6Q Song of Gowapper 5]]".
* 1977. ''Balatack'' another Ichiro mech theme song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdBwDNUMK80 Chojin Sentai Baratack]]".
* 1981. Anime/GoLion had its theme song by Ichiro, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KPajfxOwOA Obtain! Golion]]". Also the insert song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgGLb3bBHdU Golion Sanka]]" and the end theme "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Zfp1uleAQs Gonin de Hitotsu]]".
* 1983. Anime/VoltesV had its end theme from Ichiro "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiaG4KuQQqI Chichi o Motomete]]". The link lists the singer as Aoi Akira but the AnimeNewsNetwork encyclopedia lists the music as song by Ichiro.
* 1987. The Dangaioh OVA had its opening them "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj9gJimvSzc Cross Fight]]" sung by a Ichiro and Mitsuko Horie duet.
* 1998. For ''Shin Main/GetterRobo'' (Main/GetterRobo Armageddon) Ichiro sang the first opening, which was a march, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boAV7wVPlqQ Ima ga Sono Toki da]]". That's right: Ichiro is so HotBlooded that he could sing a ''march'' for a mech anime opening and make it work. One of the few marches you'll ever hear as an anime theme. This was replaced after the third episode, but the march returned for the ending of the final episode. The idea of using a march for a mech anime isn't original. The Raideen theme song is a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJwS0oxJ2JA march]], but it's definitely not HotBlooded.

* 1972. ''Astroganger'' (another show like GiantRobo, but in color!) had an Ichiro theme (and actually beat Mazinger Z to the air by two months) "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTxDZBvGKxk Astroganger]]". The guys who made this show went on to make ChargemanKen.
* 1973. ''Babel ni Sei'' with the song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwpzRfazVrE&list=PLc80wP4zyRetumIGLTJcfJngkVDHp7Wg1 Babel ni Sei]]". Based on the ''Babel 2'' manga by Misuteru Yokoyama. Although this show had a giant robot in it, it wasn't really a mech anime (it was more along the lines of Giant Robo). Ichiro also did the end song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sOfu3LSQvo&index=3&list=PLc80wP4zyRetumIGLTJcfJngkVDHp7Wg1 Seigi No Chônôryoku Shônen]]".
* 1975. Tekkaman with the song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8qLTxsU0vM Tekkaman no Uta]]". And the end theme "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ChvnRtL0lA Space Knight no Uta]]".
* 1976. Anime/CaptainHarlock with the song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSkgGpHe3n4 Captain Harlock]]". He also did the end theme "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8O13CYpAHk We're Going on a Journey]]".
* 1977. ''Arrow Emblem Grand Prix'' (Hawk of the Grand prix) had its opening from Ichiro "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW-l8oiSiiU Grand Prix no Taka]]". He also did the end theme which can be found at the 4 minute mark [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMgfdD2hSbo here]].
* 1978. For the second season of the second Franchise/LupinIII TV show he sang a vocal version of the "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsoXC7SKUB0 Love Theme]]" for the ending.
* 1982. Ichiro also sang for the second ''Captain Harlock'' anime (Arcadia of my Youth/Endless Orbit SSX) with the song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkOEd9iT_io Oretachi no Funade]]". He also did end theme "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_8JuKf_lXY Harlock no Ballad]]".
* 1982. ''Game Center Arashi'' had an Ichiro theme by the same name "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPOsmjxb0pw Game Center Arashi]]".
* 1989. Transformers Zone OVA. Not even Transformers could escape Ichiro. He did the opening "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbMKtmPNz5g Transformers Zone Theme]]".

* 1972. ''Choujin Barom-1'' had the theme song "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNWMXzS96TA Bokura no Barom 1]]". This show was based on the ''Barom-1'' manga by Takao Saito.
* 1973. The first music Ichiro sang for the Franchise/KamenRider franchise was the first season ending for ''Kamen Rider V3'' “[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emtcb1FrdEg Shounen Kamen Rider Tai no Uta]]”.
* 1973. ''Robot Detective'' was given "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PMFJOK343c Robot Detective K]]". This show was made by Creator/ShotaroIshinomori.
* 1974. ''Ganbare!! Robocon'' (another Creator/ShotaroIshinomori show) had "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P3-EgvC1zw&index=1&list=PLPaWboSQf6iVbczenVICW0sb3MrUt1iat Ganbare!! Robocon]]".
* 1974. ''Kamen Rider X'' (the third Kamen Rider show) had "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2H9qJBYGlM Set Up! Kamen Rider X]]".
* 1975. ''Akumaizer 3'' (another Creator/ShotaroIshinomori show) was given the theme song "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT1SwyjbOck Akumaizer 3]]".
* 1975. ''Kamen Rider Stronger'' was given the theme song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtbEYEjKSQE Kamen Rider Stronger]]". Ichiro also did the insert song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aa5xwyqS3c Mi yo!! Kamen Rider Stronger]]".
* 1979. Kamen Rider Skyrider (the 6th show) opening theme “[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKh1QcKiKm4 Moero! Kamen Rider]]”. And the end theme “[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye3EnwR9Gv0 Haruka naru Ai ni Kake]]”.
* 2004. ''Zebraman'' theme song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2b0XcWRX-I Zebraman no Uta]]".
* 2007. ''Juken Sentai Gekiranger'' (the 31st Main/SuperSentai show) Ichiro did the end theme "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5iYp7Bc7sw Tao]]".

* 1998. For ''Shin Main/GetterRobo'' (Main/GetterRobo Armageddon) Ichiro sang the first opening, which was a march, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boAV7wVPlqQ Ima ga Sono Toki da]]". That's right: Ichiro is so HotBlooded that he could sing a ''march'' for a mech anime opening and make it work. One of the few marches you'll ever hear as an anime theme. This was replaced after the third episode, but the march returned for the ending of the final episode. The idea of using a march for a mech anime isn't original. The Anime/Raideen theme song is a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJwS0oxJ2JA march]], but it's definitely not HotBlooded.

* 1982. Ichiro also sang for the second Captain Harlock anime (Arcadia of my Youth/Endless Orbit SSX) with the song "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkOEd9iT_io Oretachi no Funade]]". He also did end theme "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_8JuKf_lXY Harlock no Ballad]]".

* 1998. For ''Shin Main/GetterRobo'' (Main/GetterRobo Armageddon) Ichiro sang the first opening, which was a march, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boAV7wVPlqQ Ima ga Sono Toki da]]". That's right: Ichiro is so HotBlooded that he could sing a ''march'' for a mech anime opening and make it work. One of the few marches you'll ever hear as an anime theme. This was replaced after the third episode, but the march returned for the ending of the final episode. The idea of using a march for a mech anime isn't original. The Raideen theme song is a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJwS0oxJ2JA march]], but it's definitely not HotBlooded.

* 1987. The Anime/Dangaioh OVA had its opening them "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj9gJimvSzc Cross Fight]]" sung by a Ichiro and Mitsuko Horie duet.
* 1998. For ''Shin Main/GetterRobo'' (Main/GetterRobo Armageddon) Ichiro sang the first opening, which was a march, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boAV7wVPlqQ Ima ga Sono Toki da]]". That's right: Ichiro is so HotBlooded that he could sing a ''march'' for a mech anime opening and make it work. One of the few marches you'll ever hear as an anime theme. This was replaced after the third episode, but the march returned for the ending of the final episode.

* 1989. Transformers Zone OVA. That's right, not even Main/Transformers could escape Ichiro. He did the opening "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbMKtmPNz5g Transformers Zone Theme]]".

* 1983. Anime/VoltesV had its end theme from Ichiro "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiaG4KuQQqI Chichi o Motomete]]".