The "Big 3" of Anison?

[Tama83]

In the history of Japanese anime, there have been three singers who have performed a considerable number of anime theme songs:

Ichiro Mizuki
Mitsuko Horie
Isao Sasaki

I didn't list Hironobu Kageyama because he seems to be known mostly for the two Dragon Ball Z openings.

I know that many anime theme songs these days are performed either by popular or up-and-coming J-pop acts, but considering the amount of anime (not to mention tokusatsu, and in at least one case, even J-drama) theme songs these three have performed, would they be considered the "big three" of anime theme songs?

[SonRyu]

I would still list Kageyama there. Anyone familiar with the works of the other 3 you mentioned surely knows Kageyama for more than his contribution to DBZ.

Another big contributor is Megumi Hayashibara, but I'm not about to run a comparison on who's performed more anime themes songs.

[tenshi_a]

The "Big 3" always seem to be Ichiro Mizuki, Mitsuko Horie and one other. Throughout the last few decades, it's been:

Ichiro Mizuki = The King Of Anison
Mitsuko Horie = The Queen Of Anison

and

Masato Shimon = The King Of Hero Songs
then, cross him out...

Kageyama Hironobu = The Prince Of Anison
then, cross him out...

then the 3rd was regarded as:
Sasaki Isao = Anison no Dai-Ou (The Great King of Anison)

I think people replaced Masato Shimon because most of his work was pre 1980; he retired during the 1990s. Sasaki Isao wasn't counted for a while because after the early 1980s he pretty much retired from singing anime themes, coming back briefly in the 1990s for Gekiganger (Nadesico) and Geppy X (PS1 game), then singing the theme for Hanjuku Hero vs tai 3D (PS2, Nobuo Uematsu song) and only recently coming back to sing in live concerts. I think the live performances really have boosted his recognition as he's aged really well and is still on top form. Kageyama Hironobu was regarded as the 3rd up to Sasaki Isao's return.

I just noticed on http://www.anisoncentral.com/ there's a concert listed:

3/14/2009: "ANISON BIG 3 CONCERT 2009" featuring Ichirou Mizuki, Mitsuko Horie, and Hironobu Kageyama

So I guess Kageyama's back in favour as the 3rd. :)

I think there might have been some others who made it to the Big 3, but I forget.

I think Oosugi Kumiko was referred to as the "Mother" of anison at one point because she did all those World Masterpiece songs and Doraemon in a motherly kind of way, but her recording career was pretty short. Not sure if she just had a title or was considered the 3rd at that time. (Or was it that she was counted, but Masato Shimon wasn't, since the "Big 3" was a Columbia Records thing? I forget...)

[AkanegasakiSora]

IIRC The Big Three was mainly originally a Nippon Columbia promotion, but fans and other labels may also have their own which may vary depending on who you ask etc.

The early Nippon Columbia big three were:

Sasaki Isao - Anime-song kai no Daiou (also sometimes (mis)credited as Teiou)
Mizuki Ichirou - Anime-song kai no Teiou (later also Aniki/Aniking etc which may have started as a fans' name)
Horie Mitsuko - Anime-song kai no Jouou

All three were present in the Columbia All Stars ensemble alongside Columbia's other big full-time names at the time (Oosugi Kumiko, Kaori Kumiko and Koorogi'73).

Sometimes, Sasaki is replaced with Kageyama Hironobu, presumably this started as another Nippon Columbia promotion in the late eighties or early nineties to replace their at the time (semi-?)retired member.

Thus making:

Mizuki Ichirou - Anime-song kai no Teiou (Aniki/Aniking)
Horie Mitsuko - Anime-song kai no Jouou
Kageyama Hironobu - Anime-song kai no Prince

Nowadays, the big three seems to change between Mizuki, Sasaki and Horie, or if Sasaki isn't present(?) and Kageyama is, then Mizuki, Horie and Kageyama.
In addition though, the big three is also sometimes listed as Mizuki Ichirou, Sasaki Isao and Shimon Masato (whom AFAIK held the title of Hero-song kai no Teiou). It could be presumed this formation is based on number of record sales as these three dominated greatly AFAIK.

Thus also making:

Mizuki Ichirou - Anime-song kai no Teiou (Aniki/Aniking)
Sasaki Isao - Anime-song kai no Daiou
Shimon Masato - Hero-song kai no Teiou

There were also two Big Fours, which again were very likely promotions from Nippon Columbia:
Mizuki Ichirou, Sasaki Isao, Horie Mitsuko and Shimon Masato
Mizuki Ichirou, Sasaki Isao, Horie Mitsuko and Oosugi Kumiko

[tenshi_a]

I've just watched a clip on youtube celebrating Oosugi Kumiko's birthday (on the 10th of July), calling her the Queen Of Anime Songs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LPIolkFLNc

She was born in 1951, making her exactly 6 days younger than my dad!

Well, she can have the title for her birthday. :D

[Tomoe]

Mitsuko Horie, the Queen of anison, celebrates today 40th anniversary since her debut. There will be a big concert in November. The CD-DVD box "Uta no Ayumi 8" is already out.
Just wanted to share the info. Congrats, Micchi!~ :)