The Top 21 Anime Songs of All Time
WHAT ARE THE BEST ANIME SONGS?
Our favorite anime isn’t just about jaw-dropping fights, heartfelt narratives, or enough emotional damage to rival therapy bills—it’s also about the music.
The right opening or ending song doesn’t just hype you up; it embeds itself in your soul, adding depth and elevating the entire show.
Here’s a countdown of 21 (don’t ask why “21”, I’ll explain at the end) of the most iconic, earworm-worthy anime songs that have graced our noise holes and I’ll even throw in some links if you haven’t seen these anime, because they’re all pretty damn good.
Let’s vibe!
21. YU YU HAKUSHO
SMILE BOMB BY SARA WHITE
This opening is like stepping into a time machine straight to the ’90s anime golden age. Smile Bomb captures the heart of Yu Yu Hakusho with its upbeat vibe and nostalgic energy.
And the hair – OMG THE HAIR.
20. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
Sorairo Days BY Nakagawa Shoko
A banger for the ages, Sorairo Days radiates the “pierce the heavens” energy that defines Gurren Lagann.
It’s an anthem for dreamers, fighters, and anyone who believes in the power of that mecha flow and fiery determination.
19. CODE GEASS
COLORS BY FLOW
Code Geass is one of my favorites and this song is a rebellious call to arms, fitting for Lelouch’s…morally gray escapades.
FLOW’s energetic beats and unforgettable hook make COLORS a must-play whenever you’re feeling like an antihero with a plan.
18. DAN DA DAN
Otonoke by Creepy Nuts
The only reason that Otonoke is so far down the list is that I felt that Dan Da Dan is just too new and hasn’t earned its place yet, but this jam by Creepy Nuts turns an already chaotic anime like Dan Da Dan into a beautifully insane thrill ride.
The quirky, bass-heavy track is just as unpredictable as the show, and we’re here for every offbeat moment.
Given some time, I’m sure this will easily hit my top 10 fav anime songs and if you haven’t read my review of Dan Da Dan, make sure to go check that out when you’re done here!
17. MOB PSYCHO 100
99 by Mob Choir
With mathematical precision, 99 calculates hype, heart, and psychic energy into one explosive track.
It perfectly encapsulates Mob’s internal and external battles while making you question whether you can vibe hard enough to ascend to ???%.
16. STEINS;GATE
HACKING TO THE GATE BY Kanako Itō
This show is absolutely amazing the first time you watch it and there’s just something hauntingly beautiful about this track.
Its synth-heavy beats and lyrical depth mirror the temporal chaos of Steins;Gate, giving you chills with every listen.
15. ONE PUNCH MAN
THE HERO!! BY JAM PROJECT
Prepare to feel overpowered. JAM Project delivers a powerhouse of a theme song that screams heroism and absurdity in equal measure.
Just like Saitama, The Hero!! punches above its weight class and is a great song to listen to while doing your daily 100 sit-ups, 100 pushups, 100 squats and 10 km run!
14. SAMURAI CHAMPLOO
Battlecry by Nujabes feat. Shing02
Where anime meets hip-hop, Battlecry is a smooth, lo-fi-infused masterpiece that sets the tone for Samurai Champloo’s Edo-meets-modern aesthetic.
RIP Nujabes, your legacy is eternal.
13. TOKYO GHOUL
Unravel by TK
Few songs capture existential dread as beautifully as Unravel.
TK’s hyped falsetto cuts deep, and when paired with Tokyo Ghoul’s tragic narrative, it’s enough to leave even the hardest hearts a little cracked.
12. JUJUTSU KAISEN
LOST IN PARADISE by ALI FEATURING AKLO
Anime endings rarely get this funky and this song definitely got some bonus points for throwing some slick-animated dance moves into a badass anime like Jujutsu Kaisen.
Lost in Paradise is pure groove, with a heavy bassline and smooth rap delivery that reminds us not every ending has to be about tears—sometimes it’s about vibes.
11. FLCL (FOOLY COOLY)
LITTLE BUSTERS BY THE PILLOWS
The Pillows are FLCL.
Their alt-rock sound defines the chaotic, coming-of-age story, and Little Busters is one of their crown jewels—a testament to adolescence, rebellion, and the giant robots that we all love.
10. FULL METAL ALCHEMIST: BROTHERHOOD
Again by YUI
If Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is about redemption and the pursuit of truth, YUI’s Again is the perfect musical thesis and brings us to the top 10.
It’s raw, as unforgettable as the Elrics’ journey, and when that tempo change comes and shows their bodies transmutated in the video – it just hits different.
10.5 HONORABLE MENTION TO OG FULLMETAL
Ready Steady Go! BY L'Arc-en-Ciel
I just can’t not mention the original theme from the original show, although you can barely find the 2003 version anywhere these days!
Ready Steady Go! is classic and absolutely amazing in its own right, although I still feel like Brotherhood’s theme is just a bit better.
9. DEATH PARADE
Flyers by Bradio
Let’s get funky!
Flyers transforms the grim themes of Death Parade into a dance party.
The catchy beat almost makes you forget the show is about, you know, judging souls in limbo. I feel like this short anime flies under the radar for a lot of people, so if you have a couple of hours to kill and want to watch something short and sweet – give Death Parade a try!
8. PARANOIA AGENT
DREAM ISLAND OBSESSIONAL PARK BY Susumu Hirasawa
Trippy, unnerving, and utterly brilliant, this song reflects the psychological rollercoaster of Paranoia Agent that you probably won’t appreciate unless you’ve seen the anime (which I highly recommend!).
The song, as the anime, is simply a fever dream in the best way possible. 10/10 would recommend and is another shorter-length anime so you don’t have to worry about getting sucked into the world of lil’ slugger for too long!
7. SWORD ART ONLINE
Crossing Field by LiSA
Crossing Field takes you back to the time when VRMMORPGs felt magical (and maybe less terrifying), throwing you into the very beginning of Sword Art Online’s epic journey.
LiSA’s powerhouse vocals are a staple of anime openings, and this intro is a quintessential classic, going through the introduction of SAO and ending on Kirito’s relationship with Asuna in their home.
Guaranteed to leave you with the warm and fuzzies.
6. INUYASHA
Fukai Mori by do as infinity
Not everything is gonna be hype!
If Inuyasha is your comfort anime, then Fukai Mori is the lullaby that makes the nostalgia hit like a truck full of Sacred Jewel shards.
The hauntingly beautiful song is peak early 2000s anime and was one of the few outros that I would never skip.
5. death note
the world by pellek
A staple in any anime list is Death Note and if you’ve ever wanted a song that embodies the words chaotic genius, look no further than Death Note’s “The World.”
The PelleK cover adds a fresh layer of intensity and vocal range, turning this already iconic opening song into a powerhouse of dark energy that fits perfectly with the hard-hitting animation.
With killer guitar riffs and haunting undertones, this version captures Light Yagami’s funderful descent into god-complex madness with unrelenting energy.
4. COWBOY BEBOP
Tank! by Seatbelts
Some of the most iconic lyrics in anime history: 3,2,1 LET’S JAM.
Few anime tracks are as universally recognized as Tank!. It’s jazz. It’s action. It’s Cowboy Bebop.
A certified timeless classic that will etch the words “See You Space Cowboy” in your memories forever.
3. ATTACK ON TITAN
Feuerroter Pfeil und Bogen by Linked Horizon
Speaking of hype, we’re in my top 3 and Linked Horizon’s operatic masterpiece embodies Attack on Titan’s epic scale and stakes.
If you don’t feel like zipping through war-torn streets in some ODM gear after listening, you’re doing it wrong.
2. SOUL EATER
Resonance by T.M. Revolution
Admittedly, the “Power of Friendship” BS at the end of Soul Eater left a baaad taste in my mouth…for eternity, BUT that doesn’t change the fact that the intro (along with the rest of the show) wasn’t over 9000% fire.
T.M. Revolution didn’t just create a song for Soul Eater—they birthed a mantra for madness and the amazing animation that came along with Resonance was just *chef’s kiss* next-level awesome.
1. NARUTO SHIPPUDEN
BRING IT ON (BACCHIKOI) by dev parade
We’ve reached our #1!
Naruto’s openings and endings are iconic, but Bring It On by Dev Parade is just in a league of its own.
It’s playful, edgy, and the music slaps so hard with the visuals of the animation…it’s just unbeatable for me.
Watch Naruto and Naruto Shippuden
If you liked the Naruto Shippuden outro as much as I did, you can see Dev Parade rock out in their unanimated video below too!
ARE THESE THE BEST ANIME SONGS EVER?
They are to me!
And everyone’s going to have their own favorites – and that’s ok!
To be absolutely honest, this was going to be only a “Top 10” list, but I…could…not…stop. And there’s still more I wanted to add!
This was edited down hard and I still couldn’t end on an even number (which hurts my soul only a little bit, I swear).
But listen, whether you’re a casual anime fan or someone who’s memorized all of the rules from Death Note (good luck, that type is small af), these songs prove why anime openings and endings are more than just background noise.
They’re the heartbeat of the stories we love, the beats that make the stories feel alive. If you liked this list, feel free to save my YouTube playlist of these songs and watch anytime!
Ok, now I KNOW some of you want to slam me for some of these and tell me just how wrong I am, so let’s hear it—what’s your favorite anime song?
Let me know in the comments down below!
WANT MORE?
CHECK THESE OUT NEXT!
About Report AFK
A place for gamers, by gamers, untarnished by legacy gaming media and their herds of sheeple.
Site Links
Copyright 2024 ReportAFK.com
Be the first to leave a comment