Anime has got more popular and familiar to a wide range of ages all over the world, and one of the contents appealing the most to them in many anime is an anime song. Many popular anime series and movies are colored by their attractive opening and ending themes which remain lodged in your brain.
The hit anime songs have been loved by both domestic and international anime fans even if they are in Japanese because of their catchy melodies and quality OP&ED anime song videos.
Today, I’d like to introduce 27 best anime songs of all time including the legendary anime opening themes and the recent anime series ending themes.
27. Go!!! (Naruto)
Go!!! is the fourth opening theme of the most popular anime series Naruto, released by the Japanese rock band Flow in 2004. The eighth opening theme Re:member is also offered by Flow in 2006.
Singer: Flow
Anime: Naruto (NARUTO -ナルト-)
Release: 2004
Naruto, one of the most famous and popular manga and anime series of all time, has been an introductory anime title reco[…]
26. The Galaxy Express 999 (Galaxy Express 999)
English→https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14QoOIM4Z00
The Galaxy Express 999 is featured as the signature theme of the classic anime film Galaxy Express 999. This anime song has been well-known for a long time since it was served by the Japanese rock band in 1979.
Singer: Godiego
Anime: Galaxy Express 999 (銀河鉄道999)
Release: 1979
25. Cagayake! Girls (K-On!)
Cagayake! Girls is the opening theme of the modern slice-of-life anime series K-On! and the first single of Sakurakou K-ON Bu, which is the fictional band formed by the main girl characters from the anime and is also known as Hokago Tea Time later.
Singer: Sakurakou K-ON Bu
Anime: K-On! (けいおん!)
Release: 2009
24. Change the World (Inuyasha)
Change the World is the first opening theme of the fantasy adventure anime series Inuyasha as the 17th single of the Japanese male idol group V6. Brand-New World, which is also served by V6, is used for the final ending theme of the anime series.
Singer: V6
Anime: Inuyasha (犬夜叉)
Release: 2007
23. Beautiful World (Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone)
Beautiful World is the signature tune of Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone, which is the first anime movie of Rebuild of Evangelion. It is offered as the 19th single of the Utada Hikaru, produced for the anime movie by herself.
Singer: Utada Hikaru
Anime: Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone (ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版: 序)
Release: 2007
22. Homura (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train)
Homura (炎) is featured as the theme song of the smash-hit anime movie Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train released in 2020. The first anime film of the hottest anime series has become the highest-grossing Japanese movie making over 40 billion yen at the domestic box office. Homura is now known as one of the masterpieces of RiSA as well as Gorenge, the first opening theem of the anime series.
Singer: RiSA
Anime: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train (劇場版 鬼滅の刃 無限列車編)
Release: 2020
21. Lupin III Theme (Lupin III)
Lupin III Theme (ルパン三世のテーマ) is the signature theme of the long-established anime series Lupin III (Lupin the Third), composed by the Japanese jazz pianist Yuji Ohno and released in 1977. The catchy instrumental is used with arrangements throughout the long anime series.
Singer: Composed by Yuji Ohno
Anime: Lupin III (ルパン三世)
Release: 1977
20. Moonlight Densetsu (Sailor Moon)
Moonlight Densetsu (ムーンライト伝説) is famous for the opening theme of the classic anime series Sailor Moon. It’s also known as one of the best anime songs in the 1990s, airing between 1992 and 1994.
Singer: Dali
Anime: Sailor Moon (美少女戦士セーラームーン)
Release: 1992
19. Aim to Be a Pokémon Master (Pocket Monster)
Aim to Be a Pokémon Master (めざせポケモンマスター) serves as the opening theme of the first anime series of Pokémon, which is officially named Pocket Monster in Japan. The catchy anime song familiar to almost all Japanese family is aired with the cute opening video containing the adorable Pikachu and other Pokémon.
Singer: Rika Matsumoto
Anime: Pocket Monster (ポケットモンスター)
Release: 1997
18. Snow Halation (Love Live! School Idol Project)
Snow Halation is one of the signature insert songs in the second season of the idol-themed anime series Love Live! School Idol Project. It’s offered as the second single of μ’s, which is a fictional female school idol group consisting of 9 main characters from the anime series. The symbolic anime song is performed by the voice actors of the idol characters.
Singer: μ’s
Anime: Love Live! School Idol Project (ラブライブ!)
Release: 2010
17. Catch the Moment (Sword Art Online The Movie: Ordinal Scale)
Catch the Moment is the signature tune of Sword Art Online The Movie: Ordinal Scale, the successful anime movie of the popular Sword Art Online series. It’s also known as the 11th single by LiSA, released in 2017.
Singer: LiSA
Anime: Sword Art Online The Movie: Ordinal Scale (劇場版 ソードアート・オンライン -オーディナル・スケール-)
Release: 2017
Sword Art Online (ソードアート・オンライン), one of the most popular anime among both domestic and international fans, has become a […]
16. Crossing Field (Sword Art Online)
Crossing Field is the opening theme of the first season of Sword Art Online. The anime song with the theme of “trust” is sung by RiSA, who has performed lots of catchy anime musics as one of the most famous recent anime singer.
Singer: LiSA
Anime: Sword Art Online (ソードアート・オンライン)
Release: 2012
15. God knows… (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya)
God knows… is one of the most famous anime insert song, featured in the popular anime series The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. This song is performed by its protagonist Haruhi Suzumiya on the school cultural festival in the anime.
Singer: Haruhi Suzumiya (Aya Hirano)
Anime: The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (涼宮ハルヒの憂鬱)
Release: 2009
14. Only My Railgun (A Certain Scientific Railgun)
Only My Railgun is the opening theme of A Certain Scientific Railgun, the popular spin-off of A Certain Magical Index. Many anime fans look on Only My Railgun as the best anime song ever.
Singer: fripSide
Anime: A Certain Scientific Railgun (とある科学の超電磁砲)
Release: 2009
13. Guren no Yumiya (Attack on Titan)
Guren no Yumiya (紅蓮の弓矢) is the first opening theme of the first season of the greatest modern anime series Attack on Titan. The melody totally matches the oppressive dark-fantasy story of Attack on Titan.
Singer: Linked Horizon
Anime: Attack on Titan (進撃の巨人)
Release: 2013
Many anime fans have very little doubt that Attack on Titan (進撃の巨人) is one of the masterpieces of the modern anime in th[…]
12. We Are! (One Piece)
We Are! (ウィーアー!) is the first opening theme of the legendary anime series One Piece, which is also one of the most well-known anime songs of all time. Many people associate this anime song with the image of the Straw Hat Pirates.
Singer: Hiroshi Kitadani
Anime: One Piece
Release: 2009
11. Staple Stable (Bakemonogatari)
Staple Stable is the first opening theme of Bakemonogatari, which is the first season of the popular Monogatari Series. It focuses on one of the main heroines Hitagi Senjogahara, sung by her voice actor Chiwa Saito. The opening theme of the anime series differs depending on who is the main heroine in the part.
Singer: Chiwa Saito
Anime: Bakemonogatari (化物語)
Release: 2009
10. Melissa
Melissa (メリッサ) is the first opening theme of the worldly famous anime series Fullmetal Alchemist. Its singer is Porno Graffitti, the famous Japanese rock band put a spotlight on especially around the 2000s. The lyrics of Melissa are partly based on the story of the anime series.
Singer: Porno Graffitti
Anime: Fullmetal Alchemist (鋼の錬金術師)
Release: 2003
There are a bunch of high-quality anime series categorized as fantasy and adventure, and Fullmetal Alchemist (鋼の錬金術師) is[…]
9. Sailing Day (One Piece The Movie: Dead End no Boken)
Sailing Day is the ending theme of One Piece The Movie: Dead End no Boken, which is the fourth anime movie of the popular anime series One Piece released in 2003. The catchy song is offered by the famous Japanese rock band Bump of Chicken.
Singer: Bump of Chicken
Anime: One Piece The Movie: Dead End no Boken (ONE PIECE THE MOVIE デッドエンドの冒険)
Release: 2003
8. Tank! (Cowboy Bebop)
Tank! is the iconic opening theme for the globally groundbreaking anime series Cowboy Bebop, composed by Yoko Kanno and performed by her band, The Seatbelts. With its vibrant blend of jazz, big band, and rock elements, “Tank!” perfectly encapsulates the adventurous and eclectic spirit of the show. The song’s upbeat tempo and intricate musical arrangements create an immediate sense of excitement, drawing listeners into the world of space bounty hunters and cosmic misfits. Beyond its role in the anime, “Tank!” has gained a life of its own, becoming a staple in the repertoire of anime music and a must-listen for fans of diverse musical genres.
Performer: Seatbelts
Anime: Cowboy Bebop (カウボーイビバップ)
Release: 1998
7. Hare Hare Yukai (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya)
Hare Hare Yukai (ハレ晴レユカイ), one of the most famous anime song, is the ending theme of the first season of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. It’s performed by the voice actors of Haruhi Suzumiya, Yuki Nagato and Mikuru Asahina from the anime series. The well-known anime song has been imitated with the dance and song by many fans.
Singer: Aya Hirano/Minori Chihara/Yuko Goto
Anime: The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (涼宮ハルヒの憂鬱)
Release: 2006
6. Aoi Shiori (Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day)
Aoi Shiori (青い栞), which means “Blue Bookmark” in Japanese, is the opening theme of the popular drama anime series Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day broadcasted in 2013. The J-pop music is the masterpiece of the Japanese rock band named Galileo Galilei.
Singer: Galileo Galilei
Anime: Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day (あの日見た花の名前を僕達はまだ知らない。)
Release: 2011
5. Butter-Fly (Digimon Adventure)
Butter-Fly is known as the opening theme of the adventure anime series Digimon Adventure and its anime movie Digimon Adventure: Our War Game!. It has been sung by lots of people at Karaoke since it was released in 1999.
Singer: Koji Wada
Anime: Digimon Adventure (デジモンアドベンチャー)
Release: 1999
4. Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari (Bakemonogatari)
Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari (君の知らない物語), the ending theme of Bakemonogatari, is one of the most popular modern anime songs among anime fans. It appeals to your emotions with the haunting melody and the lyrics matching the story of Bakemonogatari, which is the first part of the famous anime series Monogatari Series.
Singer: Supercell
Anime: Bakemonogatari (化物語)
Release: 2009
3. Idol (Oshi no Ko)
English→https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkjSfZ30GM4
The anime song Idol (アイドル) serves as the opening theme for the 2023 smash-hit anime “Oshi no Ko.” Performed by the musical duo Yoasobi, which consists of composer Ayase and vocalist Ikura, the song has quickly gained tremendous popularity. Yoasobi itself has been a sensation in the J-POP scene since their 2019 debut with the song Yoru ni Kakeru. Idol has not only achieved the number one spot on the Billboard JAPAN charts but also reached the seventh place on the Billboard Global 200 chart, marking the highest position ever for a Japanese artist. Adding to its global appeal, an English version of the song has been released, attracting attention worldwide. The song has already surpassed an impressive 300 million streams in both its Japanese and English versions, solidifying its impact both domestically and internationally.
Singer: Yoasobi
Anime: Oshi no Ko (【推しの子】)
Release: 2023
2. Gurenge (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba)
Gurenge (紅蓮華), the greatest anime song in modern days, is famous for the opening theme of the first season of the smash-hit anime series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba aired in 2019. The catchy anime song by RiSA, who is the most known Japanese singer of anime songs, has been accepted and sung by kids as well as adults.
Singer: LiSA
Anime: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (鬼滅の刃)
Release: 2019
1. A Cruel Angel’s Thesis (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
A Cruel Angel’s Thesis (残酷な天使のテーゼ) is the best anime song of all time for lots of anime fans. It is featured as an opening theme of Neon Genesis Evangelion, the greatest anime series directed by Hideaki Anno. The symbolic anime song has been loved by not only anime fans but also a wider range of individuals.
Singer: Yoko Takahashi
Anime: Neon Genesis Evangelion (新世紀エヴァンゲリオン)
Release: 1995
Did you feel nostalgic with the classic anime songs or catch up with the trendy tunes above? If you are interested in more about anime, you will like these, too!
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