Anime is a global phenomenon far beyond Japan with millions of passionate fans. Fans have many reasons to love anime, be it the plot, the characters, the art style, or the fandom itself. However, there is one aspect that shouldn’t be overlooked: the catchy theme songs. Anime theme songs are composed by famous composers, independent artists, and pop stars. Here is a list of the Best Anime Theme Songs of all time.
Theme songs are important to anime because they help raise awareness of a title to set it apart from hundreds of other shows. A few bars of the catchy theme song will instantly make you want to binge-watch your favorite cartoon. There are many great anime openings out there, but some stand out as some of the hottest anime theme songs. Whether they get stuck in your head for weeks or quickly bring back fond memories of your favorite show, these theme songs are classics.
I ) “Moonlight Sensetsu” from Sailor Moon
III ) “Kaikai Kitan” from Jujutsu Kaisen
Eve’s vocal range is on full display in Kaikai Kitan, the opening to the first season of Jujutsu Kaisen. The opening chooses to use a fast-paced, energetic minute and thirty seconds of the track that capture the anime’s action and excitement. Listen to the full song to hear the extent of Eve’s genre experimentation and hear the hip-hop elements woven into this erratic song that really captures the mood of Jujutsu Kaisen.
IV ) “Guren no Yumiya” from Attack on Titan
Shingeki no Kyojin, or Attack on Titan for English-speaking fans, is a modern anime phenomenon. This anime is action-packed, often horrifying, and has intensive world building. The first theme song, Guren no Yumiya set the stage for a series of theme songs that were both catchy and super recognizable. They combine a rock sound and singing style with epic orchestral interludes. Each theme song seemed to follow the model of the first, so Guren no Yumiya stands out from the others. The signature “heeey-yah!” in the chorus makes this song a declaration and anthem that perfectly matches the tone of the show.
V ) “PHOENIX” from Haikyuu!
As an anime about a volleyball underdog, all theme songs in Haikyuu! are triumphant, hopeful, and full of action-packed visuals. Phoenix was the perfect choice for Season 4’s opening. The title reflects Shoya’s journey throughout the season. Like a phoenix, he’s rising from the ashes of defeat to get the team to the National Tournament. This upbeat rock track gives fans the feeling of cheering for their favorite underdog team, in the best and worst of times.
VI ) “Akira” score from Akira
One of the most critically acclaimed anime films, Akira, doesn’t have an opening theme song, but it would be a crime not to mention the iconic soundtrack in its famous opening sequence. the film, or the symphony suite that accompanies Tetsuo. its growing strength. Like the movie itself, the score is often imitated, but it’s so unique that it stands on its own. Fans tried recreating the opening sequence with different tracks, but it never had the same effect. There is no better example of a more effective soundtrack than Shoji Yamashiro’s work in Akira.
VII ) “Bloody Stream” from Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure
Few animes live up to their name in the way Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure does. This totally unique anime is characterized partly by its music, and the theme song “Bloody Stream” is quintessential Jojo. This combination of frenetic jazz and J-pop is the perfect mix for this anime. The memes inspired by Jojo tend to involve the jazz tracks like Bloody Stream. No song quite captures the character Joseph Joestar like this one.
VIII ) “Monochrome No Kiss” from Black Butler
This eerie anime found the perfect opening with SID’s Monochrome no Kiss, a creepy J-Pop tune. Black Butler leans heavily on a creepy Victorian-esque aesthetic. This song is laden with synth-pop and eerie rock motifs. It matches the vibe of Black Butler perfectly. SID is no stranger to composing epic anime openings, but Black Butler’s “Monochrome no Kiss” fits the bill exceptionally well. If part of the goal of an opening is to prepare the audience for the type of anime they’re about to watch then this opening is “simply one hell of a theme song.”
IX ) “Unravel” from Tokyo Ghoul
Unravel is probably the most iconic opening out of the many great songs featured in Tokyo Ghoul. The anime begins on a haunting note, with a hoarse voice relaying lyrics that represent Kaneki’s heart-wrenching journey. The melancholy score is interrupted with intense moments of the J-rock anthem making Unravel a perfect fit for this anime and a memorable opening for all fans.
X ) “Sakura Kiss” from Ouran High School Host Club
This classic shojo anime is full of laughs and romance, perfectly reflected in the peppy and fun-loving title song, Sakura Kiss. In an anime about mistaken identity and a girl who disguises herself as a boy to repay her debt to a “host” club of beautiful boys who flatter high school girls, there’s bound to be a lot of laughs and high school hijinks. Sakura Kiss has a sound that brings to mind glitter, sparkles, and all things teen girls with its bouncy J-Pop idol vibes. The opening lyric is “kiss, kiss, fall in love!” It’s so recognizable among Ouran High School Host Club fans that you might find the lyric in anime memes.
XI ) “Starmaker” from My Hero Academia
The music choices in My Hero Academia aren’t always popular with fans, but Starmaker shines among the other theme songs. This bubbly pop-rock track was used as Season 4’s theme during the School Festival Arc. The beat is super catchy, the pastel visuals give us a hint of what the episodes will be like, and the sound captures the camaraderie, hope, and playful energy that makes My Hero Academia special.
XII ) “Go!!!” from Naruto
In a series as long and as popular as Naruto, it’s natural that it would have many fan-favorite openings. None seem to have the staying power of Go!!! by Flow. It’s the perfect representation for this anime about an underdog ninja that fights with his friends to become the greatest of all time. The refrain “We are fighting dreamers,” sums up the spirit of the show and provides a really catchy earworm that might stick in your mind for weeks. It’s no easy feat to choose which Naruto theme song is the catchiest, so it might be best to choose the one that sticks in our brains the most.
XIII ) “Tank” from Cowboy Bebop
It’s hard to imagine the classic anime Cowboy Bebop without the iconic opening song, Tank. The bass line to this song is amazing, and the symphonic noir feeling is perfect for the setting of Cowboy Bebop. All you need to hear is, “321, let’s jam” and you’ll instantly think of Spike and his gang of bounty hunters. This theme song set the bar for years of anime openings. Ask an anime fan about the best opening in the genre, and you’re bound to hear, “Cowboy Bebop” as a common answer.
