Top 25 Anime Soundtracks That Shaped the Genre

Music doesn’t always convey emotions through rhythms and beats; most of the time, it also tells a story. And the storytelling amplifies far further when it is met with visuals.

Hence, the common practice of composing music might be specifically for a particular moment or scene in a movie. Not only does it make the moment more intriguing, rather well-crafted music tailored for an important stand-off, and ends up defining the entire show.

Anime was a bit behind with the composition of professionally tailored soundtracks for their shows. However, as anime grew more in popularity, so did the budget for their shows. Which ended up with anime composing some of the most memorable theme songs and opening music in the history of entertainment media.

Hence, we have prepared the top 25 anime soundtracks, OSTs, and opening music, that you may not want to miss out on.

A Brief History Of Anime Music Composition

In the earlier days, the entertainment media was not as big and sophisticated as it is today. Likewise, the budgeting aspect of many of the older shows was much less than that of today.

Hence, shows and movies used to prefer music already available at their time, mainly composed by up-and-coming composers. Preferably they used to buy the license of their music with a royalty and used that music with different themes throughout their movie.

Such was especially true for anime, however, things have changed much recently. Nowadays, composers are paid to compose music in accordance with the theme of the show, or a specific portion of the show.

Japan, on the other hand, stuck to buying licenses of already composed music until they started taking notes from global movies and shows these last couple of decades. And they took it one step further!

Not only did they compose music following their anime, but they also composed specific OSTs (rhythmic background music) for specific scenes. It took the entire entertainment media by storm, especially with talents like Yoko Kanno, Hiroyuki Sawano, and Joe Hisaishi leading the charge.

 Top 25 Anime Soundtracks To Listen To In 2025

Below we have listed some of the most iconic and captivating anime soundtracks that revolutionized not only anime as a whole but also the entire music and entertainment industry.

1. Cruel Angel’s Thesis

Anime: Neon Genesis Evangelion

Artist: Yoko Takahashi

Type: Opening Song

An iconic opening of an iconic anime series “Neon Genesis Evangelion”. This song does justice to the opening music of Neon Genesis, as it perfectly sets the tone of the thrilling, emotional rollercoaster the anime is about to turn into.

It wasn’t only just the perfect fit for the anime, rather it was also the perfect metallic song in its era that was carved in the hearts of many, even those not into anime! 

2. Tank

Anime: Cowboy Bebop

Artist: Yoko Kano 

Type: Opening Song

The opening that shaped the entry of “Cowboy Bebop”, in the anime industry. This anime is one of the legendary classics and is cemented even further by its jazzy opening.

Jazz music itself is not very popular in Japan, so pulling off a jazzy opening in one of the most popular anime ever sure was a bold move by “Seatbelts”. The band that comprises of Yoko Kanno (a legendary composer in Japan)

3. Colors 

Anime: Code Geass

Artist: FLOW

Type: Opening Song

Code Geass was rather a long anime, and this opening was its first opening. Still, it stuck with the entire fanbase.

The opening is played at the perfect juncture when Lelouch is digging deep into his rebellion and met with chaos and obstacles that he himself, as a master strategist, couldn’t comprehend!

4. Kyouran Hey Kids

Anime: Noragami

Artist: The Oral Cigarettes

Type: Opening Song

Another song that is perfectly tailored to fit its anime. The song starts off slightly slow and rhythmic before bursting into a million emotions with its rocky, bassy, metallic theme.

Much like the anime in season 2, it starts off slow, as a chill show, later descending into an emotional rollercoaster and chaos.

5.Akuma No Ko

Anime: Attack on Titan

Artist: Ai Higuchi

Type: Ending Song

One of the Spotify hits! This ending from Attack on Titan reached 100M across all platforms in less than 4 weeks.

The song is rather a poem from Eren’s perspective (the main character of the show) towards Mikasa (his lover). 

That despite him pushing her away as a necessity to save the cruel world that they harbor in, despite they can never be together, he will always love her till the bitter end.

6. Blue Bird

Anime: Naruto Shippuden

Artist: Ikimono Gakari

Type: Anime Ending

The perfect transition of Naruto Shippuden from Naruto. The soft somber music eases the big jump in both the franchise and timeline inside Naruto.

A melancholy tune that makes you find some peace and clarity in the emotionally challenging world of Naruto.

7. Gayo No Machiawase

Anime: Noragami

Artist: Hello Sleepwalkers

Type: Opening Song

Another banger from Noragami, the electric hyper-energetic song captures the essence of Noragami in season 1.

A fun comedic anime turned dark and thrilling, much like this opening as it progresses to its chorus.

8. Bling-Bang-Bang-Born

Anime: Mashle: Magic and Muscles

Artist: Creepy Nuts

Type: Opening Song

The song that skyrocketed the popularity worldwide of the two-man band “Creepy Nuts”! It was one of the few hip-hop anime openings in the history of anime, moreover, it found massive success due to that.

The song features a hip-hop vibrant Jersey style of song, with a wide range of vocals delivered by the sole solo singer in the band.

9. Unravel

Anime: Tokyo Ghoul

Artist: TK from Ling Tosite Sigure

Type: Opening Song

One of the few anime openings that found such worldwide renown that even people who are not familiar with anime have had a listen.

At the same tine, it is one of the few openings that truly set the bar very high for anime openings in the coming years.

10. Shinzou wo Sasageyo

Anime: Attack On Titan
Artist: Linked Horizon

Type: Opening Song

The anime “Attack on Titan” went on a 4 year break period. Came back with season 2 not with only just a thrilling story arc but with a chilling opening too.

One of the few anime openings that is remembered as a standalone song rather than as an opening

11. Silhouette

Anime: Naruto Shippuden

Artist: Kana-Boon

Type: Opening Song

When everything was going wrong in the anime “Naruto”, the opening came in as a saving grace. The desperation and depression were settling in during the last part of the “War Arc” when everything was going wrong for our Naruto.

The opening was the only relief fans got when going through such a phase.

12. II Vento d’Oro

Anime: Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure
Artist: Yugo Kannoxc
Type: Both An Opening Song and an OST

II Vento d’Oro, also known as “Golden Wind”, is a powerful uplifting melodious song that served as the opening of “Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure”.

It also served as the main theme song for the main character, Giorno Giovanna, in the show. And was a fan favorite as the anime grew in popularity.

13. Gurenge 

Anime: Demon Slayer

Artist: LiSA

Type: Opening Song

The opening kick-started the journey of the anime “Demon Slayer”. However, this anime sure had a shocking first episode and then started going a little slow.

The opening on the other hand made sure that the audience bore through with patience as the story picked up and the show became legendary.

14. Is There Anything That Love Can Do?

Anime: Weathering With You

Artist: RADWIMPS

Type: Theme Song

A melodious and emotional song for a rather emotional anime film “Weathering With You”. It captures the emotions of love, determination, and hope perfectly portrayed in the film.

The background music is also inspired by this song during countless encounters in the film that resonate with the enduring power of love.

YouTube  Video Link:

15. Comedy

Anime: Spy x Family 

Artist: Gen Hoshino

Type: Ending Song

Another one of the few ending songs that are being featured in the list. “Comedy” is the ending song of “Spy x Family” in the first season.

An unorthodox ending that features a warm welcoming catchy upbeat melody perfectly summarizing each episode of such a comedic yet wholesome anime. 

16. Duvet

Anime: Serial Experiments Lain
Artist: Bôa

Type: Ending Song

A song that is more popular as a stand-alone single than an opening of an anime. Composed by the famous English alternative rock band “Bôa”. 

The opening theme of the anime “Serial Experiments Lain”, this song has found more traction than the anime itself. Especially with the growth of TikTok and other entertainment social media. 

Famous for its short edits of “Vinland Saga” and its protagonist “Thorfinn”. 

17. Ma Meilleure Ennemie

Anime: Arcane
Artist: Stromae and Pomme

Type: Background Music 

This is a theme song in the Netflix Exclusive Animated Series “Arcane”. Featured in season 2, this song earned its due place in the hearts of millions.

The song signifies the perfect love between “Echo” and “Jinx” (2 supposed lovebirds in the series) yet having to go separate ways due to the way of this cruel world.

“Echo” was trapped in an alternative dimension, where all those previous restrictions of the old worlds were meaningless. Hence, he managed to have one last dance with his lover in the alternate dimension before returning to save the Jinx in his reality.

18. Kaikai Kitan

Anime: Jujutsu Kaisen

Artist: Eve

Type: Opening Song

If there had been an award for the best anime opening that portrayed its anime perfectly, this opening would have won it hands down.

“Kaikan Kitan” composed by the Japanese singer Eve, was fast-paced yet very sublime, subtle, and soft in its own way. Much like the storyline of “Jujutsu Kaisen”.

19. Disillusion

Anime: Fate/Stay Night

Artist: Sachi Tainaka

Type: Opening Song

A song inspired and written to portray the struggles of the main protagonist in “Fate/Stay Night”. The song is rather dramatic and emotional compared to most anime openings.

A different flavor, yet best suited for a series like “Fate”, composed by the talented Keita Haga to reflect upon themes like dreams shattering and waking up from illusions. Much like the protagonist did in the anime.

20. Brave Shine

Anime: Fate/Stay Night

Artist: Aimer

Type: Opening Song

Another song is better recognized as a solo rather than as an opening. Composed by the notorious underdog of the Japanese music culture, Aimer.

The song resonated with a bright, brave theme, to move forward regardless of despair, struggles, and pain. As at the end of the road, there will always be hope, hence “Be Brave And Shine”.

21. Red Swan

Anime: Attack On Titan

Artist: Yoshiki ft. Hyde

Type: Opening Song

The anime “Attack on Titan” had 4 seasons and 2 movies, consisting of a total of 9 openings. Of them all, the opening has been thrilling a robust to match the theme of the anime.

However, this opening was soft and melodic, reflecting on the journey that has been made so far. And the journey yet to be made.

22. Homura

Anime: Demon Slayer

Artist: LiSA

Type: Opening Song / Ending Song / OST/ Background Music

The short movie of the anime “Demon Slayer” was definitely at its peak in terms of suspense, thriller, and storytelling. And the opening matched its pace.

This opening was rather short, yet was one the most memorable openings that not only served as the opening but also was played during the emotional ending!

23. Suzume 

Anime: Suzume no Tojimari

Artist: RADWIMPS

Type: Opening / OST

The film truly is indebt of its own opening no questions asked. The amount of traction the film got before even its release due to its opening is unheard of.

The song is a one-of-a-kind slow melodic music that over time turns up the beat and suspense and reflects on themes like the loss of love and the journey of self-discovery afterwards.

24. Paradox

Anime: Vinland Saga

Artist: Survive Said the Prophet

Type: Opening Song 

There are 3 things the anime Vinland Saga is about talked most about in the community, its storyline, awesome choreographed fight scenes, and its openings.

“Paradox” tops all of Vinland Saga’s opening hands down.  With amazing visuals and outstanding lyrics and rhythm, this opening does justice to the work of Makoto Yukimura (Vinland Saga’s Author)

25. You See Big Girl

Anime: Attack on Titan

Artist: Hiroyuki Sawano

Type: OST

This OST from “Attack on Titan” is debatably the best OST in the industry of anime of all time. The OST starts at a crucial point of heartbreak, confusion, and betrayal.

The Opera-Style vocals and music, the suspenseful standoff at the top of the wall, the insane lyrics. This OST had it all to be the best of all time.

Final Words

We have extensively discussed, addressed, and listed the top 25 anime soundtracks that shook the music industry altogether. From legendary openings to shivering OSTs and anime endings, we have included them all. 

Do let us know which soundtrack was your favorite and which ones we should include in our next version of such an article.