Top 10 Anime Series Soundtracks

Kicking off our list is a soundtrack that can be described in one word: mystical. Taking place in an ancient Japan, the music of Mushishi reflects a time when nature, humans and spirits shared a warm existence. The tones give a haunting, yet captivating nature to the world. More supernatural mystery than horror in tone, the music of Mushishi completes the transportation to an age where curiosity and understanding the unknown overtakes any fear of it.

Watching the action unfold in this Anime is like watching characters act out an orchestra of grand proportions. The bombastic blast of audio during each alchemic action performed is monumental, reinforcing how memorable each moment will be to the viewer. However, you can’t ignore some of the more delicate and sensitive music choices. Brotherhood has a soundtrack where the little moments between brothers, or their comrades in arms, matter just as much as making the action look more brilliant.

From the moment the piano starts playing in the opening credits, you know this isn’t going to be your average zombie slaying mix tape. Yashushi’s Ishii’s toe tapping tunes offer a chill and cool vibe when it comes to the action, instilling the show with a smooth and classy feel despite the violence. That doesn’t mean the show isn’t filled with its own blend of classic horror effects and music to make the heart race with fear. The Hellsing Soundtrack is one for true fearless hunters of the night, much like lead character Alucard.

For an action/adventure series, you need music that gets you pumped for excitement but also takes you into the mind of a warrior. Bleach’s score accomplishes both tasks and more. The action themes continuously build up, knowing when to unleashing some awesome ear pleasing beats to match the on screen excitement. The training themes are also great, offering otherworldly wisdom that makes you ponder the price of failure should a character not be strong enough to win their battle. It’s a sweet mix for a Soul Reaper to kick some ass and send souls to an eternal rest.

If Madoka Magica taught us anything, it’s that the life of a Magical Girl isn’t quite so magical. Thanks to composer Yuki Kajiura we get a mix of haunting and heart tugging scores. From the thrill of battling witches to the crazed descent into heart break and sadness, the music matches the images on screen perfectly. There was plenty to feel watching the journey of Madoka and her friends but the music just solidified how amazing a journey it was to watch.

The music from this Anime may have left you in a continuous head bang that was well worth the headache that followed. Performed entirely by J rock band “The Pillows”, FLCL’s score always seems to know when to jump from action packed insanity to surprisingly touching and thoughtful moments when the need arises. The scenes feel like they were tailor made to revolve around the guitar and drum laden tracks. It’s the perfect soundtrack for a sunny days drive. Need proof? Just look at the end credits song, “Ride the Shooting Star” and imagine that playing while taking a ride around town.

The sight of seeing humans devoured by Titans is pure nightmare fuel. It’s certainly made more terrifying by the bombastic music and haunting choirs that accompany the arrival of these seemingly mindless beasts. Attack on Titan’s soundtrack conveys a heavy apocalyptic despair that’s impossible to not enjoy. Surprisingly, it isn’t all somber and depressing. The music is able to amp itself up when Eren (air-in) Yeager and his allies launch their do or die strikes against the Titans. Fear when the music spells doom but cheer when the music swells to announce the underdog like triumph of the humans, fighting to survive just one more day.

Smooth jazz and blues. A touch of old western guitars and harmonicas. And even some opera thrown in for good measure. Cowboy Bebop’s soundtrack is incredibly diverse and arguably the most universal of all Anime music. This clever and effective mix of sounds and tunes no doubt helped Bebop’s booming popularity in the west. Composer Yoko Kanno has contributed many works to the Anime genre. But it was this soundtrack that many consider her crowning achievement as the Queen of Anime Music.

When dealing with life after death, it’s no surprise to hear some very thoughtful and reflecting music. That’s the kind of heavenly score Angel Beats supplies but that’s not all it is comprised of. It’s a mix of action, comedic and dramatic scores which are paired with somber, softer tunes. Plus you’ve got great rock concert themes, courtesy of the series high school band Girls Dead Monster. Angel Beats can make you stand up and clap. But you’ll mostly be shedding many a tear thanks to the sound of a piano or guitar.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
“Death Note” (2006-07)
“One Piece” (1999- )
“Baccano!” (2007)
“Berserk” (1997)
“Kill La Kill” (2013-14)

Behold, the ideal mix for any aspiring street racing drifter. Our top pick, Initial D, features a wide selection of tracks from composers Atsushi Umebori and Dave Rogers. A unique mix of techno, dance and rock tracks, this soundtrack boasts adrenaline fueled energy. The music simply gets you pumped up and ready for a fun race to the photo finish. That or it will get you amped for a game of Dance Dance Revolution given the similar beats. But come on, tell us you don’t want to go for a late night drift race down a mountain with thus upbeat symphony playing in your car?

Do you agree with our list? Which Anime do you think had music that added more punch and feel to your experience? For more ear pleasing Top 10’s published daily, be sure to subscribe to Watchmojo.com