Top 10 Most Popular Anime Songs of All Time

“One Piece” (1999-)

There have been no shortage of Straw Hat shanties over the years, and yet, somehow, we always find ourselves coming back to its glorious first outing. Before the likes of the Haki, the World Government, Kaido and Ace made their debut, there was this adventurous, uplifting song that introduced Luffy and crew to the world. There’s such a sense of optimism in the chorus, perfectly mirroring the pirate antics of the cast as they set sail. It’s no wonder the anime kept bringing it back for an encore again and again.

“My Hero Academia” (2016-)

While there were a few detractors who didn’t know how to feel when this song came out, it’s since become a highlight of the series. Not only does it serve to build up hype for the battle against All for One, but UVERworld’s signature electronic edge did wonders for setting apart from its contemporaries in all the right ways. The eclectic instrumentation combined with those high-pitched vocals compliment each other so well that you can’t help but view it as anything other than anime’s very own superhero anthem.

“Dragon Ball Z” (1989-96)

Before there was rock the dragon, there was this belter of a song that has become as synonymous with the Dragon Ball name as Super Saiyan’s, Kamehameha’s and Yamcha’s continual failures. Even after all these years, it still manages to hit that sweet spot between kick ass and karaoke. While we got more instrumentally intense follow ups as the franchise evolved, no DB fan worth their salt is going to deny the staying power and impact of Hironobu Kageyama’s lyrical prowess.

“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” (2019-)

The pedigree of Demon Slayer’s openings is a lot like its animation – flashy, expensive and hits it out of the park every time, and the genesis of that stems back to this powerhouse performance. While the vocals retain a grace and elegance to it, this is still a rock track through and through. With a chorus that hits harder than Nezuko and guitar riffs fierier than the Hinokami, it’s just another reason as to why this series blew up as it did! LiSA does not miss.

“Neon Genesis Evangelion” (1995-96)

Maybe if Shinji had just got in the robot and blasted this song out, his life would be a turbulent void of pain, isolation, and self-loathing? On that note, this song is crazy good. Mix together an operatic backdrop along some good old-fashioned JPop, and you have an unholy recipe for success. It may not give any hints as to the psychological devastation to come, but it still reaches glorious heights, keeping the illusion going that we’re in for a shonen mecha-filled fun time. Damn you Anno.

“Monogatari” (2009-19)

If you’re sleeping on this franchise, stop it, because there’s so much crazy treasure to be found amongst its catalog of battles, relationships and visual wonderment. It also spits out the occasional modern classic. Bubbly, bouncing and drenched in superfluous innocence that betrays the inner turmoil of Nadeko’s character, this song isn’t so much catchy as it is addictive. It’s no wonder that it’s become a staple over in the east, one capable of filling out arenas by name alone.

“Your Name” (2016)

Because of course one of the best anime movies ever made would have a sublime soundtrack, and among its roster of gems, none hit harder than this. Bad enough that’s delicate melody and soulful atmosphere will already have you welling up, but the fact this beautiful track crops up moments after Taki and Mitsuha are ripped away from another with the fading twilight? Which is undoubtedly the most heartbreaking scene in the whole film? You’ll weep, no question, twice over, and you’ll be happy to listen to every note along
the way.

“Attack on Titan” (2013-)

The Rumbling may be dominating rock charts, and Sasageyo may still rattle in our heads, but before all that, there was this opening track, and to say it exploded across the mainstream would be an understatement. Leaning into the more shonen side of things, though not skipping out on darkness, Linked Horizon’s killer song is the definition of hype, building and building before delivering on a monster-filled crescendo. Maybe this was how the Scout Regiment recruited people, they just had this on repeat.

“Naruto Shippuden” (2007-17)

As expected of a former member of the Big Three, Naruto had a serious amount of opening songs under his ninja belt, but the one that seemed to resonate with longterm fans the most would be this. A JRock gateway into the climax of the Fourth Great Ninja War, the song has a copious amount of energy to it, the softer lyrics meshing seamlessly with the harsh guitarwork to create what just might be the most colorful and ambient soundtrack to stem from an animated battlefield.

Before we reveal our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions!

The Hero
“One Punch Man” (2015-19)

Inferno
“Fire Force” (2019-20)

Kyōran Hey Kids!!
“Noragami Aragoto” (2015)

“Tokyo Ghoul” (2014-18)

A perfect example of the opening song being way too good for its own anime. Everything about this track is just on point. Vocally, it’s magnificent, switching between a haunting, low-key whisper before exploding into a series of melodic screams that capture the anguish of Kaneki and the Ghoul race in general. Splash on some stellar animation to really drive home the themes of reflections and identity, and you’ve got yourself some truly special, one that even outshines the sum of its parts!