TV Asahi is one of Japan’s best-known television channels, and anime fans will know it as well for its contribution to the anime market, which includes Crayon Shin-chan, Doraemon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Blue Lock, Boys Over Flowers, Slam Dunk, Sailor Moon and numerous Gundam titles. But, recently, TV Asahi has decided to make a slightly different contribution to the world of anime by revealing a list of the 20 best anime songs of all time in a special program, but with a twist.
Namely, these songs were selected and ranked only by foreign, non-Japanese fans from around the world. The list includes songs from different time periods, which is why it is a very diverse list, and that is always a good thing. Sadly, we don’t have the special for you as it is not available for streaming, but we do have the list, so enjoy some of the best anime songs ever!
20. “Guren no Yumiya” by Linked Horizon (Attack on Titan)
The list starts off with the first OP of Attack on Titan, a song that has since become a cult classic and has been hailed as a brilliant and adequate introduction to the series as a whole, so it doesn’t surprise us that it many international fans love it.
19. “Shinzo wo Sasageyo” byLinked Horizon(Attack on Titan)
We continue with both Attack on Titan and Linked Horizon in 19th place, as the second OP for the anime also earned a place on this list. This song is, due to the fact that the season is beloved, probably even more famous so it doesn’t surprise us that it landed here.
18. “Akuma no Ko” byAi Higuchi(Attack on Titan)
The ED for the second part of Season 4 ends our Attack on Titan mini-series. This song is undoubtedly one of the best and most beautiful Attack on Titan songs, which perfectly embodies the complexity of the story, and we can understand why it is so popular.
17. “Tank!” bySEATBELTS(Cowboy Bebop)
The only thing surprising about “Tank!” on this list is that it is not higher but in 17th place. This OP is not just a classic among anime fans, it is a great and funky tune that perfectly fits the tone of Cowboy Bebop and is absolutely amazing.
16. “Kaikai Kitan” byEve(Jujutsu Kaisen)
“Kaikai Kitan” is the OP that introduced us to Jujutsu Kaisen, and while yours truly does think that there are better Jujutsu Kaisen songs for this list, “Kaikai Kitan” is understandably popular and we cannot really complain about it being included on this list.
15. (Tie) “Silhouette” byKANA-BOON(Naruto Shippuden)
An interesting song, “Silhouette” is probably one of the more catchy Naruto songs in general, and we definitely agree that it does deserve a place on this list, as many anime fans will remember it dearly!
14. (Tie) “Butter-Fly” byKoji Wada(Digimon Adventure)
There are many versions of this song. Many remakes, alternative versions, cast versions… you name it. Although American fans never got to hear it, Koji Wada’s “Butter-Fly” is an anime classic and undoubtedly one of the songs that marked a whole generation.
13. “Cha-La Head-Cha-la” byHironobu Kageyama(Dragon Ball Z)
Although yours truly prefers the original Dragon Ball theme over this one, “Cha-La Head-Cha-la” is undoubtedly a true classic and a song that has been the soul of the whole franchise for years. The song definitely deserves to be on this list, although we’d place it a bit lower on the list.
12. “Gurenge” byLiSA(Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba)
LiSA’s epic song was the first OP for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and is, in that aspect, a true classic that many fans love. It has remained with the fans for all this time, and it absolutely deserves to be here.
11. “Samurai Heart (Some Like it Hot)” bySPYAIR(Gintama)
Out of all the titles, we have to admit that this one is the biggest surprise, as Gintama is not a mainstream title (e.g., there are no Bleach or Pokémon songs!), but this is a catchy and uplifting song so we’re very glad that it is here!
10. “Ao no Sumika” byTatsuya Kitani(Jujutsu Kaisen)
This song was the first ED for Season 2 of the anime and we think that it actually landed such a high spot simply because it is a recent song. it is not a bad song by any means, but 10th place seems a bit too high, but understandable if you consider that it is recent.
9. “Again” byYUI(Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
The first opening of the Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, “Again” is a proper classic and we’re very glad and satisfied that it is on this list. We’d probably rank it a bit lower, but this song definitely deserves to be here, like several other Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood songs.
8. “We Are!” byHiroshi Kitadani(One Piece)
The first One Piece opening still remains a beloved classic by many fans, even after all these years. It has become a classic and well-known song around the world, so we definitely agree with its ranking here.
7. “SPECIALZ” byKing Gnu(Jujutsu Kaisen)
We know what we said about “Ao no Sumika,” but “SPECIALZ” is a completely different thing. The song is catchy and great, and the OP video is by far the best Jujutsu Kaisen OP video so far. We definitely agree that this song deserves such a ranking.
6. “Blue Bird” byIkimono-gakari(Naruto Shippuden)
“Blue Bird” is a beloved classic as well, but we would never have guessed that this Naruto song is such a global hit, but we’re happy that it is. This is one of the best Naruto songs in general so we’re glad that the fans are still appreciating it.
5. “Kick Back” byKenshi Yonezu(Chainsaw Man)
One of the more catchy songs in recent years, with a great OP video, “Kick Back” is an ideal fit for Chainsaw Man and we can understand why fans loved it immediately. Sure, the fact that it is new helped its popularity, but we’d definitely have it somewhere on this list as well.
4. “Unravel” byTK from 凛として時雨(Tokyo Ghoul)
TK from 凛として時雨 and his band, Ling tosite sigure, are special. Truly. After their success with Psycho-Pass, they became sought after and have contributed to many anime in the meantime, with “unravel” being a prime example. The song has become a classic and a symbol of Tokyo Ghoul, so this ranking is absolutely deserved!
3. “Voltes V no Uta” byMitsuko Horie(Voltes V)
This song being here is not a surprise, but third place?! Well, it’s a positive and very cute surprise from our perspective, but we definitely wouldn’t have ranked this song so high on this list.
2. “Idol” byYOASOBI(OSHI NO KO)
YOASOBI is one of the hottest duos in Japan now, and their “Idol” became a proper global hit thanks to the anime. This song conquered the world quickly and we can agree that this popularity merited a high place on this list.
1. “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” byYoko Takahashi(Neon Genesis Evangelion)
This song was released in 1995, but nevertheless, it is, to many, an embodiment of anime music in general. This is an unsurprising result, really, as “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” is a song that has become a true classic and we can only agree with this ranking.
