Top 12 Greatest Anime Songs of All Time

The story revolves around girls who make a contract to become magical girls and must fight witches until the end of their lives. The music, composed by Yuki Kajiura, is nothing short of legendary. Yuki, a titan in the anime industry, has created iconic soundtracks for beloved series and games like Noir, Tsubasa Chronicle, and several doujin games. The music in this series is undeniably exceptional.

The opening theme, "Connect" by ClariS, starts with an upbeat tone that initially deceives viewers, but over time, its deep meaning and fluctuating tempo make it even more captivating. It serves as a reflection of the anime itself. The ending theme, "Magia" by Kalafina, is a stark contrast—its solemn and powerful melody resonates deeply, evoking a full range of emotions.

At number 6, the fame of One Piece needs no introduction. With its long-running episodes, the series features numerous openings, and "Share the World" has left a lasting impression on its audience. With a modern melody and a catchy chorus, this 11th opening quickly became a fan favorite.

The song's widespread popularity was boosted by the participation of DBSK, one of Asia's top music groups at the time. The collaboration between One Piece and DBSK made "Share the World" an undeniable hit in the anime music world.

While the story of Inu Yasha primarily focuses on the intense battles between good and evil, the anime also emphasizes the emotional and romantic aspects significantly.

One of the key elements that enhances the emotional depth is the song "Every Heart" performed by BoA. The song even has its own album, available in both Japanese and English versions, allowing fans to enjoy it in their own way.

"Although the four seasons may pass, we will continue to move forward, and from that place, we will see our future, and from there, we will see our dreams..."

These heartfelt lyrics come from the song "Orange" in the soundtrack of Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso (Your Lie in April), performed by Masaru Yokoyama.

"Ai wo Komete Umi" is a song from the movie Kokuriko ZakaKara (From Up on Poppy Hill), performed by Aoi Teshima. The lyrics of this song reflect a deeply romantic and emotional melody, mirroring the gentle soul of the protagonist, Umi Matsuzaki.

"The day we met, the poppies were in full bloom, do you still remember? A weathered stone wall, a fence..."

"Hello, Goodbye and Hello" by Kumaki Anri is featured in the film *Children Who Chase Lost Voices* (Hoshi Wo Ou Kodomo), which tells the story of Asuna, a girl who lost her father at a young age and lives a lonely life.

She spends her time listening to a mysterious song through an equally enigmatic device—a crystal radio left to her by her father. This marks the beginning of her journey into an entirely unfamiliar world, where she seeks to understand the true meaning of "separation"—a cruel yet beautiful part of life.

The soundtrack for *Your Name* was composed and performed by the band RADWIMPS. It won second place for "Best Soundtrack" at the 2016 Anime Newtype Awards and its Japanese music video became the second most-watched on YouTube in 2016.

*Your Name* tells the story of Mitsuha, a high school girl from the small town of Itomori, and Taki, a boy from Tokyo, who mysteriously swap bodies. As their experiences unfold, the two are led through extraordinary circumstances despite never having met or even knowing each other's names.

The title of the song, when translated, means "Cherry Blossom Dreams" or "Old Dreams and the Cherry Blossom Tree," reflecting the emotions of a young girl about a lost love that left unforgettable feelings behind.

Nishimiya Shouko, a deaf girl, transfers to the class of Ishida Shouya, a boy who, out of curiosity, starts bullying Shouko because of her hearing impairment. During one intense bullying episode, Shouko suffers a bleeding ear, prompting her to change schools. As a result, Shouya is ostracized and bullied by the class. Years later, tormented by his past actions, Shouya decides to find Shouko to apologize and make amends. This 2011 song, with its smooth and heartfelt melody, captured the hearts of many listeners.

"Yuki no Hana" is the main theme song of the renowned Japanese film *Grave of the Fireflies*. Set during the final days of World War II, the film follows the story of two orphaned children struggling to survive amidst the famine and devastation caused by the war.

Produced by Studio Ghibli in 1988, *Grave of the Fireflies* was directed by Takahata Isao and is based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Akiyuki Nosaka. The film, which serves as a heartfelt apology to the author's late sister, is a deeply emotional and humanistic tale that has moved countless viewers, with its poignant storyline and soul-stirring music.

Hotaru Song (Hotarubi no Mori e OST) by Fujita Maiko, with her soulful, emotional, and soaring voice, is considered one of the most moving and beautiful anime songs. Featured in the movie *Hotarubi no Mori e*, the song accompanies the story of Hotaru, a young girl who meets Gin, a mysterious boy wearing a fox mask, in a magical forest. At the age of six, Hotaru gets lost in the forest during a visit to her grandfather’s home and is left crying alone. Fortunately, Gin, a spirit, finds her and helps her out of the forest.

From then on, the two quickly become close friends. However, there is an unspoken rule—Hotaru, like all humans, is never allowed to touch Gin, or he will vanish forever. Gin is a boy who was abandoned in the forest long ago. Out of pity, the Mountain God brought him back to life, but the spell will break if a human touches him, causing his death. Every summer, Hotaru visits the forest to see Gin. As she grows older, Hotaru realizes that she has fallen in love with him. They both long to touch and embrace each other, but it is a wish that can never be fulfilled.

The cherry blossoms fall at a rate of 5 cm/s. If the distance between you and me were just 5 cm, it would take only 1 second for me to catch you. But as the blossoms fall at 5 cm/s, I miss, and in the process, I miss you as well. 'Sakura anata ni deaete yokatta' – these are heartfelt lyrics filled with meaning, describing the emotional spectrum of both happiness and sorrow in an incomplete love. This song serves as the main theme for the iconic anime film *5 Centimeters Per Second*, which had a major impact on Japanese cinema.

The film simply tells the story of two close friends, who, after one of them has to move away, slowly drift apart. Over time, they no longer walk the same path. Their lives diverge, and the film ends on a bittersweet note.

Beyond your love for the world, characters, plot, or script, one crucial factor that truly determines the success of an anime is its soundtrack. Without the music, you might feel lost in silence, bored by the lack of energy. *Attack on Titan* delivers captivating and haunting soundtracks composed by the seasoned Hiroyuki Sawano. The music shifts from low to high, fast to slow, mirroring the intense pace of the action. This keeps you fully engaged, even if you were already hooked from the start.

With its ability to control your emotions, the *Attack on Titan* soundtrack stands out as one of the most impressive anime scores in recent years, never failing to capture the hearts of viewers. Even if it doesn't move you emotionally, you’ll still find yourself drawn to the epic battles against the Titans as characters fight to save the world.