While the visuals and story are what initially draw viewers into the world of anime, it is the music that often helps elevate the emotional impact and enhances the overall experience.
From iconic themes that have become memes to grand orchestral pieces that swell during pivotal scenes, these selections feature soundtracks that not only suit their respective shows perfectly but have also garnered acclaim and praise from both fans and critics.
10. My Hero Academia
The superhero anime ‘My Hero Academia‘ features an incredible soundtrack composed by Yuki Hayashi. Hayashi captures an amazing array of moods through his work, from energetic and uplifting themes for the heroes, to moody and menacing tracks for the villains.
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Songs like ‘You Say Run‘ have become iconic while vocal pieces such as ‘Might‘ and ‘Hero Too‘ soar with emotion. No matter the scene, Hayashi’s music swells the heart and makes viewers feel just as excited and inspired as the young heroes in training.
9. Devilman Crybaby
The emotionally heavy and often tragic events of ‘Devilman Crybaby ‘are amplified tenfold by Kensuke Ushio’s powerful soundtrack. Sweeping choral tracks and thumping rave tunes bring intense drama and atmosphere to both melancholic and frenetic moments.
Whether invoking feelings of despair or adrenaline, the music never fails to heighten all of the series’ raw emotion to a truly tear-jerking effect.
8. FLCL
Anime soundtracks don’t get more unique than ‘FLCL‘, where the entire score was created by the Japanese rock band The Pillows. Their exuberant and offbeat sound perfectly matches the chaos and hormonal turmoil experienced by the young protagonists.
Tracks like ‘Ride on Shooting Star‘ showcase their blend of punk, new wave, and pop styles in a way that could only gel with ‘FLCL’s bizarre yet deeply relatable coming-of-age story.
7. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
The highly creative music of ‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure‘ deserves recognition owing to how stylishly it matches the series’ inspiration from real-world musicians. Whether orchestral pieces, operatic epics, or bizarre fusions of genres, composers Yugo Kanno, Hayato Matsuo, and Taku Iwasaki craft uniquely memorable themes.
These creations are befitting the flamboyant battles and characters. Standouts include Jotaro’s horn-heavy fanfare and Giorno’s piano and saxophone masterwork.
6. Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex
Yoko Kanno delivers a majestic and thought-provoking score that aptly captures the futuristic intrigue and deep philosophical ideas presented in the cyberpunk world. Strings, ethereal vocals, and blending of genres give both gravitas and fragility to the introspective storyline.
Kanno’s work highlights the humanity still present even in a society bordering the technological singularity in ‘Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex‘.
5. Hunter x Hunter
Composer Yoshihisa Hirano shows incredible range with the ‘Hunter x Hunter‘ soundtrack. Whether lending bounces to comedic scenes, conveying tragic emotion, or pumping tension before epic battles, Hirano’s music communicates all of the adventure anime’s tones beautifully.
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Memorable tracks like ‘Kaen‘ and the iconic ‘Hyori Ittai‘ act as perfect musical companions for any rewatch of the beloved series.
4. Attack On Titan
Hiroyuki Sawano has crafted many outstanding anime scores but none so impactful as his work for ‘Attack on Titan‘. Grandiose orchestral pieces and epic vocal-driven tracks effectively amplify the over-the-top action and shocking twists to unparalleled heights.
Stirring themes like ‘Vogel Im Kafig‘ and ‘YouSeeBIGGIRL/T:T‘ have become as memorable as the series itself in pumping viewers’ adrenaline during each climactic sequence.
3. Initial D
What began as background music, helped propel an entire music genre into the mainstream. ‘Initial D’ is responsible for popularizing Eurobeat through the incorporation of techno, dance, and rock tracks from artists like Dave Rodgers and MAX COOL.
Memorable songs like ‘Deja Vu‘ and ‘Running in the ’90s‘ turn every drift race into a white-knuckle thrill ride thanks to their high-octane melodies and beats.
2. Cowboy Bebop
Jazz is intrinsically tied to the DNA of ‘Cowboy Bebop‘ and Yoko Kanno’s superb compositions are a huge reason why it remains a watershed anime. Instrumental pieces are toe-tappingly brilliant while vocal additions like the ending theme ‘Real Folk Blues‘ impart deep melancholy.
Every episode title pays tribute to a music genre or song, but it’s Kanno’s soundtrack that makes the Western sci-fi saga’s noir soul sing.
1. Berserk
Susumu Hirasawa’s mournful yet undeniably beautiful songs have enraptured ‘Berserk‘ fans for decades. Compelling instrumentals and haunting vocals impart immense tragedy underscoring Guts’s harrowing journey.
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‘My Brother‘ cuts to the core with its simplistic profundity, laying bare emotions and making even the darkest scenes immensely rewatchable. No adaptation since has recaptured the original score’s soul-stirring resonance that inhabits the very heart of Berserk itself.
