It was an amazing year of anime with many new adaptations like “Heion Sedai no Idaten-tachi” and the awaited returning ones such as “Re:zero”! We also saw original anime like “Sonny Boy”, showing how a seemingly plain anime can bring forth deep layers.

In no particular order, here are our top 25 anime opening and ending songs of 2021. Hope you’ll enjoy it!


BEASTARS

Kaibutsu by YOASOBI


YOASOBI’s rise in popularity has been exponential but it’s clear that all of it is well-deserved once you get to know its music. For Kaibutsu, the duo offers an interesting synth-based song with march-like tunes and rhythm.

Kaibutsu / Yasashi Suisei

Buy at CDJapan

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations

Who are you? by PELICAN FANCLUB


The trio that makes up PELICAN FANCLUB brings an incredible rise in emotion and determination, especially at the peak points of the song! A great match for a shounen anime like Boruto.

Who are you? / Seiza shite Futari

Buy at CDJapan

Scarlet Nexus

MACHINEGUN by THE ORAL CIGARETTES

An extremely slick and fast-paced rock song with an evenly matched music video. THE ORAL CIGARETTES displays once again its outstanding ability in creating wild guitar licks.

MACHINEGUN

Buy at iTunes

100-man no Inochi no Ue ni Ore wa Tatteiru

Baddest by Higuchi Kaede

The virtual YouTuber Higuchi Kaede is fittingly performing the badass opening theme song for an anime that takes place in a virtual world… or does it?

Baddest

Buy at CDJapan

Cardfight!! Vanguard: overDress

ZEAL of proud by Roselia

An explosive song by the band Roselia from the franchise “BanG Dream!“. ZEAL of proud is not only one of the best songs from this year in anime but probably one of Roselia’s best songs.

ZEAL of proud

Buy at CDJapan

Platinum End

Koufukuron by Miyashita Yuu

Miyashita Yuu is a long-time utaite (vocal cover artist) who previously covered songs from groups like MYTH & ROID. He received the opportunity to perform Koufukuron which maybe not so coincidently is written by the composer behind MYTH & ROID, Tom-H@ck!

Koufukuron

Buy at CDJapan

Build Divide: #000000

BANG!!! by EGOIST

A unique collaboration between EGOIST and composer Giga that expresses “a strong female image that hadn’t been present in EGOIST until now“. It’s a song that definitely lives up to its name!

BANG!!!

Buy at CDJapan

Deatte 5-byou de Battle

Make Event Jikkyou Play by 15-sai to Oomori Seiko


The mysterious 15-sai (15 years old) together with Oomori Seiko have brought life to a chaotic song, showing all the annoyances that come with shitty mobile games.

Make Event Jikkyou Play

Buy at CDJapan

Kimetsu no Yaiba: Yuukaku-hen

Zankyou Sanka by Aimer


A fantastic auditory work combined with spectacular visuals. The arrangement of Zankyou Sanka is dynamic and lively which keeps every moment eventful. It’s also not often we get to hear Aimer’s husky voice in such a vibrant fashion too!

Zankyo Sanka / Asa ga Kuru

Buy at CDJapan

Kimetsu no Yaiba: Mugen Ressha-hen

Akeboshi by LiSA


LiSA continues the Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba) hype train with the majestic and powerful Akeboshi. Despite those traits, it’s also quite a melancholic song.

Akeboshi / Shirogane

Buy at CDJapan

King’s Raid: Ishi wo Tsugumono-tachi

Eclipse by DREAMCATCHER

Last year we had the chance to include a Korean group in our top list, and it seems like we’re doing it again! This time we have DREAMCATCHER from Korea who predominately perform rocks songs and typically shares characteristics with anisong. Fans have been anticipating their true anime opening debut and with Eclipse, they finally did it!

Eclipse

Buy at CDJapan

Jouran: The Princess of Snow and Blood

EXIST by RAISE A SUILEN

EXIST, a blend of traditional Japanese and demonic tunes by RAISE A SUILEN from the franchise “BanG Dream!“. It’s easy to see how remarkably well this song fits in with the anime.

EXIST

Buy at CDJapan

86 (Eighty Six)

Kyoukaisen by amazarashi


amazarashi continues to question our existence in the world and through Kyoukaisen, our life choices. The song and music video play in with the same concept as the anime but seemingly has frontman Akita Hiromu’s twist added to it.

Kyoukaisen

Buy at CDJapan

Saihate no Paladin

Shirushibi by yanaginagi


One of the most soothing songs out of this year in anime, as expected by someone like yanaginagi who has a soft and gentle voice. We were captivated the moment we listened to it.

Shirushibi

Buy at CDJapan

Shuumatsu no Walküre

Fukahi by SymaG

A wistful and mournful song that allows SymaG to showcase his remarkable vocal range along with emotional rock riffs.

Onnoji

Buy at CDJapan

Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song

Sing My Pleasure by Yagi Kairi


A soft and reserved song that combines rock and classical instruments, it’s simple, yet impactful. Yagi Kairi does not only knows how to sing but also voices the main character in the show. As Vivy is a music-oriented anime, you will be pleased to hear that there’s a lot more music from the series to explore.

Sing My Pleasure

Buy at CDJapan

Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu 2nd Season Part 2

Long shot by Maeshima Mayu

Long shot is the result of bringing together the powerful voice formerly in MYTH & ROID, Maeshima Mayu, and composer RON from STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION. This impressive electronic power fuel gives us the energy to move forward—even if we were to start from zero.

Long shot

Buy at CDJapan

Platinum End

Sense by BAND-MAID


The world dominator BAND-MAID never fails to serve violent and fast-paced songs and Sense is no exception! Every part of it packs punches and you’re left without a second of rest.

BAND-MAID-Sense-CD-2021
Sense

Buy at CDJapan

WIXOSS Diva(A)Live

Hanpanai☆Destruction by Uchuu no Hajimari

“Hanpanai☆Destruction” is where cute and heavy converge! Enjoy the contrast between the heavy guitars and adorable vocals by the voice actresses behind the characters Tamago, Nova, and Bang.

WIXOSS DIVA(A)LIVE Best of DIVA

Stream on Spotify

Yuukoku no Moriarty 2nd Season

OMEGA by STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION

STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION’s electronic and dance-inducing tunes make a return to the Moriarty the Patriot (Yuukoku no Moriarty) series and also to our yearly anisong list! Last year’s track ALPHA became a song we put on repeat, and OMEGA repeats that pattern.

Our most recent interview with RON from STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION explores his mindset as an anisong composer, give it a peek if you haven’t yet!

OMEGA

Buy at CDJapan

Heion Sedai no Idaten-tachi

Seija no Koushin by Kitani Tatsuya


An inconspicuous song that conceals its empowering capabilities through its steady marching rhythm. Before you know it, you’re already marching with them!

Seija no Koushin

Buy at CDJapan

Sonny Boy

Shounen Shoujo by GING NANG BOYZ


The song title Shounen Shoujo, or its slightly more direct English version, Boy Meets Girl, summarizes Sonny Boy well on a surface level. However, packed inside this coming-of-age song are melancholic melodies and lyrics, bitter emotions, and a slight glimpse of serenity—a one-to-one reflection of the anime itself and a portrayal of today’s society that favors conformity.

Shounen Shoujo

Buy at CDJapan

86 (Eighty Six)

Avid by SawanoHiroyuki[nZk]:mizuki


Joining composer Sawano Hiroyuki on the tear-jerking ride is vocalist mizuki. Avid follows the concept of the anime and perfectly encapsulates the helplessness that is brought forth when living in two separate worlds—connected, yet distant.

Avid / Hands Up to the Sky

Buy at CDJapan

Urasekai Picnic

Minikui Ikimono by CHiCO with HoneyWorks


HoneyWorks expands its youthful Confession Series with Minikui Ikimono. Like many of HoneyWorks’ music, it’s cute and heartwarming, but yet, there’s always a thorn stuck that adds tension to the story. You will also find the events of Minikui Ikimono included in the light novel “Kokuhaku Yokou Renshuu: Otome-domo yo.”.

Oni no Mori / Minikui Ikimono

Buy at CDJapan

Yakusoku no Neverland

Identity by Akiyama Kiro


Influenced by anime to learn how to play bass, Akiyama Kiro performs a cool and high-spirited rock track for the dystopic anime The Promised Neverland (Yakusoku no Neverland).

Identity

Buy at CDJapan


Bonus song:
100-man no Inochi no Ue ni Ore wa Tatteiru

Yaoyorozu no shima no uta ~Eishou Ver.~ by Taketatsu Ayana

Our bonus entry this year is an insert song whose title translates to “The Yaoyorozu island song”. It’s beautifully performed by the voice actress Taketatsu Ayana and tells the gruesome ancient tale of the calamity that struck the fictional island 800 years ago.

It is a reminder of the cruelty that the island gods are capable of when angered, devouring the inhabitants in its “white wall” (tsunami) and the “blood of earth” (lava) until man is returned to earth.

“100-man no Inochi no Ue ni Ore wa Tatteiru (Anime)” 2nd Season Original Soundtrack “Oto 100 no 2”

Buy at CDJapan


We hope you liked our picks! Leave a comment below if we missed your favorite anisong!

Other top lists:

0 comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments