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!
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.
Buy at CDJapan
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.
Buy at CDJapan
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.
Buy at iTunes
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?
Buy at CDJapan
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.
Buy at CDJapan
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!
Buy at CDJapan
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!
Buy at CDJapan
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.
Buy at CDJapan
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!
Buy at CDJapan
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.
Buy at CDJapan
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!
Buy at CDJapan
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.
Buy at CDJapan
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.
Buy at CDJapan
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.
Buy at CDJapan
Fukahi by SymaG
A wistful and mournful song that allows SymaG to showcase his remarkable vocal range along with emotional rock riffs.
Buy at CDJapan
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.
Buy at CDJapan
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.
Buy at CDJapan
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.
Buy at CDJapan
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.
Stream on Spotify
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!
Buy at CDJapan
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!
Buy at CDJapan
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.
Buy at CDJapan
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.
Buy at CDJapan
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.”.
Buy at CDJapan
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).
Buy at CDJapan
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.
Buy at CDJapan
We hope you liked our picks! Leave a comment below if we missed your favorite anisong!
Other top lists:
- Top 25 anime opening and ending songs 2020
- Top 25 anime opening and ending songs 2019
- Top 20 anime opening and ending songs 2018
- Top 20 anime opening and ending songs 2017
- Top 3 best mobile rhythm games (Android and iOS)