Top Ten Favorite Anime Intro Songs
Greetings friends,
It should come as no surprise that I am a huge fan of anime. My weeb beginnings can be traced back to my elementary school days when Pokémon was released on Gameboy and the card game was originally taking the world by craze. Shortly after, I also discovered Yu-Gi-Oh and Dragonball Z. Dragonball Z was life changing. I am still a huge fan to this day. Since then I have also discovered many other anime series that I enjoy. In honor of that, I would like to share my top ten favorite anime intro songs! I am limiting it to one per franchise and limiting it to the original Japanese intro song. That means no “Rock the Dragon” from the English version of Dragonball Z, even though I love it so much. It also rules out the Pokémon theme song that a lot of us know and love and the iconic “It’s Time to Duel” from Yu-Gi-Oh.
Honorable Mention. – Attack on Titan – Feuerroter Pfeil und Bogen by Linked Horizon
I love how this song starts out. It dives hard into progressive metal and then switches gears to a more alternative sound once it gets going. It keeps shifting between the two throughout but is not jarring. I have not watched this anime but from what I know of it, I think the song fits the content. The vocalist does a great job of providing clean vocals and inspires us to want to join the war against the titans.
Honorable Mention. – Samurai 7 – Mangekyo Unlimited by Nanase Aikawa
This is a beautiful song that I feel captures the heart of the series. It is more of a pop/rock ballad. This is the first song on the list that is from an anime that I have actually watched and really enjoyed.
I felt that the albums above deserved a mention even though it did not make the official list. Without further ado, I present the top ten favorite anime songs!
10. Demon Slayer – Gurenge by LiSA
This song has a haunting beginning that shifts into hard rock. I felt the song fit the imagery of the opening very well. This is another anime that I have not watched yet. The vocals are amazing and the guitar riffs and beat of the drums flow perfectly. I love the sound of the vocals and plan on checking out more from the artist.
9. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – Inner Universe by Yoko Kanno and Origa
I feel like this song starts out almost operatic and then really hits its stride about halfway through. It is hauntingly beautiful and I feel captures the philosophical nature that has always drawn me to the anime. The drumming sound the beginning is almost distracting, but it actually does a great job of leading you into the rest of the song and sets the beat.
8. Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood – Again by Yui
This is another song with a haunting melody and blends a slow buildup with an explosive crescendo. I have watched the original Fullmetal Alchemist anime but have not watched brotherhood yet. When the tempo picks up you want to imagine yourself as an alchemist joining the Elric brothers on their journey.
7. Darker than Black – Howling by Abingdon Boys School
This is a heavy alt-rock track that starts out swinging heavy and continues to kick ass throughout. This is another anime that I have not seen but it is high up on my to-watch list. The guitar riff melts your face off. It’s time to go, “Howling in the shadows!”
6. Mobile Suit Gundam Wing – Just Communication by Two-Mix
This entry is primarily a pop song, but a damn catchy one. Good luck getting it out of your head. The sound of the mechs fighting I think adds to the song and helps it fit the tone of the show better. After all, part of how the mechs and the pilots communicate it by fighting one another.
5. Cowboy Bebop – Tank! by The Seatbelts
“3…2…1…Let’s jam!” This entry has a little bit of everything. Rock, jazz, pop, etc. The Seatbelts is led by Yoko Kanno who is also responsible for the previous entry Inner Universe from Ghost in the Shell. The Seatbelts was assembled by Yoko Kanno in order to perform the soundtrack for Cowboy Bebop. The show takes it’s soundtrack seriously. There is not a more fitting song that could have been the intro. Tsuneo Imahori is responsible for the guitar throughout. Spoiler alert, it is not his only entry on the list either.
Here is another virtual session of the full length version that I feel is worth a watch.
4. Outlaw Star – Through the Night by Masahiko Arimachi
Outlaw Star is one of my favorite anime of all time. I always loved hearing the intro because I knew I was about to travel through space with the crew of the Outlaw Star. This intro fits the show perfectly. The show and the intro have a fast pacing but not fast enough to detract from the content.
3. Trigun – H.T. by Tsuneo Imahori
This is the second entry to feature Tsuneo Imahori. This time he is without the rest of The Seatbelts. Trigun is another one of my favorite anime of all time. The tone shifts match up with the tone shifts of the scenes in the intro, and the show itself. I feel this is another riff that begs to try to melt your face off.
2. Bubblegum Crisis – Konya wa Hurricane (There’s a Hurricane Tonight) by Kinuko Ohmori
This entry shocked me the most. It is from an anime that I have never seen, but cannot wait to check out once I find the means to do so. The intro is beyond amazing and is one of the most 80’s things I have ever seen or heard. When doing research for this list, this song came in like a hurricane and found itself earning the second slot.
Here is a live action version.
1. Neon Genesis Evangelion – A Cruel Angel’s Thesis by Yoko Takahashi
This entry probably comes as no surprise to those that are fans of anime. What might be more surprising, is that it comes from anime that I have never seen. I am pretty familiar with what the anime is about though. I do look forward to watching it and will probably end up watching the subbed version on Netflix. Anyways, the song is fantastic and I believe fits perfectly. Yoko’s voice is beautiful. The way the song builds up is amazing.
Here is another live version that I feel is worth a watch.
I am not the first one, nor the last that will ever make an anime intro list. As more anime gets released, there are also more contenders. However, some of the songs on this list have already withstood the test of time. If you are interested in checking out another list, here is a link to Comic Book Realm. Below is the video for Watchmojo’s list.
What are your favorite anime intro songs?
Thank you,
Jake Jeffries
P.S. Part of why I have not yet watched Neon Genesis Evangelion is because of the previous lack of availability and after hearing the outcry of fans after the Netflix release. After doing some research, in particular the articles listed below, I have decided that it will be at least worth watching the subbed version in the near future. Like Shinji, it is time for me to get in the robot.
