When you think of anime, one of the most standout things about them outside of the visuals, the art style, and the cliffhangers is always the killer soundtracks. These songs are more than just background music — they become the heartbeat of the story, shaping emotions, amplifying action, and giving viewers a sense of connection to the characters and their journeys.
From swelling orchestral pieces that make every battle feel epic, to delicate ballads that bring out the heartbreak of quiet moments, anime soundtracks have the power to stay with fans long after the credits roll.
Uzumaki
Colin Stetson — ‘Uzumaki’
Uncomfortable, unsettling, and uncanny are the three words that come to mind when thinking about Junji Ito’s Uzumaki, a show that focuses on a curse of spirals that befalls the town, causing great misfortune to unfurl.
Colin Stetson's composition for the theme ‘Uzumaki’ hits the nail on the head as it makes listeners feel that they have been caught in the spiral. The repetitive arrangement of the music makes watchers feel on edge every time they start a new episode — making it pair well with the uncertainty and the thrill of the themes in the show to make your skin crawl.
Lazarus
Bonobo, Jacob Lusk — ‘Dark Will Fall’
Created for Shinichiro Watanabe’s Lazarus, which follows the story of a miracle drug that has fatal consequences, the song ‘Dark Will Fall’ certainly looms over listeners with its lyrics and overall vibe, going in tandem with the melancholy filter that hangs over the entire show.
The track bookends the series flawlessly as it appears in the first and last episodes of the series, setting the tone for some of the most important establishing and conclusive scenes in the entire anime.
The lyrics of the song frame the themes of the entire show as they say, “Darkness comes like a fire, draped in bold every design, Beelzebub then signed my name, [I’m on his mind]? gave me everything but my heart's desire.” The lyrics personify the sinister nature of the show — emphasising the intensity of it.
Demon Slayer
Man With a Mission, Milet — ‘絆ノ奇跡 (Kizuna no Kiseki)’
Season 4 of Demon Slayer is a turning point in the entire arc of the show as it demonstrates the overwhelming resilience and overall theme of good always prevailing over evil. ‘絆ノ奇跡 (Kizuna no Kiseki)’ by MAN WITH A MISSION and Milet drives home that sentiment with the explosive burst of the shredding guitar line and the bruising drums that pair with the extremely meaningful lyrics, embodying the fighting spirit that is seen throughout the series.
The addition of the Gu Zheng melody at the beginning of the track adds another layer of depth, making it align more with the personality of the entire show. The lyrics reflect the story behind the series as they summarise the overwhelming emotions of the journey and hurdles that the characters overcome.
The lyrics say, “Oh flame that dwells in our liberated hearts, rise up, dance around, now toward the far side of dawn.” The recurring imagery of flames, dawn, and light breaking through darkness symbolizes determination to endure hardship and protect love, even at the cost of one’s life.
Your Name
RADWIMPS — ‘Dream lantern’
Your Name is a devastating story that follows the story of two characters who switch bodies with each other, with one of them experiencing a great deal of loss as part of the love that blossoms between them. The song, ‘Dream lantern’ by RADWIMPS, captures the messy collage of memories and unfinished love between the two characters. The song opens with fragmented melodies that resemble the beauty of a broken mirror reflecting light.
The track starts off soft before erupting into a classic rock tune that captures the pain and heartache that the show represents. The lyrics frame the narrative as they say, “Let’s make a promise that will never disappear, and say it together on the count of one, two.” The recurrent metaphorical use of rainbows, rain, and voices that never fade symbolizes resilience and the desire for connection, even when the person no longer exists.
Howl’s Moving Castle
Joe Hisaishi — ‘Merry-Go-Round of Life’
Maybe one of the most iconic anime films to exist, Howl’s Moving Castle is a journey of ups and downs with moments of intense happiness and deep reflection, which are both well represented throughout the soundtrack, but especially by the piece, ‘Merry-Go-Round of Life’ by Joe Hisaishi.
The swelling happiness of the melody makes listeners feel as though they are walking on clouds, with the full and layered melodies encapsulating the happiness and love that the characters exude throughout the show, also infusing the sense of whimsy that the show puts across. However, during scenes of quiet deliberation and deep reflection or realisation, the mellow version of the same tune plays, making it a versatile track suited for any extreme emotions portrayed on the screen.
Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre
MADKID — ‘Paranoid’
Apparent from the name itself, the series presents various horrifying short episodes that are the epitome of darkness and disturbing. ‘Paranoid’ by MADKID infuses the darkness that makes your stomach drop into the rap verses, making it the perfect track to open the show.
The lyrics say, “Fall, fall down, nightmare — can’t get away, walls have ears, shōji have eyes, show me your mind, a withered voice — it reaches no one, never comes dawn — still haunted.” The overall lyrics and melody of the song paint the eerie, claustrophobic, and haunted portrait of someone trapped in nightmares and paranoia. Images of being watched, inescapable anxiety, and lingering wounds create a sense of isolation and collapse.
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc
Kenshi Yonezu, Hikaru Utada — ‘JANE DOE’
One of the most anticipated anime films of 2025, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc delves into themes of love, danger, and betrayal, which is perfectly translated through the lyrics and the impactful ballad-like nature of ‘JANE DOE’ by Kenshi Yonezu and Hikaru Utada.
The track captures the feeling of romance and the overwhelming feelings of pain and pleasure that come with love. The lyrics say, “Moonlight shining on the tips of our toes, the scent of a bouquet, fingers grazing fingers, goodbye–time for me to forget everything and disappear, walking on broken glass barefoot, drops of blood fall with each pang of pain, please, trace those red footsteps and come find me.”
Naruto Shippuden
Flow — 'Sign'
Season 6 of Naruto Shippuden explores themes of revenge, the consequences of power, and the moral complexities of justice. It delves into the struggle between personal desire and the greater good, the weight of past actions, and the pursuit of resolution in a world filled with conflict and difficult choices.
The theme song, ‘Sign’ by FLOW, perfectly demonstrates these themes as the opening starts off mellow before bursting into the punk rock-esque verses and choruses that capture the chaos of the season, together with the fire that boils within the characters in the pursuit of justice.
The lyrics drive home this sentiment as they say, “I put a lid over my rubbed and worn-out heart, even if I’m hurt, it’s fine—there’s no more pain now, dragging my feet along, still moving forward,” capturing the immense determination and resilience that the series embodies.
Cowboy Bebop
Seatbelts — 'Tank!'
One of the oldest anime featured on this list, Cowboy Bebop is a stylish space western that explores themes of loneliness, existential searching, and the inescapable weight of the past. Set against a backdrop of adventure and danger, it reflects on human connection, redemption, and the fleeting nature of life.
The theme song ‘Tank!’ captures that thrill of adventure with its unique jazz fusion sound that includes trumpets and bongos, giving it the vibe of a retro spy movie and capturing the novelty of the music from that time, even though the show was set in 2071. The track has a playful sound to it that dampens the overly serious elements of the show, portraying it as more of an uncertain voyage that the bounty hunters are on.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
YUI — 'Again'
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood explores the consequences of ambition, the pursuit of knowledge, and the moral cost of seeking power. It delves into themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the enduring bonds that drive individuals to overcome adversity.
Staying true to the theme of the show, the theme song ‘Again’ by YUI talks about perseverance, embracing life’s pain, and pursuing dreams despite setbacks. It emphasizes the struggle of facing reality, the need to move forward, and gratitude for kindness and support along the way. The repeated lyric, “I can’t just play it safe—there’s nowhere to go back to,” perfectly captures the song’s drive for growth and resilience.
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