Anime songs recommended for college students: theme songs and insert songs from popular anime.
From Digimon to Attack on Titan, we’re introducing anime songs from a variety of generations.
Some of them make an incredibly strong impression, but every single one is a guaranteed banger for karaoke.
Now go find some otaku friends on campus and hit up karaoke right away!
Recommended anison for university students: theme songs and insert songs from popular anime (1–10)
Zankyo SankaNEW!Aimer
Released in January 2022 as Aimer’s 20th single, this song was selected as the opening theme for the popular anime Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Entertainment District Arc.
It topped the Billboard Japan Hot 100 for nine consecutive weeks, surpassed 200 million streams, and received a Special Award at the Japan Record Awards.
Masahiro Tobinai’s bold arrangement features resplendent brass and strings that brilliantly capture both the opulence of the red-light district and the tension of battle.
The lyrics, imbued with a powerful resolve to overcome past pain and resound into the future, embody the very determination of characters who confront their fate.
Performed even in cheering scenes at Koshien, it’s a song cherished not only by anime fans but also by many listeners running through their youth.
OtonokeNEW!Creepy Nuts
Centered on Gen Z, the TV anime Dandadan became a social phenomenon, and its opening theme can be described as a new frontier in hip-hop woven by R-Shitei and DJ Matsunaga.
Its title is a coined word meaning “sound apparition,” expressing how music itself slips into people’s hearts like something supernatural.
The lyrics are sprinkled with references to horror icons like Sadako and Kayako, as well as phrases that evoke other Jump works, sublimating the daring theme of fusing the occult with hip-hop.
The breakneck beat, relentless flow, and intricately calculated rhymes have the power to pull listeners straight into the story’s world.
Released in October 2024, the track topped the Billboard Japan Hot 100 and earned high praise both at home and abroad.
It’s an anime song recommended for those who want to immerse themselves in the anime’s worldview or experience a new form of hip-hop.
Chaos reaches its peakNEW!UNISON SQUARE GARDEN
This track captivates with its exhilarating rock sound and meticulous arrangements.
Created by UNISON SQUARE GARDEN, it was selected as the opening theme for the TV anime Blue Lock and released in October 2022 as their 18th single.
In sync with the story’s intense developments, the rapidly shifting structure and catchy melodies weave a distinctive catharsis that leaves a strong impression.
Perfectly matching the anime’s dynamism, the song has earned high praise, including the Creators’ Choice Award for Most Votes.
It’s an uplifting tune I recommend for moments when you want to raise your spirits or recharge your energy.
BlessingNEW!YOASOBI
Released in October 2022, this song drew attention as the opening theme for the anime Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury.
Based on Ichiro Okouchi’s original novella cradle planet, the lyrics reflect the bond between the protagonist Suletta and the Gundam Aerial.
Infused with determination for the future and a wish for coexistence, the lyrics convey a strength that says we can support each other no matter which path we choose.
The dramatic development woven by the driving sound and ikura’s clear, translucent vocals is sure to set your heart ablaze.
Featured on the album THE BOOK 3, the track peaked at No.
2 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 and has surpassed 100 million views on YouTube.
It’s an energetic number we highly recommend to fans of the Gundam series and anyone seeking a powerful, message-driven song.
kaiju (giant monster)NEW!Sakanaction
This is Sakanaction’s first anime tie-in song, depicting the passion and struggles of those who pursue truth.
Released in February 2025, it was chosen as the opening theme for NHK General’s “Chi: On the Movements of the Earth.” Deeply connected to the anime’s worldview, which focuses on people attempting to prove the heliocentric theory, the lyrics convey a strong will to keep seeking the truth even in darkness.
Sakanaction’s unique sound—a fusion of electronica and rock—evokes curiosity and a forward-looking mindset.
It’s a must-listen for anyone who wants to experience that sensation of having your own common sense overturned when you encounter new knowledge.
IRIS OUTNEW!Kenshi Yonezu
This is a song written by Kenshi Yonezu as the theme for the feature film Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc.
It will be released alongside the movie in September 2025.
Following “KICK BACK” from the previous TV anime, this marks his second collaboration with MAPPA.
A memorable behind-the-scenes anecdote is that he supposedly kept the Reze pages from the original manga open all the time, glaring at them as he composed.
The exhilarating sound and powerful rhythm heighten the battles and thrilling developments.
It’s a dramatic track that perfectly matches a world where intense plot twists and complex emotions intersect.
It’s a must-listen not only for anime fans but for anyone drawn to the world of Chainsaw Man.
KICKBACKNEW!Kenshi Yonezu
Kenshi Yonezu, who draws attention for his genre-blurring musicality from electronica to folk, released his 13th single in November 2022 as the opening theme for the TV anime Chainsaw Man—a track that sonically paints protagonist Denji’s desires and inner turmoil.
Its lyrics, where a thirst for happiness collides with the emptiness of reality, resonate with the mindset of young people trying to claw their way up from rock bottom.
The fierce drum’n’bass-infused beat and dizzying key changes are an emotional roller coaster in themselves.
With dance videos spreading across social media, it also meshes perfectly with the digitally native Gen Z audience.
It’s an impulsive rock tune for anyone craving a jolt in their everyday life.