Listen More! A Collection of Hidden Gems in Anime Songs
In anime songs, there are insert tracks that only play in a single episode, and sometimes special ending themes too, right?
I imagine many people love those kinds of songs because they let you feel the world of the work more deeply.
So in this article, we’ll be introducing a generous selection of must-hear anime songs—undeniable masterpieces that you wouldn’t want to miss out on.
We’ll cover main themes as well, picking from a wide range of eras.
This playlist is a must-listen for anyone who only knows the theme songs from popular anime!
And for anime lovers, it might have you thinking, “Yes, this is it!”
- [Collection of Epic Songs] A compilation of cool anime songs chosen by anime fans
- [Nostalgic] Classic and Popular Anime Songs Recommended for People in Their 30s
- Moving and iconic anime songs, popular tracks
- [Nostalgic] A roundup of anime songs and theme songs that were hits in the 1980s
- Anisongs that were hits in the 2000s: a nostalgic collection of legendary tracks
- A Special Feature on Easy-to-Sing Anime Songs for Karaoke [100+ Songs]
- Touching Anime Ballads That Make You Cry [Moving & Heart-Wrenching]
- Masterpieces of poignant anime songs. Recommended popular tracks.
- [Hot & Cool] Up-tempo, hype-inducing anime song
- The Tear-Jerking World of Heart-Piercing Anime Songs
- [Burning] A Collection of Hype, Hot Anime Songs
- [Nostalgic & Latest] A Special Feature on Anime Songs Recommended for People in Their 20s
- Including global smash hits! Anime songs recommended for Gen Z
Listen More! Hidden Gems of Anisongs (21–30)
Rondo - revolutionMasami Okui
It’s an electric tune with a majestic atmosphere.
The song is by singer-songwriter Masami Okui and was released in 1997 as her 10th single.
It’s the opening theme for the anime Revolutionary Girl Utena.
The cool sound arrangement matches the world of the work and really stands out—and the bassline is incredibly cool! You can feel the maturity of the ’90s music scene.
You can enjoy it in many ways: carefully following the lyrics or focusing on each individual tone.
No buts!Mami Kawada
A track featuring an energetic sound and powerful vocals.
Released as a single in November 2010, it was later included on the album “SQUARE THE CIRCLE.” It was used as the first opening theme for the anime A Certain Magical Index II.
The lyrics express a strong will to keep moving forward while facing challenges and hardships, delivering courage and hope to listeners.
Mami Kawada’s vocals match the driving melody perfectly—it’s absolutely fantastic.
It also ties deeply into the anime’s world, so if you haven’t seen it yet, definitely give it a watch.
A night when the moonlight softly fallsNanao Ogawa
It’s the 9th ending theme of the anime Crayon Shin-chan.
The distinctive vocals and gentle lyrics linger in your ears.
I think it’s perfect to listen to while taking a walk, looking up at the night sky with the moon out, thinking of someone you love.
Love poemSoko ni naru
Sokoninaru, a band known for their exceptional musicianship, brings us “Somonshi.” Pre-released on January 11, 2024, this track was chosen as the opening theme for the TV anime The Witch and the Beast.
Its melody and lyrics imprint themselves on the listener’s heart like a spell.
The song weaves a resolve to press forward with unwavering conviction, and its razor-sharp sound ignites the spirit.
It’s a must-hear not only for music fans, but for anime fans as well.
Mosaic FragmentSun Set Swish
It’s a song by SunSet Swish that was used as the ending theme for the 2007 anime Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion.
The title is said to liken life to a mosaic and conveys the idea of how the fragments of that mosaic shape one’s life.
The anime is about a young man who rebels against his country with conviction in order to seek vengeance, and the more you read the lyrics, the more you empathize not only with the protagonist but with the other characters as well.
It’s also used as an insert song in the movies, and the timing when it plays is absolutely perfect! I really hope you’ll watch it.
First KissICHIKO
An opening that hits hard with its distinctive chorus right from the start—an irresistibly catchy anthem that screams classic anime song! It’s the opening theme for the TV anime The Familiar of Zero, adapted from a landmark 2000s light novel.
If you spent your youth as an anime fan back then, there’s a good chance this track will bring tears to your eyes.
With its calm verse, gradually accelerating pre-chorus, and a chorus that feels like the world suddenly opens up, the structure is perfection—textbook anison.
The way it slips in that handclap-inducing rhythm midway through the chorus is brilliant, too.
ICHIKO, who performs and wrote the lyrics, hasn’t released a huge number of works, so her voice feels inextricably linked with The Familiar of Zero in many people’s minds.
Be sure to also check out I SAY YES, the opening theme for the second season, The Familiar of Zero: Knight of the Twin Moons!
Ballad of the Wind and the HillReal Paladin
This is Real Paradis’s debut single, which was selected as the ending theme for the final chapter of the anime Nodame Cantabile, aired in 2010.
The lyrics were written by Jane Su, well-known as a radio DJ.
If you’ve followed the Nodame series all the way to the final chapter, reading the lyrics will probably hit you right in the feels.
The gentle, embracing vocals pair beautifully with the bright, future-tinged lyrics, making it a perfect song to close out the finale.