Addictive Anime Songs That Use Irregular Time Signatures
First, let me explain odd time signatures in a super simple way.
Most music you often hear, like J-pop, to put it roughly, is basically in 4/4 time.
If you clap along to the song four times, that rhythm lines up and loops nicely with the melody and such.
But odd time signatures don’t line up like that.
“You know, when did it suddenly jump to the chorus?” “I was really grooving and then the timing suddenly shifted and it surprised me.” That kind of disorienting beat… as you listen, it becomes addictive.
This time, we’re doing a special feature on anime songs that use odd time signatures.
Please stick with us to the end.
Addictive: A Compilation of Anime Songs with Irregular Time Signatures (1–10)
asphyxiaCö shu Nie
This is the second single by the two-piece rock band Cö shu Nie, known for their distinctive vocals that conjure vivid lyrical imagery and their high-quality compositions.
Chosen as the opening theme for the TV anime Tokyo Ghoul:re, the track blends a delicate, piano-forward ensemble with thrilling performances that really amp up the tension.
You can feel how the unsettling moments—where the time signature shifts before you even realize it—and the complex beats that make those shifts feel natural tie into the anime’s atmosphere.
With meticulously calculated arrangements that surge forward fluidly, this is an anime song that embodies the cool allure of odd time signatures.
Gray SagaChouCho
This is the 18th single by female singer ChouCho, who, before her major debut, was active as the vocalist of an anisong band and as a singer on Niconico Douga.
Chosen as the ending theme for the TV anime “The Journey of Elaina,” the song begins with a mysterious intro and unfolds into a track brimming with the tension of shifting time signatures.
The melody, which conveys a sense of freedom as the meter changes rapidly, creates depth that pairs beautifully with its classical tone.
It’s a fantastical anisong that aligns with the series’ worldview.
A-E-I-U-E-O-AO!!Hitotose Theater Company
A song by the troupe Hitotose, composed of the main characters who appear in the TV anime Hinako Note.
It’s also used as the opening theme for the series, and its character-song-style cute vocals paired with complex irregular meters leave a lasting impression.
The melody features unpredictable phrasing throughout, building a thrilling ensemble that you can’t sing after just one listen.
It’s fun to listen repeatedly and analyze, and a must-check for those who love songs in odd time signatures.
Mirror-surface wavesYURiKA
This is singer YURiKA’s third single, drawing attention after winning NHK’s “1st Anison Nodojiman G” and “NHK Nodojiman.” The song was chosen as the opening theme for the TV anime Land of the Lustrous, and its transparent vocals and dreamy arrangement are wonderfully soothing.
In the interlude, it suddenly shifts to an irregular time signature and then flows naturally back into the vocals—an irresistible structure for fans of odd meters.
With its distinctive beat changes, this anisong has a floating feel and a sense of depth that becomes addictively compelling.
Misheard Lyrics CakeOranges & Lemons
The first single by Oranges & Lemons, a female duo consisting of singer-songwriter Masumi Itō and music producer Yoko Ueno.
It was used as the opening theme for the TV anime Azumanga Daioh and was released as a double A-side single together with Raspberry Heaven, the series’ ending theme.
Its melody repeatedly modulates, creating a sense of instability, and the contrast provided by the irregular meter in the chorus wraps the entire song in an indescribable sense of unease.
If you like odd time signatures, you’ll probably find yourself replaying and analyzing it over and over—a strikingly addictive anisong.
The way homeMayoi Hachikuji (CV: Emiri Kato)
The opening theme for the story arc “Mayoi Snail,” which aired as episodes 3 to 5 of the TV anime Bakemonogatari and features the character Mayoi Hachikuji.
With a lively off-beat rhythm and an electric, cute sound, it perfectly embodies the feel of a character song.
The 7/8 section that comes in after the second chorus isn’t so much a flashy display of advanced arranging as it is a natural progression that preserves the flow of the melody and the character’s vibe.
It’s a high-energy anison that uses irregular meter as a hook while still sounding completely natural.
Phantom JokeUNISON SQUARE GARDEN
The sixteenth single by the three-piece rock band UNISON SQUARE GARDEN, known for their distinctive high-tone vocals and meticulously crafted songs that electrify fans.
Used as the opening theme for the TV anime Fate/Grand Order – Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia, the track’s light yet shadowy sound is undeniably cool.
It launches with a brisk, driving arrangement, then suddenly shifts into a slow 3/4-time B section, and the increasingly complex meters before the chorus heighten the song’s tension.
The thrilling ensemble creates a striking contrast with the chorus’s exhilaration and sense of release, resulting in an intense yet mysterious rock tune.