10 Anime Songs Selected by a Japanese Otaku That Will Prove You’re a Certified Expert

My journey as an anime fan began in 1995 — that’s 30 years of pure obsession.

I’ve found that no matter where I go in the world, anime songs are the ultimate icebreaker that brings fans together in an instant.

Here is my definitive, “no-nonsense” selection of 10 iconic anime songs.

Are you a true expert?

Let’s see how many of these you can recognize. Take the challenge!

If any of these songs spark a special memory for you, please highlight the text and leave a comment! I’d love to hear your personal stories.

Level 1: A High-Energy Anthem from a Show Everyone Knows

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• Artist: Sambomaster
• Song Title: Seishun Kyosokyoku (Soulboy’s Rhapsody)

This is an early opening theme from NARUTO. Surprisingly, many people don’t know what the lead singer looks like. When I show his picture and ask, “Who do you think he is?”, sometimes people chuckle.

But don’t let that fool you. He is the “Real-Life Naruto” of Japan.

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He hails from Fukushima Prefecture.

In 2011, just six months after the Great East Japan Earthquake, he delivered a legendary performance in his hometown.

It wasn’t just a concert; it was a soul-stirring cry for hope that moved the entire nation.

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He was already well-known for his powerful MC skills and his ability to fire up a crowd, but his performance that day was on another level — it was divine.

People of all ages, from children to the elderly, raised their voices in tears, shouting their love for their hometown and their hope for recovery.

It was a moment where music truly saved Japan.

Even now, in 2026, I cannot stop the tears whenever I watch this video. I am genuinely curious to know what people outside of Japan feel when they witness this.

Yamaguchi once said something unforgettable: “When you write lyrics in the middle of the night, and then read them back the next day only to think, ‘Wow, this is so cringey and uncool’ — that’s when you know they’re perfect.”

Level 2: A Song That Two Generations — Parent and Child — Now Sing Together

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Most fans immediately think of the opening theme, but the true masterpiece is the very first ending: “memories” by Maki Otsuki.

I was born in 1990, and I’m a hardcore ONE PIECE fanatic who owns every single volume of the first edition.

My generation literally grew up alongside Luffy.

Back in the day, the deaths of characters like Ace and Whitebeard were such massive shocks that some of my friends were too devastated to even show up for their after-school sports clubs.

Now, as a parent, I’m passing this legacy down to the next generation — giving my children a “proper education” in the greatness of this song.

As the series nears its conclusion, I can’t help but wonder: when this song plays in the final episode, how many silhouettes of our fallen comrades will we see? It’s a moment I’m dying to see, yet at the same time, a moment I never want to arrive.

I recently sang this song with my old classmates at a karaoke reunion. At first, we were all hyped up and cheering, but as soon as the lyrics appeared on the screen, the room fell into a collective sob. Now that we’re adults, those words hit differently — they are truly beautiful.

“If the world could ever change, Take me back to when I knew nothing at all, So that my memories will never fade away.”

Level 3: If You Appreciate This Choice, You’re a True Expert

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This is for the true fans who appreciate the “Golden Era” of early Conan. “Hikari to Kage no Roman” by Keiko Utoku is a masterpiece of the 90s, capturing the series’ early mysterious and melancholic atmosphere perfectly.

Detective Conan has no shortage of iconic songs, but for me, this track is on a whole different spiritual level. It transcends the “Ani-son” genre, sounding more like a soul-stirring J-POP ballad. The way it portrays the relationship between Shinichi and Ran is nothing short of breathtaking.

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To be honest, I struggled with whether to put this in the top 10. It’s a track that holds a very complex and deep place in my heart: “Mushoku” (Colorless) by Azumi Uehara.

She wrote the lyrics for “Mushoku” when she was just 18 years old. It’s said she was in such an unstable emotional state that she couldn’t stop crying while writing and recording the song. That raw, fragile pain is exactly what gives this track its haunting beauty.

However, her story takes a dark turn. Years later, she was arrested and vanished from the music industry following a series of unfortunate scandals. This “phantom masterpiece” remains a beautiful yet tragic relic of a talented girl who shone brightly for a fleeting moment before falling into the shadows.

Level 4: “That One Song” That Instantly Makes Every Girl’s Heart Skip a Beat

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“Watashitachi ni Naritakute” (Wanting to Be Us) is the ultimate hidden gem of the Sailor Moon franchise. While the opening is world-famous, this specific ending theme captures the fragile, fluttering heart of a girl in love like no other. One listen, and you’ll feel that sweet, painful longing all over again.

The melody perfectly mirrors the dreamlike, melancholic relationship between Chibiusa and Helios.

Actually, I’m a pianist here in Japan, and I’ve performed a cover of this song live. Let me tell you — the way women flocked to the piano was absolutely insane. It was like a magnet.

(Sadly, I remained just the pianist and never became a Tuxedo Mask for anyone.)

Consider this your warning: the training wheels are off. We’re moving into the ‘Deep Cut’ territory that only the most dedicated Japanese Otaku know. Can you keep up?

Level 5: One of the Highest-Quality Insert Songs in the History of Anime

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Even under the shadow of its legendary predecessor Macross F, Macross Delta holds its own with incredible storytelling. The tragic and poignant chemistry between Kaname and Messer culminates in a scene that remains one of the most shocking moments in modern anime history.

By the way, have you seen the movie Macross Delta: Zettai LIVE!!!!!! yet? If you’ve finished the TV series, you absolutely must watch it — no spoilers, just trust me. I was a sobbing mess in the theater. It is the definitive conclusion you need to experience.

Level 6: A Gospel-Like Masterpiece with a Haunting Music Box Melody

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If you recognize this melody, you’ve wandered deep into the darker side of anime history. “Lilium” is a sublime piece of art that blends the fragility of a music box with the spiritual power of a cathedral choir. It perfectly embodies the tragic beauty of a series that is as beautiful as it is violent.

While the show features cute characters and comedic moments, it doesn’t hesitate to traumatize you with its brutal, soul-crushing “Utsu” (depressing) elements. That’s just the “wicked” genius of the original creator, Lynn Okamoto, at work (lol).

Both the anime and the manga had incredible endings. When I finally finished the manga, I was in a complete daze for the rest of the day, unable to process anything else.

Level 7: A Masterpiece from the Most Hated Protagonist in Anime History — Featured Only in Episode 6!

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Actually, “Kioku no Umi” (Sea of Memory) appears only in Episode 6. This is the exact moment when the story truly begins to spiral into madness. As the protagonist, Makoto Itou — arguably the biggest “trash” in anime history — starts his irreversible betrayal, this hauntingly beautiful melody plays. The contrast between this pure song and his disgusting actions is enough to make your skin crawl.

This is the ‘School Days’ experience at its finest.

If you’ve watched this anime to the very end, you already know which word starting with ’N’ belongs in the comments, right?

Level.8: CLANNAD is Life

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I apologize that this isn’t an “Anime Song” with vocals, but a piece of background music (BGM). However, anyone who has seen this masterpiece will know exactly what this title means — and their eyes will already be welling up with tears.

To me, this is the #1 most underrated anime in the world because of its “moe” art style, but it is undeniably the saddest, most beautiful story ever told. Even if you don’t like the art style, I beg you: please watch the first season and, most importantly, the second season (After Story). It will change your life.

If the emotional impact of Anohana, Your Lie in April, and Violet Evergarden is an 8, then CLANNAD is a solid 2000. It’s on a completely different dimension. Oh, and by the way, toilet seat cover.

Level.9: The Sound of Irreversible Regret — The Weight of Choice

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If you recognized this BGM instantly, congratulations — you’re a total “Hentai” (an Otaku-level pervert for details)! While Rumbling Hearts remains a relatively obscure title globally, its impact during serious scenes is undeniable.

To this day, fans worldwide still debate who was truly the “victim” and who was the “perpetrator” in this cycle of tragedy, and who the protagonist should have ultimately chosen. It’s often praised as a masterpiece that “could only have been born in Japan” because of its sheer depth and brutal realism.

Believe it or not, Kimi ga Nozomu Eien belongs to the same timeline as Muv-Luv, leading to the intense sci-fi war drama Muv-Luv Alternative. It is a well-known fact among hardcore fans that the traumatic events in Alternative heavily influenced Hajime Isayama when he created the legendary first chapter of Attack on Titan.

Level 10: Incomprehensible and Incomparable — A World Like No Other

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Track: Himeboshi ~ Mezame (Medley)

Anime: Mai-HiME (My-HiME)

This is an early “insane” medley by the genius Yuki Kajiura, now world-renowned for her work on Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Fate/Zero, and Demon Slayer.

While Mai-HiME might be a lesser-known title today, this “God-tier” track plays at the pivotal moment when the series shatters its lighthearted school-life facade and plunges into a brutal “Battle Royale” where friends are forced to kill one another. The sanctity of her trademark “Kajiurago” — her unique, invented-language chanting — stands out with an eerie, divine presence that defines the entire experience.

How Many of These “God-Tier” Tracks Resonated With You?

Thank you so much for reading until the end!

I’d love to hear from you: How many of these songs did you know? Which one holds a special place in your heart? And as a Japanese fan, what other topics would you like me to write about next? Please leave a comment and let me know!

Finally, here is a quick summary of the 10 anime titles I introduced in this article. Every single one of them is a masterpiece, so I highly recommend giving them a watch!

• NARUTO
• ONE PIECE
• Detective Conan (Case Closed)
• Sailor Moon
• Macross Delta (Macross Δ)
• Elfen Lied
• School Days
• CLANNAD / CLANNAD ~AFTER STORY~
• Kimi ga Nozomu Eien (Rumbling Hearts)
• Mai-HiME (My-HiME)