Anime songs recommended for college students: theme songs and insert songs from popular anime.

kaiju (giant monster)Sakanakushon

Sakanaction / Kaiju -Music Video-

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 OUTYonezu Kenshi

Kenshi Yonezu – IRIS OUT

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.

KICKBACKYonezu Kenshi

Kenshi Yonezu – KICKBACK

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.

Wanderland9mm Parabellum Bullet

9mm Parabellum Bullet – Wanderland

It’s the opening theme of the anime “RD Sennō Chōsashitsu” (Real Drive), created by Masamune Shirow—known for Ghost in the Shell—and Production I.G.

It was 9mm Parabellum Bullet’s debut single and reached No.

12 on the Oricon chart.

one halfBACK-ON

Gundam Build Fighters OP Full Version

Gundam Build Fighters is a work that depicts a competition where participants battle using Gundam plastic models, commonly known as Gunpla.

It delighted fans of the series with the appearance of a wide variety of mobile suits.

The opening theme, Nibun no Ichi, is performed by BACK-ON.

karmaBUMP OF CHICKEN

BUMP OF CHICKEN 'Karma'

It’s the theme song of the anime Tales of the Abyss.

Tales of the Abyss is originally based on a game from the Tales series.

The game’s theme song was ‘Karma’ by BUMP OF CHICKEN, and the same song was used as the theme when it was adapted into an anime.

heavenly blueKalafina

9+ONE Kalafina – Heavenly Blue Live 2017

It is the first opening theme of the sci-fi robot anime Aldnoah.Zero, which depicts a war between Earth and Mars, sung by Kalafina.

It was included on the 2014 album THE BEST “Blue,” and a single version was also released that same year.