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! A Collection of Hidden Anime Song Gems (41–50)
Scarlet BalletMay’n
This is a song used as the opening theme for the anime Aria the Scarlet Ammo.
It’s a work by May’n—the singer who also provided Sheryl Nome’s vocals in Macross Frontier—and it was released in 2011 as her fourth single.
It’s a very energetic electronic tune.
The way the grand scale of the sound pairs with its sense of speed is incredible, and May’n’s cool vocals really shine.
It’s a fiery anisong that’s perfect for boosting your motivation.
Great Magic Passtanaka punie (sato rina)
Don’t judge it just by the tune—follow the lyrics closely.
This is the opening theme of the anime Magical Witch Punie-chan, based on the manga by Hideki Ohwada.
Rina Satou, who voices the protagonist Punie Tanaka, sings it.
Despite its poppy, magical-girl-style sound, the lyrics hit incredibly hard.
You’ll be captivated by how thoroughly it reflects the story and worldbuilding of the work.
It’s such a unique song that it makes you want to watch the anime itself.
scabChiwata Hideo
It’s the opening theme of the anime “Zatch Bell!”.
The story, in which humans team up with demon children to battle, was a hot topic at the time.
The song evokes the image of protagonists who, despite their doubts and anxieties, continue to grow.
Ballad of the Wind and the HillRearu Paradi
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.
I amhitomi
If you listen, that Monday night might come back to you.
This song was used as the opening theme for the anime Inuyasha, based on the manga by Rumiko Takahashi.
It’s by the singer-songwriter hitomi, who has produced numerous hits including LOVE 2000, and it was released in 2001 as her 22nd single.
Its fresh, catchy sound is truly exhilarating, and her bright, clear vocals are a big part of that appeal.
The lyrics—saying “I believe in you no matter when”—are encouraging.
Kokoro-eroodo obu mejyaa
It might make you reminisce about your own youth.
It’s one of the signature songs by the rock band Road of Major, released in 2004 as their major-label debut single.
It was used as the opening theme for the anime Major: 1st Season.
The passionate lyrics—about keeping your head up and moving forward even while crying or going through tough times—are really cool.
They match perfectly with the band’s energetic sound.
Give it a listen when you’re feeling down or struggling with something.
Fairy Tale LabyrinthTamura Yukari
Beyond her undeniable ability as a voice actress, Yukari Tamura also has a solid track record as a voice-acting artist, having become the third voice actress—after Hekiru Shiina and Nana Mizuki—to perform at the Nippon Budokan.
She is also known for her passionate fanbase, so much so that there’s even the term “Yukari Kingdom,” where Tamura is the princess and her fans are the citizens.
Her 2006 single “Fairy Tale Labyrinth” served as the first opening theme for the anime “Otogi-Jushi Akazukin,” in which she herself starred.
The lyrics were written by Aki Hata, a songwriter indispensable to any discussion of anime songs from the 2000s onward.
Tamura’s vocal performance is marvelous—maintaining a fairy-tale atmosphere without tipping into excessive sweetness—and the driving arrangement and irresistibly catchy melody fuse at a very high level to create a masterpiece.
It feels like the methodology of this track went on to greatly influence later anime songs and Vocaloid tunes.
As an aside, the follow-up single “Princess Rose,” which became the second opening theme for the same anime, is also a gem that reached No.
6 on the Oricon chart!
