[2026] A roundup of popular anime songs recommended for high school students

I love youSuiyōbi no Campanella

Wednesday Campanella “Wo Ai Ni”

This is a playful song with lyrics that liken the course of love to mahjong hands.

It’s a track by Wednesday Campanella, included on the EP “Kawaii Joshi,” released in September 2025.

The song was written as the opening theme for season 2 of the TV anime Ranma 1/2.

Its up-tempo sound, wrapped in a mélange of pan-Asian imagery, contrasts with a love story that dives into risk on a wave of momentum—an expression only this unit could pull off.

Utaha’s vocals, shifting in tone from section to section, further enrich the song’s storytelling.

It’s an addictive number that lifts your spirits the moment you listen.

JANE DOEYonezu Kenshi, Utada Hikaru

JANE DOE

A dreamlike collaboration where two talents leading Japan’s music scene intersect.

Written and composed by Kenshi Yonezu, with vocals by Yonezu and Hikaru Utada, this track was chosen as the ending theme for the anime film Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc.

The lyrics portray a desperate wish so intense it hurts—to follow a path to a loved one, even if it means treading on shards of glass—gripping listeners’ hearts and never letting go.

Utada’s voice, which Yonezu described as “blowing through like the wind,” resonates deeply with the story’s fragile yet beautiful worldview.

It’s an emotional work that will speak to anyone who wants to linger in the film’s lingering afterglow.

CAT’S EYEAdo

【Ado】CAT’S EYE（Official Audio）

Singer Ado captivates listeners with her powerful vocals and richly emotive delivery.

Released in September 2025, this work is a cover of the classic hit that Anri sang to great success in 1983.

It was selected as the ending theme for the completely new 2025 anime series Cat’s Eye.

Yuki Hayashi brilliantly reconstructs the original’s glamorous 1980s city-pop sound with a modern arrangement.

Paying respect to the original, Ado channels the vocal style of the era while fusing it with her own signature sharpness and expressive power.

Her voice renders the image of a phantom thief prowling the night city as both thrilling and glamorous.

It’s a superb pop tune where nostalgia and novelty intersect.

kaiju (giant monster)Sakanakushon

kaiju (giant monster)

A grand electro-rock tune that powerfully captures the passion of those who pursue knowledge and truth.

This ambitious work portrays seekers who continue to challenge the unknown, set against a world whose atmosphere shifts monstrously and dramatically.

Resonating with the courage to press on without giving up, even in darkness, and the strong will that sustains it, the piece was released in February 2025 as the opening theme for the anime “Chi.: On the Movements of the Earth.” As Sakanaction’s first anime tie-in, this track is perfect for moments when you want to savor the joy of deepening knowledge and the fulfillment of discovering the truth.

Life TransmutationReoNa

"Arknights" TV Anime Series Completion Commemorative Video | ReoNa "Life Transplant"

This song was specially written as the ending theme for the final episode of the TV anime Arknights [RISE FROM EMBER].

It sings of the heavy themes of loss and legacy, carried by a melody like a prayer.

The ensemble woven from ReoNa’s transparent, crystalline vocals and the magnificent string arrangement by Sachiko Miyano resonates deeply with listeners.

It’s an emotional ballad that mourns the lives lost and powerfully conveys the resolve to carry their will into the future.

a prayer to the gods; relying on divine interventionsyudou

Kami-yoromi by syudou

Syudou, also known for working on Ado’s “Usseewa.” This work centers on the theme of “yearning for happiness,” affirming the figure of someone who keeps facing forward while carrying shame and gritty desires.

While seeking salvation from a god yet ultimately trying to carve out their fate by their own power, that paradoxical human strength is depicted through word choices that are quintessentially Syudou—combining aggression with delicacy.

The song is set for release in July 2025 and will serve as the opening theme for the TV anime The Banned Mole.

When you’re up against a reality that won’t go your way and fed up with your own weakness, listening to it might make you feel as if a weight has been lifted from your shoulders.

Revolutionary JourneyAiNA THE END

AiNA THE END / On the Road of Revolution – On The Way × TV Anime 'Dandadan' [Collaboration Music Video]

The opening theme for season 2 of the popular TV anime Dandadan, known for its unique “occult × youth” world.

Written and composed by Aina The End, who, after her activities with BiSH, has shown a wide range of expression as a solo artist.

The interplay of high-velocity sound and mysterious melody is superb, perfectly matching the atmosphere of the work.

Centered on the theme of fighting to protect what’s precious while harboring a sentimental love, the song, paired with Aina The End’s edgy vocals, stirs the listener’s heart.

Released digitally in July 2025 and later issued on CD as her second single in September of the same year, it’s an upper-tune that will surely give you strength when you need courage to face something.