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[2026] A compilation of Western songs used in Japanese anime

In a sense, anime opening and ending themes are very important—many songs are so striking that they define a work’s image.

There are all kinds of anime songs, from classic “anison”-style tracks to songs performed by voice actors.

In this article, we’ve compiled songs by Western artists and bands that have been used as theme music in Japanese anime.

Some people might feel that Western music and Japanese anime don’t really go together, but in fact they’re used quite often.

You might even discover Western songs used in surprising titles—ones that even Western music fans didn’t know about.

Be sure to check it out!

Playlist

[2026] A compilation of Western songs used in Japanese anime
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastInvincible (from Kaiju No. 8)OneRepublic
Invincible (from Kaiju No. 8)OneRepublicplay_arrow
The special episode “Ho…” of the anime Kaiju No. 8
2eastRoundaboutYES
RoundaboutYESplay_arrow
The progressive rock classic 'Roundabout' is legendary.
3eastFalling downOasis
Falling downOasisplay_arrow
Oasis’s song “Falling Down” is striking.
4eastAbyss (from Kaiju No. 8)Yungblud
Abyss (from Kaiju No. 8)Yungbludplay_arrow
YUNG exudes a dark, powerful vibe…
5eastPARANOID ANDROIDRadiohead
PARANOID ANDROIDRadioheadplay_arrow
Its name resounds from Britain to the world...
6eastThis FffireFranz Ferdinand
This FffireFranz Ferdinandplay_arrow
Since their sensational debut in 2004, Fran...
7eastWalk Like An EgyptianThe Bangles
Walk Like An EgyptianThe Banglesplay_arrow
Egyptian-style pop is wildly popular
8eastArrietty’s SongCecile Corbel
Arrietty's SongCecile Corbelplay_arrow
A singer from Brittany, France...
9eastThe Perfect WorldMarty Friedman feat. Jean-Ken Johnny, KenKen
The Perfect WorldMarty Friedman feat. Jean-Ken Johnny, KenKenplay_arrow
“B: The Beginning” and...
10north_eastDistant DreamerDuffy
Distant DreamerDuffyplay_arrow
The strong determination and hope of someone who pursues their dreams
11south_eastBaby IAriana Grande
Baby IAriana Grandeplay_arrow
Ariana Grande released in 2013...
12eastShiverLucy Rose
ShiverLucy Roseplay_arrow
Lucy Rose’s song “Shiver…”
13north_eastBlack Gold (feat. Thundercat)Flying Lotus
Black Gold (feat. Thundercat)Flying Lotusplay_arrow
An innovative music collaboration themed around samurai
14south_eastShineMr. BIG
ShineMr. BIGplay_arrow
M…, a hard rock band representing the United States
15eastDo You Want ToFranz Ferdinand
Do You Want ToFranz Ferdinandplay_arrow
The ending theme song of “Paradise Kiss.”…
16eastBad ReputationAvril Lavigne
Bad ReputationAvril Lavigneplay_arrow
“ONE PIECE FILM Z” and...
17eastI’m ALIVE!Becca
I'm ALIVE!Beccaplay_arrow
An ani... set in Victorian London
18eastI Want YouSavage Garden
I Want YouSavage Gardenplay_arrow
Anime 'JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 4…
19eastFine On The OutsidePriscilla Ahn
Fine On The OutsidePriscilla Ahnplay_arrow
Theme songs from Studio Ghibli films: songs of loneliness that resonate with the heart
20eastHold Me NowNai Br.XX&Celeina Ann
Hold Me NowNai Br.XX&Celeina Annplay_arrow
It was broadcast from April to September 2019...
21eastShelterPorter Robinson & Madeon
ShelterPorter Robinson & Madeonplay_arrow
This is the actual promotional video for this song…
22eastLast ChristmasWham!
Last ChristmasWham!play_arrow
“I Love Anime!” Season 21 ending theme. This ani...
23eastGirls on FilmDuran Duran
Girls on FilmDuran Duranplay_arrow
Duran Duran’s classic hits from the ’80s
24eastCAUTIONARY WARNINGJohn Sykes
CAUTIONARY WARNINGJohn Sykesplay_arrow
The ending theme song of 'Section Chief Prince.' The protagonist is a former guitarist…
25eastLast Train HomePat Metheny Group
Last Train HomePat Metheny Groupplay_arrow
This is also from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Egypt...
26eastGospel Of The ThrottleMinutes Til Midnight
Gospel Of The ThrottleMinutes Til Midnightplay_arrow
“Drifters” OP. Originally from Los Angeles…
27eastRWBY OpeningCasey Lee Williams
RWBY OpeningCasey Lee Williamsplay_arrow
The opening theme song of RWBY. An overseas web anime, ...
28eastGravure idol beautyDuran Duran
Gravure idol beautyDuran Duranplay_arrow
Duran Duran’s classic, a musical legend
29eastThe OneBackstreet Boys
The OneBackstreet Boysplay_arrow
Hanada Shonen-shi OP. America's super popular idol...
30eastNobodyOneRepublic
NobodyOneRepublicplay_arrow
A catchy melody and a passionate message touch the heart...
31eastSamurai Jack Japanese IntroSamurai Jack
Samurai Jack Japanese IntroSamurai Jackplay_arrow
Samurai Jack OP. Same as before...
32eastTHE LIGHT BEFORE WE LANDThe Delgados
THE LIGHT BEFORE WE LANDThe Delgadosplay_arrow
Delgados masterpiece, a deep bond with anime
33eastKarma ChameleonCulture Club
Karma ChameleonCulture Clubplay_arrow
“Anime Daisuki!” Season 23 OP. The Brit…
34eastFly Me To The MoonClaire Littley
Fly Me To The MoonClaire Littleyplay_arrow
Insert song from 'Neon Genesis Evangelion.' Rondo...
35eastAbyssYungblud
AbyssYungbludplay_arrow
The opening the… of the Japanese anime “Kaiju No. 8”
36eastHuman TouchWarren Wiebe
Human TouchWarren Wiebeplay_arrow
The ending theme song of After War Gundam X. Whoa...
37eastColorado BulldogMr. BIG
Colorado BulldogMr. BIGplay_arrow
The anime’s ending theme is a song by Mr. Big.
38eastAlone Again (Naturally)Gilbert O’Sullivan
Alone Again (Naturally)Gilbert O'Sullivanplay_arrow
Gilbert O'Sullivan's classic song 'Alone…'
39eastSAYONARAMary MacGregor
SAYONARAMary MacGregorplay_arrow
Mary MacGregor's Galaxy Express 999 ending theme
40eastMy Foolish HeartBill Evans Trio
My Foolish HeartBill Evans Trioplay_arrow
It’s an insert song from Seraph of the End, right? Modern…
41north_eastMR.RAINDROPAmplified
MR.RAINDROPAmplifiedplay_arrow
A band’s enigmatic song—light, lively rhythm, but sorrowful lyrics.
42south_eastI Really Want to Stay At Your HouseRosa Walton
I Really Want to Stay At Your HouseRosa Waltonplay_arrow
Rosa Walton, who is from the United Kingdom, …
43eastWe Were LoversJean-Jacques Burnel
We Were LoversJean-Jacques Burnelplay_arrow
The opening theme of Gankutsuou. A British rock ban…
44eastDrowningBackstreet Boys
DrowningBackstreet Boysplay_arrow
The ghost comedy manga Hanada Shonen-shi is 199...
45eastTo Be Freestella furst
To Be Freestella furstplay_arrow
The theme song of “Sol Bianca: The Legacy” (Taiyō no Fune Sorubianka). This…
46eastLaflora PrincessLa Flora the Princess Academy
Laflora PrincessLa Flora the Princess Academyplay_arrow
Thai-made anime, Japanese-style art
47eastDuvetbôa
Duvetbôaplay_arrow
Anime 'Serial Experiments…'