The term “anime music” feels increasingly outdated, especially when looking at the best anime songs of 2024. With a wide array of artists spanning genres contributing to both smash-hit Shonen Jump adaptations and niche series, the notion of what constitutes “anime music” has evolved. Tracks once limited by their association with a show now hold longevity far beyond their runtime.
In 2024, anime reinforced its role as a cultural force, amplifying diverse talent and delivering unforgettable viral sensations. From global chart-toppers to under-the-radar gems, these are our picks for the 14 best anime songs of 2024 that defined the year.
‘Otonoke’ – Creepy Nuts | DAN DA DAN opening
Premiered: October 4th
Kicking things off with the track that’s currently taking the globe by storm, Creepy Nuts have been unstoppable in 2024. Despite only releasing three new tracks this year (plus a remix of Dua Lipa’s ‘Illusion’), just two anime tie-ins were enough to cement the duo as one of the year’s most prolific Japanese artists.
Released on October 4th, ‘Otonoke’ serves as the theme song for Science Saru’s adaptation of Yukinobu Tatsu’s hit manga DAN DA DAN—a series already shaping up to be the biggest and wildest release of the year. The song matches the anime’s high-energy, chaotic narrative, reflecting its whirlwind of occult themes, outrageous battles, and hilarious moments.
Blending Jersey club beats with high flying hooks, the track thrives on DJ Matsunaga’s slick production, while MC R-Shitei’s sharp verses and smooth vocal shifts reflect the story’s focus on possession and release. It’s a point perfect representation of both the unpredictable and uplifting essence of DAN DA DAN’s rollercoaster plot.
‘Fatal’ – GEMN | Oshi no Ko Season 2 opening
Premiered: July 3rd
GEMN, revealed in June to be the duo of Kento Nakajima and Tatsuya Kitani, seemingly formed for the sole purpose of creating one near chart topping and certified gold opening for Oshi no Ko season 2, then dip.
With big shoes to fill, ‘Fatal’ follows in the footsteps of season one’s global J-pop phenomenon ‘Idol’ by YOASOBI; a track that helped launched them into the global limelight in 2024.
With lyrics, penned by Kitani, the track fully exposes the darkness of the people standing in the stage lights, aligning with the show’s stark criticism and celebration of Japan’s entertainment industry. The track exudes style, with its poetry-like verses, catchy hooks, upbeat melody, with Nakajima, a well renowned actor and former boyband member, adds further mainstream flare to the track. Along with its intense lyrical progression, ‘Fatal’ is a fine example of the persuasive power of Japan’s pop music, and easily one of the best anime songs of 2024.
‘Abyss’ – YUNGBLUD | Kaiju No. 8 opening
Premiered: April 13th
Joining the small ranks of Western acts providing music to anime releases, and an even smaller rank of British acts doing so, South Yorkshire breakout YUNGBLUD dropped one of the most ear-wormy alt-rock-led anime songs of the year.
‘Abyss’—co-written with Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds—was composed by YUNGBLUD himself while on tour in Japan. The song’s theme revolves around the struggles of the protagonist, Kafka Hibino, and the title symbolizing the unfathomable depths he experiences throughout the story.
Regarding the release of ‘Abyss’, YUNGBLUD stated, “I named the song ‘Abyss’ because it literally represents what Kafka Hibino goes through in the story. He falls into an unfathomable abyss, searching for who he is, what his future holds, and what he is living for”.
‘Danger Danger’ – FZMZ | Shangri-La Frontier 2nd opening
Premiered: January 7th
Continuing the masked avatar band’s collaboration with the hit gamers wet-dream anime Shangri-La Frontier, ‘Danger Danger’ is the second and only single the project dropped in 2024.
Following the success of their debut single ‘BROKEN GAMES’, FZMZ’s lineup—featuring members of Survive Said The Prophet, Ling tosite sigure, Tokyo rapper (sic)boy, and a vocalist who sounds suspiciously a lot like SiM’s MAH—doubles down on a rock-electronic fusion that bridges Japan’s loud rock and anime music scenes.
Featuring guest vocalist Reol, performing under her icy persona, the track is another balls to the wall high velocity anthem that encapsulates the adrenaline-fueled escapades of the anime’s own masked protagonist, Sunraku.
Whether you’re a fan of Shangri-La Frontier or drawn to its music on its own merit, ‘Danger Danger’ is a strong entry in a year of top tier anime adjacent tracks. Nearly a year on with no new releases, fans are left wondering—could this be the end of FZMZ, or is there more to come?
‘Call’ (‘Otozure’) – tricot | You Are Ms. Servant opening
Premiered: October 6th
Kyoto math-rock outfit tricot step into the anime world with ‘Call’, the opening theme for You Are Ms. Servant (Kimi wa Meido-sama). The track pairs their trademark offbeat rhythms with melodic hooks that mirror the show’s exploration of identity and redemption.
RELATED: tricot reflect on first anime theme ‘Call’ for You Are Ms. Servant and 15 years in music
The lyrics hint at the struggles of protagonist Yuki as she navigates life between her assassin past and the normalcy she craves. Ikkyu Nakajima’s vocals navigate the space between fragility and resolve, while Motoko ‘Motifour’ Kida’s guitar work moves fluidly between urgency and subtlety, conveying the weight of the series’ themes.
‘ambivalent’ – Uru | The Apothecary Diaries 2nd opening
Premiered: January 7th
Uru steps into new territory with ‘ambivalent’, her first ever anime opening theme and a fresh sound for the artist known for her slower emotional ballads. The track leads the second season of The Apothecary Diaries, bringing an upbeat energy that’s a departure from her usual style.
The song ties directly to the show’s central characters: Maomao, a sharp-witted protagonist, and Jinshi, a mysterious noble intrigued by her. Written from Jinshi’s perspective, the lyrics delve into his conflicted feelings—part admiration, part curiosity.
‘Haru’ – Yorushika | Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End 2nd opening
Premiered: January 5th
By duo Yorushika, ‘Haru’, the second opening theme for Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, brought a lighter, more uplifting tone to the anime’s ongoing journey.
The lyrics use seasonal imagery—rain, sunlight, and blooming flowers—to explore themes of resilience and renewal, reflecting Frieren’s shift from mourning the past to embracing the future, with lyrics mirroring the anime’s message of finding beauty in life’s cycles, no matter how bittersweet.
It’s a track that doesn’t just accompany the story but deepens it, highlighting the subtle emotions of change and growth. For longtime fans, it’s a fresh perspective on what the duo can do; for newcomers, it’s a great starting point to discover their sound.
‘Water Carrier’ – Kroi | SAND LAND opening
Premiered: March 20th
Channeling the dry, sun-scorched world of Akira Toriyama’s desert epic, ‘Water Carrier’ is brimming with creative soundscapes. Funky basslines, stylish guitar riffs, and layered rhythms create a sound that compliments the grit and resilience at the heart of the anime.
Hasebe’s slide guitar solo, tinged with the influence of Jack White, injects an edge into the track’s dusty atmosphere, while Uchida’s lyrics draw parallels between the character’s desperate search for water. It’s a song that effortlessly oozes style, capturing the quirkiness of Toriyama’s iconic character designs and the stark beauty of his wasteland setting.
‘Sleep Walking Orchestra’ – BUMP OF CHICKEN | Delicious in Dungeon opening
Premiered: January 4th
BUMP OF CHICKEN’s ‘Sleep Walking Orchestra’, the opening theme for Delicious in Dungeon (also known as Dungeon Meshi), highlights the band’s knack for making catchy rock ear-worms. The track shifts from the anthemic hooks of their earlier hits to a more understated, folk-inspired sound, driven by Celtic tones and the textured depth of a 12-string guitar.
Carrying a quiet poignancy, the track encapsulates the anime’s mix of fantasy, whimsy, and grounded storytelling. Motoo Fujiwara’s restrained yet deliberate delivery guides the track’s verses into a steadily climbing chorus, opting for a measured build over unnecessary bombast.
Without trying too hard to reinvent the wheel, BUMP OF CHICKEN offer a memorable opening that works as both a companion to the anime and a testament to their staying power.
‘Black Box’ – LiSA | NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Part 2 opening
Premiered: July 5th
The title track for the second part of NieR:Automata Ver1.1a, ‘Black Box’ is one of the more profound tracks to be released by the anime music veteran, supported by music and lyrics provided by amazarashi frontman Hiromu Akita, who has twice before contributed to the multimedia world of NieR.
LiSA’s singing, infused with amazarashi’s signature monochrome aesthetic, paints vivid colors with powerful strokes and is filled with an unprecedented level of delicacy and exhilaration. It’s as if a clenched fist born of frustration is raised quietly, entrusting the future to a faint hope—a captivating and masterful work that deepens with each listen.
‘Cure’ – waterweed | The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic opening
Premiered: January 6th
Osaka post-hardcore outfit waterweed kick off The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic with ‘Cure’, a track rooted in their melodic hardcore style while incorporating the anime’s themes of survival and growth.
Active in Japan’s underground scene since 2003, waterweed know how to balance aggression with introspection, and it shows here. Frontman Tomohiro Ohga describes the song as a personal anthem of perseverance: “Even if scars remain, it’s fine if I can laugh in the end”. The parallels to the anime’s healer-turned-warrior protagonist, Usato, are hard to miss.
For longtime fans, this is a well-earned spotlight for a band that’s been grinding for years. If you’re looking for something with grit and heart, waterweed deserve a listen.
‘Running In My Head’ – MIYAVI | Code Geass: Roze of the Recapture opening
Premiered: May 10th
The opening theme for the Code Geass: Roze of the Recapture film series, ‘Running In My Head’ is a full throttle rock jam featuring signature MIYAVI guitar work and a chantable, hook-filled chorus.
The lyrics match the song’s intensity, revolving around the mental turmoil of relentlessly pursuing something just out of reach, where the mind races and the struggle for peace feels never-ending. It’s nothing but a hair raising good time, which is exactly what we expect from the globe trotting samurai guitarist.
‘SHINSEKAI YORI’ – ano and Lilas Ikuta | Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction opening
Premiered: May 24th
While the theatrical adaptations of Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction boasted tracks produced by Japanese music heavyweights TK from Ling tosite sigure and Lilas Ikuta (one-half of the J-pop powerhouse YOASOBI), the TV series took a more personal approach. The opening theme, ‘SHINSEKAI YORI’, saw the manga’s creator, Inio Asano, stepping into the unexpected role of composer and lyricist.
Performed by the show’s stars—ano (Ouran Nakagawa) and aforementioned Lilas Ikuta (Kadode Koyama)—the track is quintessential Asano: an existential rollercoaster blending themes of alienation, longing, and rebellion against a crumbling reality. Its lyrics capture the fragility of human connection and the solace found in shared dreams amid chaos.
Simultaneously uplifting and bittersweet, ‘SHINSEKAI YORI’ intertwines melancholy with defiant hope, offering a sonic encapsulation of the anime’s exploration of disillusionment and strength in the face of impending doom. Eschewing elaborate arrangements, the song leans on subtle vocal nuances and intimate melodies, making it feel less like a grandiose anime anthem and more like a heartfelt tribute to Asano’s own creation.
‘Bling-Bang-Bang-Born’ – Creepy Nuts | Mashle: Magic and Muscles Season 2 opening
Premiered: January 6th
Creepy Nuts achieved the rare feat of opening and closing 2024 with globally successful anime tracks, yet nearly a year later, ‘Bling-Bang-Bang-Born’ remains firmly lodged in listeners’ heads.
Infusing American dance vibes from the Jersey club scene, the song’s infectious tempo, characterised by robust kick drums and genre-staple bed squeak samples, catapulted it to the zenith of streaming charts.
Compared to ‘Otonoke’, an opening tied to one of the most anticipated anime releases of the year, what makes ‘Bling-Bang-Bang-Born’ so impressive is its unprecedented virality, which brought significant attention to Mashle. While the anime itself—a sort of One Punch Man and Harry Potter blend—struggled to stand out among the year’s top releases, Creepy Nuts’ track gave the show a notable boost. Its infectious energy and widespread appeal made Mashle seem like a must-watch, even for those who might have overlooked it otherwise.
What Creepy Nuts have managed to achieve in 2024 with such a small amount of new material is staggering, and now there are millions of people worldwide who are now diving into the discography of one of the best and, at one point, the most criminally overlooked hip-hop acts to come out of Japan in the last decade.
Best Anime Songs of 2024 – Honourable Mentions
‘Plan A’ – DISH// | The Elusive Samurai opening theme
‘Absolute Zero’ (‘Zettai Reido’) – natori | Wind Breaker opening theme
‘request’ – krage | Solo Leveling ending theme
‘TSUYOGARU GIRL feat. Mossa (Necry Talkie)’ – BotchiBoromaru | Too Many Losing Heroines! opening theme
‘soumonka’ – sokoninaru | The Witch and the Beast opening theme
‘Fire and Fear’ – PENGUIN RESEARCH | Wistoria: Wand and Sword opening theme
Listen to our picks for the best anime songs of 2024 on Spotify! Did we miss your favourites? Leave them in the comments below.
