Top 10 Best Anime Songs of 2021
Top 10 Anime Songs of 2021
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Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we are counting down our picks for the Top 10 Anime Songs of 2021. For this list, we’re going over the openings and endings of anime released in 2021 that we found to be absolute bangers. Keep in mind, since we’ll also be taking into account the visual accompaniment that goes with them, we can’t include the ending from Evangelion 3.0 + 1.0. Sorry Anno. Which anime track from this year is currently blasting out of your speakers? Let us know in the comments!
#10: Paradise
“SK8 the Infinity” (2021) Don’t question it, just pick up a board, embrace the early 2000s goodness and let the good times roll. With a thumping beat and electronic edge to it, Paradise is the perfect gateway to an anime that wholeheartedly celebrates such concepts as death defying skating tournaments, A.I powered skateboards rode by cosplaying ninja, and excessive bromance. The song compliments the zaniness of the series to a tee; catchy as can be whilst bordering on the ridiculous. You’ll likely have it spinning out of your earphones just as much as Reki kickflips
#9: ODDTAXI
“Odd Taxi” (2021) Turns out that not only does Tarantino meets BoJack Horseman meets Anime work like charm from a narrative standpoint, but its opening is nothing to scoff at. Don’t ask how a walrus taxi driver can conjure up a song this smooth, but he does. Accompanied by psychedelic visuals that give key hints to the ensemble casts’ inner machinations, the song is impossible not to vibe to. Nothing outlandish, just chill. Though, not going to lie, that sax solo at the end? Pretty sexy.
#8: Pink Blood
“To Your Eternity” (2021) While hindsight has added all kinds of emotional layers to it, by itself this song is still a beast that will resonate with you deeply. Hikaru Utada’s vocals are something else, switching between sharp and heartfelt all the way to laxed and hypnotic. All of it melding together in such a way that it breathes fire into the barrage of images the opening parades in front of us. Which, yeah, is basically a spoiler-a-thon, but when matched with such a performance, becomes all kinds of entrancing.
#7: Cry Baby
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“Tokyo Revengers” (2021) Just like Takemitchy’s face, this track hits hard yet remains hopeful throughout! Excelling over your typical J-Pop number, Higedan hit all the right notes here, seamlessly matching the opening’s abundant use of time jumps, rain and tears. Takemitchy couldn’t ask for a better theme, one that summarises his character and struggles not only through the visuals but stellar vocals that carry the anime’s emotional centre from start to finish. Also, have to give major props to the piano work here, the opening may be drenched, but those last few notes are lit!
#6: Identity
“The Promised Neverland” Season Two (2021) Let’s get one thing straight – this sequel is a travesty. One of the worst to ever exist. The biggest fall from grace in an anime that we’re likely to see in our lifetimes. But that doesn’t change the fact this opening is kinda, sorta phenomenal. From the imagery of the orphans intercut with dead rabbits, all the way to that killer chorus, everything here is pure hype, just the kind of thing we wanted to hear going into such an anticipated follow up. It’s the thinnest of silver linings, but damn if it doesn’t shine brightly on its own.
#5: Seija no Koushin
“The Idaten Deities Know Only Peace” (2021) MAPPA, you’ve got to stop spoiling us like this. A bombardment to the senses, everything here is overkill in the best way. Don’t expect to understand anything from the title sequence, since it just shows our cast of deities slowly coming apart in the trippiest of ways, but it certainly lends itself to the music, which will undoubtedly get you pumped for whatever madness is about to unfold. Did we mention the drop? There’s just so much headbanging goodness to be found here, it’s a shame the series was such a short one. More of this please!
#4: Sing My Pleasure
“Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song” (2021) Not only is this song a powerhouse that will leave you in shivers by the end, but it’s also an integral part of the anime’s storyline, intrinsically weaved together as only Vivy could. In the wrong hands this might have come across as just another idol intro, but due to Kairi Yagi’s exquisite performance, it reaches galactic heights, one that conveys the desperation and heart so prevalent throughout Vivy’s journey. The grandiose arrangement truly is spectacular, and just another reason why this series was so terrific.
#3: Rakuen
“Dr. Stone: Stone Wars” (2021) Despite serving as the opener to the long-awaited Stone Wars, this is as smooth a battle cry as you can get. But then again, this is Senku, and being the pacifist he is, going all out with a musical armada was never going to be his style. In that regard, the eclectic blend of jazz and low-key alternative rock here does a fantastic job of framing this much beloved second instalment. Never thought a mad genius riding a tank in the shape of a gorilla could be so chill, but that just goes to show how mellow this track is.
#2: Vivid Vice
“Jujutsu Kaisen” (2020-) Barely qualifying, but qualifying nonetheless, there was no way we were going to skip out on this hard rock feast for the ears. The vocals may be on the softer side, but everything arounds it is beastly, especially when it comes to the fiery guitar work. You couldn’t ask for a better lead into the latter half of what’s become a new age shonen epic. Giving us a tease to that s-tier battle with Hanami, all before delivering the musical equivalent of a Black Flash, it’s fair to say that the second season’s songs are going to have a tough time topping this one. Before we reveal our number one pick, here are a crazy amount of honourable mentions to rock out to. Beautiful Dreamer “Tsukimichi -Moonlit Fantasy-“ (2021) Iro Kousui “Horimiya” (2021) In case… “Godzilla Singular Point” (2021) Kemono Michi “Kemono Jihen” (2021) Ai no Supreme “Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid S” (2021) Treasure Pleasure “Baki Hanma” (2021) Only “Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation” (2021) Kamigami “Record of Ragnarok” (2021)
#1: My War
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“Attack on Titan: The Final Season” (2021) There are war anthems, and there is THE war anthem. The first part of this final outing blew expectations out of the water on every conceivable front, and that includes its opening. A colossal change of pace from the heroic, slickly animated seinen showcases from the past, visuals are saturated in a monochromatic look, the images of soldiers and hysterical masses flashing across the screen. It’s hauntingly striking, and that’s not even taking into account how the song meanders between hollow chanting and whispering. All of which meld as one to become an almost operatic force of nature. Oh, and the final shot of the Attack Titan? Pitch perfect.