Best themes (music) in Anime?

What are some of your picks for the best musical themes in anime? I'm not talking openings or endings since those are often separate entirely.

I didn't know this guy composed for Naruto so it makes sense the quality is so high but I think the main theme for the anime Shiki is really high up there. Just seems to perfectly encapsulate the eminent suffering in the show.

https://youtu.be/ln\_WmuqBT9Y

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Commentaires

Komorebi_LJP2026-01-11 05:36

All from Made in Abyss:

[Hanezeve Caradhina ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnRoh0lGxwM&list=RDmnRoh0lGxwM&start_radio=1)

[Old Stories](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlN0EAILYwA&list=RDKlN0EAILYwA&start_radio=1)

[Tomorrow](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8Si0g20h_Q&list=RDW8Si0g20h_Q&start_radio=1)[ ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnRoh0lGxwM&list=RDmnRoh0lGxwM&start_radio=1)

[Belaf's Lullaby](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygcCNnUEtx4&list=RDygcCNnUEtx4&start_radio=1)

oedipusrex3762026-01-11 05:39

You mean the score? If you like Shiki, you’d probably like Shinsekai Yori too. The OST is the most memorable part of the show in my opinion. It fits the horror theme perfectly. And they like to use one of [Dvorak’s pieces ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRxbi_jXMOE)in the anime.

Check this out. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxke2YUjBcM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxke2YUjBcM)

Ok_Mushroom25632026-01-11 05:40

Yeah I've seen that too lol

ududbsisysveiudvdid2026-01-11 05:43

Blast of Tempest score

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6IyQns2gb9QORxnlbkpe36Pwiu-9nHvV

Hunter x Hunter score

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3qAqa1jr25VTEW5WPu6hDT8r7ND_Y360

TantalizingSlap2026-01-11 05:45

The entire Bleach soundtrack. [escalon](https://youtu.be/fZx7yUztxJ0?si=MN7yFsReR-JiwMYk) being my favorite.

[Fade to Black](https://youtu.be/YKLijZfJVzs?si=4CL45MAu7-CLe79p) as a very close second.

Also, clevar la espada, Treachery, scoundrels, and shady charade are top tier.

Not to mention the most iconic themes like [Number One](https://youtu.be/7JEjQG4-tpU?si=ZJYXCus6pUZ46MzT), [Never Meant to Belong](https://youtu.be/zO_532nbu0c?si=1rmPKj7DOhL2Y7Gm) and [on the precipice of defeat](https://youtu.be/KEKx6Yv4OYk?si=aFzT01ojhamh8t7U)

AshenOwn2026-01-11 05:46

Kensuke Ushio’s works have been very consistent lately. The Chainsaw Movie, Dandadan, Bokuyaba to name a few. His work in Liz and the blue bird is phemonal too.

Kevin Penkin is also very popular, being responible for Made in Abyss, Tower of God, and Shield Hero to name a few. He also contributed greatly to Apothecary Diaries OST.

Evan Call would be another solid pick, especially for his work with Frieren, but also with Violet Evergarden.

If i were to list specific anime OSTs i’m a fan of i would mention Samurai Champloo, Houseki no Kuni, My Dress Up Darling, Simoun, Non Non Biyori, Yuru Camp, Aria, Monogatari Series and Madoka Magica.

lztsrts2026-01-11 05:50

Too many to name honestly.

Most recently Evan Call's work on Frieren. Not a bad song in that whole album.

Yuji Yoshino's work on the [original adaptation of Spice and Wolf](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbsaZMG9w30). The music in the remake is just not as good.

The Aria OST has so many good songs. [I just want to live in Neo Venezia so bad 🥹](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcC38syMCn4)

Natsume Yuujinchou's OST is pretty much perfect as well.

Also [FMA - Lullaby of Resembool](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASWcIZWmXfk) 10/10

A bit of a curve ball , but Non Non Biyori's OST hits way harder than it should sometimes. [The scene of Dagashiya helping Ren-chon learn to ride a bike](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DflP5mBsivA) is burned in my brain and the song plays no small part in it.

Komorebi_LJP2026-01-11 06:11

The original Spice and Wolf anime just nailed the vibe. The remake isnt bad or anything, but it does feel like it lost some of the charm of the original. I honestly prefer the original look of the show more as well even though the remake desings is much more closer to the source material.

lztsrts2026-01-11 06:17

> The remake isnt bad or anything

Oh absolutely, it's just that every time some beautiful ethereal sounding music came on i kept thinking: "needs more lute".

When i first watched the original one i kept writing down episode numbers/timestamps to look up the songs later. It was too good.

66Kix_fix2026-01-11 06:10

Samurai Champloo has the best OSTs in anime

10Commandment2026-01-11 07:14

In terms of score, nothing tops Eureka Seven for me. Aside from the licensed music, here are some of my favourite songs from the main composer.

[Sprinting Spirits](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cta1ThEccG8)

[Final Wish](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aUSc5Oqblg)

[Sea of Prayers](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlJTt5YYvj8)

[Leap from the Indication](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeAKhXxLSDw)

Otherwise-Waltz-32112026-01-12 02:20

Joe Hisaishi (Ghibli movies like Totoro, Howl's Moving Castle or Spirited Away) and Takanori Arisawa (Sailor Moon) are my all time favorites

Unusual_Rush_11892026-01-12 08:34

No OPs or EDs:

Moon on the Water (English): Beck

Cante Per Me: Noir

Goodnight Juliet: Cowboy Bebop

Zoltraak: Frieren

Scattered Rain: Trigun

Brand New Lovesong: FLCL

Voices: Macross Plus

A Lonely Lullaby: Haibane Renmei

Dante Theme: Fullmetal Alchemist (2003)

Clue: Gungrave

God Knows: The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya

Key of the Twilight: .hack/sign

Cradle Song: A Vision of Escaflowne

The Legend of Ashitaka: Princess Mononoke

Fire Treasure: Lupin III - Castle of Cagliostro

In the Rain: Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal

Blumenkranz: Kill la Kill

Tell Me What the Rain Knows: Wolf's Rain

I Will Dive for You: Appleseed

Thanatos: Neon Genesis Evangelion

Mushishi Theme: Mushishi

I Will Protect You: Fruits Basket

That Band - Bocchi the Rock

Guts - Berserk

SnooWoofers1862026-01-13 14:22

Girls Last Tour (full OST)

Basilisk (full OST, classic singing type is quite nice)

Uma-apreciator2026-01-16 02:43

Uma Musume Cinderella Gray looks like more a kaiju fight than a race

https://youtu.be/fWQjgJwM6V0?si=hV_exVCvMH6K-T65