Trying to choose the best anime of all time is an impossible task. Much like trying to pick the best movie ever made, there are too many masterpieces to choose from. But trying to pick the best anime theme songs? That’s much easier. Through the years there are certain opening and ending themes from TV series and songs from feature-length anime that have won iconic status in Japanese culture and in many cases, international culture.

 

 

We love anime, but some of us love J-pop even more, so this list was a no-brainer. In creating it, we decided to include more than just anime opening themes, because so many landmark moments in Japanese animation have included music, from Hayao Miyazaki‘s collaboration with Joe Hisaishi, to the enduring works of renowned female composers like Yoko Kanno and Maaya Sakamoto. Some of our favorites are ending themes that blew our minds.