Everyone knows anime openings are usually better than end themes. Anime openings tend to psych the viewer up for the upcoming episode, while end themes tend to be more reflective and a cool-off period. But sometimes this isn’t necessarily the case. Some anime series slip on their openings and have much stronger end credit themes.
This list is devoted to some of the best anime end themes ever, ones that managed to outshine their openings – either through the sheer emotional power of the theme itself while having great animation for the end or just by being more of a bop.
10 "DEEP FOREST" BY DO AS INFINITY – INUYASHA
There is probably no clearer instance of endings stomping openings than Inuyasha. There’s not one single miss in Inuyasha’s closing themes, but "Deep Forest/Fukai Mori" is the song that made anime fans become Japanese music fans.
Van Tomiko’s powerful voice and Ryo Owatari’s sullen guitar combined to make one of the most recognizable anime themes ever. Even this many years later, "Deep Forest" reminds everyone to never bet against Do As Infinity.
9 "BROKEN YOUTH" BY NICO TOUCHES THE WALLS – NARUTO: SHIPPUDEN
"Blue Bird" is an incredible opening theme, along the lines of what people expect from Naruto’s post-time skip storyline. However, NICO Touches the Walls is one of the better J-Rock bands of the 2000s and 2010s, and "Broken Youth" is their best song ever.
The pathos in Tatsuya’s voice perfectly fits the broken relationship Naruto and Sasuke have at this point in the series, even if the actual ending animation doesn’t quite match up to the song itself.
8 "HUNTING FOR YOUR DREAMS" BY GALNERYUS – HUNTER X HUNTER
Any fan of Yu Yu Hakusho got what they were going for with the Hunter x Hunter opening. Madhouse wanted it to be the only opening of the show, like how Yu Yu Hakusho’s "A Smile That’s a Bomb" was the only opening for its series. But "Departure" is not "Smile Bomb."
Truthfully, most of the themes in Hunter x Hunter are better than "Departure," but "Hunting for Your Dream," with it’s driving guitar and Galneyrus’ incredible falsetto, blows it out of the water. To be honest, it probably was the single opening everyone was looking for.
7 "NEVER EVER" BY TOKYO GIRLS' STYLE – FAIRY TAIL
The matching opening for this theme isn’t bad by any means, as Fairy Tail is incredibly consistent with its openings and endings. However, there’s nothing that matches girl harmony groups singing anime themes.
Tokyo Girls’ Style crushes it right from the intro of "Never Ever," and by the time they get to the bridge, listeners are already hooked. Plus, a song that focuses on some of the awesome women of Fairy Tail deserves respect.
6 "START DASH" BY SPIRA*SPICA – GUNDAM BUILD DIVERS
The Gundam Build series thus far has done pretty great with openings, and its second OP, "Infinity," by Swanky Dank is a pretty strong entry. That said, "Start Dash" is on a whole different level.
As the series enters its second half, it shifts focus to a new character, who happens to be the star of Start Dash’s video. The song works perfectly with Divers’ more upbeat moments but also happens to be just as powerful with the anime's dramatic moments.
5 "CHIKATTO CHIKA CHIKA" BY CHIKA FUJIWARA – KAGUYA-SAMA: LOVE IS WAR
Yeah, Kaguya-sama’s opening is pretty great — it perfectly shows off these two dorks who are clearly in love with one another and the “battle” they are having to try and get the other to admit it first. However, everyone should be honest with themselves — they are watching this show for Chika.
Then, the anime actually gave Chika a theme where she gets to be her weird, glorious self. The single-episode ED, "Chikatto Chika Chika," saw Chika became a meme for a reason.
4 "SUGAR SONG AND BITTER STEP" BY UNISON SQUARE GARDEN – BLOOD BLOCKADE BATTLEFRONT
"Hello world" by Bump of Chicken is a really good theme that perfectly illustrates the feeling of Leonardo Watch being lost in this massive, dangerous new city.
The problem is Unison Square Garden’s "Sugar Song and Bitter Step" isn’t just a “really good” theme, it is near perfect. The jazzy yet bittersweet theme fits the show perfectly, while also showing a hidden side to the personality of all the members of Libra during their off-hours.
3 "THE REAL FOLK BLUES" BY THE SEATBELTS – COWBOY BEBOP
Okay, this could start an argument because Cowboy Bebop's "Tank" is one of the best anime openings ever. The trouble is that "Real Folk Blues" is even better, and one of the most iconic anime themes to ever be written.
The still shots focusing on Spike and his past tell the story of what happened to the sullen bounty hunter before he joined Jet and the crew. Meanwhile, the song gives viewers a chorus that nearly every fan cannot help singing along to, even if they don’t know what the words mean.
2 "ROUNDABOUT" BY YES – JOJO'S BIZARRE ADVENTURE
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure has probably revived more old songs over the last decade than any movie soundtrack. Every series takes a classic song from across modern music history and uses it as an ending theme.
The original series relied on Yes’ "Roundabout," one of their best-known songs. As it turns out, Roundabout was on JoJo creator Hirohiko Araki’s personal soundtrack when he was writing the manga.
1 "RIDE OR DIE" BY SKY PEACE – BORUTO: NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS
There’s so much to love about this theme, and it might be the best of all Boruto’s themes, opening or ending. The song itself is great, with the shamisen fused with modern rock-rap, but what really sells it is the ending itself.
Getting to see the new generation of Konoha kids combined with the Naruto family is great. And of course, everyone’s heart melts as soon as they get a look at Sarada’s smile at the end. Incredibly pure, and definitely better than "Golden Time."