Anime is popular for a lot of reasons, but one key feature that helps set it apart from western-style shows is the opening theme music. Not only is it a fun way to kick off an episode, but it usually sets the tone for the entire season as well.
While there are many excellent anime theme songs, a few, in particular, stand out. Songs like Dragon Ball's "Cha-La Hed-Cha-La" and Cowboy Bebop's "Tank!," which were released over two decades ago, still stand the test of time and remain ever popular. "Tank!" was even featured in figure skater Kevin Reynolds' short program for the 2016 Canadian National Figure Skating Championships. Clearly, despite most anime themes being sung in Japanese, the language barrier doesn't stop fans from around the world from engaging with them. Thus, they become a link between anime and its fans, sometimes remembered far beyond the anime's actual lifespan.
Let's take a look at just two iconic, memorable theme songs from recent years that became an integral part of the anime they were used for.
Attack On Titan, "Shinzou wo Sasageyo"
Perhaps one of the single most iconic anime theme songs belongs to Attack on Titan. "Shinzou wo Sasageyo" is not only the opening song of Season 2, but it's a fan anthem as well. Performed by Linked Horizon, the song remains memorable far beyond Season 2, with many fans still singing it to this day as the sort of theme for the entire anime. Maybe it's because the song has an incredible build to it, or that the chorus can be easily sung along to.
The musical phrasing of the chorus has an especially anthemic vibe -- as the song breaks to the words "shinzou wo sasageyo," we see the Scout Regiment throw their right hands across their chest in solidarity. The visuals along with the music make the song feel heroic, triumphant, and able to withstand even the toughest of Titans. That sheer energy is what makes it so influential.
Additionally, "Shinzou wo Sasageyo" is so popular that it has been performed at concerts to sold-out crowds. Imagine that -- concerts specifically for anime music. It just goes to show that an amazing anime theme is much more than just a song. "Shinzou wo Sasageyo" is one of the best-known anime openings in the world because it binds viewers to the feelings of Attack on Titan. As Eren, Mikasa, and Armin struggle for their lives, the song allows viewers to feel that sense of pride alongside them. It can almost be compared to a battle march.
My Hero Academia, "Odd Future"
Another highly memorable anime theme song is "Odd Future" from My Hero Academia Season 3. Compared to "Shinzou wo Sasageyo," this song is less of an anthem for the anime and more of a great way to prepare fans for an episode. "Odd Future" by UVERworld is one of many My Hero Academia openings, yet it stands alone as one of the best-received. The reason for this is all in the phrasing. The song goes from playful and light to big and bombastic, combining that delicate balance of fun and tension in the same way My Hero Academia does.
What works well for "Odd Future" is the way the musical phrasing dramatizes the opening credits, which can make any scene instantly better. But when the chorus rolls in, the visuals show the U.A. students in their hero costumes, ready to fight for the innocent. It does this through the use of powerful vocals matched with catchy pop music. Not only is "Odd Future" a perfect song to start an episode with, but it's a great standalone tune to listen to. Pairing it with the thematic content of My Hero Academia just enhances the opening credits.
Anime theme songs often leave a lasting impression on viewers. This can be due to the song's energy, its powerful vocals, or its tone in relation to the series' content. They are an important piece of anime culture and, as the popularity of anime rises, so does the love of theme songs. While these examples are more modern, there are anime songs from the '80s and '90s that are still remembered today, both in Japanese and English -- like Pokémon's unforgettable, "Gotta Catch 'Em All." No matter the reason for their popularity with the fans, theme songs have become a staple of anime culture that last far beyond their original context and content.