One of the most important things in an anime is its soundtrack, responsible for bringing life and emotion to the scenes. With that in mind, this guide highlights 10 anime series featuring the greatest original soundtracks of all time.
It is worth noting that we are focusing on original background soundtracks rather than standalone opening and ending themes. Many composers create memorable theme songs as well, but our focus here is on the instrumental score and background cues that elevate every dramatic moment.
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Where to listen to anime soundtracks?
Official anime soundtracks are increasingly accessible across major streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, and YouTube Music, where labels regularly publish full original soundtracks (OSTs) for international listeners.
For collectors who prefer physical media, Japanese composers frequently release deluxe CD editions and Blu-ray audio discs containing unreleased cues and liner notes. These official releases can be imported directly through international storefronts like Japanese Amazon or specialized specialty retailers.
The Best Anime Soundtrack Composers
Several memorable anime series share the musical brilliance of visionary composers who are recognized worldwide for their distinctive signatures.
Among the most influential Japanese anime OST composers are:
- Hiroyuki Sawano (Attack on Titan, Guilty Crown, Aldnoah.Zero)
- Toshihiko Sahashi (Hunter x Hunter 1999, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED)
- Katsuo Ohno (Detective Conan)
- Yuki Kajiura (Sword Art Online, Fate/Zero)
- Yoko Kanno (Cowboy Bebop, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex)
- Yuji Ohno (Lupin III)
- Joe Hisaishi (Studio Ghibli films)
- Kohei Tanaka (One Piece)
- Noriyasu Agematsu (Symphogear)
- Shiro Sagisu (Neon Genesis Evangelion, Bleach)
The Best Animes with the Best OST Soundtracks
Ranking the best anime soundtracks involves subjective appreciation, yet certain compositions achieve universal acclaim for redefining their respective stories.
Many series on this list achieved lasting popularity largely through their audio identity. Without these immersive scores, key scenes would never carry the emotional power they do today.
1. Guilty Crown: Hiroyuki Sawano
Guilty Crown features some of the most impactful orchestral and vocal background tracks in modern anime, accompanied by stunning visual production from Production I.G, even if the second half of the story divided fans.
The series depicts a Japan under the control of the multinational GHQ following the outbreak of the catastrophic Apocalypse Virus. When student Shu Ouma encounters underground resistance vocalist Inori Yuzuriha, he acquires the Power of the Kings, enabling him to draw out crystalline weapons known as Voids from inside other people.
Sawano's score blends aggressive electronic percussion with grand strings and ethereal vocal pieces such as Bios featuring Mika Kobayashi, establishing the sonic signature that defined his career.
2. Aldnoah.Zero: Hiroyuki Sawano
Aldnoah.Zero stands out in my personal opinion as one of the finest original soundtracks ever written for anime. Composed by Hiroyuki Sawano, the score delivers sweeping futuristic themes that elevate every clash between Martian Kataphrakts and Earth forces.
The story follows an interplanetary conflict between the Vers Empire of Mars and the inhabitants of Earth. Protagonist Inaho Kaizuka relies on calm analytical tactics rather than brute strength to defend Terran survival and Martian princess Asseylum Vers Allusia.
Vocal battle themes like MKAlieZ and BRE@TH//LESS provide adrenaline-fueled momentum, while reflective piano melodies give weight to the tragic cost of war.
3. Sword Art Online: Yuki Kajiura
It is difficult to imagine Sword Art Online without the atmospheric touch of Yuki Kajiura. Her compositions give the virtual towers of Aincrad an enchanting sense of wonder and deadly urgency.
The story follows Kirito and thousands of players trapped inside a deadly full-dive virtual reality MMORPG where game over results in real-world death. Clearing the 100 floors becomes a battle for survival and freedom.
Kajiura's signature use of choir arrangements, Celtic-inspired flutes, and driving violin lines in battle themes like Swordland created an instantly recognizable musical identity for the franchise.
4. My Hero Academia: Yuki Hayashi
Yuki Hayashi created an exhilarating musical backdrop for My Hero Academia, establishing an inspiring orchestral and rock foundation that mirrors Deku's growth as a hero.
The series follows Izuku Midoriya, a boy born powerless in a society where nearly the entire population possesses a superhuman Quirk. Despite the odds, Midoriya inherits the power of the legendary hero All Might and strives to enter U.A. High School.
Anthems like You Say Run became viral motivational phenomena worldwide, while the emotional track Might⁺U featuring vocalist Makayla Phillips delivers tear-jerking climax moments during movie and seasonal high points.
5. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood: Akira Senju
Akira Senju composed the majestic orchestral score for Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, performing alongside the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra to give the dark fantasy epic a timeless classical depth.
The classic tale follows brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric, who commit the taboo of human alchemy to revive their deceased mother. Suffering catastrophic bodily loss, Edward sacrifices an arm and a leg while binding Alphonse's soul to a suit of armor, embarking on a quest for the Philosopher's Stone to restore what was taken.
Tracks like Lapis Philosophorum and Trisha's Lullaby balance solemn chorales with heartbreaking strings, making the soundtrack an essential companion to one of anime's greatest narratives.
6. Steins;Gate: Takeshi Abo
Originating from the acclaimed 5pb. and Nitroplus visual novel, Steins;Gate boasts an understated, emotionally resonant soundtrack composed by Takeshi Abo, featuring delicate piano motifs and tense electronic soundscapes.
Self-proclaimed mad scientist Rintaro Okabe accidentally discovers that a modified microwave oven can transmit text messages into the past. Altering timelines soon attracts the scrutiny of shadowy organizations and triggers catastrophic unintended consequences across world lines.
Iconic pieces such as Gate of Steiner and Believe Me evoke profound feelings of nostalgia, longing, and psychological tension that linger long after the final episode.
7. Your Lie in April: Masaru Yokoyama
Your Lie in April (Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso) pairs breathtaking classical piano and violin performances with deeply moving original background music composed by Masaru Yokoyama.
The story follows piano prodigy Kousei Arima, who lost the ability to hear the sound of his own playing after the passing of his strict mother. His monotonous world gains vibrant color when he meets free-spirited violinist Kaori Miyazono, who encourages him to return to the stage.
While classical works by Chopin, Beethoven, and Saint-Saens are performed by musicians Tomoki Sakata and Yuna Shinohara, Yokoyama's original background compositions like Watashi no Uso provide the emotional heart of the series.
8. Attack on Titan: Hiroyuki Sawano
Attack on Titan (Shingeki no Kyojin) cemented Hiroyuki Sawano's status as a titan of anime composition. His theatrical rock and choral soundscapes perfectly embody the grim desperation of humanity pushed to the brink of extinction.
Surrounded by massive defensive walls, the remnants of human civilization fight for survival against giant man-eating Titans. When the Colossal Titan breaches the outer district, Eren Yeager vows to eliminate every Titan after witnessing the destruction of his hometown.
Under his vocal project SawanoHiroyuki[nZk], explosive tracks like Vogel im Kafig, YouSeeBIGGIRL/T:T, and Counter Attack-Mankind provide monumental emotional payoffs during dramatic reveals.
9. Parasyte: The Maxim: Ken Arai
Ken Arai brought a fresh, high-energy electronic and dubstep palette to Parasyte: The Maxim (Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu), contrasting modern synthesized club beats with heartfelt classical instrumentation.
High school student Shinichi Izumi narrowly avoids full assimilation when an extraterrestrial spore infects only his right hand. Coexisting with the sentient parasite named Migi, Shinichi must defend human society against hostile parasites that butcher civilians in secret.
While intense electronic tracks accompany rapid-fire combat sequences, poignant melodies like NEXT TO YOU give gentle emotional weight to Shinichi's struggle to preserve his humanity.
10. Hunter x Hunter: Yoshihisa Hirano and Toshihiko Sahashi
Hunter x Hunter is fortunate to enjoy two distinct, beloved musical interpretations across its adaptations: the 1999 classic series scored by Toshihiko Sahashi, and the acclaimed 2011 reboot composed by Yoshihisa Hirano.
Gon Freecss embarks on a perilous journey to pass the Hunter Examination, aiming to track down his elusive father, Ging. Alongside companions Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio, Gon navigates dangerous martial tournaments and complex moral conflicts.
Hirano, celebrated for composing the dark psychological score of Death Note, infused the Chimera Ant arc with symphonic grandeur, choral darkness, and touching character motifs like Hyori Ittai instrumental arrangements.
As an honorable mention, the soundtrack of the film Your Name (Kimi no Na wa), composed by rock band Radwimps, also deserves recognition for seamlessly integrating lyrical narrative and melodic orchestration.
Conclusion: What Makes a Legendary Anime Soundtrack?
Choosing the absolute best anime soundtrack ultimately comes down to personal taste and emotional resonance, but in my view, Aldnoah.Zero by Hiroyuki Sawano remains an unmatched masterpiece of energy and melodic power.
Sawano's distinct style, combining cinematic brass with guest vocalists like Mika Kobayashi and Aimer, reshaped how anime studios approach background music. Similarly, the thematic depth of Yuki Kajiura in Sword Art Online and the orchestral richness of Akira Senju demonstrate that great music can turn a memorable show into a lifelong favorite.
What anime soundtracks have stayed with you long after the credits rolled? If you want to explore further music recommendations, check out our guide to favorite anime openings as well as my personal Japanese music playlist.
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