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The Top 10 Bands Featured In The Most Popular Anime

This post is also available in: 日本語 (Japanese)

Many of the most popular anime have helped to expose artists who might otherwise have remained underground. There was a time when you’d never see Japanese groups on lists of band suggestions made by Western fans. The proliferation of anime music has helped a number of domestic musical acts to enjoy widespread success all over the world.

To celebrate the anime music phenomenon, we’ve compiled this list of the 10 most popular anime and the bands that were featured in them.

#1 Linked Horizon

Shingeki no Kyojin has gone through a number of musical changes over the years, and the newest season is sure to bring yet another new opening to the anime. However, it’s the symphonic metal track “Guren no Yumiya” by Linked Horizon that fans best associated with this series. The band has been around for nearly 20 years now, and they’re perhaps unique in the Japanese hard rock scene for including a classically trained composer in their line-up. 

Guren no Yumiya (Full) 

#2 KANA-BOON

KANA-BOON is an alt-rock band from Sakai-shi in Osaka Prefecture who’s had no less than three top ten albums. They were previously featured in Naruto Shippuden, so it only makes sense that their hit single “Driver” was used as the theme for Boruto: Naruto the Movie. A later single called “Baton Road” served as the opening to the weekly Boruto series. 

#3 Going Under Ground

Since Going Under Ground fuses pop-rock with amplified power chords, their song “Breakthrough” was ideal for the offbeat Netflix anime, Fairy Tail. The track really makes you want to get up and dance, which is perfect when you consider how the season it was used for involved a magical games-themed story arc.

#4 Ling Tosite Sigure

Tokyo Ghoul is set in an alternate universe where horrific monsters live right under the noses of innocent people. While you’d think this might have led the producers to pick some epic dance track for their opening, they threw everyone a curveball by featuring TK from Ling Tosite Sigure with the downbeat, indie-infused ballad, “katharsis”. It certainly sets a very unique feel for this unusual show.

katharsis (Official video) 

#5 The Pillows

Whether you’re watching the antics of Haruko and Naota in the original FLCL or the recent reboot of the mecha anime parody, you’re sure to hear plenty of distorted guitar riffs from The Pillows. FLCL’s popularity actually helped them start the band’s international career. 

Ride on Shooting Star 

#6 Man With a Mission

Compared to both Slipknot and Linkin Park by fans, MAN WITH A MISSION is a nu metal band famous for their unique, wolf-headed masks. When the popular Netflix anime Seven Deadly Sins needed a title song, their decision to go with this group was something of a no-brainer. Interestingly, though, they opted for a much softer sound when they recorded it.

#7 angela

Arguably the most popular Netflix anime, Knights of Sidonia has a huge following. Experimental dance-rock band Angela got the opportunity to provide a track for this space-themed mecha anime, and they certainly gave the anime a much different feel by opting for something that sounds like it could fit on a rave DJ’s setlist.

angela (Opening) 

#8 JAM Project

Considering that their name literally means Japan Animationsong Makers, JAM Project is a group that tops the lists of band suggestions of producers picking the music for popular anime TV shows. Their single “The Hero!! ~Ikareru Ken ni Honō o Tsukero~” was made specifically for One Punch Man, and it tries to capture the nonsensical style that show is known for.

#9 ALL OFF

Many fans felt that Mob Psycho 100 came out of nowhere. The unusual, supernatural comedy action show is based on a Japanese web manga, and it features a song by an up and coming band called ALL OFF. The grunge-like track almost feels out of place, which is perfect considering how disjointed the show is. It’s obvious that the producers wanted to go for something with a trippy feel, and it really works in Mob Psycho’s favor. 

Refrain Boy 

#10 Poppin’Party

It’s not everyday that an anime series features music by a pop group that has their own anime, but Future Card Buddyfight Ace from Bushiroad did just that. The opening theme Saikō! was performed in both Japanese and English by Poppin’Party,who has appeared in both the BanG Dream video game and TV spin-off.

Did the latest show you were streaming not make our list? Find this post on our Facebook page and let us know in the comments.

This post is also available in: 日本語 (Japanese)

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