Japan’s national sport is sumo; its national dish is sushi; and its national dress the kimono. We all know this, but some may be surprised to learn that, for many, the national pastime is karaoke. This may seem surprising: why would a people typically reserved love singing their hearts out? Well, karaoke here is in private rooms with friends, not in front of strangers, so it’s more intimate and enjoyable.
Anime is, of course, one of the most popular art forms in Japan, and around the world. Music from anime has become just as popular, with each new season of a show having new opening and ending numbers — and they are released in Japanese karaoke parlors at the same time. So, in the banner year of 2025, what have been the most popular anime songs sung at Japanese karaoke? Let us take you through the top ten!
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Top Ten Anime Songs
For this list, we went to JOYSOUND, one of the most popular karaoke providers in Japan, with machines in parlors all across the country. By using the internet for their songs, they can quickly give customers the newest hits… and keep track of what songs are most popular. So, here are the top ten hits of the year.
On the Way
Singer: Aina the End
Anime: Dandadan
Known in Japanese as Kakumei Dochu (革命道中/On the Way to Revolution), this tune is a certified gold seller, and serves as the opening song for the second season of the hit show Dandadan. One of the most popular anime of the decade, it is no surprise that this banger, which singer Aina the End said she wrote specifically for the series to describe the “strange love story” between the two leads.
Happy Lucky Chappy
Singer: Ano
Anime: Takopi’s Original Sin
An anime with a super cute octopus-like alien that exists to spread happiness and joy, only to come up against the darkness and complexity that lies at the heart of all human life, the opening song Happy Lucky Chappy is very similar in its theming. With upbeat music and a cute performance from Ano, the lyrics reveal a deeper sense of angst and dread. This juxtaposition is what has led this bop into the silver spot.
Saikai
Singer: Vaundy
Anime: The Summer Hikaru Died
Saikai (再会) which means “Reunion” is the opening song for one of this year’s most intriguing supernatural anime, The Summer Hikaru Died. Accordingly, the lyrics obliquely reference the body-possession of the show, while the mixture of unnatural computer-based tones mixed with real guitars resonates with the mixture of the Other with the lives of rural Japanese students.
Mirage
Singer: Creepy Nuts
Anime: Call of the Night
Starting us off with that spicy Spanish guitar, along with a muffled voice, we have a sense of the exotic mixed with the unknowable for this anime that concerns vampires and a human who longs to become one. The quick yet casual singing with a mariachi vibe makes this an obvious choice for anyone looking to choose as fun to sing as it is to listen to.
Your Gaze, Crepuscular
Singer: Tatsuya Kitani
Anime: The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity
This hit anime, with a distinct Romeo and Juliet vibe to it, is opened by this song, known in Japanese as “Manazashi wa Hikari (まなざしは光).” This upbeat tune mirrors the show’s man protagonist, with lyrics reflecting his concerns about himself and surprise that someone else can see the real him. A cute romantic song.
Doukashiteru
Singer: WurtS
Anime: Dandadan
Dandadan is back again in the top ten, this time with the ending song for the second season. “Upbeat” is the word of the day: fast-paced, fun, and in sync with the show’s wild premises of discovering the otherworldly, while falling in love. A joy to listen to and a blast to sing, it’s easy to see why this is popular.
You Are My Monster
Singer: Tooboe
Anime: The Summer Hikaru Died
Another return entry from everyone’s favorite spooky BL anime of 2025, this time we’re having a listen to the ending song. Once more mirroring the story of the show (as one may expect), this easy-breezy tune celebrates the happiness that our hero, Yoshiki, may feel with the imitation of his best friend, Hikaru.
Kawaii Kaiwai
Singer: PiKi
Anime: My Dress-Up Darling
The ending song for the hotly anticipated second season of the cosplay community-focused show is as cute and energetic as the anime’s leading lady. Meaning “cute fandom,” this bouncy but evenly paced piece is almost like a love letter to falling in love. A fun, adorable addition to anyone’s repertoire.
Plea to God
Singer: syudou
Anime: Dekin no Mogura: The Earthbound Mole
Called “Kamidanomi” (神頼み) in Japanese, this one has surely made it into the top ten by not just being catchy, with its upbeat guitar and piano, but also for the challenge. Not a hiphop song by any stretch of the imagination, but the speed and variation in vocals through the song is a fun way for anyone to test their karaoke limits.
Fly to the Galaxy!
Singer: Candies
Anime: Milky Subway: The Galactic Limited Express
The only song on this list from a previous decade, century, and even millennium. Fly to the Galaxy! (known in Japan as Gingakei made Tonde Ike!/銀河系まで飛んで行け!) comes from a boxset of music from Candies released in 1977. It’s optimistic and soft tones are a perfect fit for the space-based show about a cyborg and a superhuman carrying out community service on an interplanetary train. A sweet warm up or a sweet closer, this is a blast from the past that will make you nostalgic for the Showa era.
And with this, our setlist has come to an end, and the phone call from the front desk reminding you that your time is up has arrived. What will next year’s top anime tunes be? There’s only one way to find out! So be patient, keep your pipes warmed up, and don’t forget to rehearse when you’re watching your favorite anime!
