What Songs Get Anime Fans Fired Up at Karaoke?
Karaoke is an essential part of otaku culture in Japan! To celebrate “Karaoke Culture Day” on October 17, anime news outlet Anime! Anime! conducted a survey asking Japanese fans which anime opening and ending themes bring the ultimate energy to a karaoke room.
Spanning iconic 90s classics to modern chart-topping hits, here are the top songs that get everyone singing, shouting, and dancing along!
#1. “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” – Neon Genesis Evangelion
Taking the top spot for an incredible seventh consecutive year is the legendary opening theme for Neon Genesis Evangelion, performed by Yoko Takahashi. Ever since its release in 1995, this song has remained the undisputed anthem of anime karaoke.
Why Fans Love It:
- “Even people who haven’t seen the original anime know how to sing this song! It’s an unforgettable masterpiece of 90s anime music.”
- “Because everybody knows it, you can select it without any hesitation, and before you know it, the entire room is singing along in unison.”
#2. “Lilac” – Oblivion Battery
Securing the runner-up spot is “Lilac” by the wildly popular band Mrs. GREEN APPLE, featured as the opening theme for the baseball anime Oblivion Battery.
Why Fans Love It:
- “It brilliantly captures the bittersweet theme of youth in Oblivion Battery. It fits the world of the show so well that you get totally emotionally invested when singing it.”
#3. “IRIS OUT” – Chainsaw Man The Movie: Reze Arc
Coming in at a very close third place is “IRIS OUT” by superstar singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu, created for the hugely anticipated movie Chainsaw Man The Movie: Reze Arc.
Why Fans Love It:
- “The track syncs perfectly with the dangerous dynamic between Denji and Reze, capturing their conflict between instinct and emotion.”
- “It has a great tempo, and copying the famous ‘Reze Dance’ while singing makes the room explode with hype!”
Top 5 Rankings at a Glance
- 1st Place: “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
- 2nd Place: “Lilac” (Oblivion Battery)
- 3rd Place: “IRIS OUT” (Chainsaw Man The Movie: Reze Arc)
- 4th Place (Tie): “No brand girls” (Love Live!)
- 4th Place (Tie): “Sekka Ryoran” (Princession Orchestra)
From timeless anthems to the latest cinematic tracks, these songs prove that music truly connects fans across generations. What is your absolute go-to song when you hit up karaoke?
Source: Yahoo News Japan