Top 10 Anison Artists

TV & Film

Apr 17

Over the last few years, anime has not only boomed in popularity, but the quality of anime has also increased significantly. Along with better anime quality has come better anime opening and closing songs. When anime like Dragon Ball, Naruto, and Sailor Moon came out, the songs weren’t the biggest focus, and while those anime have good songs, they aren’t something you want to jam out to in the car. This has completely changed, though, and now these types of songs are so popular that they have been given their own genre. Anime Songu, or anison, is a genre of songs that were specifically made for anime and are typically made by Japanese musicians. This genre has become so popular that there are some musicians and groups that either create only anison music or create predominantly anison music. Since these musicians are not as widely known as the anime they are featured on, I wanted to take a second to shine a light on some of the best! Here is my list of the top 10 anison artists.

10. Milet

Millet — Image Source: *Billboard Japan*

Milet is one of the best female anison artists of all time. She has a deeper voice than many other female artists which helps to give her songs a haunting sound. She also writes lyrics that are thought provoking and elicit strong emotions. She has done multiple songs for Demon Slayer and Frieren, but it is her song “Drown” from Vinland Saga that sets her apart. The song is incredible and will always be one of my favorite songs, regardless of genre.

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9. Mrs. Green Apple

Mrs. Green Apple is one of the most popular J-pop bands, and they even earned the title of #1 most listened to artist in Japan on Spotify in 2023 and 2024. They have done songs for Fire Force, One Piece Film Red, and Oblivion Battery. They are also the artists of The Apothecary Diaries' second opening song for the current season. They have a unique sound because their range blows all other male groups out of the water. Their songs are upbeat and have a rhythm that grabs you and doesn't let go.

8. KANA-BOON

KANA-BOON is a Japanese rock band that has been gaining popularity thanks to their incredible anime songs. They have done songs for Naruto Shippuden, My Hero Academia, and Fire Force. They seemed to boom in 2023 when they did the opening song, “Song of the Dead,” for Zom 100. Not only did the series take social media and anime fans by storm, but its unique opening did as well. KANA-BOON creates songs that are upbeat and fun, making them the perfect tracks to add to any playlist.

7. VK Blanka

VK Blanka, also referred to as Vickeblanka, is a Japanese musician who got his start creating songs for anime. He has since gone on to release studio albums, but has continued to provide some of the best anime songs ever. He is most known for his two Black Clover openings, but he has also made songs for Fruits Basket and Shiki Oriori. It is difficult to describe his sound because there aren’t any other artists that sound like him, but I would highly recommend that you check out his music!

6. Kenshi Yonezu

Kenshi Yonezu is a Japanese musician who got his start making Vocaloid music under the name Hachi. He now creates music under his real name that uses his real voice. He has created songs for anime such as My Hero Academia and Medalist, but he has also created music for films such as The Boy and the Heron, Children of the Sea, and Fireworks. He is most known for his song “KICK BACK” from season one of Chainsaw Man, which has been used across social media platforms since its release. He has more of a jazz voice with a touch of funk, which might sound odd, but if you listen to his music, you will know exactly what I am talking about.

5. OFFICIAL HIGE DANdism

OFFICIAL HIGE DANdism is a Japanese pop rock band, and they have one of the most diverse sounds on this entire list. Most of the entries on this list have a very specific and unique sound that has made them popular, but this group can do a little bit of everything. They have done songs for Blue Box and Hinomaru Sumo and are most known for “Mixed Nuts” the opening for SpyxFamily season one, and “Cry Baby” the opening for season one of Tokyo Revengers. “Mixed Nuts” is upbeat while also sounding exactly like the show that it is opening for, with old spy movie-like sounds at the beginning. “Cry Baby” is completely different, with an emotional beat and sound that perfectly fits the opening, which is filled with scenes of the characters walking through pouring rain while injured. The songs could not be more different from each other, and yet they are both equally incredible.

4. Creepy Nuts

Creepy Nuts is a Japanese hip hop duo, and one of my favorite groups of all time. It is all because of how energetic and unique they are in both sound and vibe. They have seen a boom in popularity thanks to their song “Otonoke” which is the season one opening for Dandadan, but they also did the opening song for season two of Mashle: Magic and Muscles. One of the most unique things about the group is that their song “Yofukashi no Uta” inspired the manga Call of the Night. According to Mangaka Kotoyama, he heard the Creepy Nuts song, and it inspired him to create the anime and name it after the song. The song is featured as the ending for season one, and the band did the opening as well as multiple insert songs for the series.

3. Vaundy

Vaundy is a Japanese musician and one of the best artists of all time, thanks to his unique way of making sure that his song perfectly fits the series or film it is made for. He has done songs for Ranking of Kings, SpyxFamily, and Chainsaw Man as well as for films such as My Hero Academia: You’re Next and One Piece Film Red. He is currently garnering attention for his song “RUN SAKAMOTO RUN” which is the season one opening for Sakamoto Days. To make sure that this song fit the series perfectly, he included the sound of a gun cocking at the beginning of the chorus. This adds an incredible effect for a song that was made for a series about assassins.

2. LiSA

LiSA is a Japanese singer and songwriter, and she is not the same LISA who is a member of the K-pop group, Black Pink. LiSA is one of the most seasoned anison artists on this list, and that is because she is so incredibly talented that she has been featured pretty much everywhere. She has done songs for Shangri-La Frontier, Sword Art Online, Demon Slayer, and Fate/Zero. She is most widely known for “Gurenge” which is the season one opening for Demon Slayer, and “ReawakeR” which is the season two opening for Solo Leveling and features Felix from Stray Kids. LiSA is an absolute powerhouse when it comes to both lyrics and sound. She brings so much emotion and power to every song she has done, which is why you see her featured on multiple shounen anime series.

1. Aimer

Aimer is a Japanese singer and songwriter who uses aimerrythm for all lyric credits. Similar to LiSA, Aimer is a seasoned anison artist who has more than 25 anime songs under her belt. She has done songs for Demon Slayer, Ameku M.D.: Doctor Detective, Fire Force, Vinland Saga, and Chainsaw Man. It is difficult to say which of these songs she is most known for, but I think that her song “Zankyosanka” which is the second opening for season two of Demon Slayer, is pretty popular. Aimer is a powerhouse of an artist who not only brings power with her vocals, but she is also able to create songs that are soft or haunting. There are no limits to what she can do, and I can’t wait to see what anime she does a song for next.

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