For some people, soundtrack element in anime is paramount as anime itself. Having a well-matched soundtrack with the anime can serve as a form of marketing, contributing to its popularity. To give an example is Shinzou wo Sasageyo from Attack on Titan.

For the artists, having songs that become soundtracks for anime can gain benefits. Through that, their popularity increased until overseas. In 2023, there are many good anime soundtracks (at least for me). I have been tracking them since winter season on my anime list. Let’s take a look at my list:

9.TRUE STORY by SCREEN mode (Bungou Stray Dogs 4th Season)

For the band, it’s not their first time being trusted to fill out the soundtrack for Bungou Stray Dogs (BSD). They already created an epic soundtrack for BSD's 2nd season with the single Reason Living. SCREEN mode is formed in 2013 and consists of two members.

8.Shock! by Ayase (Buddy Daddies)

Many of you might know YOASOBI, a super duo from Japan. However, did you know that one of the members is active as a solo artist, contributing to anime soundtrack? If you like J-pop, you can’t miss Shock!, a fresh pop single from Ayase.

7.Kizuna no Kiseki by Man With A Mission x milet (Kimetsu no Yaiba 3rd season)

We know Kimetsu no Yaiba is one of the most popular anime so far. It means having a song that becomes its soundtrack can be such an achievement. It’s mutualism, the band automatically rises in popularity. The collaboration between Man With A Mission and milet makes the song become viral and hit.

6.Idol by YOASOBI (Oshi no Ko)

This year, YOASOBI created an uplifting soundtrack for the anime Oshi no Ko. With unique voice from Ikura, Idol is kind of energic song that can accompany your daily life. The song is not too loud but still, you can’ let your body be silent.

5.WORK by millennium parade and Sheena Ringo (Jigokuraku)

WORK is the second-best collaboration this year. If you listen to WORK, you might be familiar with the male voice from Daiki Tsuneta. Although the anime is underrated, the song is really cool as Tsuneta plays as a singer here.

4.Gradation by KANA-BOON feat Yuho Kitazawa (Yamada-kun to Lv999 no Koi wo Suru)

If you like typical romance anime, you might know the vibe of the soundtrack. The song must sound cheerful, bright and sparkling. All of them existed in Gradation. Maguro Taniguchi so fit with Yuho Kitazawa who has a cute voice.

The rest of the list is exceptional because they demonstrate that anime plays a big role. Not only for the anime itself but for the Japanese music industry. These three soundtracks really did an outstanding job. I can recognize them without seeing the animes. They are good, trust me.

3.spiral by LONGMAN (Mushoku Tensei 2nd season)

My friend just sent me the music video for spiral. Without any expectations, I started listening and it’s like love at first sight because the song is really good. I even lost the words to describe it. But I’m so surprised to know spiral is anime soundtrack for Mushoku Tensei.

2.Ao No Sumika by Tatsuya Kitani (Jujutsu Kaisen 2nd season)

This song become viral and I didn’t expect it to appear in Jujutsu Kaisen (JJK). I stopped watching JJK because their problems are so complicated and the anime is overhyped. The desire to wait for a new episode every week gradually turns off. But don’t you dare to defeat the soundtrack!

1.SPECIALZ by KING GNU (Jujutsu Kaisen 2nd season)

My first position for best anime soundtrack is for SPECIALZ. As I mentioned before, I’m not watching the 2nd season of JJK. But the two soundtracks are really really good, especially SPECIALZ. As the second opening, SPECIALZ fits perfectly with the opening scene when the Shibuya Incident Arc starts. I get goosebumps during the overall opening scene. With red tone, the scene becomes more gripping and depressing.