Anime News

FEATURE: Crunchyroll News Staff’s Top Anime Songs of 2022

Sasaki and Miyano

 

The past year was filled to the brim with some of the most exciting anime moments in recent memory! Whether it was heart-pumping action, gut-wrenching tragedy or the blush of a new romance, these scenes that captured our hearts would not be set without the thrilling soundtracks behind them. That’s why the editorial staff here at Crunchyroll has partnered together from across the globe to create one mega playlist of our favorite anime openings, endings and OSTs of 2022! Listen along to the songs that made us dance, laugh and cry in the year that came and went!

 

 

If your Spotify Wrapped was anything like ours, you’re probably into the edgier picks for your favorite anime opening and ending tunes of the last year. KICK BACK by Kenshi Yonezu (Chainsaw Man) was one of the most-requested picks from the team, topping the list for Spanish Editor, Julio Vélez, German Editor, Melanie Höpfler, as well as English and French Sr. Contributing Writers, Deanna Nguyen and Mohamed Mir. 

 

“I absolutely love the organized chaos represented within this song. It fits the image of Chainsaw Man so perfectly,” says Melanie.  “It’s one of the most complicated songs regarding the composition I’ve ever heard, and every sound and voiced part is so on point.”

 

RELATED: Ripping the Cord on the Staff Behind Chainsaw Man’s Buckwild Opening

 

The Rumbling by SiM (Attack on Titan) was another list-topper, accompanied by other headbangers like Bloody Power Fame by coldrain (BASTARD!! -Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasy-), Tot Musica by Ado (One Piece Film: RED), CHAINSAW BLOOD by Vaundy (Chainsaw Man ED #1), HAWATARI NIOKU CENTI by MAXIMUM THE HORMONE (Chainsaw Man, ED #3) and first death by TK (Chainsaw Man, ED #8).

 

“When the crescendo of drum beats rolls in, it gives the sense that things are about to get real and blood will splatter everywhere,” Arabic Editor, Nada Ali commented on her choice of the third Chainsaw Man ending. “It gives me that kick of adrenaline that I used to get listening to Linkin Park’s One Step Closer as a teenager.”

 

Chainsaw Man ED 3

 

“This song and video are thematically perfect for Attack on Titan at this stage of the story,” says Sr. Spanish Contributing Writer, Amílcar Trejo-Mosquera about the epic opener for Season 4, Part 2.  “This year gave us absolutely incredible openings, but thinking about a song that stuck with me all year long, I have to give it to SiM’s song.”

 

The Attack on Titan love continues with the heartstring-pulling power ballad ED Akuma no Ko by Higuchi Ai.

 

Attack on Titan Eren

 

“The song perfectly encapsulates the despair Eren feels after an endless war among enemies who were once friends,” says Kristine Don, Sr. International Editorial Manager. “He is the Devil’s Child. Ai Higuichi’s vocals are haunting and the chorus perfectly reflects the main theme of the story. ‘The world is cruel, but I still love you. Even if I sacrifice everything, I will protect you.’” As someone who had this track rank #1 on their top Spotify songs for 2022, I wholeheartedly attest to the audio delight this song brings to the table. 

 

The playlist is also accompanied by sugarier picks such as Sasaki and Miyano’s Ichigo Sunset by Yusuke Shirai and Soma Saitou and My Dress-Up Darling’s Koi no Yukue by Akari Akase. Sr. Editor of EN News, Joeseph Luster selected the latter tune as his favorite ED of the year. “Those opening notes really take me back to one of the best shows of the year that I refused to be caught watching. Such a fun and bubbly jam that will always put me in a good mood,” he comments. Us too, Joe. Us too.

 

Marin in My Dress-Up Darling

 

In the same vein is Chiki Chiki Ban Ban by QUEENDOM (Ya Boy Kongming!). Sr. Editorial Producer, Liam Dempsey had this to say about the tune: “It’s not every day that a Hungarian party song gets adapted into an anime opening, let alone one that traps you into making episodes take an hour by beaming ‘Wait, it’s already over? Just one more play…’”

 

Bringing the cool factor comes selections from Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, another favorite of the editorial staff. This futuristic soundtrack brings us a blend of moody lyricism and beats so electric you can feel them in your teeth. The anime’s opening, This fffire by Franz Ferdinand caught the attention of Sr. Manager of EN Editorial, Nicholas Friedman. “I am a huge fan of Franz Ferdinand, so when I was watching the first episode of Edgerunners at Anime Expo this year, I was surprised to hear they were doing the OP! And it was one of their all-time greatest songs! Come to find out, they also did an ending song for Paradise Kiss in 2005. Small world!”

 

RELATED: Crunchyroll News Staff Picks Their Favorite Anime of the Year

 

Similarly pulse-racing picks include instrumentals like le chasseur by Yuki Kajiura (The Case Study of Vanitas), selected by Deanna Nguyen, and We Are Stop the Attack by Yoshimasa Terui (JUJUTSU KAISEN 0), which was chosen by Italian Editor, Francesco Ventura, for sentimental reasons. “JUJUTSU KAISEN 0 was the first movie that Crunchyroll brought to Italian theaters, so when I watched this movie on the big screen it was a magical moment. I will never forget that feeling,” he says.

 

In addition, you’ll find an abundance of atmospheric soundtrack picks from the likes of Ranking of Kings, Bubble, Suzume, INU-OH, and (yet again) Attack on Titan and Chainsaw Man.

 

Ranking of Kings 2nd OP

 

Packing some serious grooves comes Yofukashi no Uta and Losstime by Creepy Nuts (Call of the Night) and OP/ED’s from 2022’s favorite familial comedy of errors, SPY x FAMILY. Sr Features Editor, Briana Lawrence favors the Cour 2 OP, SOUVENIR by BUMP OF CHICKEN.

 

“It’s just so peaceful and wholesome. I love how it shows the Forger family and how their lives are a lot brighter when they’re with each other. The animation is beautiful, the song is nice and mellow, it just puts a smile on my face every time I see it,” she says.

 

RELATED: SPY x FAMILY’s Second Opening is Perfect

 

Editorial SEO Manager, Paola Stoncius, likes the first ending theme, Comedy by Gen Hoshino.

 

“To me this one is all about the vibes it transmits and the wholesome meaning behind the lyrics,” she says. “If you ever have a long day… embrace yourself to these beats and let this song give you a hug.”

 

SPY x FAMILY 1st ending

 

The full list of contributors to our playlist is as follows:

 

  • Leah President, International Editorial Manager 
  • Kristine Don, Sr. International Editorial Manager
  • Nicholas Friedman, Sr. Manager, English Editorial
  • Briana Lawrence, Sr. Features Editor, English
  • Paola Stoncius, Editorial SEO Manager
  • Joseph Luster, Sr. Editor of English News
  • Liam Dempsey, Sr. Editorial Producer
  • Julio Vélez, Spanish Editor
  • Francesco Ventura, Italian Editor
  • Melanie Höpfler, German Editor
  • Asya Zabolotskaya, Russian Editor
  • Nada Ali, Arabic Editor
  • Amílcar Trejo-Mosquera, Sr. Contributing Writer, Spanish
  • Deanna Nguyen, Sr. Contributing Writer, English
  • Mohamed Mir, Sr. Contributing Writer, French 

 

What anime songs were your favorite for 2022? What series are you looking forward to hearing music from in 2023? Let us know in the comments!