To continue my celebration of a year of bops, I’ve narrowed down my personal top five anime ending songs (EDs). The ending sequence of an anime can sometimes be hit or miss. Often songs are more subdued than an opener. While this isn’t a bad thing, a good closing song could be the difference between playing the credits all the way through or hitting skip. My favorites are ones that I personally feel resonate with the overall tone of the anime. Or sometimes I just really like the song.
My top five list is based on anime I watched during 2020, not necessarily shows that were released during the year. To make things fair I’ve included the full list of anime I watched. Spoilers, a few shows from 2020 may have actually made the list.
To create this list I used the same criteria as I did to choose my top five anime opening songs.
- Do I want to listen to the whole song rather than just the edited for TV version?
- Is the ending sequence interesting to watch? Do I want to watch it rather than skip to the next episode?
- Did this song immediately get added to my anime playlist and was then played on repeat? (To check out my playlist reflecting my watch journey head here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5EkIEjBwiepuDEkXSIVprr)
Number 5
Song: Ad Meliora
Artist: THE CHARM PARK
Anime: Fruits Basket
With one of the chillest songs I’ve heard, “Ad Meliora” is the perfect choice for the ending of Fruits Basket. Normally I don’t go for slice of life anime but Fruits Basket quickly became a favorite. Every moment of this anime is full of passion and the calm vibe that THE CHARM PARK sets with this song is exactly the cozy ending you need to wrap up the episode. The art is beautiful and fluid. It captures the mystical aspect of the show with the hope that we all want for these characters.
Number 4
Song: Come
Artist: Namie Amuro
Anime: Inuyasha
Pulling from the archives with this one. I’ve been trying to go back and watch all the popular anime, not just current favorites. This led me to Inuyasha which I would recommend to anyone who is a fan of anime. Of all the endings this was my favorite. The music is both upbeat and subdued. In classic ending fashion, Inuyasha and Kagome are looking off into the distance, thinking about one another. The nighttime setting pairs beautifully with the lyrics.
AmaLee does a great cover of “Come” in English which is where I first heard the translation. The feeling of the song paired with the lyrics really embodies the show in my opinion.
Number 3
Song: Styx Helix
Artist: MYTH & ROID
Anime: Re:ZERO – Starting Life in Another World
[Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhCPPQ5PBdk
“Styx Helix” captures you immediately with an alluring sound. It’s haunting yet has an uplifting spirit. It feels desperate and hopeful at the same time. The song begins in English with the lyrics “Oh please don’t let me die waiting for your touch, no don’t give up on life, this endless dead end” which could not be more appropriate for this anime. Balanced against the falling snow the emotions of the characters are complemented by the tone.
Number 2
Song: Night Running
Artist: Shin Sakiura feat. AAAMYYY
Anime: BNA: Brand New Animal
[Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWTFfEnMCCc
Immediately you are hit by bright pinks and blues. The art style is an elevation of the look and feel of the anime. It may look simplistic in design but there are plenty of details tying back to the anime. Not only is “Night Running” used as the ending song for BNA, it is also scattered through the season as a song that exists in the characters’ world. It’s short and sweet but leaves an impression.
Number 1
Song: LOST IN PARADISE
Artist: ALI feat. AKLO
Anime: Jujutsu Kaisen
Absolutely obsessed with the ending song for Jujutsu Kaisen! This really has it all. A song that gets you immediately hooked and art that is fresh. In truth I found myself looking forward to the credits just as much as the episode itself. Another win for TOHO Animation on this list!
The full version of “Lost in Paradise” is worth a listen, especially for the saxophone solo at the 2:30 minute mark followed by the piano solo around the 2:45 minute mark.
[Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnakQRoQRzk
Missed my top 5 anime openings of 2020? Check it out here: Top 5 Anime Openings of 2020
Geek Gal’s Watchlist of 2020:
- Black Clover
- Bleach (seasons 1 – 8)
- BNA: Brand New Animal
- Cowboy Bebop
- D.Gray-man
- Dragon Ball Super
- Fruits Basket
- K
- Knights and Magic (first 5 episodes)
- KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on this Wonderful World! (episodes 1 – 7)
- ID: Invaded
- In/Spectre
- Inuyasha
- Is it Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? (also known as DanMachi)
- Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure (episodes 1 – 3)
- Jujutsu Kaisen
- My Hero Academia (second half of season 4)
- Noragami
- Outlaw Star (episodes 1 – 16)
- Plunderer
- Radiant
- Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World
- Sailor Moon Crystal (season 1)
- Seven Deadly Sins: Wrath of the Gods
- Sorcerous Stabber Orphen (2020) (episodes 1 – 4)
- Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of the Underworld
- That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
- The Irregular at Magic High School (season 1)
- Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun
What are some of your favorite anime EDs? Give me some recommendations in the comments!
