“World Anime Song Election” Broadcast by Japanese TV Unveils Fan-Favorite Tracks
Are overseas anime fans too hardcore? The results of the “World Anime Song Election,” which surveyed both Japanese and overseas fans, have become a hot topic on social media. The reason why the two rankings are completely different is being discussed.
To determine the number one anime song in Japan, separate surveys were conducted among Japanese and foreign fans, and the rankings were created based on the aggregated results. Anime-loving celebrities such as Daisuke Sakuma from Snow Man, former Hinatazaka46 member Miho Watanabe, and Italian cosplayer Yuriko Tiger gathered in the studio, along with popular voice actors like Megumi Han, who played Kana Arima in “Oshi no Ko” and Gon Freecss in “HUNTER×HUNTER,” Ryo Horikawa, known for his role as Vegeta in “Dragon Ball,” Rica Matsumoto, who played Ash in “Pokémon,” and Yuko Miyamura, known for her role as Asuka Langley Soryu in “Neon Genesis Evangelion,” to watch the ranking results.
The rankings were announced separately for domestic and overseas versions, and the results were vastly different.
Ranking of Anime Songs Voted by Japanese
The results were as follows.
| Song title | Artist | Anime | |
| 1 | Idol | YOASOBI | “Oshi no Ko” |
| 2 | TOUCH | Hiromi Iwasaki | “TOUCH” |
| 3 | Gurenge | LiSA | “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” |
| 4 | A Cruel Angel’s Thesis | Yoko Takahashi | “Neon Genesis Evangelion” |
| 5 | Galaxy Express 999 | Godaigo | “Galaxy Express 999” |
| 6 | Homura | LiSA | “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” |
| 7 | Space Battleship Yamato | Isao Sasaki | “Space Battleship Yamato” |
| 8 | Get Wild | TM NETWORK | “City Hunter” |
| 9 | CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA | Hironobu Kageyama | “Dragon Ball Z” |
| 10 | Odoru Ponpokorin | Yuna Sugiyama | “Chibi Maruko-chan” |
| 11 | Mixed Nuts | Official Hige Dandism | “SPY×FAMILY” |
| 12 | Sekai ga Owaru made wa | Wands | “Slam Dunk” |
| 13 | Moonlight Densetsu | DALI | “Sailor Moon” |
| 14 | Zankyosanka | Aimer | “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” |
| 15 | Yasashisa ni Tsutsumareta Nara | Yumi Matsutoya | “Kiki’s Delivery Service” |
| 16 | We Are! | Hiroshi Kitadani | “One Piece” |
| 17 | Mazinger Z | Ichirou Mizuki | “Mazinger Z” |
| 18 | Sazae-san | Yuko Uno | “Sazae-san” |
| 19 | Ai wo Torimodose!! | Crystal King | “Fist of the North Star” |
| 20 | Tetsuwan Atom | Kamitakada Boys Choir | “Mighty Atom” |
Ranking of Anime Songs Voted by Foreigners
The results were as follows.
| Song title | Artist | Anime | |
| 1 | A Cruel Angel’s Thesis | Yoko Takahashi | “Neon Genesis Evangelion” |
| 2 | Idol | YOASOBI | “Oshi no Ko” |
| 3 | Song of Voltes V | Mitsuko Horie | “Chodenji Machine Voltes V” |
| 4 | unravel | TK from Ling Tosite Sigure | “Tokyo Ghoul” |
| 5 | KICKBACK | Kenshi Yonezu | “Chainsaw Man” |
| 6 | Blue Bird | Ikimonogakari | “Naruto: Shippuden” |
| 7 | SPECIALZ | King Gnu | “Jujutsu Kaisen” Shibuya Incident |
| 8 | We Are! | Hiroshi Kitadani | “One Piece” |
| 9 | Again | YUI | “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” |
| 10 | Where Our Blue Is | Tatsuya Kitani | “Jujutsu Kaisen” Season 2 |
| 11 | “Samurai Heart (Some Like It Hot!!)” by SPYAIR, from “Gintama” | SPYAIR | Gintama |
| 12 | Gurenge | LiSA | “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” |
| 13 | Cha-La Head-Cha-La | Hironobu Kageyama | “Dragon Ball Z” |
| 14 | Butter-Fly | Koji Wada | “Digimon Adventure” |
| 15 | Silhouette | KANA-BOON | “Naruto: Shippuden” |
| 16 | Kaikai Kitan | Eve | “Jujutsu Kaisen” |
| 17 | Tank! | Seatbelts | “Cowboy Bebop” |
| 18 | Akuma no Ko | Ai Higuchi | “Attack on Titan” The Final Season Part 2 |
| 19 | Shinzou wo Sasageyo! | Linked Horizon | “Attack on Titan” Season 2 |
| 20 | Guren no Yumiya | Linked Horizon | “Attack on Titan” |
Overseas Popularity of “Naruto: Shippuden”
While the domestic list featured many classic titles, the overseas list showcased more recent works and some unexpected selections.
One notable entry is “Chodenji Machine Voltes V,” which ranked third on the overseas list. This anime received overwhelming support in the Philippines, where it has maintained a high recognition rate of 94% among children since it first aired there in 1978, following its 1977 debut in Japan. The 2023 live-action adaptation of “Voltes V,” broadcast five times a week in prime time in the Philippines, further increased its popularity.
Additionally, “Blue Bird” by Ikimonogakari, the top-voted theme song from “Naruto: Shippuden,” secured the sixth spot on the overseas list. This song has achieved explosive popularity abroad. When Ikimonogakari performed “Blue Bird” on “THE FIRST TAKE” YouTube channel last December, the comments section was filled with joyous reactions from international fans.
Despite being released in 2008, “Blue Bird” ranked ninth in Spotify’s 2021 list of the most-streamed Japanese songs overseas. Another “Naruto: Shippuden” theme song, “Silhouette” by KANA-BOON, which placed 14th on the overseas list, also ranked eighth on the same Spotify list that year.
“There are many great songs from late-night anime, so I wish they received more attention. Separate rankings for general and otaku audiences would be more satisfying and provide a great opportunity for the general public to discover late-night anime songs. Personally, I’m glad that a terrestrial TV special featured anime songs. It was interesting to see the broader range of anime recognized by overseas fans, though ‘Voltes V’ in third place was surprising (laughs).”
Ultimately, it’s not surprising that the overseas ranking, which focused on anime enthusiasts, and the domestic ranking, which took a broader approach, differed significantly.
While both rankings highlight many great songs, there are still numerous undiscovered gems in the world of anime music. Hopefully, more detailed rankings will be created domestically in the future.
From a fan perspective, the ranking not only highlights the enduring popularity of these tracks but also emphasizes the deep connection fans have with the music that defines some of the most beloved moments in anime. These tunes are not just background music; they are a vital part of the anime experience, evoking emotions and memories for viewers worldwide.
