Music is the rhythm of our lives and an important component of anime. Some shows are based on it and have a deeper bond with musical instruments or even idols.
Guitars, pianos, and even more obscure instruments like the koto are depicted in Japanese animation.
No matter what your musical tastes are, you will surely find something for you with our best music anime.
Table of Contents
30. Takt. Op
A series that combines the central theme of music with science fiction elements and makes music a real battle tool.
One day a black meteorite falls on the world, drastically changing it. The meteor produced grotesque monsters called D2, who ban all forms of music, the only weapon that could defeat them.
But some people manage to resist their tyranny: young women who possess the power of music, the Musicarts, who possess sheet music that can defeat the monsters.
An anime from a chilling visual and sound compartment, that occasionally ends up lost as far as narrative is concerned, even given its overly intricate and pretentious plot.
29. Symphogear
Let us now move on to something more modern with Symphogear, which, as can be seen by solving the pun in the title, combines musical elements with Majokko elements, creating a novel and interesting product.
Hibiki Tachibana goes to attend a concert by her favorite singers: the Zwei Wing, a duo formed by Kanade Amou and Tsubasa Kazanari. During the concert, mysterious beings attack the auditorium, causing death and destruction.
But at that point, the two singers begin to confront the enemies wearing power suits using the power of music. Two years later, with the incident now over, Hibiki begins to develop the same powers.
If you are looking for a Majokko anime that is different from others because of the combination of the element of music, then don’t think twice. It’s also one of the best anime with power suits, if you like the genre.
28. Tari Tari
Tari Tari doesn’t have music as its core theme like other names on this list but makes it an accompanying element, to propel plot events forward.
This is a slice-of-life anime with 5 teenage protagonists, each with his or her passions but all with a drama in common: the end of high school, with the accompanying beginning of real life.
Wakana Sakai is a former musician and Konatsu Miyamoto is a positive girl who spends her afternoons at the school singing club.
Sawa Okita is a member of the archery club but dreams of becoming an accomplished horsewoman, whereas Daichi Tanaka is a member of the badminton team.
Finally, Wiin has just transferred to Wakana’s class after spending the last 12 years in Austria.
The five boys will eventually find a common point of togetherness: music. The real main theme is the psychology of characters and not the music per se, as mentioned before.
27. Idolish7
The plot of Idolish 7 is as simple as it is captivating, especially for a female audience.
Tsumugi Takanashi, the daughter of the president of an idol agency, is chosen as the manager of an up-and-coming group that will consist of only boys. The young woman will have to choose among 7 very different but all-stage animals tall boys.
Tsumugi does not give up on any of them and thus forms the idol group Idolish 7, which will be increasingly successful.
At the end of the day it’s simple and unpretentious anime based on a videogame that you may like.
26. Her Blue Sky
The fairly successful movie released in 2019, once again uses music as a side element but focuses on the psychological and love spheres of the characters.
Aoi and Akane’s parents lose their lives in an accident 13 years ago, and Akane gives up her desire to go to Tokyo with her boyfriend Shinnosuke to take care of her sister.
13 years pass, and one day Aoi, with a passion for music, is invited to perform at a music festival as a musician by a famous enka singer named Dankichi.
She is glimpsed by Shinnosuke, who has returned to town to visit the girls under mysterious circumstances, and the wheel of fate sets off.
A little animation gem not to be missed if you are a fan of sentimental movies with lots of pathos and twists.
25. Gravitation
Gravitation is a quite niche musical anime that was released in 2000 and consists of 13 episodes. It revolves around music, romance, and boys love themes.
The story follows Shuichi Shindou, a determined musician who aspires to lead his band, Bad Luck, to the top of the Japanese music charts.
Along his journey, he encounters Yuki, a charismatic writer. Their initial meeting sparks a friendship that gradually develops into something deeper.
Gravitation is a great choice for fans of boys love or those seeking a light-hearted, vanilla romance anime without excessive drama.
If you’re in search of a tender and straightforward musical series, Gravitation will not disappoint.
24. Love Live!
One of the most famous series about idols, and therefore music. In each of the titles of Love Live! the main cast focuses on groups of girls who become idols and sing.
It’s extremely popular and loved by fans all around the globe, especially for the attention to clothing design and the choreographies.
If you love pop music, you are in the right place. Plus, Love Live! is something that should be on your watch list for the memes and all the crazy interactions between the cast.
23. Sing a Bit of Harmony
A peculiar movie, that follows some of the classic canons but simultaneously twists them by making itself a separate vision.
It will indeed be a classic slice-of-life, nothing more nothing less, but one of the characters will be… an AI created especially to make the protagonist happy with her musical and singing talents.
But being precisely an AI, its behaviors may be somewhat outside the box. Start it if you are tired of the usual slice of life and want something different.
22. Full Moon wo Sagashite
A tear-jerking anime that is unlikely not to make you feel teary-eyed while watching it, hoping that everything can end for the best.
Twelve-year-old Mitsuki Koyama dreams of becoming a singer, but unfortunately, she suffers from throat cancer, treatable only through delicate surgery that could permanently damage her vocal cords.
Mitsuki’s dreams thus seem impossible to achieve until she is visited by two shinigami, Takuto and Meroko, who let her know that she has only one year left to live.
Mitsuki will realize that she cannot wait for a second longer, and will go straight to an audition.
52 episodes were released in 2002 of pure character evolution in an ode to life, and a call toward anyone to realize their dreams before it’s too late.
21. The Piano Forest
An anime based on a seinen manga, thus dealing with adult elements and not discounting moral slaps.
A sweet tale featuring two very different boys. On the one hand Kai, the son of a prostitute, who since childhood has grown up playing the piano abandoned in the woods near his home as his only solace.
On the other is Shuhei who, born and raised in a prestigious family of pianists, has practically had a piano as his only friend, even when he did not want it. Their common passion will lead the life paths of the two boys to intertwine.
Wonderful music, great accuracy in the musical field, and a believable friendship/rivalry relationship. The only flaw is the animation with occasionally poor CGI, but easily surmountable.
20. Ya Boy Kongming!
A hero by the name of Zhuge Kongming from the ancient China gets reincarnated in a contemporary Tokyo.
After meeting Eiko Tsukimi by chance, the two work on launching their music career.
Ya Boy Kongming! is a good reverse isekai anime out there and quite recent too.
Recommended if you like anime with good character development and something different from the average isekai and with a music theme.
19. Those Snow White Notes
The main character Setsu Sawamura was raised, along with his older brother Wakana, by his shamisen-playing grandfather.
Since his grandfather’s death, Setsu has dropped out of school and moved to Tokyo. He is adrift, not knowing what to do with his life besides playing.
That is until his mother, a wealthy, successful woman, reappears and enrolls him in high school. Setsu rediscovers his passion for the shamisen and accidentally meets a young singer, with whom a deep relationship will develop.
As can be guessed, there is much psychological scope, much personal growth, and fulfillment in life. These are the themes of Those Snow White Notes, condensed in just 12 episodes.
18. One Piece: Red
One Piece: Red is the fifteenth and last movie that came out in the expansive One Piece universe, which was released in theaters during the summer of 2002.
In this movie, Luffy and his crew journey to the island of Elegia to attend a concert by Uta, a renowned singer. However, Luffy soon realizes that he has a personal connection with Uta, as she is the adopted daughter of Shanks.
This revelation marks the beginning of a series of mysteries and adventures.
While One Piece as a whole is not centered around music, One Piece: Red incorporates music into its storyline, featuring actual musical performances by idol Ado, who provides the voice for Uta.
This movie stands out as the most music-focused installment in the One Piece franchise, and we are 100% sure that you will love it.
17. Super Dimensional Fortress Macross
Macross is a cult mecha anime from 1982 with a love triangle and strong romance elements.
Some of you may recall Macross as part of Robotech, an 85-episode mix of 3 different anime. The story starts with the human race finishing a space airship based on an alien wreck.
When they try to launch the Macross ship, they get attacked by the alien race Zentradi and the remnants of humanity embark on it to escape planet Earth.
Contrary to what one might imagine from reading its synopsis, music is a key element in the entire work. In fact, one of the aliens’ methods of defeat involves Lynn Minmay, a singer idol who can charm the invaders with her voice.
16. Belle
A movie was released just a few months ago in Western theaters. We are talking about Belle, master Hosoda’s latest work.
The plot follows Suzu, a 17-year-old high school student who lives in a small countryside village, where she feels like a prisoner.
One day Suzu enters U, a virtual reality of five billion members online, in which she can finally do what she loves: sing.
Suzu becomes Belle, a singer who soon gains worldwide fame, and after meeting a mysterious dragon she embarks with him on a journey filled with love and personal quest.
This is a bright and colorful movie, a real treat for the eyes, with a solid and very empathetic plot that is unlikely to fail to move you.
It’s also one of the best anime about virtual reality in our opinion.
15. Zombieland Saga
Zombieland Saga is nothing else than a comedic take on the music and idol genre… but with zombies. The show features 7 girls revived from different historical eras forming a band.
The protagonist Sakura Minamoto gets hit by a truck and ends up in a comatose state. She wakes up 10 years later to find out she is in the Saga Prefecture as a zombie.
A man named Koutarou Tatsumi tells Sakura that he resurrected her along with six other girls to revive Saga’s economy through an idol group.
The most important detail of the Zombieland Saga is that these girls don’t remember their past. This series can be considered one of the best 2018 anime and it’s capable of blending fun and sad moments.
Among the many genres, we will also find rap and hip-hop, Zombieland Saga should be on your watchlist if you prefer variety over specificity.
14. Detroit Metal City
This 12-episode story is based on a death metal band dominating the indie scene thanks to its captivating style.
The demonic lead singer is Johannes Krauser II, none other than Souichi Negishi, the average college graduate you see in a lot of anime.
Detroit Metal City is the ideal show if you want some good old dark humor and good animations. Even though the music isn’t death metal, it’s something you want to put on your watchlist for its super entertaining scenarios.
The protagonist lives a double life; he can put up a mask and fake being someone else at night and a singer by day. Beware, this is not a deep or psychological show, it’s just about comedy and music!
It’s also one of the best metal music anime out there and you can count them on your hands.
13. Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song
Produced by the more than well-known Wit Studio, Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song is an unreleased anime recently aired in 2021, consisting of 13 episodes in total.
The story, which is deeply science-fiction oriented, is set in the distant year 2056.
In this future, humanity has invented androids controlled through artificial intelligence, capable of performing various tasks for which they are created. Our protagonist, Vivy, is one of them.
Vivy’s job is to bring cheer to her colleagues and people through the music she plays, working as a singer at NiaLand amusement park.
However, her normal life is disrupted by the arrival of Matsumoto, an android who claims to arrive 100 years in the future.
He in fact wants to involve her in the Singularity Project, which is a move to prevent a now imminent android rebellion against humans would occur. Vivy after much doubt agrees, initiating the mission.
12. Carole & Tuesday
Created as an anime produced by the renowned animation studio Bones, Carole and Tuesday is an anime consisting of 24 episodes.
In a future and sometimes Sci-Fi era where humanity has colonized the planet Mars, Carole leads a modest and normal life while cultivating a dream of one day becoming a musician.
Dream ready to come true when one day by chance she meets Tuesday, a wealthy runaway girl armed only with a suitcase and her trusty acoustic guitar.
As you might well imagine, their friendship will not take long to blossom, as will their ever-growing musical career. The two will even slowly go on to bring about a revolution in the futuristic music field, which has now become almost entirely digital and carried out by artificial intelligence.
The anime features a very original plot that mixes the music field with a dash of science fiction to accompany it, ultimately making it more captivating.
11. Liz and the Blue Bird
Based on a novel, Liz and the Blue Bird may come to be regarded by some as the best Japanese animated movie of 2018.
More and Nozomi are two friends with different opposite personalities, the former being extremely introverted, while the latter is popular and well-liked by everyone.
The two girls who play the oboe and a flute respectively find themselves having to duet in a composition titled Liz and the Bluebird, which has many commonalities with their friendship, making them reflect on the same.
It is an interpersonal journey based on the friendship between the two, which will lay bare their personalities and the thoughts they have about each other while the music will act as a supporting element.
The excellent animation and chilling soundtrack should not be underestimated either.
10. Sound! Euphonium
Sound! Euphonium, or as known by its original title Hibike! Euphonium, is an anime based on the light novel collection of the same name written by Ayano Takeda.
The events covered are those of Kitauji High School’s music club, which is now unable to participate in competitions.
Thanks to Professor Taki, the group will begin to shine in a new light and return to participate in the competition.
An anime that excellently blends the musical sphere with slice-of-life elements where the lives of the high school students who make up the club are explored in depth.
This makes for a suitable watching experience for those looking for a light-hearted and unpretentious series.
9. K-On
The plot features four female students named Yui, Mio, Ritsu, and Tsumugi.
One day they all decide to join their institution’s light music club to save it from being dismantled.
They will thus find themselves to be the only four members and to make matters worse, poor Yui knows nothing about music.
This is another anime that combines music with slice-of-life elements, creating an enjoyable blend.
The excellent technical compartment along with the typical K-On humor are what make this show so special.
8. Kids on the Slope
Kids on the Slope is an anime produced by Mappa studio, inspired by Yuki Kodama’s manga titled Jammin’ Apollon.
It tells the story of Kaoru Nishimi, an honor student who, due to his father’s difficult economic situation, is forced to move to the home of some of his relatives.
It is in this town that he will make the acquaintance of Sentaro Kawabuchi, a punk kid with a passion for jazz music.
Kids on the Slope offers a story that sees a very solid and believable friendship relationship that many of you could mirror yourself in.
If you are a fan of jazz music, this is the show for you.
7. Beck
Beck is a 26-episode anime based on the manga of the same name by Harold Sakuishi.
The plot follows the events in the life of Yukio Tanaka, or as nicknamed Koyuki, a 14-year-old student who already considers himself bored with life despite his tender age.
This monotony is ready to be disrupted he rescues a strange dog on the street, targeted by thugs.
The owner turns out to be Ryusuke Minami, a young 16-year-old guitarist who has just returned from his tour.
The friendship between the two doesn’t take long to develop, and so does Koyuki’s passion for the world of music.
The work recounts with truly impressive realism the events that surround the life of a band.
6. Nodame Cantabile
Nodame Cantabile is a romantic comedy with drama elements, following the story of the first-class Japanese musician Shinichi Chiaki.
His dream is to play among the elites in Europe, although he cannot go there due to his fear of flying.
Things will change when he meets Megumi Noda (Nodame), a remarkable pianist. The first season is set in Japan and we recommend it if you enjoy classical music.
Although this is not the most mainstream show out there, we hope you will like it as the mix of music and romance with a strong female lead is very good.
5. Kono Oto Tomare
Tezuko Kurata, the main character of the show, is the last member of the now soon-to-be-closed Koto club, an ancient stringed musical instrument.
Two other students, named Chika and Satowa, after hearing about the matter decide to join the club to save it from its demise, taking three of their other friends with them.
The five boys determined not to give up organizing a Koto-themed performance to gather membership from other students.
An anime worth watching because it shows rich character relationships and it is very easy to recommend you such a good show.
4. Your Lie in April
Kousei Arima, the boy protagonist of the story, from an early age has always been an ace piano player, famous and recognized by many musicians even older than himself. That was until he suffered the tragic loss of his mother, who was also his strict music teacher.
That is until he meets Kaori, a beautiful blond-haired violinist who plays by putting her whole soul into it. She will indeed bring back Kosei’s passion for music, but in a more carefree and lighter way than he was used to from his mother.
An anime that, in addition to being truly engaging and exciting, is well known for its tear-jerking nature. Give it a chance and you will not regret it, thanks in part to the outstanding technical compartment.
It’s also one of the best romance anime you can find, so you have no reason to miss it.
3. Given
The plot follows the events of four high school students belonging to an amateur rock band.
The anime can be divided into two distinct parts, focusing on the relationship and subsequent relationship between two members at a time.
All obviously tied together by life and concerts within the band.
Definitely worth seeing if you are looking for a series that merges musical groups and love stories.
The openings and the endings that the main characters will play during concerts are composed by Centimillimental, a well-known music composer in Japan.
2. Bocchi The Rock!
Bocchi the Rock is a new anime recently released, with its first season just ending a few months ago. Despite its newness, it has already gained a massive following and received very high audience ratings.
The show is composed of 12 episodes and is based on a seinen manga with music, slice of life, and comedy as its main themes.
The protagonist is a high school student named Hitari Gotou, who begins playing the guitar in pursuit of her dream of joining a band. However, her extremely shy nature presents a significant obstacle.
One day, she meets Nijika Ijichi, a drummer who is searching for a guitarist to join her band, and things start to look up.
Bocchi The Rock! is an exceptional series that despite primarily being a light-hearted slice-of-life comedy, is an anime that delves into depression and social anxiety.
Not to mention that the show’s technical aspects, including its animation and soundtrack, are of the highest level.
1. Nana
Nana is one of the best anime adapted from a shojo manga following the lives of 2 girls named Nana. The first, Nana Komatsu, is a naïve 20-year-old girl who is liable to toxic relationships.
The second, Nana Osaki is a resolute and proud punk rock vocalist who aspires to become a famous singer. A fateful encounter on a train will bring these two together and they will share an apartment.
Nana features J-Pop and J-Rock music and uses music to express feelings and thoughts, as seen by most characters in the show. The two rival bands Black Stones and Trapnest will have different ways of showing that during the story.
