Has an anime ever been more defined by a single piece of music than this?

Current Events

Current Events » Has an anime ever been more defined by a single piece of music than this?
Doe
10/29/2025
09:58 AM
#1
https://youtu.be/iYZIUtDAFIw

Not really talking about OPs but a track used in the actual episodes that becomes synonymous with the identity of the show.
https://imgur.com/gallery/dXDmJHw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75GL-BYZFfY
Squall28
10/29/2025
10:05 AM
#2
Samurai Champloo popularized a whole genre of music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBkeDCS5yiA&list=RDYBkeDCS5yiA&start_radio=1
You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.
-Misattributed to CS Lewis
SDBZ
10/29/2025
10:06 AM
#3
Yuki Hayashi is a legend
Let's go, Mark Sein!
PSN ID: RyuseiDateSRX
AceMos
10/29/2025
10:07 AM
#4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjBTNbEXbAA
3 things 1. i am female 2. i havea msucle probelm its hard for me to typ well 3.*does her janpuu dance*
Tyranthraxus
10/29/2025
10:11 AM
#5
There's probably more people who know this song than have ever watched this anime

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6wtDPVkKqI
It says right here in Matthew 16:4 "Jesus doth not need a giant Mecha."
https://i.imgur.com/dQgC4kv.jpg
Doe
10/29/2025
10:13 AM
#6
I didn't really intend for OPs to count here but I should've specified.

I think this example isn't as strong as the OP, but also applies: https://youtu.be/U0TXIXTzJEY
https://imgur.com/gallery/dXDmJHw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75GL-BYZFfY
MC_BatCommander
10/29/2025
10:16 AM
#7
I'll raise you FIGHT THE POWAH from Gurren Lagann, was a huge meme in its time

https://youtu.be/7W_Ja7SQD60?si=6K0xT2JEUmCNmPF_
The Legend is True!
PowerOats
10/29/2025
10:26 AM
#8
Def the theme for late 10s

Of the top of my head

Naruto's main theme, and probably one of the battle themes, the one with the amen break

That one Bleach theme with the vocals apparently was very popular

Attack on Titan def has one, can't remember the name since Sawano names his songs very weirdly

Not a OP, but the ED theme to Haruhi (you know the one) is 100% responsible for the moe shit we have today

' DON'T LOSE YOUR WAY'. Def the anime anthem of 2015 and beyond

So yeah, It's Before my Body is Dry. Sawano was on another level during this period with that, AoT Xenoblade X.

https://youtu.be/1_PWdjym25g?si=-JAURZi4KOFtvySh

That is a goddamn ANTHEM
philsov
10/29/2025
10:28 AM
#9
Evangelion and Ode to Joy
Remember that I won't rest, 'til we share the same tense
Just know, to me, you're better late than never again.
CRON
10/29/2025
10:28 AM
#10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s2Ksz7rpck
It is what it is, man.
TyVulpine
10/29/2025
10:29 AM
#11
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uvp7x_HQgqQ
Insert some witty line here
wanderingshade
10/29/2025
10:39 AM
#12
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZa0Yh6e7dw
"You're made of spare parts, aren't ya, bud?"
Slaya4
10/29/2025
10:45 AM
#13
https://youtu.be/E3bOruXptlg?si=NfYfWdo5u4lBJBTg
Am I going too hard?
Interfusor
10/29/2025
10:51 AM
#14
These two from City Hunter, unsurprisingly very 80s but damn if they don't set the tone perfectly.

https://youtu.be/_1x0cGFy07U

https://youtu.be/wK3_ZhGpKsQ
I am not economically viable.
BlueBoy675
10/29/2025
10:53 AM
#15
https://youtu.be/vy63u2hKoPE?si=v5h3Vyy6k3NLg5JI

the one from AoT that got memed to death
Hope rides alone
pfh1001
10/30/2025
07:11 PM
#16
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKrkQUBysMk

Not sure how all of you missed Cowboy Bebop & the most iconic/memorable scene from any anime I've ever seen.
NoxObscuras
10/30/2025
07:19 PM
#17
Roundabout for Jojo's Bizarre Adventure. That "To Be continued" with the music starting became such a huge meme

https://youtu.be/bLGHyr4U11c?si=pN75bnZHp1LOI8_R

MC_BatCommander posted...
I'll raise you FIGHT THE POWAH from Gurren Lagann, was a huge meme in its time

https://youtu.be/7W_Ja7SQD60?si=6K0xT2JEUmCNmPF_
Yes! This was another huge one. And it did actually play in scenes besides the ending, so it probably counts more for TC than my example
Steam/Xbox/PSN = NoxObscuras
Supersonic_Pain
10/30/2025
07:30 PM
#18
Not as popular as You Say Run but if we're talking OST that defines the anime that it is attached to:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdzFVVAL3Pw
Not changing this part until Saki Amamiya (or Isa Jo) get into Smash as a playable character
Now watching: Sailor Moon S1
Powdered_Toast
10/30/2025
07:36 PM
#19
I'm not a Bleach fan but this was the first thing to pop into my head.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lsn2tT5yTc
Want some rye? 'Course ya do!
Current Events » Has an anime ever been more defined by a single piece of music than this?