Japan's Most Popular Anime Karaoke Songs: 2025 Edition

October 17 marks "Karaoke Culture Day" in Japan, commemorating the establishment of the All-Japan Karaoke Industrialist Association. For anime fans, karaoke remains an essential form of entertainment where singing favorite theme songs and character songs with friends is a beloved pastime.

According to AnimeAnime.jp, anime songs frequently dominate karaoke rankings in recent years. To find out which tracks resonate most with their audience, the site conducted its annual reader survey asking "Which anime songs get the most hype at karaoke?" Between October 7-13, 2025, they received 411 responses. The respondents were nearly evenly split by gender, with approximately 45% under 19 years old, and about 15% each in their 20s and 30s.

For the sixth consecutive year, Yoko Takahashi's "A Cruel Angel's Thesis" from Neon Genesis Evangelion secured first place with approximately 15% of votes. Readers praised it as "the absolute standard for anime karaoke—even people who haven't seen the show know the song, so group singalongs have become tradition." Others noted its "upbeat tempo and catchy chorus can instantly warm up any atmosphere," demonstrating its cross-generational appeal. Many also highlighted how "it perfectly captures the Eva worldview and represents Heisei-era anime songs."

Coming in second place for the third consecutive year is YOASOBI's "Idol" from Oshi no Ko, capturing approximately 6% of votes. Beyond its popularity, the song has become a challenge track due to its technical difficulty. Readers commented that "the tight breathing patterns and wide vocal range make people go 'wow!' when you nail it" and "when I, a guy, sing those high notes, everyone's shocked." The song's demanding nature adds an element of competitive fun to karaoke sessions.

Third place went to "Lilac" from Oblivion Battery, the 2024 spring anime's opening theme performed by Mrs. GREEN APPLE. Climbing from last year's ranking, readers attributed its success to being "a 2024 song that maintained top streaming positions even a year after release," showcasing impressive longevity.

Other notable mentions included Crystal King's "Ai wo Torimodose!!" from Fist of the North Star, which readers described as "powerful and passionate from the first note, hitting MAX tension immediately. It's well-known not just from the anime but also games and pachinko, making it a lifesaver at company parties."

The top 10 also featured classic hits like "Lion" from Macross Frontier (4th), "only my railgun" from A Certain Scientific Railgun (5th), and recent chartbusters like "Bling-Bang-Bang-Born" from Mashle, which tied for 9th place alongside "Ojamajo Carnival!!" from Ojamajo Doremi and "Gurenge" from Demon Slayer.

The survey reveals that while newer anime hits continue to make their mark, timeless classics from the 1990s and 2000s still dominate Japan's karaoke culture, with Eva's theme song proving nearly unbeatable after nearly three decades.