The global otaku community agrees that the opening of Neon Genesis Evangelion is a generational anthem. This isn’t just fan opinion; a new global professional ranking has crowned “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” as the greatest anime song of all time.

The results came from a global survey of 166 singers, musicians, composers, producers, and industry heavyweights from 41 countries. When tallying the most impactful theme song in history, Yoko Takahashi’s 1995 track crushed the competition.

The song just hit a massive milestone: on May 4, 2026, it reached a total of 1,000 weeks on Japan’s weekly karaoke chart, becoming only the fourth song in the country’s history to achieve this. It holds the record for most weeks in the coveted Top 10, proving its melody still resonates in every Japanese bar as if it were released yesterday.

While Evangelion took the top spot, the podium is filled with nostalgia, shonen power, and pure musical “Cinema.” Here’s the detailed Top 5:

5. Moonlight Densetsu (Sailor Moon)

The definitive anthem for magical girls. An untouchable classic that defined the 90s and remains a masterpiece of Japanese pop culture. If you haven’t sung this at the top of your lungs, you probably didn’t have a childhood.

4. Gurenge (Kimetsu no Yaiba)

LiSA revolutionized the modern industry with this theme. It’s the only song from the new generation to break into the absolute elite Top 5, driven by Ufotable’s brutal animation quality and the worldwide phenomenon Koyoharu Gotouge’s work became.

3. Cha-La Head-Cha-La (Dragon Ball Z)

Hironobu Kageyama gave us the theme we all screamed at the TV, raising our hands to give Goku energy. It’s more than a song; it’s a cultural heritage of humanity brimming with pure energy.

2. Blue Bird (Naruto Shippuden)

The legendary theme by Ikimono-gakari takes the silver medal. For millions, it’s the pinnacle of Naruto music, perfectly conveying the drama, action, and melancholy that defined the best arcs of the ninja franchise.

1. A Cruel Angel’s Thesis (Neon Genesis Evangelion)

The undisputed number one. Yoko Takahashi’s majestic voice still invites us to “become legends.” A theme that blends energy, existentialism, and melancholy in a perfect proportion, remaining the untouchable peak of anime music decades later.

The rest of the definitive Top 20

The full list is an incredible journey through anime history, spanning from the medium’s roots to modern and viral hits (yes, the amazing “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” has secured its place in history):

• 6. Tetsujin 28-go (Tetsujin 28-go)
• 7. Astro Boy (Astro Boy)
• 8. Zenzenzense (Your Name)
• 9. We Are! (One Piece)
• 10. Always With Me / Itsumo Nando Demo (Spirited Away)
• 11. Idol (Oshi no Ko)
• 12. Guren no Yumiya (Attack on Titan)
• 13. Bling-Bang-Bang-Born (Mashle)
• 14. GeGeGe no Kitaro (GeGeGe no Kitaro)
• 15. Obake no Q-Taro (Obake no Q-Taro)
• 16. Kick Back (Chainsaw Man)
• 17. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind)
• 18. Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (Ponyo)
• 19. Sally the Witch Song (Sally the Witch)
• 20. Stroll / Sanpo (My Neighbor Totoro)

While Neon Genesis Evangelion earned the top honor for its legendary music, the series seems far from being forgotten. The franchise will have a new chance to break the internet soon, as a new anime project connected to this universe has been officially announced, featuring creative input from the eccentric genius Yoko Taro (creator of the NieR series). The combination of these two titans already has hype and fan theories soaring.

Do you agree with the music experts, or do you think the top spot legitimately belonged to “Blue Bird” or “Cha-La Head-Cha-La”?