20 Best Anime Series For Music Lovers (2024)

Music has long been a part of anime. Every genre has melodies that transport us to new worlds and intensify our connection with the characters and the plot. Whether subtly anchoring the emotional scenes or powerfully driving the action, anime composers understand the importance of a soundtrack in enhancing any story.

For music lovers seeking their next auditory and visual adventure, anime offers a treasure trove just waiting to be dug into. Several series focus on the diverse styles of music — from classical to jazz to pop — showcasing characters with musical talents that are both vibrant and heartfelt.

We’ve all felt it — that moment while watching an anime when you’re completely swept away by the music. Maybe it is a character pouring their heart into a piano recital, like in Your Lie in April, or a band’s live show charged with energy, like in Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad. Either way, anime has documented almost every type of narrative imaginable within the scope of music.

In this list, we’ll take a look at some transformative anime series that are perfect for music lovers. While some titles may already be well-recognized for their incredible soundtracks, others may just surprise you with their delicate melodies. One notable anime that isn't featured here is Cowboy Bebop which, while having an incredible jazzy soundtrack, isn't a show specifically about music. Without any further delay, let’s fall in love with the medium all over again — but this time, with great music ringing in your ears.

20 Piano no Mori (2018)

Set deep within a lush forest, a young boy named Kai finds an abandoned piano in the interesting show Piano no Mori. When Kai Ichinose discovers the majestic piano, he immediately starts playing it. But then Amamiya Shuhei, a master pianist belonging to a family of artists, hears Kai and insists he begin honing his skills by receiving proper training.

What initially draws you in is the whimsical world of music blossoming against the backdrop of nature. Kai’s emotional journey is showcased with the help of the delicate melodies he plays, and through him, we experience that catharsis of having music heal all wounds. The anime is an adaptation of a Madhouse film of the same name that was released in 2007, and despite the film’s widespread acclaim, the series remains criminally underseen.

Stream Piano no Mori on Netflix

19 Mashiro no Oto (2021)

A coming-of-age tale disguised as a musical drama, Mashiro no Oto follows Setsu Sawamura, who loses his ability to play music following the death of his grandfather, who was a legendary shamisen master. Desperate to change things, Setso runs away to Tokyo and meets Shuri Maeda, a young girl with a passion for Tsugaru shamisen. She starts a shamisen appreciation club and insists Setso perform, and this begins a new journey.

Mashiro no Oto feels refreshingly realistic in the way it portrays teenage insecurities and the need to break free, embrace independence, and discover art. With nuanced performances of classical and rock songs, the anime also taps into the universal feelings of getting past the hardest days to find joy and youth in the most unlikely places.

Stream Mashiro no Oto on Crunchyroll

18 Senki Zesshou Symphogear (2012)

For fans who love a little genre-blend, Senki Zesshou Symphogear is the perfect anime, because it dabbles in action, science fiction, comedy, and of course, music. In a world dominated and threatened by Noise, a deadly alien race, a group of young women are tasked with preventing disasters using their mysterious power of Song, known as the Symphogear. Tsubasa Kazanari and Kanade Amou are the main protagonists, and the anime follows their journey through space.

Related: The 10 Most Enchanting Fantasy Anime Shows of All Time, Ranked

What makes the anime stand out is how it transforms the very concept of music and song into a graphic, physics-defying, and combative narrative. The devastating attacks from the Noise are pure sensory delights, but at the same time, the anime also entertains because its characters are bold and adventurous, and somehow end up being both awe-inspiring and downright hilarious.

Stream Senki Zesshou Symphogear on Crunchyroll

17 Full Moon wo Sagashite (2002)

Based on the manga series written and illustrated by Arina Tanemura, Full Moon wo Sagashite centers around 12-year-old Mitsuki Koyama, who dreams of becoming a famous singer but harbors a dark secret — she’s been diagnosed with throat cancer and is at the risk of losing her voice altogether. One day, she meets two shinigami, Meroko Yui and Takuto Kira, who announce that Mitsuki only has a year to live.

Full Moon wo Sagashite is a sincere and beautiful anime. After Mitsuki learns about the time she has left, she begins competing, navigating friendships and her medical struggles, which is clearly a lot of suffering for a little girl. But it is her enthusiasm for music and her courage against all odds that moves us.

16 Love Live! Superstar!! (2021)

As part of one of the longest running and beloved idol franchises, Love Live! Superstar!! lives up to its reputation by focusing on a new group, Liella, who come together at a high school in Tokyo, hoping to form their own choir. Coming from different backgrounds, the five members, including Kanon Shibuya, must work as a team and win the Yoyogi School Idol Festival.

The anime creates a perfect balance of music, humor, and feel-good moments that tug at your heartstrings. The series also has a vibrant pop and rock aesthetic that is hard not to love. Watching the five girls learn to accept and trust one another is comforting to watch. But most of all, the anime champions a person’s potential to pursue their passions.

Stream Love Live! Superstar!! on Crunchyroll

15 Kono Oto Tomare! Sounds of Life (2019)

In a time where classical music is fading, Chika, the grandson of a koto maker, tries to honor the legacy his elders left behind, despite his disinterest in the art. He tries to get into the Tokise High School Koto Club, but the club leader rejects his application. Nonetheless, because the club is facing elimination, Takezou takes Chika and his three friends in, and together they strive to qualify for a prestigious competition.

Heartwarming in its attention to detail of musical disciplines as well as enthusiastic about honoring tradition, Kono Oto Tomare! Sounds of Life develops its characters quite skillfully, and the main focus is on their relationship with sound. The touching music immerses you in the soulfulness of Koto. Overall, the series is a tender coming-of-age gem that preserves culture and our capacity for expression through it.

Stream Kono Oto Tomare! Sounds of Life on Hulu

14 Bocchi the Rock! (2022)

A simple yet extremely enjoyable anime about a bunch of girls who form a band and constantly improving as musicians, Bocchi the Rock! follows shy guitarist Hitori “Bocchi” Gotou who desires friends but struggles to talk to others. Enter the outgoing drummer Nijika Ijichi, who dreams of forming Japan’s greatest all-female band and recruits Hitori, and together they scout other quirky bandmates.

Providing a never-ending stream of cute, awkward girls being weird as they stumble into rehearsals, Bocchi the Rock! is a must-watch for music lovers. Despite bombing a couple of performances, it is their enthusiasm towards playing songs that makes the show so appealing. With signature humor and offbeat antics, the anime is a surefire comfort watch.

Stream Bocchi the Rock! on Crunchyroll

13 Zombieland Saga (2018)

Don’t be fooled by the name, Zombieland Saga is actually an anime about an idol group. In a bizarre twist of fate, Sakura Minamoto finds herself dead in a truck accident, her dreams of becoming an idol shattered. Years later, she is incarnated with several young women as zombies by Koutarou Tatsumi, a man who plans to form an idol band named Franchouchou.

Related: 10 Anime Series to Check Out if You Love Zombie Movies

By fusing lighthearted gore and wacky humor with infectious pop performances, Zombieland Saga transforms into an unpredictable joyride. The world created by MAPPA is nothing like you’d imagine if you know what idol group anime looks like. From the top-tier animation to Koutarou’s weird management skills, every aspect will catch you off-guard.

Stream Zombieland Saga on Crunchyroll

12 Sound! Euphonium (2015)

Kumiko Oumae plays euphonium, but she’s lost her passion because of a past incident. That changes when she enters Kitauji High School and is dragged into the concert band club. At their current state, they’re pretty subpar according to the standards of national competitions, and yet, along with her friends and the band’s new advisor, Noboru Taki, they embark on a quest for excellence.

Right from the opening sequence, Sound! Euphonium reverberates with an emotional and appealing sound design. Whether it is the drama between friendships or the rigorous rehearsals, this anime brings nuance into every scene and portrays the competitive spirit brilliantly. Moreover, the themes of joy, sorrow, and triumph within the musical pieces makes every episode a pure delight to watch.

Stream Sound! Euphonium on Crunchyroll

11 Nodame Cantabile (2006)

Nodame Cantabile is a beautiful musical drama about Shinichi Chiaki, an excellent violin player. Despite being a perfectionist, his dream of playing among the elites in Europe is hindered due to his fear of flying. In comes an eccentric and unkempt piano student named Megumi Noda, or Nodame, who happens to be Shinichi’s neighbor, and also falls in love with him.

One thing you won’t see coming in this anime are the constant laughs. Because of its overall approach towards the plot, it balances the characterization, pacing, animation, as well as the relationships. But beyond being a cutesy romantic drama, Nodame Cantabile also excels at bringing the world of classical music alive. Its authentic passion for various instruments and use of thematic tracks makes it stand out.

Stream Nodame Cantabile on Asian Crush

10 Carole & Tuesday (2019)

In a future where anyone can become a star through the internet thanks to the advancements in AI, Tuesday Simmons meets Carole Stanley amid the streets of Alba City on Mars, where the latter works part-time. As aspiring musicians, they begin writing songs together and rise to fame with their innovative blend of styles. But soon, they face a struggle balancing their dreams and identities.

Carole & Tuesday is perhaps the best music-oriented anime out there. The futuristic coming-of-age tale is created by Watanabe Shinichiro, the same mind behind anime like Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, so it is only natural that the show is full of vibrant msuic and deeply modern themes. Yet tucked within its neon glow is a tender tale of two unlikely friends discovering their destinies.

Stream Carole & Tuesday on Netflix

9 Gravitation (2000)

Gravitation is another romance-heavy anime that centers around Shuichi Shindo, who is so determined to become a pop star that he forms a boy band with his best friend, Hiro, and names it Bad Luck. As the league vocalist, it is upon him to fashion a great set to impress the record label that’s just signed him, so he tries finding inspiration in Eiri Yuki, a cold and mysterious writer.

A major part of this cute and funny anime series focuses on the on-again-off-again relationship between Shuichi and Yuki. But it is because the latter meets Shuichi with hostility that we get poignant insights into his creativity and capacity for human connection. Seen through its refreshingly queer lens, the series reminds us about opening our hearts to passion.

Stream Gravitation on Funimation

8 Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad (2004)

An indie band trying to make it big — who wouldn’t want to watch that? Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad follows fourteen-year-old Yukio “Koyuki” Tanaka, an uninspired young boy with no ambition in life. But things take a 180 when he meets Ryuusuke “Ray” Minami, a famous guitarist and former band member. Ray introduces Koyuki to foreign music, and the more time they spend together, the more aligned their styles become. Soon, they form a band named BECK.

Related: The 10 Coziest Anime to Put You in a Good Mood

Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad is a subtle yet impactful anime that explores how chance encounters can nurture talent. The series appreciates the craft of songwriting as well as friendship, and transforms itself into something truly resonant. Despite its slow pace and single-camera style of animation, the series deserves appreciation for being utterly refreshing, feel-good, and relatable.

Stream Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad on Funimation

Detroit Metal City, as the name suggests, is all about death metal and punk stardom. In it, DMC is an infamous band, known particularly because of its lead singer, Johannes Krauser II, who is believed to have risen from hell. Turns out, he’s just an average college graduate named Souichi Negishi fronting the death metal act to pay rent. The series follows him juggling his quiet personal life and frenetic stage life.

There are few words that can truly capture Detroit Metal City accurately — absurd, hilarious, poignant, punk. The anime is a spoof of metal extremes, and it comments on flashy and crude performance identities as well as the vulnerable humans concealed within. Negishi’s stage persona is electric, but the most moving moments come from his peaceful life as someone who simply loves music.

6 Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song (2021)

Distinctly aspirational and vividly animated, Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song tells an astonishing story about the future where artificial intelligence has evolved enough to assist humanity. But evolution has its drawbacks, because now AI is set out to eradicate humanity. Amid it all, Vivy is an android singer tasked with spreading happiness and encouraging AI to coexist with people. Matsumoto, an AI from the future, hinders her progress.

Solid from start to finish, Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song bridges the gap between humanity and technology with the help of music. Its imaginative premise about an autonomous android songstress trying to prevent a war is stunning. Beautifully animated and filled with genuinely emotional moments, the anime also gives commentary on living as humans in a world ruled by technology.

Stream Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song on Crunchyroll

5 Kids on the Slope (2012)

Another masterpiece directed by Shinichirō Watanabe, Kids on the Slope is set in Kyushu, where an introverted Kaoru Nishimi tries to find a place to belong. Enter the notorious delinquent Sentarou Kawabuchi, who opens his world up to jazz music. Inspired by the natural artistry of drums and brash use of the instruments, Kaoru drowns himself in learning the piano, and gradually finds himself feeling free.

Being set in the 1960s, Kids on the Slope has a distinguished aesthetic, one that honors jazz and its ability to transform souls. Moreover, the cultural richness and coming-of-age notes really match the series’ idea of self-discovery and friendship. What’s more interesting is that Yoko Kanno herself contributes to the score, making the anime more perfect. Like in the hit anime series Cowboy Bebop by Watanabe, the music in this series has punch and style.

Stream Kids on the Slope on HIDIVE

4 Given (2019)

Taking place in a high school, this romantic anime about two boys falling in love is quite popular among fans. It introduces us to Mafuyu Satou and fellow student Ritsuka Uenoyama, whose friendship begins with a chance encounter. After Satou begs Uenoyama to let him teach him to play the guitar, they eventually start playing in the same band, their relationship strengthening each other.

With just 11 episodes, Given feels profoundly therapeutic. It shows how love and creativity can liberate people and melt the hardest of hearts. At its core, the anime is a love story, but it is one that is full of surprises. Its likable characters and lively music, paired with the instruments acting as a metaphor for their individual pain, makes the show incredibly sincere.

Stream Given on Crunchyroll

3 K-On! (2009)

If you’re a music lover, you have had the idea of forming a band with your best friends at least once while growing up. K-On! simply depicts that desire by taking five high school first-years — Akiyama Mio, Tainaka Ritsu, Kotobuki Tsumugi, Nakano Azusa, and Hirasawa Yui — and having them form a Light Music Club. None of them play instruments, but they strive to hone their skills by graduation.

Related: 20 Anime Series With No Filler Episodes

The anime truly makes you feel that warm, fuzzy nostalgia feeling for a time since gone by. The episodes feature instances like selecting a clubroom and writing original songs, as well as preparing for national competitions. But the true joy comes from the friendship shared by the girls as they giggle and nurture their artistic sparks into something truly beautiful. K-On! is a simple homage to music and growing up.

Stream K-On! on HIDIVE

2 Nana (2006)

Madhouse came to recognition with bigger titles such as One Punch Man. But the production has been catering to young adults since long before. The premise of Nana goes like this: two young women, who share the same name, live separate lives. Nana Osaki is a punk vocalist whose romance with her boyfriend has come to a tragic end, and Nana Komatsu, following her boyfriend, has just arrived in Tokyo.

It isn’t until the two women are coincidentally living under the same roof that the series really picks up pace. From chasing dreams and romances to navigating heartaches and fame, they cruise the big city’s exciting music scene with passion. Nana brims with vibrant life. By celebrating female strength and empowering friendship, it focuses on the transformative power of sound.

Stream Nana on Hulu

1 Your Lie in April (2014)

One of the most beloved and widely praised anime, Your Lie in April centers around piano prodigy Kousei Arima, who lost his hearing and the will to perform after his mother’s death. Now living unassumingly as a junior high school student, he meets the fiery violinist Kaori Miyazono, who insists he become her accompanist. While Kaori hides her health issues, Kousei experiences a newfound love for music and gets back on stage.

Right from the beginning, the series plucks the heartstrings. Of course, the superb melody of violin and the lovely notes of piano emphasize how music heals damaged souls. But it is the overall bittersweet emotion that makes Your Lie in April unforgettably moving. Despite being regarded as slice-of-life, the anime is actually a sorrowful, joyous, and profound series that will leave you crushed and inspired at the same time.

Stream Your Lie in April on Hulu