Top 10 Anime Ending Theme Songs

I was reliving most of the anime that I watched since I got addicted to it and by this time I think I've watched enough to at least make a top 10 list of opening and ending theme songs.

As of yesterday I've watched a little over 300 anime titles (that few? I know, I'm an embarrassment) with only a few I call my absolute favorites. But regardless of the quality of the anime the theme songs alone could hook someone right on the get go.

Ending theme songs are usually slow and somnolent in contrast to the hyperactive opening theme songs, often sending the audience off with satisfaction/grief until the next episode if there are still any.

Now for this list I'm only considering the TV size version of the song,  (but yes I've listened to all songs in full), its message and the whole ending animation. Only ending theme song from series and OVAs are included because if I were to include endings from movies then this list would be dominated by them.

So, ready?

10. Miagete Goran Yoru no Hoshi o (Look up at the Stars at Night)

Vocals: Begin

Twin Spica

While the song has little relation to the ending animation which features all the main characters in the series it does perfectly capture the story of the whole anime - their dream to reach space. This song is also heavily used in the anime for dramatic purposes especially when Mr. Lion is around playing his harmonica. It sort of has a depressing tune to it even if the message is actually giving hope. It also gives more nostalgia than outlook to the future which contradicts the story's main theme, however the back story of Twin Spica which is heavily about the childhood of Asumi Kamogawa is perpetually revisited thanks to this ending theme song which is a very nice throwback to the progress of the series. It didn't get boring.

9. Hatenaki Michi
Vocals: HIMEKA
Tegami Bachi ending theme 1

Tegami Bachi is all about going on a journey, delivering letters, and meeting new people down the road. The song reflects Lag's journey together with Niche. The song fits the anime perfectly that some verses either feel like a retelling of their journeys, Lag talking to Niche, and Niche talking to Lag. It's beautiful, really, much like the next song.

*I couldn't find the TV size of the ending theme song so you guys get the PV of HIMEKA.

8. Beautiful World

Vocals: Ai Maeda

Kino no Tabi

While it doesn't have that motivating push that would usually make you want to go out in an adventure and see the world like Kino no Tabi's opening theme song All The Way, this calm song about how big and beautiful the world is simply inspiring. It's not about the thrill of adventure that's important in this song, it's the joy of discovery.

7. Waltz 

Vocals: SuneoHair

Hachimitsu to Clover

Even if the anime has equal focus on the romance and love triangles among the main characters this ending theme song shouts Yuuta Takemoto all over. It reflects Takemoto's character in the series wherein he starts of lonely, then with someone (Hagu) and then he moves on. I like this ending theme song mainly because of how it is used for the majority of the episodes in season 1. When the last few minutes gets intense suddenly the beat starts and we're in either for an unexpected turn of events, cliffhangers or an uneasy feeling because of lack of closure. This is best displayed in episode 6 of season 1 where a crying Yamada repeatedly professed her love to Mayama.

6. Fellows

Vocals: Masaaki Endoh

Carnival Phantasm

Carnival Phantasm was a whole lot of fun especially for a parody anime. You'd think that the serious atmosphere of the Nasuverse has no time for humor at first but starting from the opening theme song everything was a wild ride, the ending theme song was no exception. While it's not as rowdy as Super Affection the fun keeps going as the credits roll. It's a nice way of displaying all the characters together starting from Shingetsutan Tsukihime to Fate/Stay Night and saying "Hey, we're all friends here!".

5. Days

Vocals: Lia

Mekakucity Actors

Thank Jin-ness for this ending theme song. While the anime didn't deliver Kagerou Daze in its full glory the music was exceptional. Almost each episode featured one from Jin's original video series and as a bonus we get two new songs in the form of Daze and Days. The message of Days would've fit better if the characters were developed in the same manner as the manga or the light novel series but the feels were there. The feeling of loneliness, an uncertain future, and the desire to just keep still emanates from the song. It was dramatic, and a little disappointing that the presentation of the anime couldn't be more like this.

4. Sayonara Solitia (Farewell Solitaire)

Vocals: Chiba Saeko

Chrno Crusade

This ending theme song felt out of place at first during the first few episodes of the series since there was little to no hint of romance (or I was just too dense) and the majority of the anime was action-based save for a little drama in climactic episodes. However, this theme song perfectly hits right where it hurts - in the feels. The first twenty two seconds feels like we're looking down crying and the water droplets perfectly match the song but it's not until the chorus till the real tears start coming down. But out of all the episodes in the anime, this song was best used in the final episode setting up for a major feels trip. And every time I hear this song, I always end up with the thought of experiencing an unwanted farewell.

3. Toki Tsukasadoru Juuni no Meiyaku (The Time-Governing Twelve Covenants)

Vocals: Yui Sakakibara

Steins;Gate

Part of Steins;Gate's incredible appeal is its music. Escaping the bounds of time never felt so intense as with this song. Even with its minimal ending animation we get the picture. And it serves as a perfect match to the theme of the anime from episode 1 till the last. Epic.

2. Aishiteru (I Love You)

Vocals: Kourin

Zoku Natsume Yuujinchou

Now this is one ending theme song that really made me bawl like a baby. Natsume Yuujinchou is one of the most beautiful anime series that I've watched mixing drama, mild humor, and supernatural in an almost perfect blend. The character development of Natsume is probably the most notable in the whole series and it's perfectly captured in this ending theme song. Natsune started off very lonely being an outcast and labelled as a weirdo. But thanks to a kind couple, and a fateful meeting with a cat his life started to turn. The song, at least from what I understand, tells Natsume's desire to stay close with the family and the relationship that he has now. Aishiteru is very soothing, calm, and just a nice song overall.

Special Mention
Here are a few more ending theme songs that I liked:
Ko no me Kaze
Vocals: IKU
Hayate no Gotoku ending theme 4
The ending animation of Hayate no Gotoku's fourth ending theme song was almost the same as the first ending theme song, Proof, featuring most of the characters in the series. But the animation sequence also served as a preview to the final episode, Radical Dreamers. The song was great but I think it was at its best during the final episode where it played in full along with the final scenes of the season. It was a bittersweet goodbye, more so now because I consider the first season to be the best in the Hayate franchise.

Ichiban no Takaramono (My Most Precious Treasure)
Vocals: Karuta
Angel Beats!
I originally placed Ichiban no Takaramono at number 4 in the list but because it was more of an insert song which transitioned into an ending theme song than an official ending theme song I took it out since some might consider it unfair for Brave Song. But yeah, this song still gave me a hard time coping up with my sudden existential crisis.

Kazemachi Jet
Vocals: Maaya Sakamoto
Tsubasa Chronicles ending theme 2
There's something in Maaya Sakamoto's voice that's so cheerful and soothing no matter the song. Kazemachi Jet is just so special because of the musical accompaniment and the animation. It was a little limited but how it was presented was spot on to the series.

Kanata he
Vocals: Anza
Legend of the Glass Fleet
I never really liked the anime but its theme song was especially good, that is all.

*I really do have a lot of ending theme songs in mind I just don't want to overcrowd the special mentions because the whole list would then be pointless.

So, at number 1:

1. Calling

Vocals: Oda Kaori

Baccano

Hearing this from Baccano was a big surprise. The opening theme song felt like a festival, this theme song felt like something the last person on earth would sing out of lament, and loneliness. It's incredibly beautiful. If Zoku Natsume Yuujinchou's Aishiteru was about 'holding on' this one is about 'not letting go' despite the circumstances, the struggles and the pain. The love in this song just feels so fresh after a good serving of an episode of Baccano. Just listen to it if you haven't yet and fall in love with it.

Well I hope you guys like these songs. I'm also open to suggestions so please if you guys like some songs that I might not know about feel free to leave a comment because comments are good...I don't always get comments *sobs*.
Anyway, if you like this list I'll be coming up with another list featuring my top 10 anime opening theme songs maybe sometime this year or until I'm alive.