20 Fun & Funky Anime Songs For Rhythm Guitar (+Tabs)

Rhythm guitar has been disrespected time and time again. Despite being the foundation for many songs and having just a vital role as bass, it is left in the shadow of lead guitarists and often given to the ‘weaker’ guitarist. Well, I’ve had enough.

As someone who proudly chose to focus on rhythm guitar before even finding a lead guitarist in my band, and as someone who sees the beauty in chords and the flavor strumming patterns have, I felt a need to write this article.

Compared to the West, Japan actually makes rhythm a lot of fun to play. I don’t feel bored playing the same 4 throughout a song. I get to go on a journey, using a mix of open, power, and barre chords, add some octaves in, 8- and 16-beat strumming patterns, and even a few licks here and there.

Yes, there are a lot of simpler songs with just power chords and simple 8-beat strumming patterns, and you’ll find those in my 25 Easy Anime Songs and 50 Power Chord Anime Songs list, but this list is for those who love playing rhythm on electric guitar and are looking to improve their skills and just jam to some really fun songs.

If you’re pretty new to guitar tabs, definitely check out My Ultimate Guide To Guitar Tabs where I discuss setup, tunings, techniques, and even things like theory and timing. It’s your all in one resource to understand anything you’ll see when reading guitar tabs 🙂

If you’re interested in other tab lists, please check out 25 Easy Anime Songs For Guitar, 50 Power Chord Anime Songs, 20 Fun & Funky Anime Songs for Rhythm Guitar, 25 Anime Songs with Epic Riffs and Licks, 10 Easy Anime Songs To Practice Fingerpicking, and 15 Intermediate Anime Songs To Practice Barre Chords. You can also refer to my article with 8 Resources for Anime Chords, Tabs and Tutorials.

So let’s get to it, shall we?

God KNows

K-ON!! – Ho-kago Tea Time

Tabs | Tuning | BPM = 140

With the complex lead tapping licks, it’s very easy to neglect the rhythm that is going on behind it, but trust me, this song isn’t for beginners. Full barre chords, 16-beat strumming patterns, and other fancy strumming patterns are involved here!

Fuwa Fuwa Time

K-ON!! – Ho-kago Tea Time

Tabs | Normal Tuning | BPM = 180

Don’t take this cute song for granted. When I was a beginner and looked up the tabs for this song…I just had to put it away. It is quite intimidating, and definitely not beginner level like the show would have you think. This song has some octaves and power chords, but also utilizes barre chords in which you have to strum just the lower strings or higher strings at times. There are some arpeggios here and other strumming techniques like palm muting and staccatos.

Kagayake Girls

K-ON – Ho-kago Tea Time

Tabs | Tuning | BPM = 170

Honestly, the majority of K-ON!! songs could be on this list, but for this list, I opted for the 2nd opening. It’s a great song if you’ve been mostly playing power chords or easy open chords and are just looking to take your rhythm game to the next level. The strumming beat is pretty simple, but you’ll get to incorporate some fret-hand and palm muting which will become very useful for harder or funkier songs. You also get to practice some double stops/dyads which can help get you out of the bottom string area. The main riff of this song is also on rhythm guitar, so you are the star!

Gurenge

Demon Slayer – LiSA

Tabs | Drop D Tuning | BPM = 135

This is a great song if you’re a lead guitarist who wants to get more into rhythm, or rhythm who still wants to practice lead. This song has 16-beat strumming patterns, but also some really cool dyad licks to keep you on your toes.

Senbonzakura

Hatsune Miku

Tabs | Standard Tuning | BPM = 154

While not an anime song, it’s pretty much a classic in the anime community, so I’m going to include it. This is definitely a late intermediate or advance level rhythm song for various reasons. You got mostly power and barre chords, but you’re combining that with 16-beat strumming patterns and incorporating palm and fret-hand muting at a pretty fast BPM of 154. Good luck!

Fuyu No Hanashi

Given – Centimillimental

Tabs | Standard Tuning | BPM = 135

This song is from a newer band anime, and boy is it crazy! Definitely worth the watch. If you just want to focus on barre chords and strumming, this is the perfect song. It focuses on a 16-beat strumming pattern, but without the funky fret-hand strumming, so it can be a great beginner song that will open up the doors to more complex strumming patterns in the future.

Alchemy

Angel Beats – GirlsDeadMonster

Tabs | Standard Tuning | BPM = 166

The most popular song from Angel Beats is definitely Alchemy. While this song has lead parts, I definitely think the rhythm is more noticeable. This song combines open, power, and barre chords, and incorporates some palm and fret-hand muting, but not throughout the song like others on the list. It has a variety of strumming patterns, and some bars utilize 16-beat rhythm, so it’s a nice challenge for those who want to change things up and challenge themselves.

The Hero

One Punch Man – Jam Session

Tabs | Drop D Tuning | BPM = 130

This is a song that is not just fun to sing to, but also really fun to play as a rhythm guitar player. You get to be in control of the main riff, but also get a variety of strumming patterns, some pull-offs, palm muting, and so on!

Session

Given – Centimillimental

Tabs | Standard Tuning | BPM = 135

Here’s another song that is great for an individual who does both rhythm and lead, or who has learned one and wants to dive more into the other. This song only has one guitar part, so it’s all you! This song is also in 5/4, so if you’re hoping to get out of the 4/4 rut, try this one out. This song has 20-beat strumming patterns (since 4/4 has 16) with lots of fret-hand muting, some double stop sections with slides, and then some box shape scales. It’s a bit fast, but there’s only 4 sections that repeat quite a bit. Maybe it could even become a warmup song!

Days

Eureka 7 – The Flow

Tabs | Standard Tuning | BPM = 125

If you’ve been looking for an actually funky song with a funky rhythm here you go! This song is pretty simple and repetitive when it comes to chord progressions, so it’s a great song to practice those 7th barre chords, 16-beat strumming patterns, and fret-hand muting.

Kanashii Ureshii

Koi to Uso – Frederic

Tabs | Standard Tuning | BPM = 142

Another funky and alternative song for ya. I always love Frederic songs, especially Oddloop which was my introduction to them, but this is the only one that appears in an anime. This chord uses partial barre chords. Instead of muting techniques, it simply has breaks to help with the funky rhythm. It’s not super complex, but can certainly be a stepping stone to other songs.

Catch The MOment

Sword Art Online – LiSA

Tabs | Standard Tuning | BPM = 190

This song is so pretty! The rhythm part for this has a variety of strumming patterns, but also a good mix of open chords, power chords, 7th chords and more. A great song to practice your rhythm and chords if you’re not ready for 16-beat patterns like other songs on this list.

Moon Pride

Momoiro Clover Z – Yui

Tabs | Normal Tuning | BPM = 172

Here’s a song that mostly sticks to power chords, but still has a nice combination of bass-chord strumming, arpeggios, palm muting, and some lead licks as well.

CEntimeter

Rent-A-Girlfriend – The Peggies

Tabs | Normal Tuning | BPM = 140

Here’s a fun, upbeat song that will definitely keep you entertained throughout. A nice mix of open, power, and partial barre chords. There’s a lot of fret-hand muting and octaves as well. Oh, also 16-beat strumming patterns as well. Definitely a good challenge for the intermediate guitarist.

Ichirin No Hana

Bleach – High and Mighty Color

Tabs | Normal Tuning | BPM = 100

Don’t get confused. Just because there are 00s on the bottom strings, doesn’t automatically mean it’s in Drop D. This song utilizes the power of the reversed Power Chord to give it that edge. If you’re looking to work on your strumming speed and palm muting, this is the perfect song for you.

Karma

Tales of the Abyss – Bump of Chicken

Tabs | D# Tuning | BPM = 192

This is a rhythm heavy song, so you know it’s your time to shine. This song is mostly barre chords and octaves, but it is also combined with upstrum switches, fret-hand muting, and just a lot more variation than other songs.

Zetsubou BIlly

Death Note – Maximum The Hormone

Tabs | Drop D Tuning | BPM = 188

If you’re more into metal music, I think this is a great song to practice techniques you’ll see time and time again. You got power chord riffs, arpeggios, and palm muting. There are a bit of rhythm licks as well along with slides.

The Day

My Hero Academia – Porno Graffiti

Tabs | Normal Tuning | BPM = 186

Here’s another rhythm heavy song. This is a great song if you’re been playing mostly power chords and are looking for a way to break out. The rhythm patterns aren’t too complex and are quite repeatitive which gives you a chance to really get into the groove. There’s some octaves, fret-hand muting, and bends. There’s also a few rest points which can be really helpful.

My Boy

Shugo Chara – Buono

Tabs | Normal Tuning | BPM = 210

If speed is what you’re hoping to gain, why not try this song out for size? It seems simple as it has just single note riffs and power chords, but that’s combined with a nice mix of muting, staccatos, and slides. You are the start of this show for sure!

Butterfly

Digimon – Kouji Wada

Tabs | Normal Tuning | BPM = 165

And to end this list, the first Japanese song I really got to know and a classic in the anime community, Butterfly! This song may have some chords that are new to you, and it’s combined with some funky strumming along with arpeggios in the Pre-chorus. You also get to join in on some fun and simple licks!

Conclusion

I hope this list has been useful on your guitar learning path. If you like this list, be sure to subscribe and let me know below! If the demand is high enough, I may make another one 😉 Definitely check out my blog for guitar tips and other anime lists!

And if you’d like to learn more about Japanese music theory so you can understand and create your own Japanese inspired music, check out The Complete Japanese Music Theory Course!