Audiophile Otaku: The 4 Best Anime Soundtracks to Own on Vinyl

Listening to anime soundtracks on Spotify is great, but there is something magical about physical media. For audiophiles and collectors, owning your favorite OST on Vinyl is the ultimate flex.

Vinyl records not only offer a warmer, uncompressed analog sound, but the large-format artwork on the sleeves makes for incredible room decor. Here are the 4 absolute essential anime soundtracks to start your vinyl collection.

1. Cowboy Bebop (Original Series Soundtrack) This is the holy grail. Yoko Kanno and the Seatbelts created a masterpiece of jazz, blues, and funk. The official vinyl release often comes in stunning marbled colored disks. Hearing "Tank!" on a real turntable is a life-changing experience.

The Ultimate Classic: > Grab the Cowboy Bebop Vinyl on Amazon.

2. Evangelion Finally This compilation album features all the iconic vocal tracks from the series and movies, including "A Cruel Angel's Thesis" and "Fly Me to the Moon." The pressing quality is fantastic, and it usually comes in a beautiful "Eva Unit 01" purple/green colorway.

3. Spirited Away (Original Soundtrack) Joe Hisaishi’s orchestral music was made for analog listening. The Studio Ghibli vinyl releases are premium Japanese imports with obi-strips and gorgeous watercolor gatefolds. It is the perfect music to play on a rainy Sunday morning.

Pure Nostalgia: > Get the [Spirited Away Vinyl]https://amzn.to/4wp8KD5) on Amazon.

4. FLCL (Original Soundtrack by The Pillows) If you prefer raw, energetic garage rock over orchestras, this is the album for you. The Pillows defined the chaotic energy of the 2000s, and this vinyl pressing captures all the heavy guitar distortion perfectly.