Music. Music is a universal art form whose medium is not only capable of sound and silence, it is also able to portray a connectivity to mixed feelings and emotions. It is one of the things that is highly regarded for making anything visual, highly entertaining.
In many cases, music may just be what a good show needs - turning it into a masterpiece. It is that little extra something which may or may not determine an anime's worth. To me, shows like Guilty Crown and K-On!(first season) are a couple of shows that wouldn't have received the appreciation they did if not for its music. But aside from your usual anime OPs and EDs, I thought I'd show a little appreciation to some of my favorite background music in anime. This includes any song that is used in the show or OST, but cannot have been used for the OP or ED in any way(with movies as an exception). And to make things easier, I will only be using one song per series. So lets get started!
#10. Kaoru & Sentaro Duo in BUNKASAI [Kids on the Slope]
This song comes from a fairly new anime from this past Spring 2012, but it was just so good I had to squeeze it in here. Not to mention that the composer of this song happens to be none other than miss Yoko Kanno herself. Just leave it to Yoko to make, possibly the best anime reconciliation scene ever!, sound very cool. If you've seen this anime then you know what I'm talking about, but if you haven't, I highly recommend that you do.
#9. The Girl's Fantasy [Clannad ~After Story~]
Oh Clannad :) Being one of the most memorable anime out there, it should be of no surprise to you to see it on this list. And with that, a song which happens to play throughout one of its most memorable of scenes. I don't know what it is about Clannad that always has me on the brink of tears, but Clannad is an emotional roller coaster I frequently find myself riding. It is obvious that a lot of emotional attachment has gone into my appreciation for this song.
#8. Sad Brothers [Saint Seiya]
Say what you want about shounen anime, but there is no doubt that shounen series have one of the saddest, most heart wrenching songs . . . and then there's Saint Seiya. The epitome of sadness. Now, Saint Seiya isn't as great as I remember it, but its music has not withered one bit. I can still remember the tears I wept and the feels I had whenever I listened to this song. And although there are a lot of good shounen series out there with their fair share of ominous beats and sad, feely music (Bleach :P) - to me, this song is the most memorable.
#7. Sora [Escaflowne]
I love this song, and I haven't even watched Escaflowne. However, I just recently found out that this song was composed by Yoko Kanno. I should have known. YOKO KANNO IS A MUSICAL GOD! Need I say more?
#6. Space Lion [Cowboy Bebop]
Another Yoko Kanno masterpiece. Maybe I should have made it a rule to not composer abuse :P From Kids on the Slope to Escaflowne, if she's done the music, it's guaranteed to be good. But unlike many of her other works, as the great Arkada says, her music from Cowboy Bebop shows you even she can take a sax and make it magical. It is only a plus to take a few drums and vocals and make this song a spacey jungle theme. I love it!
#5. Bios [Guilty Crown]
It was a tough decision I made between "Bios" and "Bios Delta." And although I generally prefer slower moving songs like Bios Delta, as opposed to the much intense Bios, I couldn't let go of the extremity "Bios" had. Guilty Crown has one of the most amazing soundtracks I have ever heard, and although I can't say the same thing for the anime as a whole, its music is something that is just bound to wow you. Plus, this song just so happens to play throughout its most memorable and most epic of scenes! Also, did you know this song is sung in German? :D
#4. Making of a Cyborg [Ghost in the Shell Movie]
This song comes from a fairly new anime from this past Spring 2012, but it was just so good I had to squeeze it in here. Not to mention that the composer of this song happens to be none other than miss Yoko Kanno herself. Just leave it to Yoko to make, possibly the best anime reconciliation scene ever!, sound very cool. If you've seen this anime then you know what I'm talking about, but if you haven't, I highly recommend that you do.
#9. The Girl's Fantasy [Clannad ~After Story~]
Oh Clannad :) Being one of the most memorable anime out there, it should be of no surprise to you to see it on this list. And with that, a song which happens to play throughout one of its most memorable of scenes. I don't know what it is about Clannad that always has me on the brink of tears, but Clannad is an emotional roller coaster I frequently find myself riding. It is obvious that a lot of emotional attachment has gone into my appreciation for this song.
#8. Sad Brothers [Saint Seiya]
Say what you want about shounen anime, but there is no doubt that shounen series have one of the saddest, most heart wrenching songs . . . and then there's Saint Seiya. The epitome of sadness. Now, Saint Seiya isn't as great as I remember it, but its music has not withered one bit. I can still remember the tears I wept and the feels I had whenever I listened to this song. And although there are a lot of good shounen series out there with their fair share of ominous beats and sad, feely music (Bleach :P) - to me, this song is the most memorable.
#7. Sora [Escaflowne]
I love this song, and I haven't even watched Escaflowne. However, I just recently found out that this song was composed by Yoko Kanno. I should have known. YOKO KANNO IS A MUSICAL GOD! Need I say more?
#6. Space Lion [Cowboy Bebop]
Another Yoko Kanno masterpiece. Maybe I should have made it a rule to not composer abuse :P From Kids on the Slope to Escaflowne, if she's done the music, it's guaranteed to be good. But unlike many of her other works, as the great Arkada says, her music from Cowboy Bebop shows you even she can take a sax and make it magical. It is only a plus to take a few drums and vocals and make this song a spacey jungle theme. I love it!
#5. Bios [Guilty Crown]
It was a tough decision I made between "Bios" and "Bios Delta." And although I generally prefer slower moving songs like Bios Delta, as opposed to the much intense Bios, I couldn't let go of the extremity "Bios" had. Guilty Crown has one of the most amazing soundtracks I have ever heard, and although I can't say the same thing for the anime as a whole, its music is something that is just bound to wow you. Plus, this song just so happens to play throughout its most memorable and most epic of scenes! Also, did you know this song is sung in German? :D
#4. Making of a Cyborg [Ghost in the Shell Movie]
Now I won't lie to you, but if it wasn't for this song, I don't think I would have ever finished watching this movie. But I'm glad I did. Who would have thought that such an emotional song would, ironically, fit in quite nicely with an anime about machines - something rather emotionless. Kenji Kawai, the composer of the movie, deserves much kudos. From now on, I will have to keep a look-out for any of his other works like say, Eden of the East.
#3. Alchemy [Angel Beats!]
Ah Angel Beats! Not only is this anime based in one of the most unique type settings, its music adds to it being one of the most heartwarming series out there. And although this song doesn't carry that sentimental feeling, it is one of the many insert songs within the Iwasawa episode - an Angel Beats! fans' favorite. With beats like that, one can easily forgive any plot hole ;)
#2. Madder Sky [Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch R2]
For those of you who've seen Code Geass, which I doubt many of you haven't, you know of the emotional impact this song delivers. And with it, the many tears. Overall, Code Geass does a pretty good job with its orchestral sounds, putting its whole harmonic to good use. I wouldn't overlook such a story as this if I were you. If anything, it would be a sin to do so :P
#1. Luna [Casshern Sins]
And finally, my number one spot . . . "Luna" from Casshern Sins. I don't know what it is about this song that intrigues me so, but I think a lot of it has to do with the atmosphere it gives off. Along with the dark and gloomy tunes which just makes you feel all the more pitiful towards this character Luna. Either way, Casshern Sins can be quite the depressing series, but its execution is what truly makes this anime great.
Well that's it for my list! I hope you all enjoyed it. Hope you all found something new and interesting to listen to. With that said, I would now love to know about some of your favorites. Please feel free to leave a comment below. Or if you're up for it, jot down your own list and let it be known to the world. Peace out!
#2. Madder Sky [Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch R2]
For those of you who've seen Code Geass, which I doubt many of you haven't, you know of the emotional impact this song delivers. And with it, the many tears. Overall, Code Geass does a pretty good job with its orchestral sounds, putting its whole harmonic to good use. I wouldn't overlook such a story as this if I were you. If anything, it would be a sin to do so :P
#1. Luna [Casshern Sins]
And finally, my number one spot . . . "Luna" from Casshern Sins. I don't know what it is about this song that intrigues me so, but I think a lot of it has to do with the atmosphere it gives off. Along with the dark and gloomy tunes which just makes you feel all the more pitiful towards this character Luna. Either way, Casshern Sins can be quite the depressing series, but its execution is what truly makes this anime great.
Well that's it for my list! I hope you all enjoyed it. Hope you all found something new and interesting to listen to. With that said, I would now love to know about some of your favorites. Please feel free to leave a comment below. Or if you're up for it, jot down your own list and let it be known to the world. Peace out!
[Inspiration: Glass Reflection - "Top 19 Anime Background Music"] In this article, I used a lot of Arkada paraphrasing, the author of GlassReflection.net. I just really like his thinking.
[Image Source: Pixiv]
