Music that makes the Anime that makes the Music!

Sometimes an anime is made perfect by their opening or closing song. There’s just something about the melody, the rhythm, the lyrics that the anime would just not be complete without. And even in some rare cases, the songs intertwined with the anime are really what everyone is waiting for and savoring. The anime itself is nothing more than just a nice add-on, while the songs they are paired with are the true stars of the show. Anime fans wait with bated breath for the entire 22 minute episode just to hear the one and a half minute dulcet waves of hypnotic sound. Likewise, there is also songs that would have no meaning if they didn’t have their paired anime to add context to the song. So here is my short list of music that makes an anime that makes the music!

Bungo Stray Dogs:

“Your Name” by Lucky Life

“Your Name” is a surprisingly heartwarming song considering that it’s the closing theme song for a rather action packed shonen anime that is filled with super powered detectives and the equally powerful criminal organization that opposes them. Though, just going by the lyrics of this gentle song it might be a bit difficult to understand how the music relates to such an aggressive story as Bungo Stray Dogs, the closing animation that pairs with the song and end credits really illustrates that this is a song about how the simple act of being acknowledged by another person makes an individual stronger. I like how this theme is both for Astushi Nakajima and Ryunosuke Akutagawa though they are on opposite sides of the story’s conflict.

Rampo Kitan:

“Mikazuki” by Sayuri

This song really made Rampo Kitan an anime that you would want to keep coming back for. Of any of the anime here, this series leaned the most heavily on it’s closing song. Though at times interesting, this detective/mystery anime quickly lost its luster after just a few episodes in. The series is about an androgynous high boy (Kobayashi) who is accused of the violent murder of his home room teacher. Through a series of events Kobayashi gets caught up with a famous high school aged detective (Kogoro Akechi). Working as Kogoro’s assistant, the two solve extremely strange murder cases together. I have to admit, long after I had lost interest in the bazaar and convoluted cases featured in the anime, I continued to watch the episodes just so I could hear this song again!

Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya:

“Bouken Desho Desho?” by Hirano Aya

This is just about the perfect opening song for an anime. I don’t mean that it is the best sounding song, or the most award winning song, or even my favorite song, but rather it does the best job of an opening song. It’s an up beat rhythum that is fast paced and is all about getting out and doing something. And isn’t that what an opening song is supposed to do? Get the audience up and excited for the adventure to come with the episode.

For Extra credit: “God knows” by Hirano Aya

This anime would never be complete without the song “God knows”. Though it is neither a opening or closing song, the energy, passion, and feel of almost seeing the big picture is just so fitting of Haruhi Suzumiya. And doesn’t it just take the whole scene to the next level by Haruhi basically singing her own personal theme song!

“Hare Hare” by Hirano Aya, Minori Chihara, and Yuuko Gotou

This is just such a goofy ending to each episode, it’s hard not to love it! both the song and the animation is perfectly fitting of this anime. Of course Haruhi would drag her poor brigade into a synchronized song and dance whether they liked it or not. And doesn’t it look like Haruhi and Itsuki are the only ones having fun?

Cowboy Bebop:

“Tank!” by Yoko Kanno, and The Seatbelts

The wale of horns, the thrumming beat of the cello, there is just something so iconic of the jazzy opening song to Cowboy Bebop. I’ve mentioned before on my earlier post “5 Anime to Watch to Become an Otaku” about just how awesome both the opening and closing song for this anime are, and this song certainly stands up to the praise. FYI, the original version of this song is over six minutes long, so if you are curious about the full version be prepared for a rather extended listen.

“The Real Folks Blues” by The Seatbelts, and Mai Yamane

Real Folk Blues is a much more somber song compared to its fast paced counter part, opening song. While “Tank!” is an energetic song that gets it’s listeners ready for the action packed thrill ride that is Cowboy Bebop, “Real Folk Blues” touches on the more tragic parts of the series. Even the name of the song highlights the more down to Earth facet of the anime and the unfortunate ends of so many of the side characters. They are just regular people that are trying to survive, and somewhere along the way they made the wrong turn.

Do you have any favorite anime that are made even better by their opening or closing song? Leave a comment below!

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I’m currently watching:

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