Urban_stevie is the LiA patron who asked me to do a Top 10 anime soundtracks list \u2013 thanks stevie! But what a subject to tackle. In addition to the usual nightmare of trying to remember all the anime I\u2019ve seen, having to choose only 10 of something as essential as soundtracks is brutal. In order to make this even doable I laid down a few ground rules as usual.<\/p>\n
This is only TV\/OVA, not theatrical films. Even limiting it this way the challenge is hard enough. Original or licensed music is fine (and the list has some of each) \u2013 a soundtrack is a soundtrack as far as I\u2019m concerned. And I\u2019m including only background music and insert songs here \u2013 OPs and EDs are on soundtrack releases of course, but I think the spirit of the exercise dictates that they\u2019re considered a separate entity. And of course, as usual, these are in no particular order and represent my favorites, not an attempt to quantify the objective best.<\/p>\n
One other thing I want to comment on. An observant reader will note (I surely did) that the overwhelming majority of this list are great (or at least very good) series. The cause-and-effect of this is interesting to me. Are great series just more likely to have great soundtracks? Does the presence of a great soundtrack in itself elevate many series to greatness? Is my memory selective, biasing me in favor of great shows over lesser ones? I can\u2019t say for certain but I suspect all of those things play a role.<\/p>\n
- \n
- FLCL<\/span> \u2013 Doesn\u2019t need much embellishment, surely. The Pillows, one of Japan\u2019s greatest bands, provide the coolest soundtrack for the coolest anime ever made.<\/li>\n
- Cowboy Bebop<\/span> \u2013 If you polled on this topic, I suspect this is the series that would win it. And with good reason \u2013 it\u2019s cool as the other side of the pillow and perfectly suited to the show. Kanno Youko\u2019s contributions to anime are many, but this is her most significant. And these top two entries are, in the midst of the current season, a cruel reminder of how the mighty have fallen.<\/li>\n
- Seirei no Moribito<\/span> \u2013 Kawai Kenji is another titan of anime music, and Moribito<\/em> is his opus of the medium. This series is the pinnacle of television anime history, and Kawai\u2019s soundtrack is every bit the soaring, elegant accompaniment it deserves. He also provided one of anime\u2019s greatest insert songs, \u201cNaaji no Uta\u201d.<\/li>\n
- Mushishi<\/span> \u2013 Masuda Toshio\u2019s music is, like everything else about Mushishi<\/em>, singular and unforgettable. As great as the manga was, it\u2019s impossible for me to separate Mushishi<\/em> and its soundtrack in my mind, which is the ultimate compliment to it.<\/li>\n
- Natsume Yuujinchou<\/span> \u2013 Those two series just always seem to segue into each other. Many composers and musicians have contributed to Natsume\u2019s<\/em> music over the years, but collectively its one of the finest bodies of work in anime music, and absolutely intrinsic to the series\u2019 moods.<\/li>\n
- Kyousougiga<\/span> \u2013 Everything about Toei\u2019s modern magnum opus is underrated as far as I\u2019m concerned. It\u2019s justifiably remembered as Matsumoto Rie\u2019s directorial debut, but Shiina Gou\u2019s music is so essential to the experience.<\/li>\n
- Kono Oto Tomare<\/span> \u2013 More than any other show on the list (except FLCL<\/em> I suppose) Kono Oto Tomare\u2019s<\/em> presence is linked to its insert songs. But the two original koto pieces \u201cRyuuseigun\u201d and \u201cTenkyu\u201d are among the greatest insert songs in anime history.<\/li>\n
- Made in Abyss<\/span> \u2013 Again here, I can\u2019t think of the series without the music. Kevin Penkin\u2019s contributions are that integral \u2013 and consist of both instrumental BGM and insert songs. A strong contender for anime\u2019s most complete soundtrack.<\/li>\n
- Shin Sekai Yori<\/span> \u2013 Komori Shigeo\u2019s work on Shin Sekai Yori<\/em> would be another contender for that honor. It\u2019s a fabulously atmospheric collection of music for a profoundly dark and disturbing piece of work. And his magnificent \u201cTraditional Song of Shadows\u201d is the essence of the SSY<\/em> experience.<\/li>\n
- Baccano<\/span> \u2013 Yoshimori Makoto was also the lead composer on Natsume Yuujinchou<\/em>, but his work on that Brain\u2019s Base project could hardly be more different than Baccano<\/em>. The soundtrack recalls a place and time that never existed but feels real \u2013 a romanticized, Japanese funhouse mirror of a real one.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Some others that came close: Rurouni Kenshin 1996<\/em>, Sakamichi no Apollon<\/em>, Zetsuen to Tempest<\/em>, Vinland Saga<\/em>, Death Parade<\/em>, Noragami<\/em><\/p>\n
- Cowboy Bebop<\/span> \u2013 If you polled on this topic, I suspect this is the series that would win it. And with good reason \u2013 it\u2019s cool as the other side of the pillow and perfectly suited to the show. Kanno Youko\u2019s contributions to anime are many, but this is her most significant. And these top two entries are, in the midst of the current season, a cruel reminder of how the mighty have fallen.<\/li>\n
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