Tada! It took me a bit, but lo and behold, here's the topic I decided to start off with. If you've read my old blogs, you'll see that, yes, this is technically a list I already made. I'd like to think, however, it'll be much more organized for an array of reasons.
First of all, this will allow for any fandoms to be used. Movies, video games, TV series, and anything else besides the anime.
Second, unlike the previous list, this isn't separated by endings or openings. I'm allowing for both - and even just OSTs - to be incorporated in this list.
With all of this said and done, here's my disclaimer not only for this list, but what I'll consistently have in every post. I promise to try avoid repeating franchises. Assuming, of course, it isn't a list based solely just on one series like this one, as an example. Regardless, I may repeat every now and again, and if that happens?
It'll likely be for one simple reason. Plain and simple, it was earned. It's definitely not meant to annoy anyone.
Another important disclaimer to note; most of what I include is solely - definitely usually - from fandoms I know of. If I put down something that's from an unfamiliar fandom, there's typically a reason why, and it will always be explained.
Finally - I swear, this really is the last one, sorry - there may be spoilers included in each explanation. Read at your own risk.
Annnnd for now, that should be everything you need to know on what to expect. So, without anymore further ado, here are my personal top 20 Fandom Songs.
#20: "Yhorm The Giant" - Dark Souls III
So remember when I said most of what I put up is from things I know? Yeah. Well, here's an early example of something I'm not overly familiar with. By name at most, and perhaps a few Let's Plays on YouTube, but not much more.
So why is it here?
An e-fedding friend of mine used this as his old entrance for his wrestler he created. It grabbed my interest and I asked what song it was. He said he couldn't recall, so I looked it up. This thus led me to learning about "Yhorm The Giant".
The song has a very alluring tone to it. From what I have seen of the games, it matches it really well. As good as it is, though, it's down at 20 primarily due to not being as familiar with this as I am the other songs listed here. It wouldn't feel overly right to give it a high spot when I can't speak on the video game series. But I still do think it earned enough recognition to be here.
#19: "You Say Run" - Boku No Hero Academia [My Hero Academy]
So let me start off with saying this. I probably should have from the get-go, really, but all of these songs are, in their own rights, really good. "You Say Run" is no exception. When I first encountered it, though, it wasn't from the anime. It was from YouTube, when everyone was creating numerous "You Say Run Goes With ______" videos.
It honestly felt overrated, to put it bluntly.
I gave it maybe ... one to three months after first hearing it, took a more neutral listen to it and realized that, admittedly, it was a pretty decent battle song. I can see where a lot of people have used this for other fandoms, but I definitely do not think "You Say Run" goes with everything.
#18: "Alice" - Shadow Hearts II
As someone who used to play piano years ago, I know firsthand how powerful of an instrument it can be, particularly when played by skillful musicians. The simplest chords can bring just about anyone to tears, and this song is no exception. In fact, that's a good reason this is placed relatively high; because of the character this is named for.
The selfish fact-slash-true is that I hated Alice ever dying in the first "Shadow Hearts" game. Royally, I might add. I'd rather be including a theme surrounding her with a far more happier ending. Alas, that's not doable. So ... it lands at #18 for me.
#17: "Blue Bird" - Naruto Shippuden
As much as I love this song, the series is a very different story. It, therefore, kinda influenced where I ended up placing this song. I'll spare the rant on why exactly I became 'ehhh' with Naruto as a series. In fact, that'll probably be a whole separate list.
Just know that partially helped determine it's place.
#16: "Core Pride" - Aoi No Exorcist
This, honestly, falls under very similar reasons with Naruto's "Blue Bird". However, compared to "Naruto", I definitely enjoyed the first season "Aoi No Exorcist" a lot more. My biggest complaint? It was rushed as all hell, and you could tell.
It just reminded me why I try to read mangas over watching anime. More often than not, at least an arc or several tend to be omitted, and the entire story isn't shown.
#15: "Believe x Believe" - Yu-gi-oh! Arc-V
Between most (I don't acknowledge Zexal, VRAINS or Sevens) of the Yu-gi-oh! series, Arc-V is actually my second favorite. That being said, this song gave the right beat and tune to start this new adventure off on. There were tons of new card types, new summoning techniques, even how the duels were played were improved upon. The optimistic and cheerful setting the song gives helps emphasize and foreshadow this is going to be a series with many surprises and new beginnings.
And it absolutely succeeded in that goal for me.
#14: "Here" - The Ancient Magus' Bride
This series really hit me in the feels. Not just with the character Chise, but this song and it's translations. It hits very, very, very close to home. I honestly believed (and still do, in some regards) that I was somehow a modern yet reincarnated version of Chise. Our backgrounds are so similar, it's eerie.
Granted, I'm obviously not the exact same as her. Definitely not a Sleigh Beggy, as a good example. I have, however, had my own share of odd, bizarre, and very difficult to explain events occur to me.
The song does at least eventually shift to a more positive mood where the concept of hope is far stronger than despair. What doesn't change, though, is the sad tune that lingers throughout the opening theme. So, it stays at #14 for me.
#13: "Shunkan Sentimental" - Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood
This song was used at one of the absolute best times. The climax of the "FMA: Brotherhood" series was really beginning to get under way. Everyone was thus training in some form or fashion, and this just felt like one of the best song choices to end. It got me really hyped and excited to see what would end up happening next.
#12: "If I Had A Heart" - Vikings
Much like the above entry, this song always got me eager and filled with anticipation to see the next episode. That wasn't all this song offered for me, though. Though short and sweet, the lyrics themselves made me feel as if I were living during the eras when Vikings were still alive.
I realize that most lyrics to many songs are never 100% accurate or whatnot. However, this did sound and seem as if something one may have heard a Viking sing. Sorry if this sounds a bit odd, I'm not always the best with explaining. But I definitely try.
This answer is one of the few that is easiest by knowing - or listening if you're unfamiliar - with it to try to better get where I was attempting to go with this.
#11: "Just Communication" - Mobile Suit Gundam Wing
This was one of the very first animes I ever started watching. So it's fair to guess that "Gundam Wing" most definitely holds a special place in my heart. The song was really catchy for me. It never left my head for the longest time and, to this day, replays automatically every now and again. So if you want a more in-depth set of reasons why it landed here?
A bit of nostalgia plus great tune/beat and lyrics.
#10: Netflix's "Daredevil" Main Opening
Much like Vikings' "If I Had A Heart", this is incredibly short. But in that single minute, it paints one of the best pictures regarding the series despite not uttering a single word. The ability to tell stories without using any type of narration is a talent that is not often seen and usually difficult to achieve.
But this was done borderline perfectly.
Some may think the use of red as the only color is a bit repetitive, or even annoying. And I admit that normally, I'd be one of those people. But with the "Daredevil" series, it was actually very appropriate. Passion, love, war, violence, anger .. all of those emotions and many more are represented within the opening, and you can see and hear it pretty well.
#9: Tsumi Na Bara [Sinful Rose] - Disgaea 2
Although I have played the first Disgaea, it was actually this song that got me a bit more invested in the video game series. I like how they have the various classes involved. It's a simple but effective approach that was used in a smart manner.
On my own selfish note, I really enjoyed the brief dance between Adell and Rozalin.
#8: "Lilium" - Elfen Lied
So ... a lot of why this is placed as high as it is? The nerdy part of me that was fortunate enough to learn Latin was ecstatic to find and hear this song, let alone realize it was linked to a fandom. Thankfully, there are more reasons to put this specific title so high up. "Lilium" has its highs and lows much like the series in question does. There were a good number of happier moments, and just as many saddening ones.
The song - for me, at least - decently expresses the switch between tone, both in the song and anime/manga.
#7: "Tank!" - Cowboy Bebop
I will be the first to admit that, normally, I am not a fan of jazz. I just never have been. Nothing against the genre, it's just never grabbed my attention. Not before finding this song, at least. The first time was on "Stepmania" which, essentially, is similar to DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) yet different in its own rights.
Suffice to say, when I finally watched the anime several (as in 2-3) years ago for the first time ever, my love for this song only got stronger. What mini-scenes are included and played are timed out well, and done in manner I couldn't help but find myself more intrigued with "Tank!" than experiencing any negative emotion.
#6: "Boys & Girls" - Katekyo Hitman Reborn!
Anyone who is familiar with me also knows I love "Katekyo Hitman Reborn!". To degrees you wouldn't believe unless you met me, in fact. The anime and manga, however, were better for the me than the songs. But if I had to pick my favorite among them all? It'd be "Boys & Girls". The fact it's used during the Varia Arc, which was my favorite part of the story, just gives it bonus points for me.
Since it's used during an intense plot line like the Varia one, the beat was nicely balanced out. Not too serious, but simultaneously not too lax. There are moments where other events aside from fighting happen, so the beat "Boys & Girls" presents represents the overall arc very nicely for me.
#5: "What's Up, People?" - Death Note
So .. if you have never heard this song now, here's your heads up. It has a lot of cursing. It's actually what the entire song is about and that's largely why it's put at number five. Anyone who knows about "Death Note" knows the premise of the series, and frankly? This sums it up rather well.
It makes no attempts to hide that some people in this world truly are just horrible. Monsters even. And that's exactly what "What's Up, People?!" points out and highlights; those types of individuals and that they do, indeed, exist.
Considering corruption is but one of the themes of "Death Note", I liked that they made a song which focuses one of the aspects of its own story and concentrates solely on that.
#4: Netflix's "The Punisher" Opening & Ending Themes:
With any luck, I won't repeat any cop-out like answers ever again. Or at least not anytime soon. But I tried re-listening to these both numerous times in hopes of figuring out which I preferred more. It was too close to call so ... I decided to include them both, count it as a draw, but keep them in the same spot. It seemed like a fair compromise.
They both set the mood for the series so damn well. They're both intense, implying action is most definitely about to happen, just .. they're pretty much perfect for this series.
#3: "Wild Side" - Beastars
Surprise, surprise. Another jazz song made the list. But how could it not is the better question. More impressive than the tune and beat with the jazz, though, was the slow animation technique used in this opening. I'll confess some of the lyrics felt a tad ... off. But this was one of those instances where the beat plus the actions occurring kept me from questioning the lyrics too much to not enjoy this song.
#2: "Bye Bye Yesterday" - Assassination Classroom
I'll admit that unlike some other songs on this list, this one does not reflect the mood of the entire series. About half to three quarters at most. Even still, there are so smart choices made with this song. Even just the title was a brilliant move.
"Bye Bye Yesterday", although primarily referring to class of 3E's school life coming to an end, does not only refer to this. It implies saying farewell to the past and focusing onto the future. One could literally say it's a song about graduation, but one that was done for an anime. Like most of the other songs listed here, this was catchy for me also.
#1: "GRAIN" - Monster
"Monster" is easily one of the most underrated and lesser known about fandoms. Literally just about everything involved with "Monster" was done perfectly, and the opening theme is no exception. Whereas Naruto's "Blue Bird" theme is cheerful and upbeat, the series does not keep that tone the entire time.
Whether the gesture was intentional or not, the creators and composers of Monster's theme seemed to purposely choose a tune and melody that hinted how the tone would be. And it was something that never really changed much, if ever, throughout the entire anime.
Similarly to the "Daredevil" entrance, it tells a story without speaking. It does offer the most subtle glimpses of things that may be seen in the series, but not enough to offer any massive spoilers. GRAIN always gave me more than enough excitement and anticipation, and those sensations only got stronger after watching each and every episode.
And ... there you all have it! My Top 20 Fandom Songs!
Thank you all for reading along! I hope you enjoyed this as much as I loved creating this entry for you all!
Until next time,
Esyel
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