Music Monday: A Week In Anime
Music can be a survival technique for people to get through certain moments in life;, we all have that song that we listen to that brings us out of a mid-week funk or get the party started on a Saturday night. I love the way music can change your mood just by listening to a few bars of a beloved song. Something I have noticed from being a major anime fan is that my music database now mainly consists of anime opening themes and they have meddled their way into my day-to-day listening. This week’s playlist is all about daily anime tunes.
Duvet – Serial Experiments Lain – British Band Boa
The opening theme to reality altering, mind bending anime Serial Experiments Lain is accompanied by the perfect opening theme ‘Duvet‘ performed by British band Boa. This song can only be described as mellow; it is the ultimate piece of music for a Monday morning because it expresses exactly how you feel when that alarm goes off. Its sombre mellow tones and lyrics express a listener’s distain for having to get up and go to work, following the lyrics about disappearing and fading away which is an clear reference to the fading from real to virtual reality in the anime.
Sailor Moon Theme – Sailor Moon – Nicole & Brynne Price
Don’t judge me! When those Tuesday blues have hit, you will regret not listening to this upbeat tune. It is a real walk down memory lane for any anime fan, a true hit of nostalgia. Based on the original Japanese opening theme music ‘Moonlight Densetsu’ or ‘Moonlight Legend‘, it followed the original melody but changed up the lyrics with altered instrumental. The song may be totally corny, but when I’m walking to work and this comes on, I can’t help but smile, sing along and even then think about the show. It still feels like a kick ass tune you cannot help but sing along to.
Wind – Naruto – Akeboshi
Jumping straight from the first part of the Naruto anime, this song was the first ending theme we heard in the series and it stuck. Naruto was a very long running series with opening/closing themes that have come and gone, but this song has stayed with me. Performed by Akeboshi, the song may start off on a sombre note, but it has such an uplifting feel as the inspiring lyrics set in. It may be mid-week but this song gives you the feeling that all will be ok.
“Don’t cry cause you’re so right”
Again – Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood – Yui
Is it any surprise this is here? Performed by Yui, ‘Again’ is the first opening theme in the Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood anime reboot. This song is all kinds of perfection and you do not even have to be an anime fan to appreciate it. You may have no idea what they are singing, but the song builds from a mellow intro into an uplifting anthem that makes you want to throw your fist in the air! Every time I hear this song it gives me an emotional lift, maybe because I know the series so well or maybe because this song is just that good.
Feuerroter Pfeil und Bogen – Attack on Titan – Linked Horizon
It’s no surprise that this epic tune is a frequent listen on my list. What can only be put down as one of the most epic anime of the past decade had to have one of the best get-up-and-wreck-the-joint opening themes I’ve ever heard. The first opening theme from the outstanding Attack on Titan anime, ‘Feuerroter Pfeil und Bogen’, is performed by Linked Horizon. If you ever wanted an anime tune that gets you hyped for the weekend, look no further. This song truly revs you up, at least it does for me every time I hear it. It has such power, from that first burst of the opening cord to the closing note. The drifting between German and Japanese is genius and only add to the utter kick ass feel this song gives off. Get up, get moving, it’s Friday!
Rage On – Free! Iwatobi Swim Club – Oldcodex
I love slipping a little J-pop into a piece and still have it relevant because ‘Rage On’ by Oldcodex is the high energy opening to fan favourite anime Free! Iwatobi Swim Club. More than anything, this song is so feel-good it nearly hurts. It’s high energy and full of angst. As with most j-pop tracks it makes you want to get up out of your chair and dance until you can’t dance anymore. Getting ready for a Saturday night out? Why not get the party going by throwing on this tune? It’s sure to make the mood as high energy as the tone of this tune.
The Real Folk Blues – Cowboy Bebop – Seatbelts
You knew this was coming, admit it. ‘Tank!’ For anyone who has been living under an anime-less rock, is the amazing closing theme for the fantastic anime that is Cowboy Bebop and it’s performed by Seatbelts and features vocals from Mai Yamane. Given that the last two songs have been so high energy and in your face, why not close out the week with a moderately high energy smooth-as-silk song from the likes of The Real Folk Blues. The mellow-as-mustard vocals with the jazz undertones is the perfect send-off to a well spent weekend. This song can only be described as the ultimate chill out song. Kick back on a Sunday afternoon in your jammies and let the magic of this song engulf you.
Have you any favourite anime themes? Let us know in the comments!
