Obligatory Hatsune Miku picture
Thought I’d do something that’s somewhat thought provoking once in a while. Got the inspiration to do this on Sunday as I was feverishly choosing my current favourites on my MP3 player on the way to a friend’s 21st birthday party. HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAIPING!!!
Well, with that out of the way, let’s get started. Do note the list is of theme songs from anime that I’ve watched over the past year, as such some of yours may not necessarily be reflected here. Hit the jump for the list and my thoughts on them.
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10: くもりガラスの向こう – 引田香織 [ED Maria-sama ga Miteru 4th season]
This single contains 3 tracks, of which the first is the full length version of the song used in the ED animation of the anime and the third is the instrumental/no vocals version. The second track is a re-arrangement of the music with the same vocals.
What I like about this song is that it’s fits nicely the central plot of the 4th season of Marimite, which depicts the separation between Fukuzawa Yumi and Matsudaira Touko (before they finally became Sisters after all that foreshadowing and teasing). Besides, the slow tempo of the song helps me relax when fazed with the mountains of work I have in university. The first song of the year that really made me go: Must loop this over and over, at least until another song that comes along to make me think the same.
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09: Falling Down – Oasis [OP Higashi no Eden]
Single contains the full length version used in the OP animation of the anime, 3 remixes of Falling Down, as well as a B-side track, Those Swollen Hand Blues.
While it has nothing to do with the central theme in the anime itself , it doesn’t take away the fact this mid-tempo song is pleasing to hear. I can’t confirm if this is the first time an English song from a foreign artiste/band (relative to Japan) was used as a theme song for anything. Higashi no Eden, in my opinion, is 1 of the stand out anime of the year, with its engaging story of an alternate future in Japan. Let’s face it, who doesn’t want an uber-cellphone with 10 billion yen at one’s complete disposal, and a sexy voice as your concierge. What Falling Down did do for me was to set my expectations to a level where i could truly enjoy Higashi no Eden.
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08: キミシニタモウコトナカレ – May’n [OP Shangri-La]
Single contains the title track and a B-side, M-Revolution, as well as instrumental tracks of the two songs.
This fast tempo song was sort of my go-to song when I wanted to let loose and play some air guitar. LOL. May’n also did this song live at AFA 09, which unfortunately i missed due to THIS. From what I know, the live performance was electric to say the least. Though I’ve never finished watching Shangri-La myself, I thought the song did not match the anime itself. But i blame Gonzo for that. On it’s own, it’s definitely allows for de-stressing.
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07: 明日へのキズナ – HIMEKA [OP1 Valkyria Chronicles]
Single contains title track and it’s instrumental version, followed by a B-side, さよならソリティア.
What got me hooked here, was probably the intro to the song. Also, I’m a sucker for anything with violins in it. If you like this, you should also check out the ED theme for Tegami Bachi , 果てなき道, also by her.
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06: Treasure – 碧陽学園生徒会 [OP Seitokai no Ichizon]
Single contains title track and B-side, 絶対会長宣言!. Also includes the -1 version without voices.
Well at least they left out the fail harem-master wannabe. The rest of the Hekiou Student Council come together to bring you the OP for Seitokai no Ichizon. The synergy that results when seiyuus come together to do a theme song is quite evident in this song. The tune is catchy, which is what I like and the lyrics carries quite a bit of meaning. PETTANKO APPROVED!
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05: 熱烈歓迎わんだーらんど – 宮永咲(植田佳奈),原村和(小清水亜美),片岡優希(釘宮理恵),染谷まこ(白石涼子),竹井久(伊藤静) [ED1 Saki]
Single contains title track and B-side 残酷な願いの中で + obligatory instrumental versions.
WAI WAI! I like the song because it’s fun to listen to and doesn’t take itself seriously, totally helps when everything else is so SERIOUS.
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04: only my railgun – fripSide [OP To Aru Kagaku no Railgun]
Single contains title track and B-side Late in autumn + obligatory instrumental versions. (I’m starting to see a very clear pattern, when it comes to Single releases)
This needs to be played at volume 11. Something to bang your head about to. BIRIBIRI.
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03: Seventh Heaven – Kalafina [ED Kara no Kyoukai 7 - Satsujin Kousatsu (Part 2) ]
From Kalafina’s 1st Studio Album with the same title. Seventh Heaven is track 14 on this collection. All 7 theme songs for Kara no Kyoukai can be found on this album.
It took a while (at least 2 years), but all 7 Kara no Kyoukai movies have been released. Seventh Heaven is ending theme song played during the credits of Satsujin Kousatsu (Part 2). I really like the slow pace this song has. It gives a delightful haunting mood. I do think Kajiura Yuki is a composing genius.
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02: 君の知らない物語 – supercell [ED Bakemonogatari]
Single contains title track, B-side, Love & Roll (Theme song to short movie Cencoroll), theme of “cencoroll” and the instrumental versions for 君の知らない物語 and Love & Roll.
From the people who brought you Hatsune Miku tunes such as Black Rock Shooter and Koi was Sensou, comes their first not-Miku release. This song was used as the ending theme song for SHAFT’s Bakemonogatari. It’s kind of hard for me to explain why this appeals to me so much, because I am at the lack of words to describe it. Maybe I do need to take that Creative Thinking & Writing module in NUS soon. [damn core module]
Nonetheless, this was the song I looped for hours on end while preparing for the one paper that I think I have absolutely no hope in. What’s the point of studying if you end up going into the exam hall and draw blanks staring at the paper.
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01: 深愛 – 水樹奈々 [OP White Album]
Single contains title track, and 2 more songs, Pride of Glory and 午前0時のBaby Doll.
My favourite song of the year, and it’s not just because Nana is singing it =D
How often do you here the harp being used in songs? And please don’t confuse between the sounds made by a harp with other string instruments. Agematsu Mika, who incidentally is now Nana’s neighbour, helps play the harp for this song. She’s also the one who played the harp at Nana’s Live Formula concert at the Saitama Super Arena sometime back for the song Heart-shaped Chant.
This is the song I want to sing most at karaoke, but, being a guy, i can never hit Nana’s pitch. *sigh
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So that’s it for the year 2009. Though i have to say, a list of 10 doesn’t seem to do justice to the numerous amounts of quality releases in Anisong. See you all in 2010, assuming I don’t go do something stupid after my results release tomorrow (22/12/2009). Leave a comment if you think there’s a song i think i should be listening to.
5 Responses to “My Top 10 Anisong List of 2009”
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I have to agree with you on the first rank. Shin Ai is absolutely amazing. Then, my list would definitely contain OP and ED from K-ON!, Railgun OP, Canaan OP and Clannad AS OP.
I think that even if you were a girl, the odds that you would be able to kick your voice up to Nana’s highest pitch are very low.
Matteas´s last blog ..Code Geass in Yuu Yuu Hakusho OP
I would have added Toki wo Kizamu Uta into the list if it had been released in 2009 =D
chibihien´s last blog ..My Top 10 Anisong List of 2009
I think this might be the first post in which someone has really liked White Album’s OP. It definitely showcases Nana Mizuki’s vocal talents quite nicely since the piece is just really beautiful in its execution.
zzeroparticle´s last blog ..Reminiscing over the Decade’s Anime Music – Introduction
Sadly, I thought the follow up in the 2nd season, Mugen, wasn’t as good. In fact I thought the other tracks in the single were better. Here’s hoping she does awesome for Phantom Minds and Silent Bible. GO NANA IN KOUHAKU!
chibihien´s last blog ..My Top 10 Anisong List of 2009
She is beautiful, she is beautiful. . .