hontou ni
23Sep/0832

Noteworthy anime OSTs – 10 personal picks

A common thread runs through my favourite anime scenes - Great music. I remember choking up in Asatte no Houkou ep 8 as "Kasa" hit a crescendo during a very poignant moment; cheering on Sasuke as he battled Orochimaru in ep 29 against the high tension flute notes of the Naruto soundtrack and inhaling deeply the fragrance of death as the opening notes of "Canta per me" wafts into the scenes of Noir. Anime music is a key ingredient in my enjoyment of anime. Of course not every series has the mettle to bear a powerful soundtrack. When the visual fail to match the greatness of the score, an interesting phenomenon known as 'overscored' occurs and that's what we see in Madlax.

Fortunately none of the soundtracks I'm pimping today are overscored products (I hope). I've listed 10 OSTs of what I deemed to be not only superb standalone musical compositions but accompaniments that bring out the very character of the shows, making them the excellent productions that they are (well most of them anyway).

Here's my top 10 OSTs (and boy was it hard choosing from 30 favourites)

Ai Yori Aoshi ~Enishi - The first of the three Masuda Toshio works on this list. The fact that I used it as one of the march-in music for my BIG day should say something.

Da Capo - It may come as a surprise to some but DC soundtrack has 2 composers - Hikaru Nanase and Yugo Kanno. I only realised lately that most of the pieces are I LOVED SO MUCH are Kanno's works.

Fate/Stay night - I heard Kenji Kawai's work in Tsui Hark's Seven Swords and Production I.G's Seirei no moribito. FSN's OST is superior in my humble opinion. Pity the series was a little too flat.

Mahoromatic - Barely squeezed into top 10. Another of Masuda Toshio's work and boy do I love the diversity.

Mai HiME - I deliberately for the longest time if Noir or Mai HiME was Kajiura's crowning work. I eventually settled for the MH OST. So, so, SOOO many great pieces. For those who think Kajiura's work sounds the same, you obviously haven't dug into the treasure trove that is the Mai HiME OST.

Naruto - A friend of mine attributes much Naruto's early success to its music. I agree.

Noir - The soundtrack imbued the series with much of its character, mood and texture. Almost nearly overscored. Thankfully Kirika kicks good ass.

Rozen Maiden/Rozen Maiden Traumend - I'm a fan of Shinkichi Mitsumune who also composed the soundtracks for Asatte no houkou, Sky girls and Zero no tsukaima. His classical touch is unmistakable and is perfect for period pieces such as Rozen Maiden/Zero no Tsukaima.

True Tears - The OST was only matched in greatness by the characterisation of the cast.

X TV - If only the Singapore Symphonic Orchestra would perform the X OST. Ah the majesty, the grandeur, the tragedy!

It is no coincidence that I own the DVDs of 8 of the 10 series listed. I intended to grab True Tears when the boxset comes out (Pity I wouldn't ever be getting FSN.). In fact I think I bought the Enishi boxset for the OST (7 DVDs for S$60 - a steal. Getting the Japanese OST would cost about S$80).

I'm always looking for good anime music. Drop me an OST recommendation if you have one!

Related posts:

  1. So you think you know anime BGMs? (Part 1)
  2. Fall 2007 anime – Stripey’s 10 picks
  3. 4 week into Fall Anime – Final 4 picks

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Filed under: Anime Music, Fun Lists Leave a comment
Comments (32) Trackbacks (1)
  1. Nosgoroth
    September 23rd, 2008 - 10:19

    Quick recommendation off the top of my mind: Hitohira. So. Awesome.

    ( REPLY )
  2. Martin
    September 23rd, 2008 - 10:44

    Agreed on Noir. That was the first anime I watched where the soundtrack just blew me away. Yuki Kajiura’s ability to write emotionally-charged synthesised BGM is only matched I think by Yoko Kanno and perhaps Susumu Hirasawa (check out her work on .Hack//Sign and Le Portrait de Petit Cosette too). Toshio Masuda’s work on Naruto and Mahoromatic is great, but the score to Mushishi is minimalist, but beatifully haunting. Diverse indeed.

    I quite like the soundtrack to Gasaraki as well actually. The series itself is heavy-going at times but the mixure of typical orchestral stuff and the noh-derived taiko drums in the soundtrack is quite something.

    My personal favourites though have to be Haibane Renmei (Kou Otani) and of course FLCL, for the pillows contribution.

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  3. Ivy
    September 23rd, 2008 - 10:52

    We have very similar taste in music I assume. I really like the Mai-Hime’s OST it made the show what it is (melodramatic perfection) with a track like Mezame playing in the background of a beautifully animated scene…how could I resist? Kajiura-san has really outdone herself. Naoki Sato’s contribution to Eureka Seven was absolutely fantastic, I still get shivers from Anemone’s monologue in episode 48 with “To make a pathetic decsion” playing in the background, absolute gold. Hmm what else? Toward the Terra had some very memorable music from the prodigious Yasuharu Takanashi. Yakan Hikou is such a beautiful piece. Yoko Kanno needs to be mentioned just because. Her work on Rahxephon so far is the best (I’m not that big on Bebop) haven’t watched frontier yet but I hear good things. There is a lot of good material out there but these are a few that come to mind.

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  4. zzeroparticle
    September 23rd, 2008 - 10:59

    It’s certainly not a bad set, and from that list, I’ve heard 5 of them and can definitely agree as to their quality. My personal list would definitely include Romeo x Juliet’s soundtrack (because I’m a Sakimoto fanboy), Bartender (with its awesome piano and jazzy goodness), the soundtracks to ARIA (Choro Club + Senoo is awesome, moreso if you listen to the piano arrangements), Red Garden (for the awesome piano works… see a pattern here?), and probably would throw in some Gunslinger Girl because that stands out as Sahashi’s best work.

    While people might cry out that this list is missing some Joe Hisaishi and Yoko Kanno, I think what you’ve got here is a pretty good selection. I may have to go and check out DC’s soundtrack despite not having seen the series to see where you’re coming from on that one.

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  5. michnik
    September 23rd, 2008 - 11:10

    Elfen Lied, Dennou Coil and TT Gurren-Lagann

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  6. omo
    September 23rd, 2008 - 11:17

    I think it’s a good selection. Shows more personality than a “best” list. But then again this is more typical of your average Kajiura fanboy/fangirl (present company excluded).

    Anyways, Shinkichi Mitsumune is too hit and miss for me personally but he kills those piano lovers. Hikaru Nanase/whoeverherrealnameis always can use more props even if she’s not the most outstanding composer. And the list even rounds out with a classic Naoki Sato soundtrack. I dig him a lot.

    True Tears is written by the eufonius guy, just FYI.

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  7. TheBigN
    September 23rd, 2008 - 13:35

    Martin: If you haven’t listened to Mai-HiME’s OST yet, you should. It’s definitely better than Noir’s, in my opinion.

    I’d also second what he said in that the Haibane Renmei OST is pretty good stuff from Ko Otani, who’s work after that got very hit or miss for me.

    And I’d also recommend the OST from Last Exile, composed by Dolce Triade, which apparently was a one time thing from a trio of people that included Hitomi Kuroishi, who you might have heard in shows like Code Geass and Planetes. :P

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  8. jpmeeyr
    September 23rd, 2008 - 16:22

    Macross Frontier and LoGH not close.

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  9. WillOfTheWisp
    September 23rd, 2008 - 19:00

    Koi Kaze had an interesting soundtrack, as did Denno Coil. However, for pure orchestral goodness, I would have to pick the Simoun soundtrack.

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  10. muhootsaver
    September 23rd, 2008 - 19:50

    Wow… I actually listened to only 4 of those OST;;; I definitely agree with Mai-hime and Noir though. Those two were truly amazing OSTs. I wonder if you liked Aria and Bartender OST? Though looking at your top 10 list, the two I mentioned might not be too much of your taste. ^^ You should do your top 10 OP/ED, too!

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  11. muhootsaver
    September 23rd, 2008 - 20:14

    Shoot, I forgot to recommend one of my all time fav: Gunbuster 1 and 2 OST. I think those two might suite your taste more than Bartender.

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  12. Vin-nii
    September 24th, 2008 - 03:32

    TRUE TEARS!!!

    RAWR

    EUFONIOUS!!!

    RAWR

    ( REPLY )
  13. Setsukyie
    September 24th, 2008 - 06:41

    Da Capo has some awesome music, and most of my favorites are from Yugo Kanno as well. The anime is not really the best, but the ost is awesome.
    Fate/Stay Night’s ost is great as well. I can say the same for Naruto, Rozen Maiden, and True Tears.
    Haven’t heard the rest of them though..

    Some of my favorites that are not in your list are from Air Gear, D.N. Angel, CLANNAD, and Death Note.

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  14. blind_
    September 24th, 2008 - 06:54

    in addition to those listed here, i like nodame cantabile as well..

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  15. DKellis
    September 24th, 2008 - 07:40

    I’m incredibly biased, but I have the Card Captor Sakura OST (four discs from the anime proper, plus two movie soundtracks, plus miscellaneous specials and vocal collections) on regular rotation.

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  16. Steven Den Beste
    September 24th, 2008 - 10:35

    I thought the music for “Tenchi Muyo: GXP” was superb. (The series is also excellent. One of the best harem comedies ever. As a show, TMGXP is much better than the original “Tenchi Muyo” OVA.)

    I’m kind of surprised that the “Cowboy Bebop” fanbois aren’t coming out of the woodwork. (I’m not one of them.)

    ( REPLY )
  17. Skane
    September 24th, 2008 - 15:24

    I would verge on the point of killing if it meant I can lay my hands on the GaoGaiGar OST.

    Rawr!

    ( REPLY )
  18. mizuha
    September 24th, 2008 - 17:17

    Mai Otome OST > Mai Hime OST.

    Try it.

    ( REPLY )
  19. maglor
    September 25th, 2008 - 12:08

    I am very surprised that AIR was left off the list. Otherwise, I believe this is a good list.

    Sorry to go off in totally unrelated matter, but I would like to ask for your votes in Korean Best Moe Tournament, which is now in to Elite 16 stage.

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    1
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    To Love-Ru
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    2
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    -
    Group 2 / 2008-09-27 00:00:00 ~ 2008-09-27 23:30:00 / 1 winners will proceed
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    Hayate the Combat Butler
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    Group 3 / 2008-09-28 00:00:00 ~ 2008-09-28 23:30:00 / 1 winners will proceed
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    Hinagiku Katsura
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    Chiaki Minami
    Minamike
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    9
    Tomoyo Sakagami
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    ( REPLY )
  20. maglor
    September 25th, 2008 - 12:29

    My last comment got eaten up because it contained too many links, apparently. I am surprised that your list did not contain AIR, but otherwise, it is a good list.

    On Totally unrelated note, I would like to ask you to take interest in Korean Best Moe Tournament.

    Please vote in the Korean Best Moe Tournament
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    ( REPLY )
  21. Stripey
    September 27th, 2008 - 06:34

    Wow wow WOW! Thanks for the many many recommendations. Looking fwd to checking out the albums.

    zzeroparticle: I strongly recommend Da Capo OST although personally I thought the 2nd album “Brillante” was superior. You may want to start there :)

    muhootsaver: I may do a fav ED list. thanks for the idea! :)

    mizuha: Thanks the highlight. Personally, I feel that HiME’s OST is a great deal superior to Otome’s :P

    ( REPLY )
  22. Flamehaze
    September 28th, 2008 - 14:35

    Actually you can buy the Fate/stay night anime box set now. Funimation is distributing many of Geneon’s dvds. Also, the Zero no Tsukaima box set is coming out in November. :P

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  23. Stripey
    September 30th, 2008 - 10:16

    The boxset is surely much cheaper than the R3s S$200 O_O. But my reason for not getting F/SN is less to do with monetary factors :P

    I’m considering the ZnT boxset even though I have the R3s. XD

    ( REPLY )
  24. Nataka
    October 11th, 2008 - 08:30

    Here are my favourite anime OST:
    - Fate/stay night (Kawai Kenji)
    - Code Geass (Nakagawa Koutarou)
    - Cowboy Bebop (Youko Kanno)
    - Death Note (Hirano Yoshihisa & Taniuchi Hideki)
    - Samurai Champloo (a lot of artists, ie. Tsutchie)
    - Macross Frontier (Youko Kanno)
    - Princess Mononoke and other Ghibli films (Joe Hisaishi)

    ( REPLY )
  25. Lyi
    October 12th, 2008 - 00:28

    I would recommend:

    Jyu-Oh-Sei OST (Hajime Mizoguchi)
    Please Save My Earth OST3 (Hajime Mizoguchi/Yoko Kanno)
    Blood+ OST1 (?)

    ( REPLY )
  26. Stripey
    October 17th, 2008 - 09:44

    Thanks Nataka and Lyi! I’m currently listening to Code Geass 2 OST. Is Season 1′s as good? Haven’t seen any of the 3 anime rec by Lyi though :P

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  27. henry
    October 27th, 2008 - 13:10

    i think you should give Shijou Saikyo no deshi Kenichi a try if you haven’t done so, their OSTs are quite amazing. In fact I rank them above Code Geass’s. I find them all to be quite consistent. The ones you should not miss are Track 03 Takanaru Omoi, Track 25 Mou kako e ha Modorenai, and Track 32 Kanashimi ni Kurete.

    Cheers.

    ( REPLY )
  28. Stripey
    November 2nd, 2008 - 02:57

    Thanks for the detailed recommendations! Will definitely check out the 3 tracks!

    ( REPLY )
  29. Estavali
    December 26th, 2008 - 00:45

    If you like Kajiura Yuki, you might want to check the Kara no Kyoukai OSTs and the EDs albums as well. Personally, I find that the first piece of each OST is usually the best, if not second best. And the EDs are simply…. beautiful >=3

    ( REPLY )
  30. Stripey
    December 26th, 2008 - 09:31

    Thanks for the highlight, Estavali! I hear so many good things about KaraKyo and it’s an icing on the cake to though it has outstanding music too. Looking fwd to it! :)

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  31. inemnitable
    December 31st, 2008 - 00:20

    Where’s Nodame Cantabile on this list? I mean, really, come on. Well, ok, maybe the soundtrack isn’t exactly ‘original’ but… this series succeeds because of its music and entirely because of it.

    Also, Kanno Yoko is a goddess. If you haven’t checked out the OST for Darker Than BLACK, do it now. I think that’s my most listened to album in the last 6 months.

    ( REPLY )
  32. Stripey
    December 31st, 2008 - 07:56

    Heh, I haven’t seen Nodame Cantabile and didn’t finish Darker than Black. Indeed to catch up on the latter some time though. :) Thanks for the OST highlight!

    ( REPLY )

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