Music.
Music is simply a key ingredient when it comes to making a game or anime feel extremely atmospheric. Without it, the world seems lonely and lost somehow (unless it's intentional like in Shadow of the Colossus) and the immersion is just lost. So today, I'm going to be posting my top ten favourite anime tracks, and top ten favourite video game tracks. Keep in mind for the anime music I'm not counting Openings or Endings, they're for a separate list. Without further ado, let us begin!
~Top 10 Anime Tracks~
10: XL-TT from Shingeki no Kyojin
Also known as the Colossal Titan's theme, XL-TT is a song that really gets the dread and fear rising inside as soon as it starts playing. You know that as soon as this song starts playing, you are screwed beyond belief. Very tense and bombastic.
9: Swordland from Sword Art Online
Like I said in my review, Sword Art Online is one of the worst anime I have ever seen, but the soundtrack by Yuki Kajura is simply astonishing. The main theme, Swordland, is perfectly fitting as the main theme of the game and is used very well in action scenes and is a joy to the ears. While not perfect, it's arguably the best thing about Sword Art Online.
8: Farewell at the Foot of the Hill (Nagisa Theme) from Clannad/Clannad After Story
Nagisa Furukawa, one of the all time most tragic anime characters. Just like her character, her theme song is one of the reasons I fell in love with Clannad straight away. It fits the show's opening scene so well that I paused the episode and went straight to YouTube to find the song it was that good.
7: DOA from Shingeki no Kyojin
DOA is like, the first song in an Anime that's English and doesn't sound bad. The rockin' guitar and the kickass vocals always get me pumped for when the characters go on a rampage of Titan killin'. It's fast paced and full of energy.
6: L's Theme from Death Note
Is it me or does this sound like something you would hear in the Exorcist? It starts off with a haunting Piano, then gains momentum as it gains a guitar and bass and rhythm. It's also very fitting of the mysterious L, and has that element of mystery to it.
5: Kira's Theme from Death Note
It just sounds so bad ass. No other words are needed.
4: Roaring Tides from Clannad/Clannad After Story
Emotional, gripping, sad and just simply amazing describe Jun Maeda's masterful Roaring Tides from one of the greatest shows of all time, Clannad. When used right, this song makes emotional moments seem all the more emotional. The mood that this song sets is just absolutely brilliant.
3: Vogel Im Kafig from Shingeki no Kyojin
This song hits on the feelings big time. I mean BIG time. Right from Episode 1 I have loved this track. Not much else to say about it.
2: Main Theme from Higurashi no Naku Koro ni
Scary as fuck. Next please.
1: Tsumi from Higurashi no Naku Koro ni and ətˈæk 0N tάɪtn from Shingeki no Kyojin
These songs are why anime music is awesome. Tsumi is the perfect atmospheric theme, usually played when a character is having an inner reflection in Higurashi no Naku Koro ni. ətˈæk 0N tάɪtn is the ultimate ass-kicking theme that when used in the right spots, make Shingeki no Kyojin look like one of the best anime ever. These songs are just amazing.
~Top 10 Video Game Songs~
10: The Ocean on His Shoulders from BioShock
BioShock is one of those games with the perfect setting. A dystopian & mutated society mixed with a 1960's vibe and swingin' culture may seem like an odd clash, but with the right soundtrack, it can be a match made in heaven. In the case of The Ocean on His Shoulders, it made me fall that much more in love with BioShock's setting.
9: The Final Push from Call of Duty: World at War
Call of Duty: World at War is one of my all time favourite video games. I may get a lot of stick for that statement but I truly believe that the writing and events portrayed in that game are some of the best in recent years. What truly got me was the penultimate mission in the Russian Campaign, where you're running through a ruined Berlin and this song is playing. Holy. Fucking Shit. I have never felt my jaw drop as much playing a Call of Duty game as I has playing through World at War.
8: Main Theme from Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryū to Hikari no Ken
Most of you probably know this song from Super Smash Bros. Brawl and that version is amazing too, but I'm opting for the NES original from 1990. Sure the game was never released outside of Japan, but who cares? The song is too great to care! It's triumphant and fitting for the anime-esque adventure that awaits Marth and his companions.
7: Main Theme from The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
It may be performed in a hokey-pokey language and it features in a good but under-whelming game (for the hype that it got!) but holy hot dam the main theme of Skyrim is ball bustlingly amazing.
6: The Beginning from Akumajou Densetsu (Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse)
I chose the Japanese soundtrack over the American one on the grounds that it just sounds better, and hot dam this song has so much pace and a kick ass beat. It also fits the mood of Castlevania III very well and makes the first stage all that more memorable.
5: His World from SONIC THE HEDGEHOG
Just listen. Amazing lyrics, spectacular instruments, and an absolute piece of shit game.
4: Progress from Tales of Xillia
Progress perfectly fits how I feel about my favourite Video Game of all time. It's an encapsulation of fear and anxiety mixed with a romantic tale and a courageous upbringing. Powerful singing from Ayumi Hamasaki makes the song perfect <3
3: Opening~Bombing Mission from Final Fantasy VII
Perfectly fitting to the tense opening of FFVII and is one of Uematsu's finest compositions.
2: Main Theme from Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
Even though it was composed by the guy who composed the movie Shrek, this song is an amazing rendition of the Metal Gear Solid theme song. Triumphant and Patriotic, I salute every time I hear it.
1: Title Theme (Toberu Mono~Instrumental) from The Last Story
I will not explain why I love The Last Story until the time is right, but please, do listen to something that has made my ear fill with joy every time I listen to it's glorious melody. Sakaguchi and Uematsu's genius......the best game ever made on a Nintendo console.
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