It’s time for another Anisong round up, a seasonal list of some of the best musical offerings featured in the latest Anime simulcasts.
So earlier I had mentioned I’ve been struggling to make time to write these while trying to balance the rest of schedule. But as I started to sit down and actually write this round up, I drew a literal blank. Out of all the shows I streamed last season, there were really only two or three that I enjoyed enough for a repeated viewing. That being said, I handpicked a few that stood out or made an impression.
As usual, the same rules as before apply. Previously, I mentioned I was spending quite a bit of time on these articles, but since things cooled down this season (pun not intended), this one’s gonna be a bit shorter than usual. I’m currently deep into the fall season and there is a lot I want to cover when that post goes live, so let’s begin:
Song: Red Swan
Artist: YOSHIKI feat. HYDE
Anime: Attack on Titan
The crowd reaction was strong at Anime Expo this year when it was first revealed that Hyde and X Japan were collaborating on the opening for season 3. Despite not being able to hear it that day, I can confirm the wait was worth it.
I’ll be blunt: this may be one of the most beautiful anisongs I’ve listened to in a long time and my clear favorite this season. I’m a sucker for anything featuring long piano work with a touch of rock (or metal) thrown into the mix. Words cannot really do this piece justice, and equally so for the full version which has a really killer guitar solo midway.
Regarding the visuals itself, it’s a bit unusual for a series typically known for its brutality and darker color hues (this opening is quite bright in color), but it works well given this season is lighter on Titan killing with the focus being on the threat inside the walls.
Song: Akatsuki no Requiem
Artist: Linked Horizon
Anime: Attack on Titan
Though Linked Horizon has been set on ending duty this season, they continue to deliver with this powerful, yet slightly more subtle anthem. I’ve heard some people joke that this is the “true opening,” but I respectfully disagree, even if it does fit more thematically if you consider each opening as a set of a larger story. I suspect the unused “Kakumei no Yoru ni” might have been originally planned to be used, but they opted to have Yoshiki and Hyde’s new single which was kept under wraps even after it was formerly announced during the world premiere of season 3 (there were some audible boos when we were told we wouldn’t get to hear it that day; including from yours truly *chuckles*). It’s possible it will be used for the next cour when the series returns next year, unless they have another track in the works.
Akatsuki no Requiem starts up rather slow with a more peaceful and calm tone right up until the 45 second mark when the main chorus starts and the song builds into a more recognizable sound if you’re used to the bands more uplifting moments in each of their previous songs. It’s even more noticeable in the full track with a particular portion of the song being a callback to season 1’s opening; something of a trademark in their previous songs but also a way to establish a form of continuity with each of their contributed songs.
Song: Long Hope Philia
Artist: Masaki Suda
Anime: My Hero Academia
This one is a bit misleading. The ending used this time is also the main theme for the recent film, My Hero Academia: Two Heroes, which is where I first heard it in full. Since I don’t have the clip, here is the official ending from Funimation’s YouTube channel.
Without spoiling the film too much, there is a nice montage during the credits accompanying the full version of the song above. The movie itself was rather fun, if a bit formulaic for your standard Shonen feature.
Song: Sirius
Artist: Kishida Kyōdan & The Akeboshi Rockets
Anime: Sirius the Jaeger
Another somewhat misleading pick as this show didn’t technically air in the U.S. as of yet, but I did get to watch the first two episodes at world premiere at AX this year, including the opening and endings.
Again, I have a rather strong affinity for rock and metal and songs with high energy or start off slow and build up volume. I love the visuals in the band’s official music video in particular. The switch from black and white backgrounds and costumes was a nice touch.
Song: “Mission! Ken – Kō – Dai – Ichi” (ミッション！ 健・康・第・イチ Mission! Health First)
Artist: Kana Hanazawa (Red Blood Cell), Tomoaki Maeno (White Blood Cell), Daisuke Ono (Killer T Cell) and Kikuko Inoue (Microphage)
Anime: Cells at Work!
I’m mostly including this one as a joke, but it’s quite catchy. It also features a number of the voices on the show singing in character and a number of wacky visuals which makes for one of the most hilarious anisongs this season.
Honorable Mentions
Here are some other picks that probably could have been added to the main list, but I didn’t have anything else to add or comment on. Enjoy!
Song: Voracity
Artist: Myth & Roid
Anime: Overlord
Song: Straightener
Artist: Braver
Anime: Angolmois: Record of Mongol Invasion
Song: Crazy Noisy Bizarre Town
Artist: The Du
Anime: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable
I spoke too soon. This was the most catchiest anisong of the season.
Editor’s note: The English Dub premiered this season on Toonami, hence its inclusion.
There you have it, the best anisongs of Summer 2018. However, there is no possible way I caught everything. Got any personal favorites or hidden gems? What were your favorite tunes this season? Let us know in the comments below, and hopefully I should have the Fall Anisong list up by year’s end.
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