(Originally posted 2018-05-01, Updated 2019-05-29 and 2020-11-12 for dead links)
Because why not, I thought I’d share my favorite opening and closing anime themes for the last year. To simplify this, I broke it down to favorite OP and ED for each season, plus a year-wide Honorable Mention for each. This is strictly based on personal preference out of the themes for series I watched, with a little bit of what I liked about them.
WINTER
OP: Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon – fhána, “Aozara no Rhapsody”
What I love about this one is the energy and bounciness. The whole song makes me want to get up and dance with the chorogons.
ED: Youjo Senki – Yuuki Aoi, “Los! Los! Los!”
Yuuki Aoi in character as Tanya Degurechaff singing a war song, interspersed with giving orders to her unit. I’m still hoping for a Season 2.
SPRING
OP: Re:CREATORS – SawanoHiroyuki[nZk], “Gravity Wall”
Another one where I love the almost frantic energy in the song.
ED: Sakura Quest – (K)NoW_NAME, “Freesia”
I’m not just about the high energy songs. I definitely appreciate a good change of pace, and that’s what we have here. Great show, and although (K)NoW_NAME’s ED for the 2nd cour was also good, it was the first cour ED that was by far the best.
SUMMER
OP: Aho-Girl – angela, “Zenryoku Summer!”
Possibly the goofiest of the themes (that I caught) this year. Definitely on my list for the year.
ED: New Game!! – fourfolium, “JUMPin’ JUMP UP!!!!”
CGDCT? Check. Hikasa Yoko + Kayano Ai + Kitamura Eri in supporting roles? Check, check, check. Bouncy theme sung by the mains? Absolutely check. Had to do the first ED over the OP, as I slightly prefer it. (Also preferred the TV version’s visuals.) [Side note: Got my copy of the Blu-ray for season 1 yesterday after using Christmas gift cards; now I need season 2 ASAP!]
FALL
OP: Net-juu no Susume – Nakajima Megumi, “Saturday Night Question”
Speaking of anime that I *need* the BD set for… Again, I’m all for songs with good energy. This is definitely one (although I’m not sure if this video is the actual full song or not, sorry).
ED: Imouto sae Ireba Ii. – Aira Yuuki, “Donna Hoshizora Yori mo, Donna Omoide Yori mo”
Who knew such a trashy anime would actually have a real plot hiding under the smut? And better, a great little ED to relax to?
HONORABLE MENTIONS
OP: Gabriel Dropout – Tomita Miyu & Oonishi Saori & Oozora Naomi & Hanazawa Kana, “Gabriel Dropkick”
Another high energy OP from the main cast, with two of my favorite seiyuu in HanaKana and Oonishi Saori to boot.
ED: Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! 2 – Amamiya Sora & Takahashi Rie & Kayano Ai, “Ouchi ni Kaeritai (お家に帰りたい)“
I really like the EDs for both seasons of KonoSuba. Something about that country/folksy feel of the songs they use, and the girls of the cast sing it so nicely. Had to give it a mention here.
EXTRA BONUS: INSERT SONG
So, I wouldn’t normally throw in another piece from a soundtrack here (although I do love me some Oonishi Saori’s “Counting Gabriels” from Gabriel Dropout), but I absolutely love Tanaka Chiemi as Ririko singing the “Dragon Song” from Sakura Quest. When she sang it the second time in the last episode, it had me tearing up.
So, there you have it. My favorite anime themes (and a little more) from this past year. What are your thoughts?
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