Music in Anime

By: Alex Scott
Submitted: 2009-05-13 15:41:03
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

Music is essential to every anime and goes since its first seconds. Almost always after an anime release (series, OVA or movies) its soundtrack goes on sale. For very popular productions especially of several seasons, disks will be released for fans. No wonder as a whole, since apart from its basic objective anime OSTs also have a financial function - series are mostly financed by producers of such accessories as audio and video disks, toys. So series soundtrack sales support further series.

Disks contain compositions, songs and sometimes some character dialogs. Of course, most such disk songs are opening also predefining the series' commercial success. Opening and ending themes are performed by specially invited musicians or vocal actors seyu recording soundtracks. Sometimes producers can cast a beginning actor for a series part only to let him/her perform a song there and become famous so. Ending themes are less prestigious than introductory ones but still granted to few.

Many top bands agree to record anime songs. In 1999 The Pillows recorded 2 popular tracks for FLCL - Ride On Shooting Star and I Think I Can. In 2001 it was released in the US boosting its popularity in North America.

The Super Dimension Fortress Macross series known in America as Robotech in fact gave rise to the seyu industry in the early 1980s due to featuring Iijima Mari, a young actress and singer in the key female role of Lynn Minmay. These series songs performed by her were top-rated in Japanese hit parades and for the first time in anime history aroused great viewer interest to this profession.

Unlike feature movies with popular songs sometimes used to create a mood or contemporary atmosphere, animes usually have specially composed songs (mainly opening and ending themes). As an exception, The Story of Young Hanada (2002) series featured Backstreet Boys band songs as opening and ending themes.

The Bubblegum Crisis (2002) cyber punk series directed by Akiyama Katsuhito became the 1st with a soundtrack so popular the key actresses organized a band, Knight Sabers to perform a number of very successful concerts. Then this became common practice though such bands exist only during series production and release. Another popular band is DoCo with actresses who recorded a soundtrack for Ranma 1/2 TV series.

There're lots of websites about anime music for its boosting fan base. Many post polls to choose the best soundtrack. Thus BeStuff.com's poll attracted about 2K visitors who chose 5 best anime soundtracks of 2008. They included:

  1. Death Note (Film, TV)
  2. Naruto (Film, TV)
  3. Fullmetal Alchemist (TV)
  4. Cowboy Bebop (TV)
  5. Howl's Moving Castle (Film)

As seen, greatest popularity is enjoyed by music from series rather than full-length movies. Notably, Cowboy Bebop's soundtrack has long been considered one of the best. It consists of a large collection of jazz compositions mixed with folk, rock and pop music. The series itself is named after Be Bop, a music style.

A top seyu and J-pop performer is Megumi Hayashibara. She has voiced tens of characters and numerous songs within the DoCo and Ties bands. Her popular roles include:

  • Ayanami Rei (Evangelion)
  • Lina Inverse (Slayers)
  • Hello Kitty
  • Ranma-chan (Ranma 1/2)
  • Catgirl Nuku Nuku
  • Lime (Saber Marionette J)
  • Tira Misu (Bakeretsu Hunters)
  • Faye Valentine (Cowboy Bebop)
  • Haruka (Love Hina).

Though most tracks on such disks are performed in Japanese (except adapted versions for the English market), there're some animes with prevailing English compositions. An example is City Hunter's soundtrack with mostly English themes by Japanese bands and singers.

As mentioned, most anime OSTs are performed by seyus. However, Japanese music showbiz and seyu industry seem to have started merging. So some seyus set up their own music careers and beginning pop performers try to play a part in a popular anime series to sing a song there thus promoting their 1st album.

Moreover, pop music and animation are financed by the same corporations with the top ones being Sony and Pioneer.

Alex Scott is a big fan of anime. You can find more information about anime and manga on Manganimes.info and about anime OST on OST-Search.com.

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Music category

  • Get Involved Into The Magical World Of Bon Jovi Concert - By: Azeem Ashraf
    No one is unaware of Bon Jovi's name. Whenever people know that Bon Jovi concert is about to come, they get crazy to grab their tickets.
  • Dive Into The Magical World Of TSO Concert - By: Azeem Ashraf
    There is no person in this world, who doesn't like music. Music provides the mind and heart an enchanting effect which can never be compared with any other thing.
  • Upbeat Yourself And Buy Jonas Brothers Tickets - By: Azeem Ashraf
    This is the only band, which has been cover paged on the Rolling Stone and is the youngest of all the other bands.
  • Hardware Synthesizer - Tips in Buying Synthesizer - By: Duke Simpson
    Have you ever thought of composing and playing your own music? Isn't it great? Sounds like exciting right? However, buying a synthesizer is never easy. There are so many things to consider before buying one. A synthesizer would only be great and useful if it is according into your needs. And also, it is important that you have a simple understanding about synthesizer. One should always start with the basic. Synthesizer is known for creating different types of music and sounds. An intelligent buyer doesn't buy something in a rush. They always tend to think first if this is what he really needs. This also applies to hardware synthesizer.
  • Roland 201 Synthesizer Review - By: Duke Simpson
    What is life without music? Isn't it boring? I strongly believe that life without music or sound is lifeless. Imagine dancing without music, isn't it ridiculous? Everyone relates into music. It gives us joy, make us fall in love, it gives us sympathy, it gives us inspiration and more. Whether we are sad or in pain, in joy or in happiness, music is part of it. Music and musicians continue working with each other to give us great music. But what inspire musicians? Musicians are being inspired by the instrument they are using. No musician can ever make a good music if he or she is not comfortable towards the instrument.
  • Musical Synthesizers and the Sounds it Offers - By: Duke Simpson
    What is a musical synthesizer? A musical synthesizer has revolutionized the world of sound. Before, a performer who wanted to recreate a certain sounds used to rely to old fashioned instrument. But today, all you need is to touch a button from musical synthesizer. A synthesizer is known for producing different kinds of sounds that every musician wants to hear and most of all wants to produce. In fact, people of United States most often own one. It is a compact keyboard and affordable and easy to play with. Synthesizer comes from "synthesizes" meaning sounds.
  • Grab Jay-Z Tickets - By: Azeem Ashraf
    The famous and the entrepreneur, hip hop star of America, Shawn Corey Carter, who is better known as Jay-Z, is the rapper, who has been the pioneer of this style of music.
  • Get Enjoyed By Amazing Event And Purchase Kanye West Lady Gaga Tickets - By: Azeem Ashraf
    For the promotion of the album, 808s Kanye West is going to a tour and he has selected Lady Gaga to accompany him, during the tour.
  • Rush For Your Pearl Jam Tickets - By: Azeem Ashraf
    The most famous and hit rock and roll band of America, Pearl Jam, has attained great importance since the time; this band has come into the mainstream.
  • What Tap Dancers Should Consider When Buying a Portable Tap Floor, Board, or Mat - By: Dingexx Ding
    For those tap dancers serious about their profession, a portable tap floor, board, or mat is a critical part of the equipment that enables them to perfect their technique. Owning a portable practice floor gives tap dancers the chance to practice their moves outside a studio, honing their craft and raising their performance ability.