In theworld of anime, much attention is given to music, from the individual songs to the overall underlying score. Often, an anime’s instrumental background music perfectly showcases the emotion of the story. In some ways, a wordless piece can help listeners better imagine the world of the anime.
This can apply to anime films as well as television series. In fact, some anime series may even use an instrumental piece as their main opening song. Music can make use of the right instruments to get its feel across. Other times, it evokes music from a specific place or time. Some background music may use lyrics, but find ways to evoke feelings outside their literal meaning.
10Sailor Moon Crystal
Sailor Moon Crystalis an original net animation based on the originalSailor Moonmanga, retelling the story of the famous anime super-heroines. The earlier 1990s anime adaptation of the series was already famous for its background music, particularly its famous “Eyecatch,” which was often used when a character appeared to save the day. Many of the reboot’s background songs have also made a similar impression.
“Legend of the Moon” is an operatic theme that evokes an otherworldly aura, befitting a series with strong science-fiction themes and a backstory involving the Kingdom of the Moon. During the original track, each of the five Senshi was given their own theme song, in both their civilian and Senshi forms.Rei’s, or Sailor Mars', theme in particular, proved to be a fan-favorite, especially as it becomes more fiery as she transforms, all the while combining traditional Japanese instruments with metal music. As the series went on, much of the music would combine more operatic and classical music with more techno sounds.
9Your Lie in April
InYour Lie in April, Kousei Arima was once a world-renowned piano player, but gave up playing after his controlling mother’s death, as he begins to see the world in monochrome. While in middle school, however, Kaori Miyazono, a brilliant violinist, enters his life and brings back the colors. What unfolds is a story of love triangles, familial conflicts, and secrets.
A major theme throughout the series is that music serves as a universal language of sorts, especially as instrumental music has no language barrier. Naturally,Your Lie in Aprilis famed for its music, particularly the series' main opening and ending songs, which also occasionally appears in acoustic form. The series also makes use of classical music, which includes the works of Ludwig van Beethoven and Camille Saint-Saëns, often being performed by the characters.
8Jubei-chan the Ninja Girl
Jubei-chan the Ninja Girlstars Jiyu Nanohana, a modern schoolgirl who can transform into the reincarnation of Yagyu Jubei, a famous historical samurai by the power of a magic eyepatch that contains Jubei’s sword fighting techniques. However, Jiyu will have to face off against the Ryujouji clan as the warring conflict between schools of swordsmanship reignites.
Jubei-chan the Ninja Girl’s main theme is an instrumental song, arguably best known for its use of the violin, that also appears in the series during fight sequences. Notably, a snippet lasting less than 30 seconds is used as the opening for the first series. A remix of the song also appears inJubei-Chan 2: The Counterattack of Siberia Yagyu. For viewers, the song blends both classic themes with contemporary techno effects.
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7The Mystic Archives of Dantalian
The Mystic Archives of Dantaliantakes place in England after the first World War, where Hugh Anthony Disward, or Huey, is bequeathed a mysterious key by his late grandfather, stipulating he must inherit the “Bibliotheca” in order to obtain the rest of the estate. Soon, Huey encounters a mysterious cellar of books and a girl called Dalian, who claims to be the guardian of the “Bibliotheca” and the mysterious “Phantom Books.” Together, they must investigate cases of people misusing the books and sealing away their powers.
The background music tries to evoke an early 19th century aesthetic. “Teki Jousho” and “Sunda Kuuki” combine violin with piano to create a dreamlike aura, as does “Furuku Fukai Shizuka na Mori,” by evoking wind instruments.
6The Ancient Magus' Bride
The Ancient Magus' Briderevolves around an orphan named Chise Hatori, who becomes the slave of Elias Ainsworth, a British mage with an animal’s skull for the head. Elias reveals to Chise that she is a “Sleigh Beggy,” a special type of magus with the power to draw out magic, though at the risk of physically straining herself. However, Elias also intends to marry Chise, as a story not unlikeBeauty and the Beastplays out.
The Ancient Magus' Brideis well-known for its music, often drawing on foreign influences, from Spanish to Celtic. One such background-insert song highlighting this is the ethereal “Dance of the Spirit,” which famously plays during the entrance of Titania, the Queen of the Faeries. Music is also highlighted by the character of Lindel, an acquaintance of Elias, whose spells often manifest as songs, which has earned him the nickname, “Echos.”
5Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagannis a series that starts up in an underground village, where characters dream of going to a mysterious “Surface” some simply believe doesn’t exist. With the help of a powerful beast-mecha called the “Gunmen,” an orphan boy named Simon and his “brother” Kamina finally pierce the “Surface,” allowing the story to begin.
One ofTengen Toppa Gurren Lagann’s most famous songs is “Libera Me From Hell,” which combines elements from opera and rap. The song also represents a study in contrasts: featuring themes of both giving up and continuing on, as well as asking for help and relying on oneself. “Rap Is a Man’s Soul,” a song featured in “Libera Me From Hell,” also notably appears in different variations throughout the series. Another notable song from is “Thrust Through the Heavens with Your Spirit!,” a hopeful song that plays throughout the series, such as when the characters first break into the surface andwhen Kamina appears to Simonin his dreams.
4Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan, set in a world where humans must contend against the hungry Titans,is already well-knownfor its music, especially after its first theme song, “Feuerroter Pfeil und Bogen,” or “Guren no Yumiya,” meaning “Crimson Bow and Arrow,” became a viral hit.
The series also has an impressive list of instrumental songs, even early on. For emotional scenes, “eye water” captures a feeling of contemplation and starkness. For battles, “cóunter・attàck-m’ænkάɪnd” is often used to signify characters trying to survive against the emotional weight of a scene. The namesake theme, “ətˈæk 0N tάɪtn,” which makes use of traditional German sounds, helps capture the overall aura of the series.
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3JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventureisfamous for its referencesto various pop and rock music and this is reflected in the series' music. For many fans, this was already highlighted when the series ended with Yes' “Roundabout,” which already starts playing towards the end of each episode during the first few seasons. This would end up becoming the basis of the “To Be Continued” meme.
Some of theseries' background musichas also reached a similar memetic status. One such piece is Girono’s theme, as known as “Il Vento D’oro,” or “Golden Wind, which combines an orchestral piece, complete with a piano solo, with energetic music. The Pillar Men’s theme, “Awaken” also proved popular, using echoes of antiquity to evoke strong power.
2Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
Studio Ghibli’s filmsare famed for their music, often credited to composer Joe Hisaishi. One prominent example isHowl’s Moving Castle. Based on the fantasy book of the same name, a young hatmaker, Sophie, is turned into an old woman by a witch’s curse. While in her new form, she finds work in the titular castle, the household of the wizard Howl.
One of the film’s most famous pieces is the song, “Merry-Go-Round of Life,” a dreamlike waltz that has been described as evoking so much nostalgia that people who’ve never seen the film often describe it as familiar. A slower version of this theme song, known as “The Flower Garden,” also appears in the film.
1Princess Mononoke (1997)
Another Studio Ghibli film famed for its musical score isPrincess Mononoke. Considered one of the studio’s darkest films, the story involves a young prince, Ashitaka, who becomes involved in the conflict between nature spirits and a human mining community.
Many of the songs make use of the glissando effect, which keeps a downward or upward slide between two notes. For many, the “The Legend of Ashitaka” sets the stage of humanity versus nature, invoking a natural backdrop, with hints of spirits in the air, before conflict becomes gradually more pronounced. “The Demon God” makes use of beating drums to evoke a powerful ancient force, evoking both fear and excitement in listeners. “Adagio of Life and Death,” which plays in the moment of Okkoto’s death, helps to evoke both hope and heartbreak at the same time.
