Awesome Music / Anime: H to Q

• Haibane Renmei. Samples! Blue Flow, the ending theme, the unfortunately-named Free Bird, the OP, A Little Plate's Rondo, from the first episode, and Ailes Grises, which plays in the climactic Heartwarming Moment. As a rule of thumb, if Kou Otani does it, you can't go wrong. Also see Shadow of the Colossus. It's awesome having an excuse to yell "PLAY FREE BIRD!!" at cons.
• Haikyuu!! brought out some badass themes for its first season with "Imagination" and "Ah Yeah!!" as the opening themes and "Tenchi Gaeshi" and "LEO" as the ending themes.
• Hajime no Ippo:
  • "Inner Light", the 2nd opening. If any song were to represent all of Shōnen, this would be it. An instrumental version has a tendency to appear during many fights throughout the first season, and during the Kimura vs. Mashiba match.
  • The entire soundtrack for the first season is really great, but the most notable are the Rocky-esque "Stand Proud", the training montage theme "Irradiation" and the emotional "Yuuzora no Kamihikouki".
• Hamatora has the two musical themes, "FLAT" by livetune adding Yuuki Ozaki (from Galileo Galilei) and "Hikari" by Wataru Hatano, are very upbeat and fit the series' atmosphere pretty well. The latter even had an acoustic version to fit Episode 7's Downer Ending.
  • Then there is the insert theme song used in the final episode of Season 1, "Nowhere Living Now" by Torao.
  • Season 2 gives us the kickass opening "Sen no Tsubasa" by livetune adding Takuro Sugawara (from 9mm Parabellum Bullet) and the lovely "Brand New World" by ayami as the ending.
• Haré+Guu:
  • "Love Tropicana" is a crazy upbeat dancing song.
  • Something must be said for the funktastic ending song of Haré+Guu Deluxe, "Fun Fun and Shout" by Sister Mayo.
• Hayate the Combat Butler has their own rendition of "Cruel Angel Thesis".
• Heaven's Design Team's OP theme, Give it up? by 96neko, is regarded as one of the best parts of the anime. Many comments have cited it as one of the best anime theme songs of the 2020 Winter Season, if not ever. Almost every single episode has at least one comment praising the song.
• From Hell Girl, we have "Jigoku Rock", "Jigoku Metal" and "Jigoku Death Metal". For something more relaxing, you might want to try "Jigoku no Kawa Nagare" and "Ake ni Somaru".
  • And "Jigoku Nagashi". Whenever you hear this song in the first few episodes, you know that Ai has heard the call of vengeance, and shit is about to get real for some Asshole Victim.
  • In addition to "Jigoku Death Metal", season three also brings us "Jigoku no Hanamichi" and a new version of "Jigoku Rock" for the banishments. For more relaxing music, "Mangetsu" is a heartwarming track from the first season that puts a One-Woman Wail to amazing use.
  • Kumo to Rouba to Shoujo is a beautifully sombre, haunting piece used whenever something tragic happens.
• Hellsing has one of the best soundtracks for any anime ever!
  • Yasushi Ishii is absolutely brilliant.
  • "World Without Logos", one of the greatest opening themes in anime. Music to kill yourself to.
  • The much better second attempt at a Hellsing series has this to offer...
    • The epic closing of the first OST, Gradus Vita.
  • "Double Crossed Fool" is also of note as an awesome tune, as is the ending song, Shine.
  • Ultimate had great gems too. Target Insight anyone?
    • And this one too. And "A Thousand Tangs". And this one too. And of course, Magnolia, the second awesomest ending theme in Hellsing Ultimate.
    • Letzte Batallion.
    • When You Start The War, Fight with Arrows, Spears and Swords!. So awesome it's both the eighth ending in Hellsing Ultimate and Anderson's theme in original anime.
• Heroic Age:
  • The opening: Gravitation.
  • The series itself had some absolutely stunning, orchestral music. Give Gekishin and Nodos no Tatakai a listen.
  • Ankoku no Nodosu... aptly described as the "Oh, Crap!" music, and the apocalyptic Kyouran from the second soundtrack.
• The Heroic Legend of Arslan:
  • The 2015 version starts off with a bang thanks to its first opening theme, "Boku no Kotoba de wa nai Kore wa Bokutachi no Kotoba". The first ending theme "Lapis Lazuli" finishes off with its unique and relaxing arrangement.
  • As good as the first set was, the second opening "Uzu to Uzu" by NICO Touches the Walls and second ending "One Light" by Kalafina may just have them beat.
• Heroman has definitely demonstrated this so give "Roulette" and "CALLING" a listen. The Skrugg's Theme is also pretty good.
• There are plenty from Hetalia: Axis Powers.
  • China's second song "Aiyaa Four Thousand Years" is awesome and a Tear Jerker, being about China's relationship with Japan and how Japan had betrayed him.
  • Pretty much every version of the first ending theme song "Marukaite Chikyuu" is awesome in their own way.
    • Russia's version even throws in his infamous "kolkolkolkol" in the middle of the full version of the song.
    • America's version has an amazing guitar rocking in the background.
    • And nothing else needs to be said about England's version, which in the full version has freaking bagpipes in the background.
    • The background for China's version is awesome all on its own.
    • Germany's voice is to die for.
    • Austria's version, as would be expected, has gorgeous background music.
  • It's a fanwork about a fanwork, but the music in this video definitely qualifies. It weaves together different Vocaloid pieces in a way which is smooth and beautiful, and the "Veneziano" measures are amazing! Which isn't mentioning the video itself and how cute and yet sad that it is.
• High School D×D:
  • "Kakusei". Ominous Latin Chanting + Issei using Dress Break = Mundane Made Awesome.
  • "Ara Ara, Uhuhu", Akeno's theme music, especially with the Sexophone playing. It really does capture Akeno's love-begging, quasi-pornstar attitude towards Issei. Her image song, "Kurokami BEGIN TALE", definitely qualifies too. A love-charged electro-flamenco song, so hot and steamy it will make you nosebleed just by hearing the few intro notes.
  • Rias's image song, "Crimson no Binetsu". It starts off with an Ominous Pipe Organ, and then explodes with a barrage of progressive rock awesomeness, coupled up with the soothing vocal delivery of Rias's seiyuu.
  • "A Man of Gentle Manners", the love theme, perfectly outlines Issei, because in the end, he is one of the nicest guys ever seen in anime, and deserves the love, care and attention the girls give him.
  • "Trip -innocent of D-", the intro theme for the first season. Very much anime-like, but those power metal-esque guitars at the beginning are really freaking amazing.
  • Also, "STUDY x STUDY", the ending theme for Season 1, which is very catchy. Just when you thought the original was already awesome... Here comes the Girls-x-Songs version featuring Rias, Asia, Akeno and Koneko to blow you out of the water.
• The High School Of The Dead opening's transition from slow at the beginning to rock is just great. For a show ruined by unnecessary fanservice it had a great opening by Kishida Kyoudan and the Akeboshi Rockets.
• Higurashi: When They Cry:
  • Technically from the game than from the anime, but "Dear You", the ending theme of the Meakishi-hen arc, is incredibly poignant and beautiful, especially if you've seen Meakishi-hen. An epic version of it can be heard here. (Warning: Actual video contains Meakishi-hen spoilers)
  • The anime itself has both the OPs, which are not only awesome in and of themselves, but are perfectly indicitave of the changing tone of the series; First, the suspenseful and moody "Higurashi no Naku Koro ni" and secondly the defiant and hopeful "Naraku no Hana".
    • The full versions of "Higurashi no Naku Koro ni" and "Naraku no Hana".
    • Also, Yurie of Code Speed's remix of "Naraku no Hana".
  • After the end of this universe, "Dear you--bond" is quite possibly the song that will be sung in the Heavenly Jerusalem.
• "Tenshi no Yubikiri", the opening to His and Her Circumstances, a.k.a. Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou, a.k.a. KareKano. True love does have a theme song!
• Honey and Clover. Submitted for your approval in the following clips: First, some poignant piano renditions of the first and second opening themes. Then Suneohair shows us why God gave us ending themes. Watch in high quality. It makes a difference!
  • "Bonbon Bereppa" is so awesomely quirky and unique, not to mention oddly relaxing. Made even better by the fact that it usually is played whenever Morita is in Cloudcuckoolander mode, making it practically his Leitmotif.
• Hunter × Hunter:
  • "Departure!", guaranteed to be stuck in your head after watching the series.
  • It also has great ending songs like "Hunting for Your Dream" and the fifth ending song "Hyori Ittai".
  • The OSTs are also great, not surprising since it was composed by Yoshihisa Hirano. Here are some examples:
    • Whenever someone from the Zoldyck family appears, "The Assassin Family's Estate" plays.
    • "Emperor Time". The last part plays whenever Gon uses his Rock attack.
    • In the Chimera Ant arc, "Hegemony of the Food Chain" plays whenever a battle happens. And it is AWESOME.
    • "Hashire".
    • "Requiem Aranea" plays whenever the Phantom Troupe appears.
    • Both of Hisoka's themes, "Kijutsushi no Baire" and "The Mad Bailore", certainly fit his character.
    • "Riot", the special ending theme from Episode 51, better known as Chrollo's requiem for Uvogin. An intense piece that wouldn't sound out of place in Death Note, the composer's previous work.
• Idol Densetsu Eriko:
  • The OP, "Namida no Hanbun" is a tear-inducing ballad that perfectly sets the mood for the show.
  • The ED, "Unchained Heart" showcases The Rival Rei Asagiri's more rock-oriented style.
• IGPX: Immortal Grand Prix, apart from the opening theme by GRANRODEO, has some excellent music provided by the British indie label NINJA TUNE. One of the coolest tracks in the entire series is "Everything Is Under Control (dj KENTARO Remix) by COLDCUT, played in a few of the Toonami-edition episodes, as well as the Season 1 recap music video. There are also some epic orchestrated tracks scattered throughout the uncut version that are, sadly unavailable on CD.
• Initial D's first season opening and ending.
• Inuyasha:
  • "Hanyou, Inuyasha" can be liberally translated as "Serious ass is about to be kicked, right now."
  • The track, "Dilemma", is the slower, more serious version of the above theme.
  • Also "Sesshomaru's Theme" and the "Attack Theme".
  • "Sango's Theme" is another excellent piece from the series.
  • "Inuyasha and Kagome's Theme" and "To Love's End", two of the most beautiful love themes ever written, with the first featuring a mesmerizing One-Woman Wail.
  • "Kikyou's Theme", a fan favorite, is an understated and haunting song that epitomizes traditional Japanese culture and aesthetics.
  • "My Will". An absolutely gorgeous song.
  • The first season opening, "CHANGE THE WORLD".
  • And the second opening, "I am".
  • The fourth opening, "Grip!" by Every Little Thing.
  • Opening song #6, "Angelus".
  • The second ending theme, "Fukai Mori".
  • The third ending theme, "Dearest". Has several remixes in the series, the most memorable being the beautiful strings instrumental version, which made Kikyo's death even more heart-wrenching.
  • The fourth ending, "Every Heart -Minna no Kimochi-".
  • The fifth ending song, "Shinjitsu no Uta" and the seventh ending song, "Come" are epic.
  • All of the movies theme songs count. They are (in order): "No More Words", "Yura Yura", "Four Seasons", and "Rakuen".
  • From The Final Act, we have the opening theme song "Kimi ga Inai Mirai" and the ending themes, "With You", "Diamond", and "Tooi Michi no Saki de".
• Is This A Zombie?:
  • This series has many epic themes, including the opening, the ending, and many of the OSTs, like This, 100%, 120%, this memorable gem Ore, Zombie Ssu!, and best of all, Play Seraphim!
  • On the more peaceful side, there's Kumori Nochi Hare. Many of the songs in the soundtrack are Awesome Music actually.
• Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade has the haunting strains of "Grace Omega", which is composed by Mizoguchi Hajime and breathily sung by his ex-wife Yoko Kanno as "Gabriela Robin", who also helped him by playing piano for other songs in this great soundtrack.
• Jormungand:
  • In season one, the opening song, "Borderland" by Mami Kawada and the endings, "Ambivalentidea" and "Shiroku Yawaraka na Hana" by Nagi Yanagi all definitely qualify.
  • For season two, we get a new opening song, "UNDER/SHAFT" by Maon Kurosaki, and the return of Nagi Yanagi with "Laterality", the ending.
  • The appropriately named track for this series from the original soundtrack, played during the first episode of the first anime season—and when Hex and her crew was finished off by a B-52 bombing. Enter: "Jormungand".
  • "Sense of Crisis" from the Jormungand: Perfect Order OST gives the show a somewhat surreal feel with all the piano music.
  • Perfect Order's first episode has an incredible French rap in "L'ambition mélodique".
  • "Time to Rock and Roll" by Santa/Taku Iwasaki from the first OST, a catchy mix of rap, techno, and electronica that typically accompanies ass being kicked. Another song on the OST, "Time to Attack", has a harder beat and is the source of "Her name is Koko," which definitely also qualifies it.
• K has its beautiful opening, "KINGS" by angela.
• Kaiji:
  • The OST is one of those very simple ones that still manages to be incredibly awesome. No singing, just great instrumentals. "Kaiji Theme", "Predicament", "Line Of Light" and "Beginning" are the pinnacles.
  • "Wish". Holy shit, when that guitar starts...!
  • The ending theme, "Makeinu-tachi no Requiem", sung by Hakuryuu. It gets even more awesome when you realize that it's Tonegawa's voice actor.
• Kamichama Karin has a catchy OP by ALI PROJECT called "Ankoku Tengoku". Although apparently that song scared some people.
• "Last Regrets", the gorgeous, sweeping opening theme of the Kanon PC game (and the later anime series). All previous conceptions of Kanon being 'just some porn game' are blown away by the Full Chorus version of this song—how could it be with music THIS good. Not to mention the great ending, "Kaze no Tadori Tsuko Basho", or "Where the Wind Reaches".
• AKINO from bless4 did it again with opening theme from KanColle, "Miiro" (Sea Color), which is one of the most memorably tear-jerking songs of early 2015.
• Kaze No Yojimbo's OP, Tokyo by Escargot. The ED, Situation also by Escargot, is also highly listenable.
• Kekkaishi:
  • "Sha la la –Ayakashi NIGHT–", the opening theme.
  • "Get Away From Here".
• Kimagure Orange Road has an absolutely iconic OP: "Night of Summer Side". Besides, it has a really... special PV, with singer Masanori Ikeda even performing pirouettes onstage and playing Badass Driver!
• Knights of Sidonia most certainly qualifies with it's badass opening song, "Sidonia".
• K.O. Beast 2's OP, Yatsu wa BOMBER.
• K-On!:
  • Both of the opening themes and especially its closing theme. There is a reason why the closer and the opener respectively once held the #1 and #2 spots on the Oricon charts on the same week. 8-bit versions of each have been created.
  • Also, "Watashi no Koi wa Hotchikisu" (My Love is a Stapler), the insert song in Episode 8.
  • "Fude Pen Boru Pen" was a winner as well, particularly Hikasa's version. Mio is just better for this song.
  • The second ending in Season 2, "No, Thank You!"
  • Light and Fluffy Time.
  • Singing!, the ending song for the movie.
• Kobato.. had a great combination of opening an closing, "Magic Number" gave a great sense of Kobato as a person and "Jellyfish no Kokuhaku" is something you can sing your kids to sleep to.
• "Systematic People", the OP for Kurozuka. A fast-paced, intense piece of electronica by Wagdug Futuristic Unity, with a cameo by the lead singer of Maximum the Hormone. The lyrics are done in English, although between the loud music and the singer's Japanese accent, it's hard to tell.
• Kyousogiga has the charming and colorful "Koko" as its opening song and the kickass "Shissou Ginga" as its ending theme.
• Lady!!:
  • The opening of the second series, "Lady's Crest" by Kaoru Moriya, captures your attention with the sudden instrumental riff, turns upbeat, and then turns more upbeat.
  • The Italian opening of the second series, "Milly, un giorno dopo l'altro" by Cristina D'Avena, is happy, poppy, and carried by her beautiful voice from start to finish.
  • The Arabic version of Lady Lady's original theme song sounds like Ominous Latin Chanting at first, and then the singing turns passionate, fast and back to slow and melancholy.
• La Seine No Hoshi: The Italian theme song sung by Cristina D'Avena. Fans of her hail it as some of her best work.
• Last Exile:
  • The opening song, "Cloud Age Symphony". Beautiful cloud age symphony, indeed.
  • The ending song, "Over the Sky". Aided by Alvis' moeness. Not to mention the montage of the protagonists' past family life.
• The Law of Ueki: The anime soundtrack seems to be loaded with several completely awesome songs. Case in point: "Battle of Abilities". Someone just pulled a thoroughly epic turnaround on their opponent? There's a song to go with it.
• Log Horizon has, well... what else but DATABASE?
• Lucky Star:
  • The opening ("Motteke! Sailor Fuku") Especially the tear-jerking version used for background music in the end of Episode 24.
    • And here it is on piano. It turns weird Japanese music into a peppy ragtime-type tune, and then at 0:54 it blows you away.
    • Wait, wait, wait! We're not done with covers yet! Do you prefer it Hot Blooded, Burly, Fabulous, or Snarky?
    • Try also the Dance remix version(s).
  • "Gravity" during the Initial D parody. Here's the full version.
  • "Gravity" is done as a parody of the group M.O.V.E. M.O.V.E. then covered the parody and made it even that much more awesome!
  • "Koi no Minoru Densetsu" is pure awesome.
    • There's also the slower paced "Kaorin's Theme" and... yes, "Ore no Wasuremono".
    • After Minoru's Moment of Awesome, he sings the ED, which is the hilarious embodiment of Stylistic Suck. Then you hear the album version.
  • One of the best Image Songs from Lucky Star is "Kenka Yohou no Jikan dayo" by the local Tsundere Kagami Hiiragi. The first seconds will grab your attention because of its fast-paced rock/techno beat. For more in this vein, try "Anime Tenchou!"
  • The other Ascended Meme of the series, "Kumikyoku Lucky Star Douga", is a fitting musical sendoff for the series. The live concert appropriately used it for the encore.
  • And then there's the epic trumpets-and-drums theme used whenever awesome is occurring (it's called Bun Guster). Also the restful BGM for the MMORPG Konata's always playing (called Filna Fatansy).
• Magic Knight Rayearth:
  • The opening theme is the epitome of this trope. Gets an awesome reprise, lyrics and all, in the last episode when the girls were approaching the final showdown.
  • The duet between Kalafina and ELISA made this song even more epic!
  • Another great song from the MKR OST, though it was never played in the actual anime: "Taiyou Yori Atsui Kimochi" ("Feelings Hotter than the Sun").
  • Here is the instrumental version of Yuzurenai Negai. Just because.
  • After all the years of Super Robot Wars fans wanting Rayearth to get into the franchise, their dream was answered in Super Robot Wars T, and along with it came this awesome rendition of Yuzurenai Negai, which did complete justice to the already awesome song!
  • The Main Theme/Chosen Girls instrumental theme is definitely Moment of Awesome material.
• Old-school (i.e. pre-Sailor Moon) Magical Girl show Magical Idol Pastel Yumi has its OP, "Kinno Ribbon de Rock Shite".
• Magi: Labyrinth of Magic:
  • The series has some catchy and addictive tunes in Season 1 in the form of its first opening, "V.I.P" and second opening, "Matataku Hoshi no Shita de".
  • Season 2 ups the ante with the second opening "HIKARI" and the second ending "With You / With Me".
• There's no better way to start off Magic Kaito 1412 than with its first-rate opening "Kimi no Matsu Sekai" and end it with its strangely captivating ending song, "WHITE of CRIME". We then follow up with the second opening, the upbeat "Ai no Scenario" and the second ending theme, "Koi no Jumyou".
• One does not go into a yaoi OVA expecting good music. That is why the main theme of Maiden Rose may blow the minds of those unprepared...especially when it's playing over tank battles.
• Martian Successor Nadesico:
  • The theme to Gekiganger 3, Let's Go! Gekiganger 3. "Let's go passion!"
  • Nadesico's own opening theme is pure Engrish win, as well. Title says it all, really.
  • I want to be your number one aka Ruri's song.
  • You get to burning: Ode to Gai mix, Manly Tears in musical form!
• The English version of the Medabots theme song. No, really.
• One thing that's near-universally agreed upon is that Megalo Box has a fantastic soundtrack, provided by hip hop artist mabanua with its chill, lo-fi beats being notable.
  • The opening theme, Bite by Leo Imai, is a glorious throwback to themes of the '90s, with its shredding guitars, background synths, and vocal performance.
  • The main theme is an intense piece of industrial hip-hop that captures the sense of excitement in the ring.
  • Intermission is a relaxing beat that exemplifies "simple yet effective" with a smooth and laid-back guitar riff.
  • Spider Iglesias' theme is an incredibly cool piece of flamboyant Mexican-inspired trip-hop. Sadly, the man didn't much live up to his theme music.
  • The aptly-named Great Track #1 drew the most praise, being a short and catchy rap.
  • Episode 12 ends with a rapping number about Yuri and Joe's rivalry that is absolutely outstanding, being blood-pumping and a perfect summation of their relationship (upon which the series hinges).
  • From NOMAD:
    • The opening music gives the anime a very Spaghetti Western feel.
    • "El Canto del Colibri", the ending music, sung in very good Spanish.
• Mekaku City Actors opening theme "daze" and ending theme "days" are both very good.
• Although it's obvious by now that you'll skip this section over when you see the title Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch, the soundtrack is well worth a listen:
  • "Kuro no Kyousoukyoku -concerto-" is one awesome Villain Song. Especially during the Black Beauty Sisters' Moment of Awesome. Full version here.
  • Also Lady Bat's "Ankoku no Tsubasa". It has a catchy tune (in a good way) and a really cool guitar solo. And Lady Bat's voice is cool.
  • As for the heroes, "Kizuna" and "Kodou" are pretty impressive battle songs. As Lazy and or cheap the Italian dubbers were towards the production of their dub for this anime they did create one or two ear worms! Primarily the group songs Dolce Melodia and Battito D'amore and the solo Stella Preziosa.
• Metropolis (2001):
  • At the climax, Rock, of all people, ends up saving the day from revolting robots by hitting the ziggurat's self-destruct button. Cue Ray Charles' "I Can't Stop Loving You" playing over the ensuing images of destruction.
  • The soundtrack, by Toshiyuki Honda, is just one big pile of win. If you like some nice retro jazz, take a listen.
• The opening and ending themes of Minami-ke may be pretty ordinary, if catchy—but the soundtrack itself contains some marvelous pieces. A lot of it is fairly minimalistic, yet full of atmosphere. Yasuhiro Misawa, the composer, obviously listened a lot to Philip Glass. Not bad for a comedy show.
• This is what got Miraculous Ladybug so much attention before it was even released.
• Mnemosyne:
  • "Alsatia", the OP, is written by Galneryus and really pumps you up for the all the blood, guts, lesbians, and rape.
  • Galneryus also performed the ED, "Cause Disarray". Somehow it's very relaxing... possibly because it means the blood, guts, and rape are almost over.
• Monster:
  • "Seeds of Time". There's a reason it shows up so many times. "Medium Shot" too.
  • And "What Do I See". The music for a certain Moment of Awesome in Episode 72.
    "Those calculations don't add up in the computer inside my head."
  • "We'll Be Waiting for the Night": "You weren't wrong. What you did back then... and what you're going to do now." Cue Manly Tears.
  • "For The Love Of Life" is a distinctly haunting song in the context of the series.
  • "Grain", the opening theme, counts as well.
• Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun:
  • The OP, "Kimi ja Nakya Dame Mitai", due to its pretty cool riffs, the repeating of "Kimi ja Nakya Dame Mitai"^note "It seems you’re the only one for me" and the chorus.
  • The ED, "Ura Omote Fortune", due mostly to the constant repetition of "hantai no" and "hontou no" in the lyrics.
• The entirety of the Mushishi OST.
  • "Mushishi" no Theme and "Ame ga Kuru Niji ga Tatsu" in particular are obscenely beautiful.
  • The opening themes, especially when you consider that they're both sung in English. Season 1 gave us "The Sore Feet Song" while Season 2 gave us "Shiver".
• The opening song to Murder Princess is pure awesomeness.
• "Your Gravitation" from My Bride is a Mermaid. Both the Japanese and the English dub. Oh hell yeah.
• For such a short running time (the episodes were only 7 1/2-minutes), My Neighbor Seki had some glorious music.
  • The frenetic opening song is "Meiwaku Spectacle" by Kana Hanazawa and the jazzy ending is "Set Them Free" by Akira Jimbo.
  • Episode 6 of the anime ("Disaster Drill") has "Danran! Robot Kazoku" ("Harmony! Robot Family"), an insert song performed by Ichiro Mizuki (yes that Ichiro Mizuki) with just as much passion and energy as his themes for shows like Mazinger Z and Getter Robo.
• "Tears Infection" by KAORI, OP to Myself ; Yourself.
• My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU:
  • The series continues Nagi Yanagi's streak of catchy themes with the opening theme, "Yukitoki".
  • The closing theme, "Hello Alone" has some nice tunes to it. The variations of the ending theme, "Hello Alone -Yui Ballade-" and "Hello Alone -Band arrange-" are excellent as well.
  • Season 2 busts out a new round of songs with Nagi Yanagi's new and excellent opening theme "Harumodoki". In addition to the new opening theme, Saori Hayami and Nao Tōyama return for the ending song, "Everyday World" and its variations "Everyday World -Ballade Arrange- Yukino Solo Ver." and "Everyday World -Ballade Arrange- Yui Solo Ver.".
• Nagi-Asu: A Lull in the Sea:
  • Two stellar ending themes in "Aqua Terrarium" and "Mitsuba no Musubime".
  • The second opening theme, "ebb and flow" is also quite nice. As is the first opening theme, "lull ~Soshite Bokura wa~.
  • The insert song of Episode 25, "mnemonic" makes for soothing and laid-back piece out-of-context, but within the context of the episode is used to set up the climax and resolution of the story.
• Nana has an awesome soundtrack to accommodate the musical focus of the original manga.
  • Listen to "rose" and "Winter Sleep", by fictional bands BLACK STONES and TRAPNEST respectively.
  • BLACK STONES: "LUCY", "Kuroi Namida", "stand by me", "zero", and "I'm addicted to you".
  • TRAPNEST: "Wish", "a little pain", "Starless Night", "Recorded Butterflies", and "Shadow of Love".
• The opening music, "Ai no Fugue", to the otherwise obscure anime Nazca.
• Negima!? (second season):
  • Say whatever you want about the series, but "1000% SPARKING!" is perhaps the best thing ever.
  • Similarly, the OP to the original series, "Happy Material", was probably the best thing to come out of that anime.
  • It has been remixed something like eight times... this thirty-one girl medley combines nearly all of them. "Pactio!!" blew them all away.
• NEEDLESS:
  • With intros like "Modern Strange Cowboy" and "Scarlet Bomb" following up was pretty hard anyway.
  • The BGM sure wasn't lacking with rocking tracks like "Vital Mission in the Spanish Desert", "Chasing Truth", "Assailant in the Night", and "Slave of Your Ghost".
• Nisekoi has some stupidly catchy songs. Aside from the opening themes "CLICK" and "STEP" by anisong favorites ClariS, each of the girls in Raku's "harem" has an ending theme for the series. In order: "Heart Pattern" (Chitoge), "Recover Decoration" (Onodera), "TRICK BOX" (Tsugumi), "Hanagonomi" (Marika), "Souzou Diary" (Chitoge, Onodera, Tsugumi and Marika), and "Order X Order" (Ruri).
• The opening theme of No Game No Life, "This Game", is simply fantastic, both in the emotional singing and accompanying visuals.
• Nodame Cantabile takes places at a music college, so naturally has awesome music all over—if you're into classical, that is.
  • Of special note is the rendition of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue", with many parts played on melodicas. It works very well and actually manages to surpass many other performances in the show in its originality.
  • Some mention must go to the openings and endings, too. Try "Tokyo et Paris", a lovely mix of violin and female vocals sung in French, and "Allegro Cantabile", which captures the utter joy of mastering and performing music.
  • "Konna ni Chikaku de...", "Sagittarius", "Sky High", "Manazashi Daydream", and "Kaze to Oka no Ballad".
• So, so much from Noein, but here's a couple of highlights: "Shangri-La", "Karasu's Theme", "Kakute, Tatakau", "Ryuukihei-tachi no Tatakai"...
• One may argue on the Soundtrack Dissonance of the opening theme from No Matter How I Look at It, It's You Guys' Fault I'm Not Popular!, but it is in itself downright awesome, being more of a battle theme than a slice of life anthem.
• Noragami:
  • The series had "Heart Realize" as its ending theme. And when your song was composed by Supercell, you already know it's gonna be an awesome song. The opening song, "Goya no Machiawase" just screams and oozes badass.
  • If there's one song people remember from the soundtrack, it's the song used in the fight scenes, "Noratan".
• Now and Then, Here and There, a moody series with some very moody music. The music (and images for that matter) in the closing credits is hauntingly beautiful. However, if you base the series on those credits alone, you are in for a rough surprise. — This entry is based on the US dub, just in case there is a difference in music between Japan and the US...
• Ojamajo Doremi has several to choose from.
  • All five openings in particular.
• Origin: Spirits of the Past has a particularly awesome opening theme. It kicks off at the 0:50 second mark.
• Ouran High School Host Club:
  • The ending theme "Shissou" is surprisingly badass for a shoujo series, and made the final episode's Moment of Awesome/Heartwarming even better.
  • The strings version of "Sakura Kiss" is particularly lovely.
• Outlaw Star:
  • The opening: "Through the Night".
  • Or the Theme Music Power-Up: Crash!
  • The serene ending themes to the show. "Hiro no Tsuki" and "Tsuki no Ie" (the latter being one of the best ending themes ever) adds a calming factor from all the action that happens in the show.
• Overman King Gainer:
  • The opening "King Gainer Over!" and the closing "Can You Feel My Soul".
  • How about the score written by Kouhei "G Gundam" Tanaka?
• Paranoia Agent, scored by Susumu Hirasawa. May seem more like Paranoia Fuel Music with the visuals, but awesome nonetheless.
• Susumu Hirasawa's work in Paprika cannot be ignored. See:
  • "Meditational Field", the semi-OP.
  • The Girl in Byakkoya/White Tiger Field, the alternate mix with vocals, or
  • "Parade", the song about insanity. It fully conveys this.
• Parasyte:
  • The series brings one of the most, if not the most, awesome anime song in 2014, "Let Me Hear".
  • "Next to You" and "Kill the Puppets" work effectively to add tension to the scenes before and during Izumi's first encounter with the Parasite that killed his mother.
• Penguindrum has some incredible tracks.
  • "Children of Destiny and Fruits" is definitely the pinnacle. BE AWARE THE IMAGE ON THE VIDEO CONTAINS SPOILERS.
  • "Never Let Me Go-Bonds" gets an honourable mention as well.
• Persia, the Magic Fairy: The first opening theme song, "Tripper in A Strange Country", sung by Maiko Okamoto, goes from light to passionate and shows off her amazing vocal range. The backing vocals also have a jazzy-like vibe to them.
• More Creepy Music than Awesome really, though it manages to do both, but Perfect Blue's "Baachiya Mima". If this song does not make you want to crawl under the bed and hide, nothing will.
• Phantom ~ Requiem for the Phantom has KOKIA's haunting melody "Karma", the first opening to the series.
• Ping Pong: The Animation had some standout music with its opening song "Tada Hitori" and endings "Ano Hero to' Bokura ni Tsuite" and "Ano Yoake Mae no' Bokura ni Tsuite".
• "Kimi no Koe" from The Place Promised in Our Early Days can basically be summed up as Heartwarming Music.
• Planetes has "Dive in the Sky". We've also got the "Earth seen from Space" and "PLANETES ~Affettuosso~", the final ending theme.
• For Powerpuff Girls Z: While "Rise of Him" seems to be a repetitive techno song like the rest of the soundtrack at first... Cue the organ and the strings. If it doesn't seem like Awesome Music at first, try listening to the rest of the soundtrack and coming back. Also, "Touch Me!", the instrumental of which plays either when the girls transform as a group or when the villains are going to get their butts kicked. When the version with lyrics starts playing, the villains really should take that as a cue to run for their lives.
• From Prétear, we get "White Destiny".
• The entire Princess Sarah soundtrack qualifies, but the theme tune, "Hana no Sasayaki", outstrips the rest of it by far. Listen and believe.
• Princess Tutu makes classical ballet music sound badass, especially scenes like this, and very much this. (Careful, the last one has spoilers.) Also the opening song.
• From Project A-Ko, there's "Morning Light Type A", "Morning Light Type C", "Jealous Eyes", "Spaceship in the Dark", "Explosion", and the all-English songs "In Your Eyes", "Dance Away" (instrumental), and "Follow Your Dream" (instrumental).
• Psycho-Pass has several awesome tracks. For example:
  • "Abnormalize", the song for the first opening.
  • "Out of Control", the song for the second opening.
  • And then there is the music from the OST, such as "PSYCHO-PASS Main Theme", "Human Mind (Hito no Kokoro)", "Law and Order (Hou to Chitsujou)", and "The Way of Life (Inochi no Arikata)".
  • Also from the OST, "Dominator".
  • The first ending theme, "Namae no Nai Kaibutsu" and the second ending theme, "All Alone With You".
  • Ling Tosite Sigure and EGOIST have both returned to do Season 2's OP and ED, in the form of "Enigmatic Feeling" and "Fallen" respectively.
  • "Cymatic Scan" from S2.
  • Speaking of Ling Tosite Sigure, they're 3 for 3 with the opening theme to the Psycho Pass Movie, "Who What Who What".
• "Aoki Flamme", the first opening theme of Pumpkin Scissors. This was awesome enough to be used in a Touhou video.

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