Introduction
I enjoy listening to anime themes when I’m driving to and from work. Every new season, I listen to the openings and ending themes in the hopes I’ll find new ones to add to my collection. The Spring season of 2017 had some real keepers! In the hopes of sharing how much I enjoy this music with you, here are my five favorite OPs or EDs from Spring 2017:
Note: I limited the scope of my list to only the shows I mentioned in my Spring 2017 previews part 1 and part 2.
Number 5: Alice & Zouroku’s ED
The song “Chant” by Toi Toy Toi is a spritely, happy song. It features animation of a slightly older Sana skipping a few inches above the ground as she looks around at the world go by. You can hear an excerpt of the song from Toi Toy Toi on YouTube. You can hear more of the song in the background for the series promo, which is also on YouTube. If you really like it, you can buy it from CDJapan. I’m not an affiliate of theirs (though maybe I should look into that!), but I buy from them frequently, and I’ve also gotten great service.
Number 4: My Hero Academia Season 2 OP
While “Peace Sign” by Kenshi Yonezu plays in the background, the intro song for My Hero Academia’s second season shows the heroes in stretching and getting ready for the day. This season turned out to be more emotionally powerful than I expected, and I picked this song for #4 because I think the song captured that tone. I couldn’t find a legal copy to share with you, but I found a solid cover by PelleK over at YouTube. You can also buy it from CDJapan.
Number 3: Attack on Titan Season 2 OP
Of course, I’m going to include “Shinzou wo Sasageyo” by Linked Horizon in this list. The only thing that surprised me is that it’s not #1! Attack on Titan’s always had powerful, martial opening themes, and this time’s no exception. The imagery’s great as usual, too: the Scouts using their three-dimensional maneuver gear to go over the walls after titans; the green flags blowing in the wind; and a Tyrannosaurus Rex running amok, for heaven’s sake! Talk about another series that exceeded my expectations… And my expectations were pretty high for this season, too! Funimation posted the theme on YouTube for your viewing and listening enjoyment.
Number 2: KADO: The Right Answer ED
The song “Eien no Kotae” by HARUCA is another example of a theme capturing the essence of a series (at least, for the first nine episodes — not sure if 11 and 12 will have the same, different ED as episode 9). It almost sounds like lyrical waves crashing against an alien shore. The electronic instrumentation helps achieve that sound. The show took an almost pedestrian turn in the last couple of episodes, but it’s still thoughtful enough to hold my interest. You can listen to the song on YouTube, or you can buy it from CDJapan.
Number 1: Re:Creators OP
I think “gravityWall” by SawanoHiroyuki[nZk]:Tielle & Gemie was designed to appeal to me. As soon as I heard it, I liked it. It’s dramatic, it’s enigmatic, and it fits the weighty and serious vibe the series gives off. What really did it for me was the phrase “…I’m screaming something to you…” It projected an immediacy and vibrancy that caught my attention. I’ve read that Re:Creator’s second cour will change themes. I’m almost sorry to see that, though at least SawanoHiroyuki[nZk]:Tielle & Gemie is doing the new OP. If you want to hear “gravityWall,” you might be able to hear the full version here on YouTube. You can also order it from CDJapan.
Summary
I’d like to give honorable mention to My Hero Academia Season 2’s closing theme “That Why I’m Not Alone” by Little Glee Monster; KADO: The Right Answer’s opening “Tabishi” by M.A.O.; and Re:Creator’s closing song called “NEWLOOK” by Mashiro Ayano. It’s not that I don’t like these three songs; it’s just that I liked the top five that much more!
Do you see your favorites here? Did I miss any that you really enjoyed? Let me know your picks on the comments!
