Top Ten Anime Soundtracks

 Japanese music as a whole has always fascinated me, but there's something about anime soundtracks that really gets to me. Whether it's the combination of Art and music, or just the amazing array of talent I'm not sure - What I am sure of though is that there are just some soundtracks everyone should hear at least once in their lives. So I've put together my list of favorites, which was especially hard to condense into a top ten list, for all of you to enjoy!

1 Rurouni Kenshin - Whether it's the anime series or one of the OVA soundtracks, Rurouni Kenshin delivers an amazing verity of music. Opening and ending's boast such artist as Tackey & Tsubasa, Kawamoto Makoto, Siam Shade, and T.M.Revolution. Plus the orchestral and background music, especially in the OVA's is breathtaking. For it's abilities to blend traditional Japanese music with the more modern pop/rock music of today - Rurouni Kenshin is my number one Anime Soundtrack choice.

2 Ghost in the shell - ok I'm going to come out and say first off that Yoko Kanno is in my mind a musical geniese and I love all of her work both as a composer and a singer. Yet I think the soundtracks to both Ghost in the shell seasons is beyond belief. She's completely out done herself. Using a hodgepodge of vocalists, and a number of languages this album totally takes on the futuristic feel of the anime. Origa alone is a reason to listen to these albums, her theme songs are absolutely haunting - not to mention in Russian (a rarity for most anime soundtracks).

3 Cowboy Bebop - another Yoko Kanno masterpiece, this time with a few background songs actually sung by the amazing composer. It's the crazy mixture of rock, jazz, and pop which make the Cowboy Bebop soundtracks still popular even though the shows been off the air for about a decade. I myself always loved the fact that Yoko threw in an opera piece, Ave Maria, during one of the mob scenes with Mao. But the real gem of the series is the ending theme song "Real Folk Blues", sung by Mai Yamane. Listening to it during the credits of the last episode actually made me cry!

4 .hack// sign - There is one thing and one thing alone which makes the .hack//sign soundtracks some of my favorite soundtracks of all time, and that is See-Saw.( If you've never heard of the alternative j-pop group See-Saw I highly suggest listening to some of their albums.) Most of the theme and insert songs for the anime are sung by See-Saw, ranging from the traditional and haunting Kioku to the electronic dance crazed Edge.

5 InuYasha - I couldn't make a list of the best anime soundtracks without including one of the most popular animes of all time Inu yasha. Not only were all of the theme songs performed by the most popular artists of the time - Ayumi Hamasaki, Namie Amuro, BOA, Do As Infinity ... but the actual background music was particularly inspirational. I always have a soft spot for good orchestral work and the Inuyasha soundtracks have some of the best. Even the 4 subsequent movies didn't fail to disappoint musically.

6 Princess Mononoke - An oldie but a goodie!!! The aclaimed Miyazaki film is one of my all time favorite. I can't tell you the number of time's I've listened to Ashitaka's theme and just let my imagination roam! That's the thing about all of Miyazaki's films, the music captivates you and takes you on a journey of it's own. If you've never had the pleasure of watching a Miyazaki film, I firmly suggest renting one for your next movie night. The music alone will blow you away!

7 Fullmetal Alchemist - Newer then most of the anime's on this list "FMA" has become extremely popular among American teenagers and anime fans alike. It's opening theme "Ready Set Go" by L'arc~en~ciel really sets the mood for the show. Edgy rock music, dramatic background music, and the occasional highly amusing character song (Ame No HI Wa, No Thank you - is a riot!) make the soundtracks absolute must haves. Better yet,they're currently airing another series called Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood with new theme songs that are proving to be just as good as the original ones.

8 Samurai Champloo - it's hard not to love two sword toting smurais on a quest to protect a spitfire girl who never manages to stay out of trouble, while traveling aimlessly across japan. The fact that the soundtrack consists of mostly hip-hop and rap songs makes it not only unconventional but in my mind completely fabulous. Add to that "Shiki no Uta" and "Who's theme" by Minmi, two mellow r&b ballots and you've got soundtrack gold!

9 Wolf's Rain - I know, yet another Yoko Kanno soundtrack - but in all honesty this one truly deserves it's spot on this list. Maaya Sakamoto, Joyce, Steve Conte, Ilaria Graziano - great artists make up this wonderful soundtrack. I particularly love the works done in french - expecially "Valse De la luna". Overall the pieces are very mellow, sometimes solemn, but definitely always worth listening to. The music really helps make this deep, and sometimes confusing anime the hit that it is.

10 Spirited Away - Last on my list is Miyazaki's acclaimed success Spirited Away. I think Joe Harashi is a genius! The orchestra work is breath taking, taking on every rang of human emotion. Particular favorites of mine vocal wise are "Kamigami-Sama", "Shiroi Ryu", and the traditional Japanese piece "Itsumo Nando Demo". This is a soundtrack which I continuously go back to, it stands alone as nothing short of inspirational. Together with the film - it's a true masterpiece!