PLAYLIST OF THE WEEK 2024 #45

It’s time to dive into the wonderful world of anime, so this week, the playlist is a special openings! Let’s go!

As some of you may know, Unis Son is currently on holiday in Japan. But I couldn’t leave without preparing a special playlist of anime openings for the week. I’m a huge fan, and the subject is vast. So, I’m sharing my selection of twelve must-listen openings from shōnen and seinen anime that have captivated me!

CONTAGIOUS BANGERS

We’re starting off strong with 1, from the third and final season of the incredible Mob Psycho 100. It’s performed by the Mob Choir, a group created specifically to perform these openings, and all three they’ve released are absolute bangers. This one ties back to the very first, and I can only recommend them all. Its powerful rhythm and sharp riffs set the tone for what’s to come. And it’s a quartet of record-breakers.

First up, SPECIALZ by King Gnu, for the intense Shibuya Incident arc in Jujutsu Kaisen. This global phenomenon is followed by another, released earlier: KICK BACK by Kenshi Yonezu for the first season of Chainsaw Man. Both series have a relatively serious tone drenched in absurd (and gory) humour, but the crown for humour goes to the next record. Bling-Bang-Bang-Born comes from the rap duo Creepy Nuts for the second season of Mashle. With its captivating chorus, humour, slick choreography, and saturated colours, it’s no wonder it went viral! Darker yet equally fascinating is Idol by YOASOBI. For the anime Oshi No Ko, it’s an irresistible hit!

- - - - Want a classic kind of playlist? Check these out!

To me, this first part of the playlist of the week not only highlights the evolution of giant mainstream anime, but also the evolution of music itself. And to understand it better, we have a few classics. Starting with Lonely Night by PornoGraffitti, legends in their own right, for the second season of GTO (Great Teacher Onizuka). You can feel the passage of time in its arrangement, but it’s still incredibly effective. Then we have SID with Ranbu No Melody for BLEACH. It’s arguably the most iconic song from this series, which has become a classic—and for good reason. The intro, the atmosphere—it all fits exactly what you’d expect from the show. Another classic for volleyball fans is FLY HIGH!! by BURNOUT SYNDROMES for one of my all-time favourites, Haikyuu!!. It’s a motivational anthem that has been played to celebrate the victories of Japan’s national team.

VOICES, VOICES, VOICES

But voices can also become classics. Take TK from Ling tosite sigure, for example, with his uniquely haunting voice in Tamagate. It’s a particularly dark song, perfect for the atmosphere of the My Hero Academia season it illustrates. Then comes Aimer with Zakyou Sanka for the Entertainment District Arc of Demon Slayer. As flamboyant as one of the characters, it really hits hard. Of course, I couldn’t talk about voices without mentioning Ado. The prolific artist has lent her voice and interpretation to many anime, including One Piece. However, it’s Kura Kura for the second season of Spy x Family I selected here, because of its quirky funk-jazz vibe—just like the show, which is rarely serious, often epic, and absurd.

To finish off this week’s playlist, I’m offering up a catchy track with a slight cabaret twist: DADDY! DADDY! DO! by Masayuki Suzuki, in a duet with Airi Suzuki. They performed the three iconic openings for the superbly funny Kaguya-sama: Love Is War. With this, we journey into yet another genre, and it’s truly mind-blowing. That’s what I love about these songs. In addition to setting the mood, these versatile openings are fantastic hooks for both the series and the bands. It’s a win-win!