Ten Catchy Anime Theme Songs from Spring 2015

Anime: My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU
Song: “Harumodoki”
Artist: Nagi Yanagi
Why I Love It This song has an addictive rhythm punctuated by an awesome piano line. I also love the still frames of the cast that are clearly pictures taken from within the universe of the show.

Anime: Gunslinger Stratos
Song: “MIRAI”
Artist: GARNiDELiA
Why Do I Love It? This is a slow powerful ballad with an excellent soprano voice filled with emotion that takes the song to a higher level.

Anime: Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works
Song: “Brave Shine”
Artist: Aimer
Why Do I Love It? Honestly, this opening could make it on a “must watch” list just for the amazing visuals alone. However, the music is just as good as—and serves to bolster—the animation with a constant vocal build to a musical climax.

Anime: Dragon Ball Z Kai
Song: “Don’t Let Me Down”
Artist: Gacharic Spin
Why Do I Love It? I don’t think I should love this one. Nothing about it feels like it should be associated with Dragon Ball Z. However, when placed up against the still images of Goku’s greatest Dragon Ball fights, it fits oddly well.

Anime: My Love Story
Song: “Miraikei Answer”
Artist: Trustrick
Why Do I Love It? This is a song just oozing with cuteness—which makes it the absolutely perfect song for this, the cutest of romantic comedies.

Anime: Knights of Sidonia (Season 2)
Song: “Kishi Shinkoukyoku”
Artist: Angela
Why Do I Love It? This is a strange song—but in a good way. On one hand, it has a techno-ish vibe. On the other, it has a militaristic chorus that feels ripped straight out of the classic space opera anime of the 70s and 80s.

Anime: Seraph of the End
Song: “X.U.”
Artist: SawanoHiroyuki[nZk]:Gemie
Why Do I Love It? What starts as little more than a bass line builds to a rocking chorus that proves to be my favorite of the season. As it was penned by the man behind the music of Kill La Kill, Attack on Titan, and Aldnoah.Zero, I am hardly surprised.

Anime: Blood Blockade Battlefront
Song: “Hello, world!”
Artist: Bump of Chicken
Why Do I Love It? This is classic Bump of Chicken: It starts quietly with a speedy beat and works its way up to a massive crescendo with the singer’s voice soaring with the melody.

Anime: Ninja Slayer: The Animation
Song: “Back in Black”
Artist: Boom Boom Satellites
Why Do I Love It? This is just a good rock song—very different from the usual J-pop anime themes—and a welcome change. The animation and use of colors (specifically hot green) in the opening is likewise visually unique. It’s too bad the anime itself doesn’t live up to this opening.

Anime: Yamada-Kun and the 7 Witches
Song: “Kuchizuka Diamond”
Artist: Weaver
Why Do I Love It? The orchestration of this song includes a drum set, a piano, and a strings section. The excellent male vocal line on the melody pulls it all together into quite a catchy tune.

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