Urban_stevie is the LiA patron who asked me to do a Top 10 anime soundtracks list – thanks stevie! But what a subject to tackle. In addition to the usual nightmare of trying to remember all the anime I’ve seen, having to choose only 10 of something as essential as soundtracks is brutal. In order to make this even doable I laid down a few ground rules as usual.

This is only TV/OVA, not theatrical films. Even limiting it this way the challenge is hard enough. Original or licensed music is fine (and the list has some of each) – a soundtrack is a soundtrack as far as I’m concerned. And I’m including only background music and insert songs here – OPs and EDs are on soundtrack releases of course, but I think the spirit of the exercise dictates that they’re considered a separate entity. And of course, as usual, these are in no particular order and represent my favorites, not an attempt to quantify the objective best.

One other thing I want to comment on. An observant reader will note (I surely did) that the overwhelming majority of this list are great (or at least very good) series. The cause-and-effect of this is interesting to me. Are great series just more likely to have great soundtracks? Does the presence of a great soundtrack in itself elevate many series to greatness? Is my memory selective, biasing me in favor of great shows over lesser ones? I can’t say for certain but I suspect all of those things play a role.

• FLCL – Doesn’t need much embellishment, surely. The Pillows, one of Japan’s greatest bands, provide the coolest soundtrack for the coolest anime ever made.
• Cowboy Bebop – If you polled on this topic, I suspect this is the series that would win it. And with good reason – it’s cool as the other side of the pillow and perfectly suited to the show. Kanno Youko’s contributions to anime are many, but this is her most significant. And these top two entries are, in the midst of the current season, a cruel reminder of how the mighty have fallen.
• Seirei no Moribito – Kawai Kenji is another titan of anime music, and Moribito is his opus of the medium. This series is the pinnacle of television anime history, and Kawai’s soundtrack is every bit the soaring, elegant accompaniment it deserves. He also provided one of anime’s greatest insert songs, “Naaji no Uta”.
• Mushishi – Masuda Toshio’s music is, like everything else about Mushishi, singular and unforgettable. As great as the manga was, it’s impossible for me to separate Mushishi and its soundtrack in my mind, which is the ultimate compliment to it.
• Natsume Yuujinchou – Those two series just always seem to segue into each other. Many composers and musicians have contributed to Natsume’s music over the years, but collectively its one of the finest bodies of work in anime music, and absolutely intrinsic to the series’ moods.
• Kyousougiga – Everything about Toei’s modern magnum opus is underrated as far as I’m concerned. It’s justifiably remembered as Matsumoto Rie’s directorial debut, but Shiina Gou’s music is so essential to the experience.
• Kono Oto Tomare – More than any other show on the list (except FLCL I suppose) Kono Oto Tomare’s presence is linked to its insert songs. But the two original koto pieces “Ryuuseigun” and “Tenkyu” are among the greatest insert songs in anime history.
• Made in Abyss – Again here, I can’t think of the series without the music. Kevin Penkin’s contributions are that integral – and consist of both instrumental BGM and insert songs. A strong contender for anime’s most complete soundtrack.
• Shin Sekai Yori – Komori Shigeo’s work on Shin Sekai Yori would be another contender for that honor. It’s a fabulously atmospheric collection of music for a profoundly dark and disturbing piece of work. And his magnificent “Traditional Song of Shadows” is the essence of the SSY experience.
• Baccano – Yoshimori Makoto was also the lead composer on Natsume Yuujinchou, but his work on that Brain’s Base project could hardly be more different than Baccano. The soundtrack recalls a place and time that never existed but feels real – a romanticized, Japanese funhouse mirror of a real one.

Some others that came close: Rurouni Kenshin 1996, Sakamichi no Apollon, Zetsuen to Tempest, Vinland Saga, Death Parade, Noragami