Singing Anime with actual song variety?

[Suwako Moriya]

Over the years I've sampled various anime involving a character or a group of characters singing. Some are better than others and obviously how much focus the singing aspect has varies. However to be honest one element that kind of has annoyed me is the following. The lack of variety. It's like the following.

Episode 1: Ah that song is pretty nice.
Episode 5: Ah yes still as good as ever.
Episode 9: Uh okay then, I think I've heard this before.
Episode 13: Ah come on, that can't be the only song you know.
Episode 17: Okay this is just getting beyond sad....

It's even worse when the song being beaten like a dead horse also happens to be either the opening or ending song. Thus meaning it gets heard twice an episode. It also makes it even sadder because they can't even have the plot song be different.

Thus this makes me wonder if people know of examples of series with decent variety in terms of the songs being sung. I would like to see at least some evidence that it's possible for anime involving singing to actually realize that maybe having more than one (or two songs if you're lucky) isn't such a radical idea.

In any case try to keep it limited to series that involve singing as a theme. Also for the record the opening, ending, and random insert songs don't count. It has to be songs sung by a character in the show as part of the story. Regardless this is something I've become curious about. Thus I figure it would be interesting to see if anyone can point to examples of series that are a change of pace from the "Let's put that track on repeat" syndrome. Think of this as a learning experience.

[DiGiKerot]

Macross 7.

No, really.

[something]

Ah yes, variety. The one thing that could have made Full Moon even more awesome than it was. I looooove the few songs she sings, but it's just that, a few. Definitely not enough for such a long series too.

I do think Beck has a pretty wide variety of songs you hear. It might seem like less than it is because certain ones get played repeatedly, but the total number played by both the protagonists and other characters comes out to be quite large.

[Suwako Moriya]

Macross 7.
No, really.

???? I guess I'll find out by watching more. I should note I'm currently up to episode 12.

[Isuzu Inugami]

Nerima Daikon Brothers gives each character and a few situations their own theme song, which does get repeated throughout the show, but there are still a lot of songs in the end.

[DiGiKerot]

Macross 7.
No, really.

???? I guess I'll find out by watching more. I should note I'm currently up to episode 12.

Well, you didn't really define what you'd consider "actual song variety", but there must be a good couple of dozen songs across the course of the series (or at least there are on the CDs - I've not seen all the show, so I don't know how all of them are used in context).

But, even in the earlier episodes, it's at least the same two or three songs they are repeating, rather than just the same one :P

[Suwako Moriya]

Ah yes, variety. The one thing that could have made Full Moon even more awesome than it was. I looooove the few songs she sings, but it's just that, a few. Definitely not enough for such a long series too.

I guess it's probably no secret that Full Moon is one of the inspirations for this topic. Also the "ending song being the same as the song within the series" gripe is a definite reference to it. Although it has been awhile since I heard the songs. Then again I never did finish the series.

I do think Beck has a pretty wide variety of songs you hear. It might seem like less than it is because certain ones get played repeatedly, but the total number played by both the protagonists and other characters comes out to be quite large.

Well it's a given that some songs would need to be repeated since I can't expect a new song every single episode. Especially in a longer series. However I figure just having 5 or 6 songs in a 26 episode series can be akin to a miracle. Even if one song gets sung more often than another. Then again it's probably no different from how some characters get more focus than others.

[Isuzu Inugami]

I guess it's probably no secret that Full Moon is one of the inspirations for this topic. Also the "ending song being the same as the song within the series" gripe is a definite reference to it. Although it has been awhile since I heard the songs. Then again I never did finish the series.


I like the "ending song is the song in the show" conceit; I just hated her ballads. :sweat: She should have stuck to uptempo songs.

[something]

However I figure just having 5 or 6 songs in a 26 episode series can be akin to a miracle.
Even if you don't include songs from other hands they come across, I have to think that between Koyuki and Maho they must sing a dozen songs in the series. But maybe I'm remembering wrong and wildly overestimating. I should really rewatch it. But there ARE a lot of songs...

[Suwako Moriya]

Well, you didn't really define what you'd consider "actual song variety", but there must be a good couple of dozen songs across the course of the series (or at least there are on the CDs - I've not seen all the show, so I don't know how all of them are used in context).

Honestly I haven't really listened to any music from CDs for Macross 7 or Macross in general yet. As for defining "actual song variety". Honestly it's hard to say since I guess it depends partially on the amount of songs vs series length. Mainly what I'm looking for are cases where it doesn't leave you thinking "Can't they sing anything else?".

But, even in the earlier episodes, it's at least the same two or three songs they are repeating, rather than just the same one :P

I guess this is a sign I should be paying better attention then when watching. Maybe multi-tasking while watching shows isn't such a good idea after all. I really need to learn that. Then again there is the problem of time constraints sometimes... Regardless repeating two or three is definitely better than repeating just one.

[Suwako Moriya]

I like the "ending song is the song in the show" conceit; I just hated her ballads. :sweat: She should have stuck to uptempo songs.

I will admit having an opening song or ending song be used in the actual show can have a strong impact. Be it as a background song or sung by a character in the series. The problem is overdoing it can backfire in some regards.

[Suwako Moriya]

Even if you don't include songs from other hands they come across, I have to think that between Koyuki and Maho they must sing a dozen songs in the series.

Well a dozen songs would be quite the variety. Also speaking of whether or not to include songs from the other bands. While having the variety come from a single character or group has a stronger impact, I'm perfectly fine if the variety comes from multiple characters/groups. Just so long as the variety exists. Granted then again the varying songs come from multiple characters would give the advantage of being able to connect certain songs to certain characters or groups.

But maybe I'm remembering wrong and wildly overestimating. I should really rewatch it. But there ARE a lot of songs...

Since I barely watched any of the series, I'll leave it to others such as yourself to confirm.

[danth78]

I love Macross 7 music. You're probably sick of Planet Dance already, but the rest of the songs aren't overplayed, and they get even better, in my opinion.

One song from the CDs, Diamond Calling, is so good, but I don't remember it from the show at all.

[Njr Scrawl]

SDF Macross (& DYRL of course)

[Fencedude]

Macross 7.
No, really.

???? I guess I'll find out by watching more. I should note I'm currently up to episode 12.

Yeah, it gets better later, but in the first 20 or so episodes he sings Planet Dance way to god damn often.

But by the end of the series Fire Bomber's got a pretty good selection of songs.

HOLY LONELY LIGHT!

[Suwako Moriya]

But by the end of the series Fire Bomber's got a pretty good selection of songs.

Ah that's good to know. The sooner I progress in Macross 7 the sooner I'll hear those songs and see what they're like. Although I probably should be careful to pace myself since it is rather long. At least in comparison to say a one cour series.

[Draneor]

Lovedol ~Lovely Idol~ is one of my personal favorites, although most people would not take to it. Based of off a franchise by PrincessSoft (W~Wish, Φnal Approach, Natsuiro no Sunadokei), the anime involved the third generation of idols, with appearances by some of the first and second generation. Character designs are by Nishimata Aoi (Shuffle, Φnal Approach). Notable seiyuu in it include Nogawa Sakura, Momoi Halko, Goto Yuko, Nakahara Mai, Chihara Minori, Kugimiya Rie, and Kawasumi Ayako (first). If you like seiyuu, seiyuu music, and the whole idol scene (and say iDOLM@ster), you might like it. Otherwise, I hope you'll let me enjoy Mizuki-chan in peace. ^^

For virtually everyone else, go watch Nodame Cantabile. It might not be vocal music (excluding the rare opera), but it does have a lot of variety in the music.

I'm guessing Kirarin Revolution would not count...

[Mr. Nail Bat]

SDF Macross (& DYRL of course)

Considering the overplay of "My boyfriend is a pilot", this may not be the ideal nominee...

[Suwako Moriya]

SDF Macross (& DYRL of course)

On that note, sooner or later I would definitely like to experience Lynn Minmei. I'm not sure about her personality wise, but I do like her design based on the images I've seen. Still if/when that will happen will depends on various factors. One known as budget...

[Suwako Moriya]

Considering the overplay of "My boyfriend is a pilot", this may not be the ideal nominee...

It's kind of funny how my first real experience with the song came from a later Macross series. That being said a song being overplayed is a probably minus in some regards, but what's most important here is not how many times any given song is sung, but how many different songs are sung through out a series.

[Suwako Moriya]

Lovedol ~Lovely Idol~ is one of my personal favorites, although most people would not take to it.

Actually I have seen that series. Although it has been awhile and I probably should re-watch. Especially given the way I watched it at the time. From what I remember it wasn't the best series ever, but for the type of show it was it definitely worked.

For virtually everyone else, go watch Nodame Cantabile. It might not be vocal music (excluding the rare opera), but it does have a lot of variety in the music.

On the other hand, I can say I've definitely have not seen that series yet. Not that I have anything against per se. Just that the thought of trying it out never crossed my mind.

I'm guessing Kirarin Revolution would not count...

Honestly I have no idea since I've never really seen or heck even read up on the series.

[Shiroi Hane]

Over the years I've sampled various anime involving a character or a group of characters singing. Some are better than others and obviously how much focus the singing aspect has varies. However to be honest one element that kind of has annoyed me is the following. The lack of variety. It's like the following.

Episode 1: Ah that song is pretty nice.
Episode 5: Ah yes still as good as ever.
Episode 9: Uh okay then, I think I've heard this before.
Episode 13: Ah come on, that can't be the only song you know.
Episode 17: Okay this is just getting beyond sad....

It's even worse when the song being beaten like a dead horse also happens to be either the opening or ending song. Thus meaning it gets heard twice an episode. It also makes it even sadder because they can't even have the plot song be different.
Ah, so you've seen Aquarian Age then.

[Suwako Moriya]

Ah, so you've seen Aquarian Age then.

I was trying to forget that series existed. :cry: I mean honestly with the amount of characters they had appeared just for the heck of it, I have to wonder why the ***** they thought just 13 episodes would work....

[meganly_chan]

With Kirarin Revolution, the songs that Kirari sings are always being rotated every 5 or 10 episodes or so. In that way, she's always got something new (doesn't excuse the bad singing, though). However, when it comes to the background music, I don't think it's ever changed in the 70+ episodes I've watched. Seriously, it's the same 3 or 4 cheapie instrumentals (if you could call it that).

[Pelianth]

Chance Pop Session actually wins this I think. There's a total of 13 vocal songs for a 12 episode series.

[something]

Chance Pop Session actually wins this I think. There's a total of 13 vocal songs for a 12 episode series.
I thought of that one, but couldn't remember what if any variety it had, since I saw it so long ago. Clearly it had a lot.

[Crystallized]

Chance Pop Session actually wins this I think. There's a total of 13 vocal songs for a 12 episode series.

Really, that many? Too bad they all sounded the same.

[Suwako Moriya]

Chance Pop Session actually wins this I think. There's a total of 13 vocal songs for a 12 episode series.

Ah I saw that on ADV's Online Player. Which meant songs in Japanese with no subs even through the show was dubbed... It was a decent series, but I haven't been in a rush to go for it. Still wow 13 songs in 12 episodes. I didn't think it had that many, but then again since I can't understand Japanese and because there were no subs that may explain it.

[Suwako Moriya]

The sooner I progress in Macross 7 the sooner I'll hear those songs and see what they're like.

All right then after finishing the TV series, I can say people were right about the variety. A decent balance between varying the songs and repeating them. Although I think I may need to listen to the songs by themselves to tell how many were actually used in the series.

[Njr Scrawl]

SDF Macross (& DYRL of course)

Considering the overplay of "My boyfriend is a pilot", this may not be the ideal nominee...

But all the other songs are so good & different moods, from sad ballads to jingoistic j-pop.

"Zoom zoom" is Minmay's first public song, & is naturally simpler & younger (& mercifully shorter) than her later more emotionally complex ones. Its importance is not its music, but the unsettling effect it has on the Zentradi, from hearing a young girl singing it broadcast, to sound chips in captured Minmay dolls.

[Yukino Miyazawa]

I liked the music in Key the Metal Idol. I don't remember how varied it was, but I even liked the English-dubbed version (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIWVXeNIsB0).

I haven't seen Red Garden, but I think that show has characters singing their monologues.

[Suwako Moriya]

I haven't seen Red Garden, but I think that show has characters singing their monologues.

Having seen the series, I can confirm on occasion that does happen. *Continues to wait for collection*