Line #72 AwesomeMusic/YokoKanno


1	Let's just stop here and agree that the entire musical oeuvre of Music/YokoKanno is SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic. Sort of like how every chapter of the Summa Theologica is a miracle. This era's [[Music/WolfgangAmadeusMozart Mozart]] or [[Music/LudwigVanBeethoven Beethoven]]. You get the picture.
2
3	The following series have their own pages:
4	* ''AwesomeMusic/CowboyBebop''
5	* ''AwesomeMusic/MacrossFrontier''
6	----
7
8	* ''Anime/MacrossPlus'' has a lot of awesome music, but "[[https://youtu.be/y0rxpQI0ZbY Information High]]" is one of the best, especially when seen in context.
9	** "[[https://youtu.be/u1eu4nabNoM Voices]]" can make a person cry with its sheer awesomeness. It's won its share of "Best Anime Song of X Period" awards, and it's easy to see why.
10	** "[[http://grooveshark.com/#!/s/National+Anthem+Of+MACROSS/3wA4LS?src=5 National Anthem of Macross]]". Listen and feel patriotic fervor for a country that doesn't even exist!
11	** "[[https://youtu.be/utRMN4Qh8Yc After, in the Dark ~ Torch Song]]" is a rocking '80s-style open-air concert performance that plays over the first episode fadeout, and at the beginning of the [[https://youtu.be/hw3aAXOt9L0 Sharon Apple concert]]. As an in-story product of the virtual idol Sharon Apple, it really makes me buy how an AI could have become a mega-popular performer in the Macross universe. This is crucial to the plot, you see.
12	** "[[https://youtu.be/OyWJKrtMg7E Fly Up in the Air]]".
13	* ''Anime/{{Macross7}}''s OVA sequel Dynamite 7 has "[[https://youtu.be/kSvS1QyOoCE Angel Voice]]", even [[Music/JAMProject Basara]] haters have to admit that this song is pretty awesome. Think about it, "Angel Voice" is basically Music/JAMProject and Music/YokoKanno together in one song! You can't get any more awesome than that.
14	** Becomes even better when you consider that Creator/MariIijima (Lynn Minmay) did her own version. That was awesome enough on its own, then the fans mixed it with the original, the result is sheer [[http://grooveshark.com/#!/s/Angel+s+Voice/3lrYw8?src=5 musical awesomeness]] as well as a SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome for fan mixes.
15	* Often looked over is her work for ''Anime/TurnAGundam''. Quite a few of the songs are very well done, especially "[[https://youtu.be/z2f5rgTkA0I Black History]]" and "[[https://youtu.be/PU35fJNtxp8 Moon]]".
16	** [[https://youtu.be/7g4LxE1LMe8 "Felicity / Back to the River"]], a track from ''Turn-A Gundam: The Concert'', is pure auditory bliss.
17	* ''Anime/TheVisionOfEscaflowne'''s "Dance of Curse". [[https://youtu.be/vSlNHi6wgQQ Repetitive, but awesome]].
18	** The movie had an up-tempo reprise "[[https://youtu.be/RBwUHQmt0v0 Dance of Curse II]]", and then took it to the next level with "[[https://youtu.be/X1clgyPLkUg Black Escaflowne]]". Neither track would have been out of place in an apocalyptic Hollywood movie preview.
19	** Also, "Epistle" and "Chain" from the same series.
20	** Gotta toss in "[[https://youtu.be/JMhSWEu6r6c Shadow of a Doubt]]". Dat Cello. Such wonderful political intrigue music.
21	** "[[https://youtu.be/XYCeveOuYCM White Dove]]", the opening recap for the series for the first few episodes, awesome enough from just that until you listen to the soundtrack version and you realize that, Hey there are words in this song!
22	** The amazingly beautiful "[[https://youtu.be/ORbnPOKOSKQ Story of Escaflowne]]" that's played during the finale. If the ending doesn't make you misty eyed, this will.
23	*** Here, watch the [[https://youtu.be/RKyvVBwxhzM last 4 minutes]] of the TV series and see for yourself!
24	** "[[https://youtu.be/HswhDujrLlk Arcadia]]", which accompanies Hitomi's vision of the Atlanteans' ancient doomed utopia, and her final epiphany about who she truly loves at the end of the series. Exquisitely poignant dissonances in the strings form the introduction to a literally operatic piece (it's an honest-to-god aria.) Transcendentally beautiful.
25	** "[[https://youtu.be/OjB3SQ1EXAU Sora]]" is a truly beautiful song.
26	** Heck, ANY track from the ''Escaflowne'' soundtrack is epically gorgeous! "Revenge", "Farewell", "Murder", "Angel", "Wings", "Gloria", etc...
27	** From the ''Escaflowne'' Movie OST, "[[https://youtu.be/F-qc94lcoQc Take My Hands]]" is an emotionally powerful interlude in the soundtrack when Van's wings are revealed while rescuing Hitomi. Seriously. The last stanza is used in the opening of the ''Escaflowne'' Movie DVD.
28	* One absolutely magnificent piece is "[[https://youtu.be/LpVNNC52Q_o Grace Omega]]" from ''Anime/JinRohTheWolfBrigade'', which ushers in the end credits in the most spine-tingling way imaginable.
29	* The ''Anime/WolfsRain'' soundtrack. "[[https://youtu.be/1kucGEjGLeY Stray]]", the theme song, definitely deserves a mention. The song is reminiscent of all the most epic '80s power ballads, with Music/SteveConte's voice making it even better. And then there's the frankly brilliant moment where the guitar makes a howling sound, just as a wolf is shown howling...
30	** "[[https://youtu.be/AQlFoiY2KVU Gravity]]" is just such a wonderfully, beautifully melancholy song, that it deserves to be included here.
31	** "[[https://youtu.be/VXnzHCjKIFc Heaven's Not Enough]]", also sung by Steve Conte, for more power ballad goodness.
32	** "[[https://youtu.be/P_HNHnOKanc Tell Me What The Rain Knows]]", for its sheer beauty and goosebumps-inducing factor. Although it does fall under the 'collabs with Creator/MaayaSakamoto' category, it is special enough to get a separate mention.
33	** The final track, "[[https://youtu.be/lBJntstcB6w Go to Rakuen]]", with its gentle piano and heavenly strings, is really indescribable. Also the heartbreaking "[[https://youtu.be/w02w6R6PDHk Shiro, Long Tails]]" that played during some of the most emotional battles.
34	** "[[https://youtu.be/i4SJcDd4ICg Strangers]]", sung by Music/RajRamayya. The haunting trumpet, the soft vocals, the lyrics filled with desire and hope that let you believe the wolves really could make it to Paradise... in retrospect it's very sad, but still no less gorgeous.
35	** "[[https://youtu.be/liYO3LPwlFk Face On]]". Ho-ly shit.
36	** "[[https://youtu.be/Eoqye_744u4 Run Wolf Warrior, Run]]" is a very poetic and beautiful song.
37	** "[[https://youtu.be/hQkn8dwSh6k Cloud 9]]", uplifting enough to fully deserve its title.
38	** "Valse de la Lune" (not available on Website/YouTube due to copyright) is a beautiful piece with French lyrics and vocals. The singer in particular has a lovely, soft voice.
39	* The soundtrack for ''Anime/GhostInTheShellStandAloneComplex'' is really, really good. There isn't really a single track that isn't marvelous, they always blend perfectly with the visuals and context of the scenes they're matched with, and they play a huge part in making the show so amazing. It's possibly one of the greatest soundtracks ever made.
40	** The [[https://youtu.be/Y9KnGorAuA4 opening song]] for ''[[Anime/GhostInTheShellStandAloneComplex Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex: 2nd Gig]]''.
41	** As amazing as the second opening "[[https://youtu.be/WqhDFYSlj0U Rise]]" was, one can never forget the jaw-droppingly amazing first opening, "[[https://youtu.be/xIP41E4B-bI Inner Universe]]".
42	** Not to mention the opening theme for the terrestrial broadcast of the first season, "[[https://youtu.be/AqueqtgHeNU Get9]]". HipHop-adelic delight, indeed...
43	** It would be easy to go: "The whole soundtrack is made from PURE AWESOME" without really lying. Especially for making a piece of music played primarily on '''the kazoo''' into [[https://youtu.be/-kYq1Fhet5w the most malevolent piece of music in anime history]].
44	*** If you don't absolutely HATE everything that this song is, then it's not doing what it was supposed to do. "Go DA DA" is just as it's described: The most malevolent and ominously evil sounding song you'll ever hear. It's supposed to instil scorn from the listener.
45	** It's hard to find any song that's better than "[[https://youtu.be/dOLLm_fzbg4 Stamina Rose]]" to kick off '''any''' anime, let alone TV series in general.
46	** "[[https://youtu.be/u0ow4tGgZWk Torukia]]" could also easily be the best track in the OST.
47	*** It's also kickass in ''a capella'' Gregorian-like slow choir-only version in episode "Poker Face", when there's a sniper duel on a hospital roof.
48	** "[[https://youtu.be/smhh1n3VEp8 Date of Rebirth]]".
49	** Also from ''Solid State Society'', "[[https://youtu.be/SP9jXt79joM Take a Little Hand]]", "[[https://youtu.be/nOPSwV97oQc Human Step]]" and "[[https://youtu.be/I8OVH5AsuQA From the Roof Top / Somewhere in the Silence (Sniper's Theme)]]".
50	*** The last one is just one of ''those'' songs you can listen to whenever you just need to relax. The song itself gives off a relaxing atmosphere that you can't help but immerse yourself in.
51	** Also, "[[https://youtu.be/LkFLdmIdJCk Ride on Technology]]". Sounds like a lost masterpiece from Anime/CowboyBebop, definitely great. And "[[https://youtu.be/mOM8w4TutVE Fish / Silent Cruise]]". Such a dramatic song with such a power,purely awesome. And what about the great Jam Rock masterpiece which is called "[[https://youtu.be/vm0Vds38scQ Yakitori]]?"
52	** The song "[[https://youtu.be/9lIrkkvo9Iw Beauty is Within Us]]" [[http://www.jtw.zaq.ne.jp/animesong/ko/koukaku/beauty.html (lyrics)]], specifically written for the episode that features it, "Runaway Evidence TESTATION", perfectly conveys the anguish and enigmatic motives of Kago Takeshi.
53	** "[[https://youtu.be/l13RCQNUyI4 Run Rabbit Junk]]". Every time this plays, Section Nine is doing something awesome.
54	** How about "[[https://youtu.be/LI-vhtKxYBI I Do]]", the beautiful Italian song that plays throughout most of the TearJerker scenes in 2nd Gig.
55	*** If you didn't start crying when this song was used in context with the episode "Affection", then you truly have no soul.
56	** "[[https://youtu.be/ucB30Z-h1Oc Psychedelic Soul]]". It's a bittersweet tale, but absolutely beautiful.
57	** "[[https://youtu.be/DiesDxPkYmM Know Your Enemy]]" is a beautiful piece of music which can change moods so many times and still be gorgeous.
58	** The fight against the Jigabachi AV helicopter in "Natural Enemy" was pretty awesome by itself, but wouldn't have been anywhere near as awesome as it is without [[https://youtu.be/lBfYXE098bA THIS]] playing in the background.
59	** There's also the desperate, melancholy "[[https://youtu.be/iBwwUfCVA0c Christmas in the Silent Forest]]".
60	** The calm and quiet melancholy of Music/EmilyCurtis' voice on "[[https://youtu.be/uWOOyS3QsPE "What's It for?]]" just perfectly encapsulates a sadness that's almost gone bittersweet with age and exhaustion.
61	** To sum up, the soundtrack is really, REALLY good!
62	* Several tracks from ''Anime/TurnAGundam'': "[[https://youtu.be/SXg9KkGd7CQ Tsuki no Mayu]]" and "[[https://youtu.be/z96NJ2T9alc Back to the River - Original Vocal Version]]".
63	* ''Anime/BrainPowerd'' is also worthy of note as sort of a precursor to ''Anime/TurnAGundam'', this was the first collaboration between Kanno and Yoshiyuki Tomino and gave us such great songs as "[[https://youtu.be/wTe95g2u8BI Light of Love]]", "[[https://youtu.be/8JaEgxL6VmM Sonne]]", and "[[https://youtu.be/hn9vOyGDTZ8 Flow]]".
64	** Then there's the awesomest piece in the entire soundtrack, "[[https://youtu.be/8EGvt7oGPyQ Power of the Light]]".
65	* The ''Anime/GenesisOfAquarion'' soundtrack, especially the theme song "[[https://youtu.be/WvbQgNtKAlw Sousei no Aquarion]]", composed by her.
66	** [[https://youtu.be/iDc7e2lBAa0 The English version]] is no slouch either.
67	** "[[https://youtu.be/XvpTKmkBx9o Pride ~ Nageki no Tabi]]" is great alone, but when used it becomes pants-wettingly amazing.
68	* With [[Anime/AquarionEvol a new Aquarion series]], we get two awesome new openings, in the forms of "[[https://youtu.be/QqrPMym1rMU Kimi no Shinwa ~ Aquarion Dai ni Shou]]" and "[[https://youtu.be/3Ocs8XKjS9g Paradoxical ZOO]]".
69	** "[[https://youtu.be/37_1-UGVYZg Gekkou Symphonia]]", anyone? That song is gorgeous!
70	** "[[https://youtu.be/LcUD6WADzv4 Beast Beat]]". That ''bass''.
71	** "[[https://youtu.be/7mk_NYwsDKM Aquaria Mau Sora]]" is just... [[ManlyTears beautiful]].
72	** "[[https://youtu.be/2xRPJaftK2w Eve no Danpen]]" (literally, "Fragments of Eve").
73	** "[[https://youtu.be/3A-nhW7y-8M ZERO]]". It really helps to emphasize [[SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments the]] [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome feel]] of the final battle's last parts.
74	* The ''Manga/PleaseSaveMyEarth'' OVA episode ending song, "[[https://youtu.be/4Tizpl0S5hk Toki no Kioku]]" ("[[https://youtu.be/YACSbe0fnE0 The Moment's Memory]]"), set the nostalgic mood of the anime. The rest of the soundtrack contributes as well, of course...
75	* The entire ''Anime/DarkerThanBlack'' soundtrack. "[[https://youtu.be/qnPXAoAwEYA GO Dark]]" and "[[https://youtu.be/GjHnWuMSkqI High-Heel Runaway]]" in particular. When those songs start, you know some crazy shit is about to go down.
76	** Presenting, "[[https://youtu.be/9QgFJg7z52s Deadly Work]]".
77	** Adding, "[[https://youtu.be/osrGHYADuCA Guy]]".
78	** "[[https://youtu.be/51ZoQmsRrPc Total Eclipse]]". It can only be described as Hei's 'murder music'.
79	* Her collaborations with Creator/MaayaSakamoto. Unsurprisingly, there isn't a bad song on any of her Kanno-produced albums, and many AWESOME ones. For a sample, there's "[[https://youtu.be/gnv7cEA9hYM Kiseki no Umi]]", "[[https://youtu.be/86lPeBeHGtg Hemisphere]]", "[[https://youtu.be/wPxvg2HJPko Triangler]]", "[[https://youtu.be/vEQ2cgZF2I0 Platinum]]" the above-mentioned "Gravity" and, the one that started it all, "[[https://youtu.be/Vr5JQWVeoYo Yakusoku wa Iranai]]".
80	** And when Music/SteveConte sings with Maaya Sakamoto, we get this piece of heaven: "[[https://youtu.be/xIJQOqZjmZ4 The Garden of Everything]]", from ''Anime/{{RahXephon}}''.
81	* This song called [[http://grooveshark.com/#!/s/O+Bento+O+Tabenagara/4m8gy3?src=5 "O Bento O Tabenagara"]] is sung by [[Literature/SpiceAndWolf Kiyoura Natsumi]].
82	* "[[https://youtu.be/QujlhpeQGGU Cloe]]" from ''Anime/EarthMaidenArjuna''.
83	** The battle theme "[[https://youtu.be/LJV6jAyfOs4 Chikyuu Kyoumei]]" mixes wordless chorus and orchestra into a uniquely energizing piece with its strong rhythms. It's in 13/16 time for half of it!
84	** "[[https://youtu.be/NHjrebpRhLs Enka]]" is strange and beautiful music made with saxophones, making for unique atmosphere.
85	* Her work on ''WesternAnimation/ObanStarRacers'' may mostly consist of collaborations, but still:
86	** First up we have "[[https://youtu.be/-ONusi1AgPg A Chance to Shine]]" a very uplifting tune, with Music/{{Akino}} on vocals.
87	** And then we have "[[https://youtu.be/NXNcoH6mIf0 Waratteta]]" with vocals by Mou Sukoshi.
88	* ''Manga/KidsOnTheSlope''. A series that is essentially a 12-episode-long love ballad to ''jazz''. From the first song on the OST, to the last note in the closing theme, each piece of music is just beautiful. However, what really stands out is the "Medley" from Episode 7. [[https://youtu.be/xOf3MVMPGOc It will leave you in tears]].
89	** This rendition of Bobby Timmons's "[[https://youtu.be/caWY7uOlakU Moanin']]".
90	*** Sounds just as awesome [[https://youtu.be/3L5Fdyj7zGs on an organ!]]
91	** This version of Milt Jackson's "[[https://youtu.be/9AWGFdozCi0 Bag's Groove]]". This was the song Sentaro, Junichi, and Ritsuku's dad played in the music shop's basement to welcome Junichi home, and include Kaoru in the fun, which helps him loosen up. It's a smooth, even song that gets the listener in a relaxed mood. As one Website/YouTube comment put it:
92	--->"Yeaaaah... Sit back and take it alllll in, and feel the day roll on by and not even give a damn."
93	** This Chet Baker-inspired rendition of Creator/GeorgeGershwin's "[[https://youtu.be/o661KZwx2JQ But Not for Me]]".
94	** "[[https://youtu.be/h4s67e8-Ydo Blowin' the Blues Away]]", the Horace Silver song from Episode 4, which was interrupted in the episode by a racist drunk. Thankfully, the soundtrack gives us the full version.
95	** [[https://youtu.be/u2CJxogZX6U The duel between Sentaro and Junichi in Episode 9]], set to Music/MilesDavis's "Four".
96	** In addition to the brilliant arrangements of jazz classics, Kanno also composed a number of original tracks, which are gorgeous. Standouts include [[https://youtu.be/PcSQZ5McnT0 KIDS ON THE SLOPE]], [[https://youtu.be/vw4UtEVP4KA Rosario]], and [[https://youtu.be/eqnrE9GvLX8 Equinox]].
97	* It's not featured in any anime, but "[[https://youtu.be/nrmr6ct1_ro The Man in the Desert]]" is a hauntingly beautiful piece that can be found on her album, ''Song to Fly''.
98	* The ''Anime/TerrorInResonance'' OST is already being lauded for this, with particular gems being "[[https://youtu.be/6GZWhAdqHys "ís (feat. POP ETC)]]", "[[https://youtu.be/4fxaCKTP7t4 22 (feat. Ryo Nagano)]]", "[[https://youtu.be/7Dj1QYHir4A nc17]]", and "[[http://grooveshark.com/#!/s/Fugl/6Y5IlH fugl]]".
99	** Deserving of special mention are her absolutely gorgeous collaborations with [[UsefulNotes/{{Iceland}} Icelandic]] singer Arnór Dan, "[[https://youtu.be/ZxnqSTzq6-w von]]", "[[https://youtu.be/At3jnwgavbE birden]]", and "[[https://youtu.be/vJsqVOQKjEM bless]]".
100	* Her collaboration with Aoi Teshima, [[https://youtu.be/bV0D38nFUhU Because,]] is breath-taking.
101	* "Hana wa Saku" (Flowers Will Bloom), written to raise public support for the victims of the 2011 earthquake-tsunami.
102	** It's been covered by the likes of [[https://youtu.be/zfQASAxxvao Lang Lang]], the [[https://youtu.be/d6suS1UJpX8 Vienna Boys' Choir]], [[https://youtu.be/VN4fGxFpwPo Il Divo]], and translated into other languages including [[https://youtu.be/g2iFaPr-uDw Vietnamese]].
103	** [[https://youtu.be/WZMsYWykcQY Skated by]] Yuzuru Hanyu, renowned Japanese men's singles figure skater, himself a survivor of the earthquake. A special recording of the song featuring Fumiya Sashida's vocals and sounds of Hanyu's blades on the ice was also released.

Context AwesomeMusic / YokoKanno