×
  • remind me tomorrow
  • remind me next week
  • never remind me
Subscribe to the ANN Newsletter • Wake up every Sunday to a curated list of ANN's most interesting posts of the week. read more

Forum - View topic
The Set List - Top 10 Fullmetal Alchemist Theme Songs


Goto page 1, 2, 3  Next

Note: this is the discussion thread for this article

Anime News Network Forum Index -> Site-related -> Talkback
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
MarshalBanana



Joined: 31 Aug 2014
Posts: 5296
PostPosted: Tue May 26, 2015 9:14 am Reply with quote
For some reason all these video players have the loading circle in the centre of the screen, even though it has finished loading.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message My Anime My Manga
Estellise



Joined: 17 May 2012
Posts: 6
PostPosted: Tue May 26, 2015 9:14 am Reply with quote
I coincidently listened to literally every OP & END of FMA just yesterday. And I agree with a lot of these except Rain would have to be my absolute favorite opening for FMA. Rewrite is my 2nd favorite but my favorite for just FMA and not brotherhood. Anyway, nice top 10! ;w;
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Random 21



Joined: 03 Jul 2014
Posts: 198
Location: Nottingham, United Kingdom
PostPosted: Tue May 26, 2015 9:22 am Reply with quote
I'm not even going to bother with a list for this one since it's honestly just the 10 Brotherhood songs. Say what you want about the show otherwise, it had great theme songs. I WILL say that Again is my no. 1 though, and I won't hear otherwise. Period and Shunkan Sentimental are good too.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Lactobacillus yogurti



Joined: 17 Aug 2011
Posts: 839
Location: Latin America
PostPosted: Tue May 26, 2015 10:03 am Reply with quote
I don't know how you guys can narrow it to one or two. I love all of the songs.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
jppcouto



Joined: 28 Apr 2013
Posts: 103
PostPosted: Tue May 26, 2015 10:14 am Reply with quote
MY LIST:
1) MOVIE Conqueror of Shamballa ED: "Lost Heaven" by L'Arc~en~Ciel
2) FMA Brotherhood OP 1: "again" by YUI (eps 1-14)
3) FMA (2003) ED 4: "I Will" by Sowelu (eps 42-50)
4) MOVIE Conqueror of Shamballa OP: "Link" by L'Arc~en~Ciel
5) FMA Brotherhood OP 3: "Golden Time Lover" by Sukima Switch (eps 27-38)
6) FMA (2003) ED 1: "Kesenai Tsumi" ("Indelible Sin") by Nana Kitade (eps 2-13)
7) FMA (2003) OP 4: "Rewrite" by ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION (eps 42-51)
8) FMA Brotherhood ED 2: "Let it out" by Miho Fukuhara (eps 15-26)
9) FMA (2003) ED 2: "Tobira no Mukō e" ("To the Other Side of the Door") by YeLLOW Generation (eps 14-24)
10) FMA Brotherhood OP 2: "Hologram" by NICO Touches the Walls (eps 15-26)
11) FMA Brotherhood ED 5: "RAY OF LIGHT" by Shoko Nakagawa (eps 51-62)
12) FMA Brotherhood OP 5: "Rain" by SID (eps 51-63)
13) FMA (2003) ED 3: "Motherland" by Crystal Kay (eps 26-41)
14) FMA (2003) OP 1: "Melissa" by Porno Graffitti (eps 2-13)
15) FMA Brotherhood OP 4: "Period" by Chemistry (eps 39-50)
16) FMA (2003) OP 2: "Ready Steady Go" by L'Arc-en-Ciel (eps 14-25)
17) FMA Brotherhood ED 1: "嘘 - Uso (Lie)" by SID (eps 1-14)
18) FMA Brotherhood ED 3: "Tsunai Da Te (つないだ手; Tied Hands)" by Lil'B (eps 27-38)
19) MOVIE Sacred Star of Milos ED: "GOOD LUCK MY WAY" by L'Arc-en-Ciel
20) FMA (2003) OP 3: "Undo" by Cool Joke (eps 26-41)
21) MOVIE Sacred Star of Milos OP: "Chasing hearts" by miwa
22) FMA Brotherhood ED 4: "Shunkan Sentimental" by SCANDAL (eps 39-50)

Why my number one is so underrated?!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Theozilla



Joined: 27 Sep 2014
Posts: 135
Location: Oakland, California
PostPosted: Tue May 26, 2015 10:35 am Reply with quote
Rewrite is my favorite song of the bunch for both series, but I can see Hope's point with how the visuals in the OP don't match very well with the lyrics or content of what was occurring in the series at the time (though I think the visuals are still great and very well directed and and convey its FMA-ness and approaching ending very well). I think, as Hope pointed out/made the distinction, I am more of the school of thought of caring/liking individual song on it's own than caring how much its synchs ups visually/lyrically with its themes/content.
Period would be my second favorite OP, then Ready Steady Go, then Undo, while I liked "again", I think like Hope mentioned it was almost to on point of being "about FMA", also the song itself just didn't do it for me. As for EDs I don't much opinion on those, but I think Hope did choose the best one (and my favorite of the EDs).


Last edited by Theozilla on Wed May 27, 2015 5:49 pm; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Pughhead



Joined: 06 May 2015
Posts: 16
Location: Fuyuki City
PostPosted: Tue May 26, 2015 10:45 am Reply with quote
So many feels! I promised myself I wouldn't cry...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
justsomeaccount



Joined: 24 Oct 2014
Posts: 471
PostPosted: Tue May 26, 2015 10:59 am Reply with quote
For someone like me who almost never reads the lyrics (I know they are intended to be listened and understood, but I'm kind of lazy and it's not my thing, I'm more a "letting the music speak for itself" person) and I usually go with what the music and animation shows, I must say the FMA Brotherhood's OPs are to me a little too... repetitive, formulaic is the word? Aside of being most them very classical j-pop, the way the songs are structured and the scenes they show in each step of the opening is almost the same, very generic anime's OP composition, they feel too alike even if they have such effort into them in animation or choice. And the songs are really catchy and fun, but at this point I kind of prefer different approaches like the 2003 anime did. But that's me.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
residentgrigo



Joined: 23 Dec 2007
Posts: 2404
Location: Germany
PostPosted: Tue May 26, 2015 11:03 am Reply with quote
Yep Gerudo Valley is the best. Well done Cyberspace. Here is the Gerudo Valley - Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Symphony version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THdRs7grqhE Perfection.

The best one for Alchemist is the 2nd ending for the first show which used "Tobira no Mukou e" and perfectly got the bittersweet mood of the manga. I really liked what the team did to the source material but all the gecko ending stuff doesn't sit well with me a decade later as the lead writer is responsible for Urotsukidōji + Violence Jack and his nihilistic roots started to show there.
The first series has the better score and art design if you ask me but scripts are king at the end and Brotherhood got really good after rushing and sipping like mad to catch up so all of you need to read the manga too as it is a rare 10/10. Bone has been slipping recently. A shame and why does The Sacred Star of Milos exist?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website My Anime My Manga
Chiibi



Joined: 19 Dec 2011
Posts: 4828
PostPosted: Tue May 26, 2015 11:25 am Reply with quote
This list was excellent and very nostalgic for me. Absolutely no complaints, especially with the top 5.

Kesenai Tsumi might be my favorite as well.....but it's so hard to choose. I love Again and Period and Tobira No Mukou a lot.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Carlooo



Joined: 10 Apr 2008
Posts: 58
PostPosted: Tue May 26, 2015 11:41 am Reply with quote
This time I voted before watching the video. I should do that from now on, it's interesting seeing Hope's list when you have a faint outline of your own list in mind.

And I totally forgot about Kesenai Tsumi! That is a great song, Nana Kitade's voice fits really well with the music. The visuals in that ending just aren't my favorite, but the song itself... no complaints there.

In general, I prefer that the music should be just good on its own, not necessarily coupled thematically to the show. Of course, there are exceptions to this. JJBA 2012 and KlK's second opening come to mind immediately. But with FMA I prefer the first series' openings.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Hameyadea



Joined: 23 Jun 2014
Posts: 3679
PostPosted: Tue May 26, 2015 12:23 pm Reply with quote
I generally liked nearly all of FMA's OPs (from both series).
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
penguintruth



Joined: 08 Dec 2004
Posts: 8458
Location: Penguinopolis
PostPosted: Tue May 26, 2015 12:53 pm Reply with quote
My favorite OP for FMA (2003) was definitely "Rewrite", that always got me pumped up, and I thought it flowed well with the visuals. The lyrics are a little esoteric, though, and maybe there's something lost in translation there. But if I had to venture a theory, I would say it relates in the sense of Ed and Al wanting to "erase" and "rewrite" the fate of the nation, and themselves, because at this point in the series they're fighting the homunculi and their master harder than before. But I guess I'm largely judging by the musical performance overall. That guitar is just fantastic.

My favorite ED from the 2003 series is the last one, just like with the OP, so it's "I Will", which has a sad mourning quality to it, even though it's clearly meant to be a a leaving lover to the singer. Paired with visuals of how far things have changed, like Edward's broken watch, the people Ed and Al have lost over time, and the forces they've lost them to (the homunculi), it's a great ED to begin sending the show off to towards the end of the series.

My favorite OP from Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the third, "Golden Time Lover", which much like "Rewrite" has kind of weird lyrics. The official Sukima Switch music video sees a baseball game, where the singer seems to be concerned with the risks of giving your all in a moment of tension. This does work with the OP from Brotherhood, where everything begins grim and stacked against our hero Ed (the homunculi all in front of him). It comes off as telling us about the competition between our protagonists and antagonists and what they might sacrifice to win. Notice that Edward almost smooshes the flower next to him, but doesn't quite in the end. And frankly, also like "Rewrite", I just love the sound of the music.

My favorite ED from Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a TIE between "Let it Out", which has perfect harmony with the visuals being shown, even though the lyrics are kind of generic (but is sung beautifully), and "Ray of Light", the final ED, which seems to be mostly about Hohenheim and his long-lived journey through life, from Xerxes, to Amestris (Risembool), his enemies, his loved ones, and what's at stake, and the long road home. Both are great, I can't choose which is better.

I never liked "Ready Steady Go" from FMA 2003. That droning in the beginning, those insipid, uninspired lyrics, the real lack of melodic instrumentals. Ugh. It's like a song that is barely trying to be a song. I much prefer L'Arc's songs for Conqueror of Shamballa, "Link" at the beginning, and "Lost Heaven" at the end. But I'm not a huge fan of L'Arc overall. The singer sounds half-asleep usually. Sing like you mean it, damn it.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address My Anime My Manga
RosaBatata



Joined: 31 Jul 2009
Posts: 36
Location: Israel
PostPosted: Tue May 26, 2015 12:59 pm Reply with quote
Really great list, a lot of fun to relisten to some of my favorite FMA songs!
Personally my favorites are Undo, Rewrite and Melissa. I still remember how hearing these used to get me super hyped up for the new episode every week. My heart is also always touched by the emotional lyrics of Undo, I think anyone can see a little of himself in that song.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Greed1914



Joined: 28 Oct 2007
Posts: 4410
PostPosted: Tue May 26, 2015 1:02 pm Reply with quote
It is impressive that between the two shows I don't think there was a single dud among the songs for me.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Anime News Network Forum Index -> Site-related -> Talkback All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Goto page 1, 2, 3  Next
Page 1 of 3

 


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group