There are some people who just watch anime, and the only music that they like and tune in to are the anime opening and ending theme songs. There are also others who watch anime, but their choice of music they listen to does not end with just anime songs, but expands on to a wide range of Japanese Pop.
I watch anime, but my music library does not end at anime-related songs. In fact, about 50% of my music library is Japanese Pop which has no link to anime. The other 50% is anime-related music, such as OSTs and theme songs. And yes, all I have are Japanese music, Japanese music and more Japanese music.
Even though I lack the skills to play any musical instrument and have no sense of rhythm, I love listening to music, especially good music. Good music does not necessarily have to be popular music. I know of obscure artistes who compose and sing songs which are much better than the mainstream pop songs. Not that I am saying that mainstream is bad.
For example, has anyone heard of Tsubaki? No, not that animeblogger Tsubaki, but the Japanese Rock band. You would probably not have know this rather unknown band, especially if you only listen to anime songs. That’s because all their releases were not even remotely connected to anime. I too, did not notice the existence of this band till one fine day, when I chanced upon one of their newer singles.
I listened, got hooked, and moved on to more of their music. Their latest full album release, Portrait+, has a rather awesome compilation of songs. What attracted me to their songs would be the laid back feeling that their music possesses. Their style of music reminds me of Bump of Chicken.
I shall take this opportunity to promote one of my favourite Japanese bands. I have done so with Bump of Chicken, but it was a pity I did not have any sample tracks. This time, however, I shall provide some tracks for you to judge whether their music suits your taste.
Here are some of my favourites in Portrait+ :
Please delete with 24 hours after downloading and support the artiste if you like the songs.
This is only a sample of non-anime songs which I listen to. There are still many awesome artistes who are totally non-related to anime, but I am simply unable list all of them in this post. I would probably take a few more hours to complete this if I did so.
I am not saying that anime music sucks. In fact, I love anime music. I also love good non-anime music too. By being able to enjoy both types, I can get the best out of both worlds. Isn’t that ideal?
For those who want to start on non-anime Japanese music, you can start by watching music shows such as Music Japan and Music Station. I get most of my latest Japanese music release resources from these shows. Also, Music Station has the weekly ranking charts which showcases bits and pieces of the PVs of the Top 10 Singles.
No Music No Life. Indeed
It might be rather ironic that I am saying this, since I listen to Japanese music and only Japanese music, but I find it a pity to just stick to one small circle of music, as one would be missing out on other great stuff. However, I find that Japanese Music is a rather large realm. There are definitely many other great songs out in the JPop/JRock market which I have yet to discover, but I shall take matters one step at a time, and fully enjoy each and every song which I find to my liking.
Now, that is what I define as real music appreciation.
Since anime songs are categorised under Jpop, and sometimes even Jrock, why not expand your circle of music and not just stick to only anime music? I am rather sure that you will not regret your decision if you do.
45% anime songs + 10% Japan songs (non-anime related) + 35% Chinese Pop + 5% Eng Pop make up my musical preference =)
Perhaps you’re right. Most of my song collection consists of nothing but JPop/JRock songs. (Although I have been a closet fan of The Foo Fighters.) But if you’re talking about animé-related, then you might be asking why I have AjiKan, Last Alliance, Yousei What-koku (sic?), Charcoal Filter etc. (I don’t really dig some of JPop out there: now there’s JR&B? JRap? What gives?)
To be honest, though, sticking to one type of music (unlike my inherent hatred of the abovementioned subgenre of JPop) isn’t going to gain you friends: you still need to appreciate other forms of music (like jazz, classical or otherwise, Yoko Kanno perhaps?) in order to gain new insights and perspective on music. Otherwise, you’d end up being a “pop candy” or “rock jawbreakers” and deprive yourself of other wonders of music (I’m not trying to promote something here…).
I switched to pure Japanese songs a year ago, and since then, I’ve never actively tried to listen to any English or Chinese song.
In fact, I’m rather selective in my music listening. Most songs I listen to are from the same few artists. But yeah, anime does play a part. I got to know KOTOKO from her Onegai Twins OP, Second Flight. My favourite singer since.
Hm it used to be anime osts, op/ed songs. Later on, I sort of listen to which ever artists songs that interest me. TO name a few, abingdon boys school, Nana Mizuki, YUI =P
oo Access is great too!
yes hardly ANY english or chinese songs now. LOL.
and double. Tsubaki songs are very nice! haha =)
.:~ ┼ ĻũşŤřŏůŞ Ŗꥼm ┼ ~:. > At least you have more variation than me. But then again, English Pop and Chinese Pop are very repetitive nowadays.
TP > True, one should listen to a wide variety of music. In fact, I like classical music, just that I never mentioned it.
§oL > I don’t really like KOTOKO. It’s personal preference I guess.
zenical > Yes. Now support them by buying their albums ^^
I’m random with my music.
if i’m with my mp3, it’s all animes..except minorin’s song.
But if i’m home and with itunes, I have choices between anime songs or iTunes radio. I would “-random” often. lol
Yeah! I’ve been listening to jpop/jrock for 3-4 years now. Have never bought any english songs for years like my external hdd has 4-5gb full of jpop/jrock/ost. And japanese play good music that it won’t let you go back to hear others’ songs.
99.9% of my songs are anime op, ed, character singles and artistes that have sung for animes before. whats left is an Avril Lavigne album and some other random songs.
I lost faith in mandopop 4 years ago. Hope i dont sound like a weirdo haha.
75% of my songs are in english
while 25% is in Asian as in korean/japanese
since I’m korean and i watch anime which is japanese
but it’s not like i only listen to anime related songs
in fact i don’t have any osts what so ever besides futakoi alternative becaues i wanted the daisy fitzergerald song and all of Aria’s xD
Im not one of the people who listen to solely anime-based music. Then again im also a person who has played up to 3 different instruments, and that doesnt include singing. For me, 50% of my music is English (Rock), 45% is Japanese, 5% is other (German, Chinese, Korean, etc) I do like alot of different genres (except in English because most other mainstream genres are over-created, almost cloned), like, in Japanese, i like JRock (Plastic Tree is my fav band), and JPop (otherwise i wouldnt like Shimamiya Eiko (and im not refering to only all the stuff she did for Higurashi) and ARASHI), but i’ll also listen to Electronic and other genres that interest me. Honestly, the only thing i dont like is Rap (in any language) and Hip Hop (though even that has a few songs that arent all that bad)
I’d Say my music preference is all metallica, megadeth, anthrax, lamb of god, as blood runs black, winds of plague, suicide silence, oh and racer x, which none are related at all to the japanese or anime.
WOW WHERE DID YOU FIND THAT PIC!!!!!
What anime is the first picture/