Original soundtrack, or "ost," is used by the studios to make the feelings expressed relevant. The art style, voice acting, and characters’ expressions are enough for the audience to understand the scene's mood. However, the ost makes the scene impactful.
1. Tokyo Ghoul
Tokyo Ghoul revolves around the life of Ken Kaneki. Ken's life turned upside down when a ghoul (a supernatural creature with a hunger for human flesh and enhanced strength) attacked him. Luckily, he undergoes an operation and survives, but as a half-ghoul. Kaneki goes through mental torture since he lost his human self and is now supposed to eat humans to live. Kaneki's desperation and pain are portrayed in the lyrics of Unravel, the opening of Tokyo Ghoul. It is one of the most famous soundtracks to have existed and continues to be so.
2. Beastars
"Beastars" shows us a human-like animal society, were eating the flesh of other animals is prohibited. Animals are more focused on pure breeding, and interracial marriages are rare. Legosi, the protagonist, is a seventeen-year-old grey wolf. He hates eating flesh and loves Haru, a rabbit. The series talks about society's prejudices against carnivores and social evils. "Monster," produced by Yoasobi, is a funk bass-styled ost. Its darkness and tone represent the desire to protect and live happily with a loved one. The song suits the mysterious atmosphere of the series and Legosi.
3. Attack On Titan
Attack on Titan is the most engaging anime of 2022. The series' dark plot requires the music produced for it to have a certain depth. The story from seasons 1 to 4 progressed in a more complex direction, and the emotions represented are more heart-clenching. To end the world's hatred for his people, Eren Jaeger, protagonist turned antagonist, wants to overrun the whole world with millions of Colossal titans. The soundtracks produced by Hiroyuki Sawano are beautiful and aligned with the series.
4. Death Note
The Death Note is a critically acclaimed thriller anime. Light Yagami comes across a blank notebook named Death Note. Light can kill anyone if he writes their names on the notebook while imagining their face. Light wants to create a peaceful world devoid of crime and keeps on murdering criminals. The mass murder of criminals calls for detective L to supervise the investigation and catch Kira (an alias for Light). The tracks used to go with the mystery and suspense elements of the series. The opening "The World" shows the twisted side of Light. Light is arrogant due to his intellect and beliefs. Light believes his views are correct all the time.
5. Demon Slayer
"Demon Slayer" is an action-oriented anime. One day, Kamado Tanjiro returns from work to find his family massacred by demons and his sister alive, but she changes into a “demon.” The brother-sister duo packs up to search for Muzan, who can supposedly turn Nezuko back into a human. A lot of Japanese folk instruments and music inspire the soundtracks. The music gives the series its classic touch and helps the viewers feel the loving relationship between Tanjiro and Nezuko. The most popular soundtrack from the series is "Gurenge."
6. Naruto
Naruto won the hearts of the kids of the 2000s with its quirky characters and relatively simplistic storyline. The plot progresses into something complicated once the series picks up its pace. As a shounen, it focuses on the fights and their consequences. Naruto shows us the characters' past and their development till their ends. This prospect affects the music as well. The simplistic energy-filled tracks soon become emotional. With its different sounds, the most beloved opening is "Blue Bird.”
7. Clannad: After Story
Clannad: After Story" is a slice-of-life anime. The Story revolves around Tomoya, who is in love with Nagisa, but Nagisa suffers from an illness. Nagisa dies during childbirth, leaving Tomoya heartbroken. Their child, Ushio, has the same disease, but Tomoya tries to take care of her. The scores used in “Clannad: After Story” is heartbreakingly sad and depressing. The tracks are bound to make any grown-up cry, especially "Snowfield" and "Roaring Tides 2."
8. Your Name
Your Name is a romance anime movie with a fantasy-mixed storyline. In a romance, the tracks are usually lighthearted and sometimes sad. But Your Name deals with supernatural elements and other dark elements. Your Name soundtracks are unbelievably popular, and the opening and the ending are incredibly memorable. The tracks highlight the impact of each scene, making it a perfect watch.
9. Cowboy Bebop
Cowboy Bebop is another masterpiece in terms of soundtracks. Funky and wacky tunes to show the Bebop crews' journey across space to catch criminals with bounties placed on them. Cowboy Bebop has much jazzy and neo-noir tracks. The opening "Tank!" is a masterpiece as well which reminds viewers of classic detective movies.
10. Silent Voice
Silent Voice is a heartbreaking anime movie produced by Kyoto Animations. A deaf girl bullied by a boy in elementary school leaves the school. She later meets her bully, who is now an outcast and has been depressed since middle school. Good things start to happen, but their insecurities get the better of them. The soundtracks used in Silent Voice are quite plain. The scores make the viewers understand the feelings of the protagonists. Simple but delicate is the theme of the music used.
