Put a Tune to It (+ tags): Western Songs for Anime
In December, A Geeky Gal was tagged in the Put a Tune to It Tag by Keiko at Keiko’s Anime Blog! You should absolutely spend some time reading Keiko’s posts like her first impressions of new anime and her own prompts like Celebrating Haikyu! She even took on my 30 Day Anime Challenge. Thanks again Keiko for the tag. I’ve never seen this tag before so I’m really excited to do it! Let’s get this party started!
The Rules:
- Choose any number of western songs (any genre) that you think best sums up an anime or manga of any type or genre.
- If you want to pick more than 1 from each section that’s fine. Or if you can’t think of one for a specific category that’s fine also.
- Explain why you think your choices could work. Is it the lyrics? The tune and the beat? Or just the music video?
- Link back to the original post.
- Include Put a Tune to It in your tags so everyone including myself can find them all easily.
- Nominate around 1-5 bloggers.
Anime & Tunes:
Tohru of Fruits Basket (2019) | Blossom by Kerli
[youtube https://youtu.be/Fhu2G-207Ko]
I recently finished part one and two of Fruits Basket (2019). I unfortunately missed the first hype train for the anime back in the day but I have fallen in love with these characters, especially Tohru. I chose Blossom, because not only are the lyrics fitting, but the entire feel of this song is perfect for her. She is blossoming despite her hardships and finding the light in the darkness, whether that darkness is the hand she has been dealt or that of her friends who she reminds in her wonderful Tohru-way that they can blossom, too.
Lucy of Fairy Tail | Just a Girl by No Doubt
[youtube https://youtu.be/PHzOOQfhPFg]
I thank Captain Marvel for bringing this bop back into my life, honestly (the 90s had so much good alternative and pop music in my opinion). Just a Girl can probably be paired with just about any heroine, but I picked this song for Lucy because she is constantly being underestimated but is one of the most powerful wizards in Fairy Tale. I am not caught up but so far almost every villain immediately discounts her magic, and Lucy kicks ass much to their surprise. Consider this Lucy’s song to rebel against the box they put her in.
Kagome & InuYasha of InuYasha | A Thousand Years by Christina Perri
[youtube https://youtu.be/6pLGTFpaqhg]
A Thousand Years is a really special song to me. It was Alec’s and my first dance song at our wedding. It really speaks to our relationship, and it also speaks to InuYasha and Kagome’s. There’s been many an Anime Music Video made with this song so I know I’m not the only one who feels this way. The lyrics are absolutely perfect for their relationship in my opinion. I think the AMV above really illustrates this.
Asuna & Kirito of Sword Art Online | Somewhere Only We Know by Lily Allen
[youtube https://youtu.be/Ve9cBwI-pAg]
Now this is the first song that makes me think of specific episodes. In Sword Art Online, Kirito and Asuna’s relationship is getting comfortable. They buy a cabin together where their love only grows deeper, away from the fighting and player killing. Somewhere Only We Know has beautiful and haunting lyrics that fit these scenes as Kirito and Asuna make the cabin their home, being trapped in the game and possibly dying in real life not too far from their thoughts.
High School of the Dead | Zombie by Natalia Kills
[youtube https://youtu.be/i9wUWJGQUyw]
When I first heard Zombie by Natalia Kills, High School of the Dead immediately popped into my mind. Now the lyrics don’t exactly fit this anime other than the mention of zombies, obviously. If we just feel the vibe and music itself, I think you’ll get where I’m coming from. The song also inspired a fanfic that I wrote a million years ago and then deleted so I may revisit it in a proper short story or book form. The song is really well done and would make an A+ AMV for High School of the Dead (see above). Content warning for gore and fan service.
Usagi/Serena of Sailor Moon | Cry Baby by Melanie Martinez
[youtube https://youtu.be/O87lzhoexyA]
I feel like the AMV community missed a perfect opportunity to use this song for an epic Sailor Moon music video with Melanie’s Cry Baby. I only found one or two videos using the song. While the title might be a bit on the nose for our Usagi and the beat a bit darker for the flashy anime, the message is clear. Cry Baby’s lyrics speak to how Usagi wears her heart on her sleeve and is the quickest to cry of the Sailor Scouts.
My Love Story!! | I Really Like You by Carly Rae Jepsen
[youtube https://youtu.be/d0LKstLHVH8]
I love a good pop song and CRJ has been killing it. I Really Like You is perfect for any romantic-comedy, but I love the way it fits with one of my all time favorite animes: My Love Story!! Takeo and Yamato are the literal cutest and this song just goes so well with their relationship. There’s a few AMV’s with this song so I picked on I liked the best for this post!
Hell Girl | Hell by Disturbed
[youtube https://youtu.be/jvAmUKgH7HI]
If there were ever a song made for an anime, Hell by Disturbed was absolutely made for Hell Girl. Hell Girl is Ai Enma who exacts your revenge for you. She only asks for one thing: you must condemn yourself to an afterlife in hell after she’s carried out the deed. I used to be a HUGE disturbed fan (still enjoy Disturbed, just don’t keep up anymore), and when I bought their album The Lost Children, this anime immediately came to mind when Hell played.
Ouran High School Host Club | Sucker by Jonas Brothers
[youtube https://youtu.be/-jFn4GdIVj8]
This one is just for fun. I love OHSHC and always recommend it to others who love romantic comedies. Sucker is a relatively new song from the Jonas Brothers, and it is just cute, fun, and the epitome of sexy pop which… pretty much sums up the hilarity of OHSHC. I’ve linked a short AMV with the song above that I felt was really well done, but I’d love to see a full length AMV with the anime and this song.
Rosario + Vampire | Immortals by Fall Out Boy
[youtube https://youtu.be/8dcv2j95DRY]
I stumbled across this AMV awhile back and just thought the pairing of Immortals and Rosario + Vampire was *chef’s kiss* perfect. I’m adding the AMV above so you can see and hear it for yourself. This is another title that may be too on the nose for some people but the lyrics are perfect for this anime full of immortal creatures that packs the right amount of action to make the perfect AMV.
Wow! This was such a fun tag! And it really makes me want to make AMVs again after creating this list. I already have enough on my plate though so I’ll have to live vicariously through my nominations! Tell us what western songs you’d pair with anime!
My Nominations:
Pete @ MoeGamer
Rose @ Wretched and Divine
Lynn @ The Otaku Author
Apologies if you’ve been tagged before, but feel free to participate whether you’ve been tagged or not! Let me know if you decided to participate by linking back to this post so I can see your anime and tunes!
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Thanks for sharing some of my posts! 😊 Those were some great song choices. 😊
No problem! Thanks for tagging me. This was a lot of fun!
Good list there. I didn’t know Lily Allen covered Keane’s song, but it still works!
Most definitely! I think a few artists have covered it, but I adore Lily Allen. ❤️
Sure thing. It’s a good cover.
Thanks for the nomination. Those are some cool picks. I like how you’ve assigned a song to just a character as well as a series. I think I will definitely have to do the same.
No problem! I’m really curious to see what you pick! 🙂