TCTX Aniblogger Club: Favorite OPs and EDs of Spring 2015

Hello everyone, I’m here with something a little different. Trystan over at Let’s Talk Anime proposed this genius idea of starting an aniblogger club, and naturally I said H*LL YES! Well, not quite as aggressive, but the passion was all the same. Together with Cassandra aka The Huge Anime Fan, we of TCTX Aniblogger Club each present our fave OPs and EDs of Spring 2015. Let’s get rolling! (PS, I made the logo plastered above, do you like it?)

Most of these have been edited to avoid copyright. I know it sucks, but hey, at least it’s here!

From Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works (TV) 2nd Season comes “Brave Shine” by Aimer

Gawd, I haven’t heard Aimer since No.6 during my anime exploration days, and let me just say that I nearly cried when I heard them again. *sniff sniff* Anyway, the song is one of my favorites this season because the vocals feel so soft against such a passionate, slow rock song. It feels sincere, almost apologetic for all of the chaos the show itself carries. Visuals by Ufotable are the best in animation, like always, but in this opening they feel even more fresh. The best part is after the cool intro and the verse, when the chorus explodes like the very rock Berserker is sliding on – crazy EPIC! UBW is without a doubt spiraling towards the end, masters and servants killed left and right, and it’s only a matter of time before Shirou and Saber uncover the truths of the Holy Grail War where all of hell will be unleashed.

My second fave opening this season is “DREAM SOLISTER” by TRUE from Sound! Euphonium

This song wins my fave status because of its relevance to the actual show. With its bright brass intro followed by a bass polka groove, the girls spin around as they are each introduced. After that, the overly catchy chorus breaks through like a girl jumping through the sky! It’s such a fitting song for a high-energy, positive, youthful, fluffy show about the love of music – specifically concert band. I dance jig around every time this opening plays!

Onto fave endings, first is “Lapis Lazuli” by Eir Aoi from The Heroic Legend of Arslan

I’ve loved Eir Aoi’s works ever since Sword Art Online and Fate/Zero, but this is by far her best song ever. Kicking off with a powerful vocal solo, the song ushers in a beautiful melody. The electric guitar and the drums continue on until the singer comes back in with smooth, argumentative rhythm. Then that intro tune flares back up in the chorus, ending on a suspenseful note. All the while, we get scenes from Arslan’s journey and flashes of the moon radiating above. This is probably my fave out of the entire spring season just because I love the bass drum beat and the catchy tune! Overall, the song sounds sad, but feels like rejoicing at the same time, almost a longing for something . . .

Lastly from Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works (TV) 2nd Season again is the ending “ring your bell” by Kalafina

This song feels very different from Kalafina’s usual works, and that’s because it feels . . . happy? No, it’s celebratory? Kalafina is known for their darker, Baroque style choirs (my fave music :3), and this song feels like a wedding to me. As I mentioned earlier, UBW is definitely reaching the end with its opening, but this song takes that to a whole new ending. REBIRTH! Maybe that’s the word I’m thinking! Everything’s going to be fine/renewal type of thing. The visuals show a bit of the servants’ pasts, similar to how they did things in Fate/Zero. But that final grove scene with Shirou on lucious grass against Ufotable’s model sky with Archer’s gears completes the entire scene. All things in this new Holy Grail War come to a tragic yet beautiful end!

And that is what I think of a few of this spring’s songs! What do you think – have any favorites? Comment below. Also be sure to check out other TCTX club members Trystan and Cassandra’s favorite songs!! They picked great ones from Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma as well as Seraph of the End. I may not be the best at explaining my picks, but these IMO are the best songs of spring 2015! Thanks for reading, and until next time this has been

– Takuto, your host