The Anime Soundtracks Thread

[areaseven]

Let's talk about soundtracks. After all, what is an anime without a soundtrack to go with it? Here's my first review on this thread.

Jubei Ninpucho (Ninja Scroll): Original Soundtrack ( 獣兵衛忍風帖 )

Victor Entertainment, 1993

ADV Music, 2004

Composed by Kaoru Wada (Battle Angel, Inu-Yasha)

Produced by Tatsuo Oba

Track Listing

1. Prologue

2. Jubei

3. Eight Warriors of the Demon Clan

4. Blood Wind

5. Kagerou

6. Visions

7. Devil Shadow

8. To Those Who Face the Wind*

9. Pursuit

10. Devil Swordsman

11. Strategy

12. Reincarnation

13. Struggle to the Death

14. Epilogue

15. Somewhere, Faraway, Everyone is Listening to a Ballad*

*Performed by Ryouhei Yamanashi

Lowdown

Nine years ago, I was introduced to an anime movie called Jubei Ninpucho (known by everyone else as Ninja Scroll). The story was good, but what got me hooked were the animation quality and intense sword fights. Another major factor that made this film one of my favorites was Kaoru Wada's amazing music.

I've enjoyed most traditional Japanese music, especially those focusing on the instruments koto and shakuhachi. Wada uses those two instruments and blends them perfectly with heavy drums and a serious orchestra to back them up. The CD's slow tracks are relaxing while the faster tracks are intense, as they give you vivid memories of the movie's battle scenes.

My only complaint is the image song "To Those Who Face the Wind," as it sounds more Latino than Japanese; therefore it doesn't belong anywhere in this CD. Otherwise, pick up this CD today and feel the experience of one of the most important anime movies of the 1990s.

Rating: A

Currently Available At

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AnimeNation

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Sam Goody

Reference

Anime News Network

[Jemstone]

I have a general question about Tokyo Pop's soundtrack releases. Normally I import soundtracks with the exception of Pioneer releases but Tokyo Pop's been coming out with alot of stuff. Are they worth getting because I hear they don't release all the available tracks form a show/series. I know their FF9 CD was a let down for me because many tracks were left out. Also the GTO soundtrack didn't contain any of the opening and closing themes like L'arc En Ciel's "Driver's High". Are all their releases like that? Thanks.

[areaseven]

I have a general question about Tokyo Pop's soundtrack releases. Normally I import soundtracks with the exception of Pioneer releases but Tokyo Pop's been coming out with alot of stuff. Are they worth getting because I hear they don't release all the available tracks form a show/series. I know their FF9 CD was a let down for me because many tracks were left out. Also the GTO soundtrack didn't contain any of the opening and closing themes like L'arc En Ciel's "Driver's High". Are all their releases like that? Thanks.

Good question. Personally, I'd stay away from TOKYOPOP's CD releases. When I heard that they had the rights to the Trigun soundtrack, I thought they'd release Trigun: The First Donuts and Trigun: Second Donut Happy Pack. Instead, they released Spicy Stewed Donut, a rearranged version of the first soundtrack with a lot of missing tracks.

On the other hand, you have to take all of TOKYOPOP's products with a grain of salt.