Hello and welcome to Project Nitsuj. We’re finishing up our look at 2018 by counting down the top 11 endings. For this list I had to dig deep to find the best from 2018 so I hope you enjoy this list. Here they are, these are the top 11 endings of 2018.
#11. “Home” by Phantom in the Twilight
For an anime involving vampires, werewolves, Chinese zombies, and other supernatural creatures, this ending was very unexpected but I welcome. The ending is just peaceful, tranquil, and puts a smile on your face as it brings you into the life our main protagonist and her friend and how all they want is to live a peaceful life with each other. Throw in May’n and her soothing voice and you have an ending that rightfully deserves to be on this list.
#10. “Tenjou Tenge” from Black Clover
(Full) https://youtu.be/xriHJr0iFh0
16. 16 years old. That’s how old Miyuna, the singer for this song. Out of all the endings from Black Clover, this is definitely become my favorite just for the passion and energy that this song gives off. I enjoyed Miyuna’s voice and her rapping is good too. I often say that endings should be slow and peaceful but every now and then an ending that’s fast-paced, energetic, and exciting is good and for a series like I actually welcome it.
#9. “Reset” from Kaze ga Tsuyoku Futeiru
While this anime may not be my cup of tea, I actually do respect this series for what it is and I think this ending sums up the anime perfectly. It’s not big or grand it’s subtle, peaceful, and has that sense of determination, unity, and just doing what you love. I like how the ending maintains this steady beat throughout the song and there’s this air of passion and peace from the singer’s voice. Much like Hinomoru this was an overlooked anime from the previous and I hope that by mentioning it here, I can get those who like running interested in checking it.
#8. “Dirty Bullet” from Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens
While the anime got a bit of mix reviews ranging from good to great, there’s no denying that this ending was the stuff of legend. You just know this ending was inspired by Tank from Cowboy Bebop and I’m happy to say they nailed it here. I just love this instrumental. As someone who use to play the trombone and has an appreciation for jazz music, I really did enjoy this ending and was blown away when I first heard it. I kind of got sidetracked from watching this anime but after listening to this opening again, my desire to go back and finish it remains high and is on my do list for 2019.
#7. “Michishirube” by Violet Evergarden
Of course a beautiful anime would have a beautiful song as the ending theme. While the singer may not sound all that appealing and may take a few episodes for you to get used to her voice, you don’t that distract you from the fact that this ending is beautiful to listen and was the icing on the cake to make you cry at the end of each episode if you weren’t already crying. Beautiful anime. Beautiful song. Violent Evergarden is just beautiful.
#6. “Prayer X” from Banana Fish
Here’s another ending that just strikes you in the feels. This ending just perfectly conveys the emotions and them mindset of Ash. A man struggling to break free from his oppressors and find true freedom happiness. He puts on a tough act to hide his pain but in truth what he really need iss a friend who can lend him a shoulder to cry on. I am liking the beat throughout the song. It has this air of sadness around it but also a hip-hop beat which fits perfectly for the setting of this anime. It’s a pretty sad ending but Banana Fish was never really a tale of happiness to begin with.
#5. “Autonomy” from Persona 5 the Animation (honorable mention: Found a Light)
(Full) https://youtu.be/nvlGx1Z93NQ
(Found a Light) https://youtu.be/FKz_KVimDSY
Like I said before, if there’s one thing you can count on from Persona series is that music is going to be good. The second ending from Persona 5 was a banger in my opinion. I never really got into the first ending but this ending just really knocked it out of the park as it just fits perfectly with the series. Lyn also seems at peace with this song as she sounds great here like this song just fits more of her style. I also wanna give an honorable mention to “Found a Light” which was used as the ending theme from episode 8. The whole song just gives off those Nevermore vibes from Persona 4 but is different enough to where it fits perfectly with Persona 5. The song was perfect for closing out Yusuke’s first arc and even fits perfectly with Ren, Futaba, and Sojiro and the closeness they have with each other as the game went on. The Persona 5 anime had a lot of problems (again, I will get into that at a later date) but the OST just like any other Persona game was a hit with me.
#4. Freak’n You from Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 5
(Full) https://youtu.be/epw0NYK2Zp0
Oh yes! This ending is just great. This song is a classic and to hear it in anime just puts a smile on my face. This whole ending is just chill and you can’t help but enjoy every minute of it. I really have nothing else to say about this ending other than it’s great, chill, it’s a song from my childhood, and is something you really need to jam to.
#3. “Fukashigi no Carate” from Seishun Buta Yarou wa Bunny Girl Senpai no Yume wo Minai
(Full) https://youtu.be/7lvDCMkjcsM
I really found myself enjoying this ending. Which version that I enjoy the most, all of them. There are 5 versions of this song (6 if you count the one with all of them) and they’re all sung wonderfully as each VA can sing and pull you into the song. Each version of the song just sounds like serenade as you just get swept away into the atmosphere and the emotions of each singer. Enjoyable, enchanting, and perfect for letting you decide on which girl you think is the best.
#2. “Hydra” from Overlord S2
What a way to start 2018. This is hands down the best ending from the winter season and for reason. The ending was beautiful and the transition between soft and peaceful to loud and dark is great. I quickly got goosebumps every time I heard this ending, it’s that good. This is ending is truly divine and is my favorite ending from all seasons so far.
And number 1. . .
#1. “Hibana” from Golden Kamuy
(Full) https://youtu.be/YwiU6Akyc8Y
I thought hard about which ending caught me the most and kept me coming back to listen to it. No matter what ending I heard or listening to, none of them captured me like Hibana from Golden Kamuy. This song is just spectacular and the amazing part it’s from a band I’ve never heard of but they just rocked out in this song that I instantly became a fan of their work and want to hear more of their music. The whole anime was just an explosion of emotion and energy and whenever an episode I was always happy to be greeted by this song. It’s a song I couldn’t get out of my head throughout 2018 and has become one of my favorite endings in the last decade.
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