Magic Knight Rayearth: Best Song Book (1995 Anime Series) [Import, Soundtrack]

Various Artists (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 12, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Soundtrack
• Label: Universal/Polygram
• ASIN: B000007VSJ
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #360,790 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Tracks In Japanese Characters

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

77 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular compliation CD!, December 4, 1999

By 

"shemayal" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Magic Knight Rayearth: Best Song Book (1995 Anime Series) (Audio CD)

The Magic Knight Rayearth Best Songbook is a must not only for anime and CLAMP fans, but for any who enjoy great pop music; since it is composed entirely of singles, the quality of each song is extremely high. It is one of the most life-affirming and inspiring albums that I have ever been privileged to hear. The album is unified by the common themes of the songs and their pop sensibility (reminscent to the early 90's in the US). Each song's lyrics encourages the pursuit of dreams, friendship, and personal growth. However, since the track is almost entirely in Japanese, those who don't understand the languages should be prepared to find lyrics translations.

The following is a bit of commentary and information for each of the thirteen tracks on the album:

1. Yuzurenai Negai (Unyielding Wish) The magnificent first opening theme song to the Magic Knight Rayearth TV series, it has delightful pop sensibility. Naomi Tamura has an unbelievably powerful and versatile voice (a la Celine Dion); the first time I heard it, my mouth dropped open in shock and wonder.

2. Asu-e no Yuuki (Courage Leading to Tomorrow) First ending theme song. A solid track with enjoyable music though it does seem to lend itself particularly to scrolling credits. Undoubtedly, the lyrics of this track are its greatest asset; one of my favorite lines translates into: "If you travel along the rail of your heart and never look back, your dream will always come true."

3. Kirai ni Narenai (I Can't Hate You) Second opening song. Though not as aurally impressive as either of those sung by Naomi Tamura, Ayumi Nakamura has a nice voice that doesn't rely upon the affected youth to which many Japanese female musicians adhere. It's music is upbeat and readily assessible to the listener.

4. Rararai - Yasashiku Dakasete/Lullaby - Hug me Softly Second ending song. Uncharacteristically dark, Minako Honda gives this song a difuse Latin sound. Delightfully eerie.

5. Hikari to Kage wo Dakishimeta Mama (Still Embracing the Light and Darkness) The third opening theme song, also sung by Naomi Tamura. This track is very similar to Yuzurenai Negai and just as enjoyable, but somehow it seems less cavalier. Beautiful and inspirational.

6. Itsuka Kagayaku (Someday Shining) Sung by Keiko Yoshinari, it is gentle, pleasant song but completely colorless. The music is singularly mediocre, and Yoshinari's childish voice fails to make up for it. I have trouble listening to it all the way through.

7. Moona no Ekaki Uta (How to Draw Mokona Song) A whimsical, playful song that reminds one of early Disney movies. Less like music and more like sound effects, it nonetheless has a addictive tune.

8. Itsuka Tenshi ni Nareru (Someday, Become an Angel) Umi's Image Song; sung by Konami Yoshida, the voice actress for Umi. Joyous, uplifting pop song that stops short of being shallow.

9. Soyokaze no Sonatine (Sonatine of the Breeze) Fuu's Image Song; sung by Hiroko Kasahara, voice actress for Fuu. Serene and slow with beautiful violin and bell music, it sound like a song from a Broadway musical. Kasahara has a sweet, lower voice that either Konami Yoshinari or Hekiru Shiina (voice actress for Hikaru).

10. Shoujo yo, Taishi wo Idake! (Girls, Embrace Ambition!) An imitation-rap song with the three girls espousing their respective philosophies in spoken word and song. Surprisingly good for what it's worth, but certainly not true rap.

11. Mokona-Ondo de Pupupu-no-pu (Puuing to the Mokona-Ondo) A song for summer. Another high-energy track that urges the listener to leave the past behind and start anew.

12. RUN Eagle's Image Song. Though this song has a dark and angsty sound, it, like all the others, has inspiring lyrics. This is undoubtedly the most majestic track on the album, and Megumi Ogata's deep, rich voice offers surprising and delightful maturity.

13. Seiya no Tenshi Tachi (Angels of the Holy Night) A love song for Christmas. The male chorus and bells give this song just the right atmosphere; it really sounds like a traditional Christmas song. Pleasant and relaxing.

I give this album my highest recommendation!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect in every sense, June 18, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Magic Knight Rayearth: Best Song Book (1995 Anime Series) (Audio CD)

This disc contains the opening and ending themes for the series (two or three seasons) along with some songs heard in the background during the series and a few ones on the funny side with Mokona. This is probably the best CD there is on Magic Knights.

A mostly accurate list of the songs (all vocal) is:

Yuzurenai Negai/Asuhe no Yuuki/Kirai ni Narenai/Rarabai Yasashiku Dakasete/Hikari to Kage wo Dakishimeta Mama/Itsuka Kagayaku/Mokona no Ekaki Uta/Itsuka Tenshi ni Nareru/Soyokaze no Sonachine/Shoujo Yo, Kaishi o Idake!/Mokona Ondo no Pu pu no pu/[a christmas song]/Run

The last one sung by Eagle, almost all other sung by the Magic Knights except two (I think) sung by the voice actresses (i.e. not in character). I strongly recommend this disc for songs like Hikari to Kage wo Dakishimeta Mama (last season opening, I think), Itsuka Tenshi ni Nareru (sung by Umi, but I don't remember if it appeared in the series) and Soyokaze no Sonachine (sung by Fuu. I believe it was heard in the second season, when the girls were in a thermal pool or something). The Mokona songs and Shouyo Jo, Kaishi o Idake are more on the "fun" side (the others are serious, mostly romantic) but I like them. In fact, the only songs I don't like very much are the last two, but in all this is probably the best single CD on Magic Knights, and a must for any MKRE and anime music fan.

The CD has a greenish case, and comes with a booklet with lyrics (in japanese) and a small picture of the single each song originally appeared in.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This... is really something great!, July 2, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Magic Knight Rayearth: Best Song Book (1995 Anime Series) (Audio CD)

I hesitated for long time before I decided to buy this cd, but I certainly haven't regretted buying it. I had heard beforehand only few of the songs in it (the opening and ending songs, and besides, they were in English) so I was quite uncertain about what the songs would be like. Now I can say that there isn't a single song in this cd that I don't like - and the Japanese versions are actually even better than the English ones. If you liked... how should I put it... the general feeling of the Magic Knight Rayearth, you're going to like this! And there's no need to worry about the words being in Japanese, it is easy to find translations in the net. (For example: http://rayearth.astraldream.net/lyrics/index.html or http://www.jlyrics.org/anime/mkr/.)