T5W#227-Top 5 Slayers Theme Songs

Ive spent the better part of the last year in the fantasy realm of Slayers.  Throughout 4 Seasons (Season 5 starts Friday just FYI) ive seen the highs and lows of Lina Inverse and her gang of misfits, bad asses and general (but useful) tag alongs.  For all the action and humor though, there’s one point of Slayers that remains a big draw for me: the theme songs.  Each season brings a new op and ed theme, all sung by Lina Inverse herself, Megumi Hayashibara. And to complete my close out of a year long look at Slayers, figured id list out which 5 themes I have loved above all others.  So enjoy this weeks Top 5 Wednesday, my Top 5 Slayers Theme Songs.

#5-Breeze (Slayers Try)

Years ago I was watching the International Channel on a Sunday night, unaware that more Anime came on after Dragon Ball GT.  Then on comes this show with a sorrowful guitar and a great dance beat, mixed to the images of two beautiful sorceresses back to back.  Breeze, the opening theme for Slayers Try, was my first introduction to the world of Slayers.  While it still maintains the sense of energy that comes with a Slayers adventure, theres no denying it’s a little sadder than the opening themes of The Slayers and Slayers Next.  Would this be a sign of darker times to come for Lina and her crew exploring a whole new world?  It could be argued that but it can also be equally said that Breeze was one of the best things to come out of one of the most uneven seasons of Slayers.

#4-Plenty of Grit (Slayers Revolution)

In stark contrast to the melancholy feel of Breeze, Plenty of Grit is exactly the kind of song you want playing to herald the return of The Slayers after a decade long hiatus (Slayers Try premiered in 1997 while Revolution came out in 2008).  Plenty of Grit feels like a callback to the first seasons of Slayers, bringing with it a sense of fun and excitement that gets the blood pumping.  Of course, it helps that not only is Megumi Hayashibara back at the vocals but we also get to see that the whole gang is back: Lina, Gourry, Amelia, Zelgadis and Xellos, ready to take on new challenges with smiles and gusto.

#3-Sunadoki (Slayers Evolution R)

There’s something foreboding yet calm about Sunadoki, the end theme for Slayers Evolution R.  It gives the sense that there’s something out there on the horizon and its probably dangerous or at least unknown.  But when the song gets going into its main chorus, you know that those unknowns are going to be taken head on with undefeated spirit.  Sunadoki is the coolest sounding of the TV end themes for me and, if this is it for Slayers for the time being, a great song to go out on a high note.

#2-Midnight Blue (Slayers: The Motion Picture)

Lina Inverse’s first theatrical outing should have grander than what it was.  However, the theme song to the film, Midnight Blue, was as grand as movie themes can get.  The song encompasses the more mystical side of the Slayersverse while also not overlooking the bad asses who can bring out the best of that side.  Midnight Blue feels like one of the definitive themes for Lina Inverse, announcing that, true to her declaration in the opening of Season One, “Where an enemy rises to face me, victory will be mine!!!”.  Danger, treasure or food, when Midnight Blue plays, The Slayers will be there.

#1-Give a Reason (Slayers Next)

Slayers Next in general was a good example of a sequel that soared above its predecessor.  And it kicked things off on the right foot with the energetic and hyped up Give a Reason.  It announces loudly that the Slayers are back, coming together and ready to run and punch evil fist first with attitude.  The main beat is infectious and gets the heart going just like a theme from a Shonen Anime.  Give a Reason is the ultimate adventure anthem and it is right at home belonging in the best season of Slayers…Slayers Next.