The "Idol Age" - History of Anime Music - Chapter 3 (1995 - present)
Anime
This is the third part of a collection of articles where I aim to explore the evolution of anime related music. This part of the list attempts to collect a list of most iconic performances on the "Idol Age" of anime music.
The term "Idol Age" used in this list refers to a phase after the "New Age" phase. During this phase there started being more "idol songs" that that essentially were "tied" to the product itself utilising "a culmination point" relating the performance into a singular entity also known as "idol". This was an interesting approach for many as it opened a new model on how to sell these products to the market.
The theme songs essentially dropped essentially all connections to the series demonstrated by their lyrics, the emotion invoked by the song and the spirit related to the series. Essentially the song and the performance are presented as a related product to the entity that serves as the culmination point relating to these products also known as "idol".
I will write my thoughts on each of the entries on this list to further explain why I think the series and the theme songs included as a combined package have attained "iconic" status when it comes to the scene of "Idol Age" anime music in contrast to the "Anime Songs" and the "New Age". I will also give a score related on how well "the culmination" and the "product" perform parallel to each other while establishing the "idol" itself as a product. The series are ordered based on that score.
The term "iconic" in this list is defined by the popularity and how deeply established the culmination and the elements of the performance relating to the idea of "idol" being established as a product are in addition of them being supposedly intertwined with the series as a whole experience.
Related stacks:
Chapter 1 - https://myanimelist.net/stacks/24451
Chapter 2 - https://myanimelist.net/stacks/24454
Chapter 3 - https://myanimelist.net/stacks/24455
The term "Idol Age" used in this list refers to a phase after the "New Age" phase. During this phase there started being more "idol songs" that that essentially were "tied" to the product itself utilising "a culmination point" relating the performance into a singular entity also known as "idol". This was an interesting approach for many as it opened a new model on how to sell these products to the market.
The theme songs essentially dropped essentially all connections to the series demonstrated by their lyrics, the emotion invoked by the song and the spirit related to the series. Essentially the song and the performance are presented as a related product to the entity that serves as the culmination point relating to these products also known as "idol".
I will write my thoughts on each of the entries on this list to further explain why I think the series and the theme songs included as a combined package have attained "iconic" status when it comes to the scene of "Idol Age" anime music in contrast to the "Anime Songs" and the "New Age". I will also give a score related on how well "the culmination" and the "product" perform parallel to each other while establishing the "idol" itself as a product. The series are ordered based on that score.
The term "iconic" in this list is defined by the popularity and how deeply established the culmination and the elements of the performance relating to the idea of "idol" being established as a product are in addition of them being supposedly intertwined with the series as a whole experience.
Related stacks:
Chapter 1 - https://myanimelist.net/stacks/24451
Chapter 2 - https://myanimelist.net/stacks/24454
Chapter 3 - https://myanimelist.net/stacks/24455
TV, 1995,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:10
Established the usage of the culmination in the process of establishing the link between the series and the "entity" with the popularity of the product.
Score: 98/100
Score: 98/100
TV, 2013,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:8
The "entity" is established early and the way it culminates with the performance only enhances the experience further.
Score: 95/100
Score: 95/100
TV, 2019,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:5
Huge success in the department of establishing the "idol" as the "entity" behind the performance.
Score: 95/100
Score: 95/100
TV, 2013,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Anohter huge success as far as the performance goes. The "entity" and the role of the "idol" was not established as strongly but that did not affect the end product.
Score: 95/100
Score: 95/100
TV, 1996,
? eps
Me:-
Author:9
Strong linkage with "idols" related to the product. Enhances the impact of the performance.
Score: 94/100
Score: 94/100
TV, 2017,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:7
Very strong and successfull establishment pretty much from the get go. Enhances the reach of the performance of the "idol" and the performance into a new heights.
Score: 94/100
Score: 94/100
TV, 2014,
140 eps
Me:-
Author:10
Another successfull establishment of a "wide reaching" product that was also established early.
Score: 94/100
Score: 94/100
TV, 2012,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:7
Strong "idol" and the performance reflects that strength
Score: 93/100
Score: 93/100
TV, 2015,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:10
The "idol" initially established by the emperor himself but later took more of its own path. You can see some parallels to the older phases as expected from the influence of the emperor.
Score: 93/100
Score: 93/100
TV, 2009,
15 eps
Me:-
Author:10
Diverse approach to the establishment of the "idol" but the diverse approach did not lessen the impact at all I'd say.
Score: 92/100
Score: 92/100
TV, 1995,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:7
A focused approach to establishing the "idol" relatively successfull also.
Score: 91/100
Score: 91/100
TV, 2004,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:7
Called sometimes the "Modern Queen of Anime Music" early establisment of the product helped that I'd guess.
Score: 91/100
Score: 91/100
TV, 2011,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:7
Not as strong focus as in some of the others but doesnt fall far behind.
Score: 91/100
Score: 91/100
TV, 1999,
? eps
Me:-
Author:7
More of a diverse and older approach drawing parallels utilising "the spirit"
Score: 91/100
Score: 91/100
TV, 2012,
178 eps
Me:-
Author:10
A focused and isolated performance helps establish "the strength" linked to the "idol"
Score: 90/100
Score: 90/100
TV, 2014,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:7
Strong initial approach and establishment of the idol.
Score: 90/100
Score: 90/100
TV, 2004,
49 eps
Me:-
Author:10
A diverse approach utilising the whole spectrum of different approaches in a kind of a mixed style. Has proved successful.
Score: 90/100
Score: 90/100
TV, 2022,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Perfomance features many "idols". Essentially builds itself on top of that as far as the experience linked to the performance goes.
Score: 90/100
Score: 90/100
TV, 2022,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:7
Pretty straightforward when it comes to the "idol".
Score: 90/100
Score: 90/100
TV, 2019,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Established early, with a strong presence. Culminates pretty strongly I'd say.
Score: 89/100
Score: 89/100
TV, 2016,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Macross series puts the focus even more into the culmination with each new series it feels like.
Score: 89/100
Score: 89/100
TV, 2020,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:7
Another straightforward presentation. Focus isn't particularly strong but it is there Id say.
Score: 89/100
Score: 89/100
TV, 2002,
220 eps
Me:-
Author:7
Draws its strength more from a diverse distribution when it comes to the culmination.
Score: 89/100
Score: 89/100
TV, 2012,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:7
Relatively focused presentation highlights the culmination from multiple perspectives.
Score: 88/100
Score: 88/100
TV, 2008,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:9
Before Delta to focus wasnt as strong but still stronger than what it used to be.
Score: 88/100
Score: 88/100
TV, 1998,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:10
More of a product centered performance.
Score: 88/100
Score: 88/100
TV, 2016,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:7
Diverse but still draws the culmination with precisely.
Score: 87/100
Score: 87/100
TV, 2006,
37 eps
Me:-
Author:10
Strength comes from the initial performance and the culmination related to that.
Score: 87/100
Score: 87/100
TV, 2018,
17 eps
Me:-
Author:7
Could say the performance leans to the other side of the market more but still manages to gain significant foothold as a product.
Score: 86/100
Score: 86/100
TV, 2011,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Can be seen as a product with two main points, established strength in both points I'd say.
Score: 86/100
Score: 86/100
TV, 1998,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:8
More of a classic that appeared in modern scene and took it by storm.
Score: 86/100
Score: 86/100
TV, 2012,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Identity is established early.
Score: 85/100
Score: 85/100
TV, 2011,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:10
Successful establishment of the "idol" early on.
Score: 84/100
Score: 84/100
