How to Make an Anime Opening Song

Watching a lot of anime while stuck at home got my gears turning. So I tried to put those ideas into one short song, and into this one short video.
The song is all original. If you think it sounds similar to an already existing anime song, then I might just be right about the anime song formula :)
This is just for fun, don't take it too seriously :)
Enjoy!
Edit:
How to Make an Anime Opening Song SEASON 2 (something heavier) is up! Check it out here:
• How to Make an Anime O...

[@HappyMelons]

How to Make an Anime Opening Song SEASON 2 (something heavier) is up! Check it out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGrNZ4qEoaqgfKc

[@Trillion_Dollar_Extreme]

Just in time

[@younggriff4703]

Let's goooo

[@flokigammer4649]

yeeeeeeeeeeeees

[@Squilllo34]

hi. im trying to produce music on bandlab and im having trouble on what guitar settings or type I have to use to make it sound like yours. could you please tell me what were your amp settings? its been five days and all my attempts were empty handed.

[@vladislavguliy2407]

It simultaneously resembles something familiar and at the same time seems original. Stunning.

[@austinedeclan10]

That's how you create a hit song or memorable music. If you can figure out how to make it original yet familiar then you've solved a big problem many musicians struggle with

[@minisniper99]

Sounds like a song straight out of SAO and I like it

[@creario]

Reminds me of God Knows from Haruhi Suzumiya

[@AlexThorpe]

It reminds me heavily of one of the later outro songs in Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood!

[@Nesious]

@@AlexThorpe Ye! The first phrase of the chorus is in the same key and almost identical to OP 5 (Rain), minus some embellishments. The hooks of each chorus are exactly the same rhythmically and melodically (that 3 note line), and the notes and structure *almost* identical for the rest of the phrase too (this version repeats the hook 2 times, then plays this descending line in straight quarters, Rain has a small ascending line instead of repeating, but plays the same descending line, but with some 8ths and 16ths to vary the rhythm up). I assume it was a bit of an earworm when this video was being made given how close they are :P.

[@nexusknight757]

i legit thought this was taken from another anime THATS HOW AWESOME IT SOUNDS

[@Haxior5506]

Isn't it?

[@briandorough498]

Lol some of the melodies are actually straight from persona 5

[@ThePandaAgenda]

@@briandorough498 you mean to tell me the jazz, funk and rock inspired game soundtrack has typical jazz chord progressions and melody structure??

[@briandorough498]

@@ThePandaAgenda no

[@mrrcreep]

It's the base from an opening of FMAB

[@seed2338]

Japanese bass lines are the most interesting part for me, its like "i paid for the whole fretboard, im gonna use ALL of the fretboard"

[@brysonmark878]

Can confirm Source: I'm a bassist and I had to play Kiss In The Dark and Daybreak by Exist trance. If you know, you know. Those songs basslines are WILD

[@MayonnaiseOreo]

*paid

[@seed2338]

@@MayonnaiseOreo yeah im an idiot

[@MJC-gf5er]

Can we just appreciate, not only does this sound epic, that it's 1:30 long? (Just like basically every anime intro/outro)

[@ashimatsuki]

Omg i just realized it

[@ashimatsuki]

Omg i just realized it

[@asusrog8872]

fr

[@user-if8tg1or7m]

fr

[@sizzledan31]

For those wondering why it sounds familiar, the melody of the chorus sounds a lot like OP 5 of FMAB

[@SM-ge7ee]

Bassline reminds me of erased op

[@sitruunamehu]

The basic chord progression for anime songs and japanese pop songs in general is IV V iii vi so you can make pretty much anything that sounds like anime using this progression

[@ReloGP14th]

omg this chord progression is sooooooo much used in japanese music. similar to the west we used i v vi iv waaaay too much lol

[@clmoon2151]

Or you can Rickroll people with that progression.

[@sitruunamehu]

@@clmoon2151 It isn't the same chord progression but similiar.

[@Kyubiwan]

Resolve it with ii - V - I cadence - it goes 10 times as better

[@tfwnoyandere]

how can you have a progression without the tonic, does tonicisation rely on the melody instead?

[@Aidenkun64]

The fact that your guitar is the same as Yui Hirasawa's from K-ON! makes this video even better. What an absolute banger.

[@BatatonDoCon]

🤓umm actually it's just the same body type

[@doggyinthewindow]

@@BatatonDoCon isn't it the same color too

[@Huue101]

The guitar has a Les Paul body or it may be an actual Gibson LP

[@BatatonDoCon]

​@@doggyinthewindow oh yeah i noticed it now srry

[@doggyinthewindow]

@@BatatonDoCon what's the color of this one, and what's the color of yui's?

[@ankokunokayoubi]

This gives me flashback to 2000s when I used to watch various anime on TV (now moving to streaming services lol), and the music feels just like that: rock music with those spicy and unexpected chords.

[@chowoqdwqdnwqwqqqsqw]

はじめて聴いたはずなのに「この曲知ってる」という感覚に至らせるくらい、アニメソングらしい独特の空気感の再現がすごい

[@elzhandeadpool3436]

😂

[@storycartoons1013]

Well said my friend❤

[@TheBrokenLeon]

I feel the same HAHAHA

[@misomisosiru]

비슷한 거는 asian kung fu generation 의 rewrite 인듯

[@abcde4085]

こんなコスパでオタクが熱狂してると思うと悲しくなる

[@dilbophagginz]

Personally I find the chord progressions in Japanese pop music to be so much more interesting than ours

[@Radbiker33357]

You say that now but when you’ve heard it a million times you’ll feel the same about it the way we feel about our chord progression

[@dilbophagginz]

@@Radbiker33357 Very true

[@JoshButterballs]

just as cheesy

[@o0...957]

​​@@Radbiker33357 during that time just need to do a little more chord substitution.

[@duvan-solis]

You know it's not much of originally created japanese progression, it's common in other genres.

[@Hypoground]

haha that major chord resolution at 1:56 was so perfect. definitely anime opening vibes. just missing a single with crazy vibrato vocals

[@MarkTheStudiousOne]

Picardy third! Super anime fr

[@blueblimp]

Most accurate anime-OP-formula video I've seen. The "upbeat groove + sad melody" is bang on. Many anime OPs would sound like ballads if played slowly.

[@Your_Friend_Phil]

I loved the fact that you actually mixed and edited the panning of the drums and the guitars. It really adds a lot to the piece.

[@esteva03]

Dude... just listening to this song I lost a friend and defeated a long lost family member who became my rival and I achieved this while falling in love with my childhood friend although a strong female comrade in battle also had feelings for me and she showed it by sacrificing her body so I could strike the last blow being amped up by the voices of the people who shared my struggles and taught my hardened lonely hearth what the true meaning of friendship really means. So yeah. Nice video. Great song!!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@HeroOfTime64Link]

1:16 is where the full intro starts

[@404TVfr]

Impatient fuck

[@Plaostellation]

The build up made me heart attack

[@HappyMelons]

No please don't :)

[@Supreme-gyudon]

2:09 If you meditate, you can see scenes of the main characters running through the wide wilderness.

[@comentarista1816]

YES!!!!

[@Zeth-bass]

I need full version of this, it’s too good

[@esc7343]

considering it is meant to be an anime opening, this is already a full version

[@Zeth-bass]

@@esc7343 bruh you realize most anime openings have full version…

[@Kamalium]

I am planning to make a full version of it soon (if i can get permission of course)

[@tsuenji]

I played this back at 1.25x speed and heck it really sounds like a real actual Anime OP 🤣 This is so good!

[@anita_arts]

OMG FR-

[@RedFox_505]

normal is better

[@Freakybananayo]

Normal wayy better

[@kinhahaha7161]

1.25 so good

[@shinre1938]

1.25x got some shounen anime vibe

[@SpringySpring04]

How you managed to capture Jpop rock so well is incredible! It sounded like I was listening to an OP or something, this was so well made! And the oriental melody focus made it sound like a rock mix of Touhou, which I listen to a lot

[@underground2691]

wait what it does sound like a rock mix of a touhou song

[@SpringySpring04]

@@underground2691 fr touhou music the best

[@dayoki8091]

it definetly sounds like a demetori song lol

[@mauberni]

You nailed it, sounds anime as fuck.

[@jjjnani]

I loved that chord 2:20 .. its just satisfying

[@toofuuu]

The way he plays the unresolved chord, and resolves it immediatly aftsr is probably one of my favorite things. The one chord progression i like more is where you a chord, and move it 1 down 2 times, and then resolve it. I think its called marusa chord progression.

[@gldanoob3639]

see kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKPHc6pnjptpbdU

[@elcbas1536]

1:22 *Insert a text with the name of the anime* 1:34 *Put the protagonist to walk alone while showing the more caracthers in pictures" 1:52 *Showing the villans or the bad of the history while they make poses* 1:59 *Showing the past of the protagonist, while he is frustraded by what they did to him* 2:04 *Showing his team get ready to the battle* 2:10 *The typical fight in all animes in the chorus of the song* 2:35 *Show the credits while the protagonist walk to the camera* This is my idea of ​​what I think the opening would look like hahaha. Excellent video, congratulations

[@nicholasgreaves3548]

I just imagined the entire thing😅

[@oepilogo]

VERY GOOD! 🤣🤣🤣

[@_nash]

イメージ通りだわありがとう

[@drajatagungnugroho8852]

100% anime accurate 🤣

[@pencintahewan234]

Man I can Imagine it😮😮😮😮

[@Valentine-ey1tf]

This is way too good man, it makes me think of Fullmetal Alchemist for some reason lol

[@magmafox16]

Maybe "Rain"?

[@joseefrainlopez880]

Yesss I thought the same

[@manegg4166]

使ってるギターからもアニメへの愛が感じられて良い！

[@peteyvx]

Got big vibes from “Drivers High” by L’Arc~en~Ciel (Great Teacher Onizuka” when the song started. Nice work.

[@lylevillanueva8624]

The riff of that Op Is too damn 🔥

[@babyduv3241]

The chorus unironically sounds like USO from SID. This video is pretty good

[@LuciferAether]

I can hear the epic vocals singing about friendship and growing stronger.

[@eancklean7922]

Yoooooo, we need a stand-alone version of this song, I've been obsessed with this video for weaks

[@quisejones7106]

This sounds exactly like that one really iconic song from Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, so well done my dude👌🏾

[@lLucy-oe6ky]

yes it also reminds me of God Knows

[@llRailgun]

@@lLucy-oe6ky Cuz main idea got from it? A, B, G#m ,C#m... Also bass line just copypasted

[@curvedtoaster5931]

Thats exactly what I was thinking

[@Alexander-vo4gv]

@@llRailgunmost bass lines are copy pasted

[@spencerdrums9776]

I'd imagine the k-on yui guitar isn't a coincidence

[@Zeagods-CyberShadow]

I love the Japanese Pop and rock style that they use in Anime. Its so much more expressive and fills me with this Epic and nostalgic feeling. It also sounds so pretty and awesome

[@kaonashi4693]

The intro feels like Orange from Toradora. We need a full version 😊

[@kobaye5173]

One of the most detailled theorical explanation of what is making anime music so special. Thanks a lot ! I will try to apply this method !

[@timetobloom]

This video is legendary, thank you for making this!

[@squidcrusher1485]

1:19 full song

[@markyang1924]

0:37 *instant sadness kicks in* O_o

[@jakerhodes2105]

I’m trying so hard to figure out what this is off

[@markyang1924]

​@@jakerhodes2105Ikr, sounds familiar af 😅

[@aziziabdrahman7756]

I have just been transported back to my childhood watching this video. This is spot on, well done.

[@nitro361]

Man, that betrayer side character that has brutally died last episode got me crying so damn hard 😭😭🔥💔

[@mcpm4889]

I'm feeling pumped up right now and I might punch a villain that used to be my friend 300 years ago in our past lives.

[@HappyMelons]

263k views! Thank you guys! ❤

[@mylesdaly4468]

This is pretty sweet dude

[@NEVERDUNNIT1]

Make another video

[@rujinopy7746]

It's damn good dude. I'm not surprised!

[@LuciferMorningstar-xv5ft]

300k now ... and its still underated hahaha ... wish u all the best for future uploads

[@SkaterDuck92]

that was beautiful man!

[@zxy4076]

I've been waiting years to find a video on composing a song in the same format as an anisong. This nails it perfectly.

[@jerryzinho]

Looks like was a op of Saint Seiya! Awesome dude.

[@andremarques1088]

Ikr that's EXACTLY what I thought. Especially on the verse

[@splitzerx570]

One thing I can say for a fact about KZbinrs like you in general is that you really inspire ppl like me to embrace my musical side more than other mindless activities like video games and movies. Whilst I love and appreciate those video games and movies and the music that accompanies it I always want my core interests to remain on music and because music takes work to improve upon it can be easier after coming home from work to just hop on my games rather than turn on the amp. Awesome job my dude 👍

[@zalard9216]

Cada vez que veo este video me sigue sorprendiendo lo bien hecho que está y lo poco conocido que es.

[@satrioardi553]

I laughed because of how you described how anime songs are, and I agreed lol, and I'm amazed because of the music you created! Thank you for making this epic music, brother!

[@malikmanautou2960]

God I’d kill to play like that. That Falling bass line in the guitar is so spot on

[@artisanartisan8564]

This is ACTUALLY FREAKING AMAZING AND AWESOME Great Job!

[@elcanalderama4418]

You killed it in every single way :D

[@PlaylistProductions]

Wonderful work! I can see the characters running and closeups :)

[@desdafinado]

Incredible how this video could've come out in 2007, 2013 or even last year

[@gguizzoo]

Bro you made a perfect synthesis of many ideas in a simple and epic language, good job ❤

[@DAIEDRO]

That was awesome! Reel 'em in with that harmony 👀

[@brycenathan2747]

I love the shady cicada reference!

[@Sourlemonlimee]

full version please i’ve listened to this like 3 times today it’s wayy too good ❤😁

[@raisage]

Wow, you totally nailed the vibe, dude!

[@xSunsetSkiezx]

this sounds. SO. GOOD!!! you HAVE to drop this 🔥

[@yalcinozc]

Man, this video is slowly being more and more popular.

[@w1nther930]

Wow this is very inspiring and also gives me some ideas. I play piano and love playing anime songs and wanted to try out composing a bit. I had an idea for chorus part but i could really only do the first part, since i noticed it sounded similair to another anime song, making me kind of loose thought. Im thinking of using the daw reaper to make my song since i have acess to more instruments than only piano.

[@victorvera8]

This sounds amazing! Thank you for sharing with us ❤

[@joahn]

Did not expect this. Awesome job!

[@Haxior5506]

It reminds me of the combination of fullmetall alchemist brotherhood opening 4 and 5

[@notexistingg]

Thank you for teaching me that! I also have the idea of creating a TV show (I’m still not sure if it’s going to be an anime). You totally helped me a lot!

[@MishazBts]

Blows my mind the bass riff u made on ample bass

[@linksmakotis4979]

Glad i found this in my youtube sugestions. Sick work man ! Keep it up.

[@SorchyMusic]

Reel em in with the harmony!

[@luckbened4378]

I'll love to see this song with a vocal singed version

[@eheh6273]

Really admire your breakdown, as well as your arrangement.

[@Rukiman_no16]

I think the key are chords. Many times we get sucked with the 4 chords progression on a similar tempo while japanese rock usually makes larger chord progression with a substantial difference in the tempo.

[@CallMeDean97]

This song sounds like the theme song of an obscure Japanese action RPG. I love it! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@manuel_elastico3163]

WOW! Amazing stuff man. You should consider adding a lead synth with your lead guitar instead of doubling it with another lead guitar. I've been hearing a lot of anime opening implement synths in their scores to add "epicness"

[@greatvedas]

those subtitles are entertaining and very interesting too. great work!

[@GimmeAGoshDarnName]

We need a Spotify full version of this

[@johnplaysviolin4071]

Man, I absolutely love this. What chords are you playing when you were demonstrating just the chords on the guitar?

[@Arisutamono]

Royal Road chord progression which is comprised of - IV- V - iii - vi

[@ethanquitugua3184]

@@Arisutamono IV-V-III-VI

[@commandershepard9749]

@@ethanquitugua3184 No, the 3rd and 6th degrees are minor chords

[@user-wf2vz1lg5p]

Royal road progression

[@an0nym0us3_6]

I can hear an A, B, G#m, and C#m. Can't quite pick out the rest.

[@EnigmazGuide]

I close my eyes. Its anime

[@felipecampos5908]

Dude, if you told me that was legit from an uknown anime I'd totally believe you! Awesome job!!

[@soon4829]

yoooo, I feel like REALLY nostalgic when listening to this

[@user-vu2ib8ne5g]

Hi! I’m Japanese. I didn't know using sad melody . I learned a lot ! Thank you!

[@kydott]

cant wait until youre ghost writing all the anime ops out there, wonderful job!

[@WarDimensionOfficial]

This gives me flashbacks to when I used to watch Shady Cicada...

[@use0fweapons]

damn i am SO READY for whatever show were watching to start. sick video!

[@Akakikukaku]

I hope someone will make lyrics to this ! And sing it

[@Bluecove75]

Ohh, that would be fun to try! If OP is cool with it, of course

[@slipperybiscuits4864]

Incredible. Now I wish this was a real song so I can endlessly jam to it

[@vladmamula4532]

Anime guitar intros sound soo pop punk sometimes:)))) Great work, man❤️

[@STINKAHBELL]

the verse sections is COLLLDDDDD!

[@vg_jan]

Cool!! I wish I knew those dem spicy chords. I realllly love it! Hope someone could tell me what chords there were.

[@Spaghetti742]

coming here for when someone shares the chords

[@elcanaldeeljuliano9743]

@@Spaghetti742 a

[@spoons2562]

@@Spaghetti742 don't know the chords BUT you can play very similar sounding chords by looking up "Lets talk about mathrock's video called 5 commonly used chords for math rock, and then play the chords you find there anywhere on the neck that sounds good to you, and also maybe alter 1 note of a chord to your liking that would sound more anime to you, this is what i did so i think it will help you a bit (also chord progression plays a suuper big role too if u already didn't know)

[@tongqiustb847]

@@Spaghetti742 F#m G#maj C#m-G#maj-Emaj-F#maj there might be some extension notes but these are the basic chords (that I hear)

[@Spaghetti742]

@@tongqiustb847 @TOTU @spoons , thank you guys!

[@whomadethis_name]

I would love to see this guy make a whole song out of this. If you have made one, link me the song please.

[@westnilesnipes]

Wow, good job dude! This was great.

[@didirae2009]

It reminded me of the 5th fmab opening but its different at the same time, thats pretty cool.

[@Charlotte-us8kl]

dude i can feel the power of the song... 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Falcony3]

I've been looking for a good explanation for ages great video

[@Symphonixz]

real talk, Ik anime ops are simple in how they can be cool, but man you really nail it on the details, nice!

[@SluggishGA]

I play keyboard / piano. Are there any good VSTs that can replicate that electric guitar sound in that anime way?

[@leo._.vincent]

use a synth lead instead of guitar, and play like piano chords instead of strumming. That may work?

[@lewisstrongofficial]

@@leo._.vincent As an FL Studio user, what would you recommend?

[@leo._.vincent]

@@lewisstrongofficial I have no idea lol, ive never done it I just think that would work

[@commandershepard9749]

Get any electric guitar VSTs and (most important of all) a marshall amp simulator VST, then run that electric guitar through the marshall amp, then you're good to go

[@FirekenBeat]

ample guitar vsts

[@noahbarger1]

i wish i could play guitar to make something like this

[@commandershepard9749]

You still can though, you just need a daw and some instrument plugins

[@noahbarger1]

@@commandershepard9749 i'm broke oof

[@commandershepard9749]

@@noahbarger1 eh there are free daws and free vsts out there, cakewalk would be a good starting point(don't be fooled, even though it is free, cakewalk is just as good if not better than popular daws like FL or cubase)

[@noahbarger1]

@@commandershepard9749 i got mac

[@commandershepard9749]

@@noahbarger1 mac? Don't you have garageband? It's quite similar to cakewalk and also free

[@cim7496]

BRO THATS SO 2010 NOSTALGIC I LOOOVE IT PLS RELEASE THIS SONG SOMEWHERE

[@sophieNuke55]

Woah this is actually so amazing dude

[@Dota2Lab]

cool series, but the manga version was better 🙃

[@ieatgrass108]

Funny how music theory wise J-Rock is superior because of their ability to use all types of spicy chords imaginable compared to western rock which is very basic. Oh and don’t get me started on the BASS.

[@verlax8956]

what

[@Bruvwavy]

Go eat grass bruh

[@pentexsucks43]

If you genuinely think that, you're romanticizing Japan too much and don't listen to enough western music. You can find more simple and easy Japanese songs the same way you'd find American ones. You're just being purposefully biased because you're a weeb. Also even popular genres for zoomers like Japan City Pop is literally the Japanese trying to emulate what the west was doing with their funk crossover pop music.

[@xersxo5460]

Mans gave the basics and finished with clinical perfection

[@cxlev01]

WOW JUST WOW, YOU NAILED IT