Sometimes what really sets an anime series or movie apart from the others is in the music. Imagine what Escaflowne would have been like if it weren't for the music. Sure, it would still have those cool character and mech designs, but without tracks such as Dance of Curse or Angel to set the tone for those integral scenes, would we have cared? Look at the climactic battle sequence of the Kyoto Arc in Rurouni Kenshin between Shishio and the boys. Without the dramatic, pulse-pounding music blaring from the speakers while Shishio fiercely fought Kenshin, it would be just two grown men poking each other with sharp sticks on your TV screen. Finally, in Cowboy Bebop, at the very climax of the final battle, let's just say that the outcome wouldn't have been the same without the masterful Blue emanating softly from your TV speakers, causing you to feel even more sad than you already are.

Music draws you into the show. It sets the mood and lets you know if the characters are sad, angry, happy, or serious. It connects you with those characters you see on the TV. A great music soundtrack can elicit fond memories of the show it is from the moment you pop it into the CD player. Buy the Trigun First Doughnuts CD and listen to the track HT. You will be instantly transported into the exciting opening sequence of the hit series. These days, just watching the videos of your favorite anime series is not enough. Every fan out there should go out and buy the soundtracks from those series today!

Everyone here at Japanimation.com welcomes you to our Anime Music CD section at the J-Store. Even though we want you to spend all your hard-earned money buying anything that strikes your fancy here, there are certain "must-haves" for any anime fan looking for quality music. The staff here has fought for three days over this, but we have finally come up with a list of our own Top 10 anime CDs that you simply must check out - all available here at the JSTORE.

Top 10 Japanimation.com Staff Picks 10. Kare Kano Act 1.0 Studio Gainax has done what no one thought they could do: complete a transition from the controversial Evangelion series to the light-hearted high school drama Kare Kano. Director Hideaki Anno brings a smart and energetic look at the world of high school romance with clever pacing and art direction. The music to the series is a definite highlight of Kare Kano. This CD contains everyone's favorite tracks, from the upbeat opener, "Into the Dream"(track 1) to the incredibly catchy closing song (track24). One of our staff's sister loves this song so much she annoys her brother tremendously by humming the tune constantly. 9. Evangelion Vol.1 This is the first Music CD released for one of the most controversial anime series ever. The first track to open the album is the show's opener, a very rhythmic and pop-sounding song that doesn't really give you the serious tone of Evangelion. There are also three versions of "Fly Me to the Moon", a very nice song with a relaxed beat and soft vocals. The rest of the tracks are nice but do not stand out like the previously mentioned tracks. 8. Bubblegum Crisis Best Collection This is the compilation CD that has all the best rock tunes from the first series of the classic Bubblegum Crisis. The very first song, loosely translated into "Hurricane" will draw you right into the cyberpunk world of BGC. Most fans will remember this song from the first episode of BGC, with Priss and Replicants singing this track at a bar. Track 2 is also highly recommended, because it is the title track of the series that plays during the opening sequence. Hard rock and heavy guitar riffs make this CD a legend among all anime soundtracks out there. The cover art is also quite striking, with individual shots of the four Knight Sabers. 7. Perfect Blue This full-feature anime film is nothing short of amazing. It manages to be both realistic and scary. Part of the reason why this movie scared the daylights out of the staff here was its creepy soundtrack that set the tone for the most viral parts of the film. This masterful CD brings all the creepiness of the film home to your stereo. The opening track is a very light pop song sung by Cham, the girl group at the beginning of the film. The second track is also very light and will have your feet tapping. However, the rest of the CD is a rare mix of chanting and beats that are indeed scary. Don't listen to this CD in the dark. 6. Cowboy Bebop: Blue Get this CD if not for the title track alone. The first song on this album, "Blue" is simply the most beautiful melody you will ever hear. Plus, if you are a fan of Cowboy Bebop, you will know what scene during the series this song plays. Trust us, if you love Bebop as much as we did, every time you hear this song you will be filled with emotions. The other tracks on this album are also very nice, but everyone must get this CD for the title track. Trust us, you'll be glad you did. 5. Macross Plus: Sharon Apple PUF Featuring the gorgeous, titillating, and seductive voice of Sharon Apple, the computer gone bad in Macross Plus, this hard-to-find CD should be the crown jewel in any Macross fan's collection. True, this album holds only four songs, but what good songs they are! Most of the staff here loves "Idol Talk", but the other three songs, from the jazzy "Borderline" to the danceable "Information Highway" are awesome too. "Santi-U" is the last song to appear and it is a perfect mix of trance, vocals, and funk. 4. Trigun: The First Doughnuts The anime series Trigun is a wonderful mix of action, comedy, drama, and a dash of romance. The First Doughnuts is a perfect representation of Vash, the title character in Trigun. The brilliant tracks do the show justice with rock tunes, light melodies, and some beautiful singing. Everyone will recognize "H.T.", the title track with its awesome guitar riffs and solos. "Soundlife" is simply haunting and harmonious to the point that you will fall in love with the voice of the singer. All in all, this CD is highly recommended by us, whether you've seen the series or not. 3. Escaflowne OST 1: Over the Sky Escaflowne: Over the Sky is an elegant compilation of symphonic and vocal tracks sure to please any fan of the series. It contains the uncut version of the show's opener, "Yakusoku wa Iranai" (Track 1), which is nothing short of gorgeous. "Dance of Curse" (Track 3) is a thundering, awe-inspiring concerto complete with furious violin-playing and chanting. Another notable track, "Angel" (Track 6), is a slow, beautiful piece with soft singing in Latin. The second-to-last track is Escaflowne's closer, "Mystic Eyes", a rock song with heavy guitar riffs that provides a contrast to the instrumental pieces. 2. Rurouni Kenshin Premium Collection Many fans of Rurouni Kenshin have one major complaint about all the music in the series. Because RK was expanded into four long TV series, a whole slew of music soundtracks were released. Many times, one awesome track, such as Siam Shade's "1/3" closing song is on a CD while other favorites are on other albums. The Premium Collection is exactly what the name implies-a collection of the best RK tracks out there. Consisting of three CDs, this is the ultimate gift for any RK fan. The first CD has all the opening and closing songs, from "1/3", "1/2", and "Heart of Sword". The second CD has all the great background music tracks, such as "Last Wolf Suite" and "Warrior's Arrogance" (a beloved track of our staff). The third CD is a collection of tracks from the Samurai X OAV series. While not on par with the other two CDs, this package as a whole is worth the price for anyone who wants to relive all the glory of Kenshin. 1. Cowboy Bebop OST 1 Although it certainly wouldn't hurt, you don't have to be a fan of Cowboy Bebop to appreciate its first OST. Masterfully composed by the legendary Yoko Kanno, the CD tilts slightly towards the jazzy side, but is diverse enough to please all fans. It kicks off with the opener of the series, "Tank", in all its slick, swanky glory, and finishes with the wistful music-box melody "Memory". Other notable pieces are "The Egg and I" (Track 13), with its infectious flute-and-drum beat, and the melancholy ballad "Rain" (Track 15). Simply one of the best soundtracks out there.