But now that I have the time, without further introductory comments, I give you my top 10 AMVs that I believe are the best that I have seen for 2008. (The following does not include long multi-source AMVs, as they will have their separate entries later) I suggest you watch all of these in High Quality, or download them from the org (you have to register first before you can download them), so that you can see the true beauty of these works!.
10. More Than Enough
Creator: ZetZu
Premiered: 23 April 2008
Anime used: Ef - A Tale of Memories
Song(s): BT - Simple Being Loved (Somnambulist)
AMV.org link: http://www.animemusicvideos.org/members/members_videoinfo.php?v=158851
Starting with number 10 is a very nice AMV by Zetzu that deserves to make it in my top 10 list. I like the use of his special effects and a great song choice. He managed to match the scenes and the song to it, as well as making a nice tempo and mood to it.
The amazing thing about this AMV is that the creator only had 48 hours to create this! Its not everyday that you have someone make an AMV in 48 hours, and get a very high rating, especially on AMV.org
Ef - A tale of memories is recently becoming a popular drama anime since AIR. I haven't seen it yet, but will get around to watching it, and I want to watch it as soon as possible after watching this AMV. =)
The only thing that I believed that was out of place here was the use of video terms in the AMV (ie. the rendering scenes). Sure, it maybe a good transitional effect, but it doesn't seem to match it in my opinion. Either way, a very nice AMV.
9. Jam Sports
Creator: Atio
Premiered: 26 August 2008
Anime used: Buzzer Beater, Hajime no Ippo, Over Drive, Eyeshield 21, Major, Prince of Tennis
Song(s): Michael Jackson - Jam
AMV.org link: http://www.animemusicvideos.org/members/members_videoinfo.php?v=162165
French AMV'er "Atio" gives us an AMV about sports. Truth to be told, there are not a lot of sport AMVs out there that are good, but this one is an exception. Using a variety of real life footage, as well as footage from different sport anime, he managed to make a nice Sport AMV, with a steady action beat to it. It may also show the beauty of sport. It also shows that there needs to be more sports anime out there!
This video is also nostalgic to me, since it shows a lot of epic moments by the great man himself, Michael Jordan. Good use by Atio to include him, and relate him to the anime basketball scenes.
Although many can argue that it is not an AMV since the majority of the video isn't anime (and I kinda had this opinion as well), I admit that it is still well done, considering it is very hard to find the right music, as well as the right action scenes to do a sports AMV. So good job for Jam sports for making it into my top 10!
8. Resonant Discord
Creator: Chiikaboom
Premiered: 15 December 2008
Anime used: Soul Eater
Song(s): The Birthday Massacre - Broken
AMV.org link: http://www.animemusicvideos.org/members/members_videoinfo.php?v=164401
Next up is by Chiikaboom. Truth to be told, I haven't seen Soul Eater yet, but this AMV makes me wanna see it now.
The use of effects gives off the intensity feel of the AMV, and showing as much action as possible. Also, the use of colours is very well done, to show the sentimental feel, as well as showing the intensity of the action to the viewer.
Use of song choice is correct, as an action AMV isn't all about action. The slow parts of the song correctly match the scenes where there is no fighting, and is like a 'rest' or 'thoughtful' period for the characters portrated in this AMV. Overall, I like this action AMV and deserves to be in my top 10!
7. Running Man
Creator: Nostromo
Premiered: 19 November 2008
Anime used: Appleseed: Ex Machina, Ef - A Tale of Memories, Ergo Proxy, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Gunbuster 2, Kiddy Grade, Macross Frontier, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Mobile Suit Gundam, Night Wizard, The Place Promised in Our Early Days, Ray, REC, Shakugan no Shana, So Long Mr. Despair, True Tears, Yogurting
Song(s): Utah Saints - Something Good (Van She 08 Radio Edit)
AMV.org link: http://www.animemusicvideos.org/members/members_videoinfo.php?v=164778
Ever since I heard about Nostromo, I actually fell in love with his AMVs. Especially his multi-source AMVs, with just one song. The fact that he uses Dance/ Fantasy music with a lot of anime is a very hard thing to do, and not a lot of AMVs that uses this type of music comes out successful.
Not as big as his other works (like Auriga and Magic Pad), but this one is just as wonderful as his other ones. Its a very lively AMV, something that you would dance to. Once again, he uses a wide variety of flashy special effects (used correctly), and transitions between each anime matches in tune with the song.
I haven't seen most of these anime, and I don't intend to watch them all. However, the fact that he used a lot of cute, action, dramatic and funny scenes from the various anime shown, I might like to watch three or four of them on the list above. Great work Nostromo!
6. FOTOGRAPHIA LA SOLEDAD
Creator: Megamom
Premiered: 30 November 2008
Anime used: Sola
Song(s): Fase - Nadie
AMV.org link: http://www.animemusicvideos.org/members/members_videoinfo.php?v=164217
I really like this nice and easy going AMV. Even though I don't know a lot of spanish myself, the song makes the AMV have a nice feel to it. Its a nice dramatic and sentimental AMV that would give the viewer a lot to think about on life.
I was very impressed with the usage of effects here, especially in the beginning where the digital camera was used as a transition between scenes. Also, the use of real life footage gives off the feel about life in General.
A top AMV by my standards.
5. C O C K T A I L
Creator: Megamom
Premiered: 26 September 2008
Anime used: Ef - A Tale of Memories, Ef - The Latter Tale
Song(s): Belanova - Barco De Papel, Belanova - Y
AMV.org link: http://www.animemusicvideos.org/members/members_videoinfo.php?v=162763
Another AMV by Megamom. What I like more about this one than FOTOGRAPHIA LA SOLEDAD is the way the song matches with the scenes used for this AMV. When it comes to making an AMV that has a character singing the lyrics to a song, you would have to use the right scenes, as well as retaining the drama, the seriousness and the sentimental feel of the AMV. In this case, Megamom proved it here in C O C K T A I L.
I loved the used of effects here, such as the many words on life and love spread all over the AMV, as well as using the lyrics to reaffirm the viewer what the character is saying, and that they mean it.
Absolutely wonderful AMV that makes me wanna watch Ef - A Tale of Memories.
4. Clarissa
Creator: Bonefixer
Premiered: 30 April 2008
Anime used: Minami-ke
Song(s): Mindless Self Indulgence - Clarissa
AMV.org link: http://www.animemusicvideos.org/members/members_videoinfo.php?v=158904
What I like about this hilarious AMV is that it doesn't use Azumanga Daioh or Lucky Star scenes! Seriously, I like all the AMVs based on those two AMVs, but I think its time to look at another anime like Minami-ke. ^_^
Okay, so I haven't watched that anime yet, but this AMV makes me really wanna see it. The absolute craziness and the hilarious use of MFI's 'Clarissa' makes this a top comedy AMV. Not a lot of different effects were used here like the previous ones, but they are good to put use to make this AMV a crazy one.
Oh, and Clarissa is a catchy song. So explain why it isn't!
3. Attack of the Otaku
Creator: Chiikaboom
Premiered: 2 January 2008
Anime used: Lucky Star, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Ouran High School Host Club
Song(s): Jenny Rom - The Game of Love (E=mc^2 Mix)
AMV.org link: http://www.animemusicvideos.org/members/members_videoinfo.php?v=154127
Coming in at number 9 is Chiikaboom's "Attack of the Otaku". If you like madness, lots of colours, crazy and catchy music, dancing, and these awesome and hilarious anime, then this is the AMV for you!
Utter madness this one. I simply loved it when it was first released in January. Using a wide variety of simple colours, transitional effects, awesome after effects editing, this AMV deserves to be in my top five. The catchiness of the song really gets to you, and you feel like you want to join the fun.
Okay, so maybe some people may not like it, especially the song choice.. But admit it, it is a very well done AMV. WARNING: This video may bring you seizures! :P
2. Auriga
Creator: Nostromo
Premiered: 6 July 2008
Anime used: Ah! My Goddess, Air, Akai Ito, Appleseed: Ex Machina, ARIA the ANIMATION, Ashita no Kimi to Au Tame Ni (~Till I Reach Your Tomorrow~), Carnelian, Chaos Wars, Chrono Crusade, Clannad, Code Geass - Lelouch of the Rebellion, Ef - A Tale of Memories, Ef - The Latter Tale, Ergo Proxy, GANTZ, Gatekeepers, Ghost in the Shell: GIG2, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Global Astroliner Gou, Godannar, Gun X Sword, Gunbuster 2, Haru no Ashioto, Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni, Kiddy Grade, Macross Frontier, Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StikerS, Melody of Oblivion, Night Wizard, The Place Promised in Our Early Days, Pokemon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea, Ray, Real Drive, REC, Shakugan no Shana, Shakugan no Shana: 2nd Season, Shining Force EXA, Sky Girls, So Long Mr. Despair, Starship Operators, The Third, Tide-Line Blue, To Heart 2, Tokyo Underground, W-Wish, Wild Arms 4, Xross Scramble, Ys I & II: Eternal Story, Zegapain
Song(s): DJ Spoke - Watch Them Fall Down (Montano Dub), DJ Spoke - Watch Them Fall Down (Original Mix)
AMV.org link: http://www.animemusicvideos.org/members/members_videoinfo.php?v=160388
Once again, Nostromo has delivered to the whole AMV.org community that he is one of the best multisource AMVers out there by delivering another epic by him called "Auriga".
The time to make this AMV due to the massive amount of Anime used shows the true beauty and complexity of his work. For this to work, he had to mix two songs carefully, so that it could be the basis of the 'flow' of the AMV. Secondly, he had to pick many scenes from different Anime and Computer games to create this flow, as well as match with the music. Not only that, he had to create a nice feel and mood to it. For this to happen, not only did he grab the correct scenes, but also used a whole load of effects and colour to have smooth transitional scenes, show the seriousness and mood of the AMV, as well as having a Dance feel to it.
I also suggest that you look at his other AMV called "Magic Pad" because it was this multisource AMV that made him shine in the whole AMV community. Congratulations in making my top 3 Nostromo! Auriga deserves to be here.
1. Just for a Day
Creator: Funky-kun
Premiered: 31 May 2008
Anime used: 5 Centimeters Per Second, Air, Ashita no Kimi to Au Tame Ni (~Till I Reach Your Tomorrow~), Black Cat, Bleach, Ef - A Fairy Tale of the Two, Ef - The Latter Tale, Erementar Gerad, Eureka Seven, Fate/Stay Night, Full Metal Panic: Fumoffu, Full Metal Alchemist, Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, The Girl Who Lept Through Time, Gunslinger Girl, Inu Yasha, Kanon, Kimi Ga Nozomu Eien, Lunar Legend Tsukihime, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Murder Princess, Mai-HiME, Naruto, Naruto: Shippuuden The Movie, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Open Your Mind, Origin ~Spirits of the Past~, The Place Promised in Our Early Days, Please Twins!, Shinigami no Ballad: Momo The Girl God of Death, Trinity Blood, Wind: A Breath of Heart, Zero no Tsukaima
Song(s): U2 - Beautiful Day
AMV.org link: http://www.animemusicvideos.org/members/members_videoinfo.php?v=158790
Out of all the AMVs using U2's song, this is by far the best AMV I have seen to use such an epic song. Why?
Not just because its a muti-source AMV, but because the way Funky-kun used all the different anime scenes, and showing a very serious and sentinmental mood with Beautiful Day. This AMV clearly shows about life, and how, despite all the tough times you have, there is one point in your life where you have a great day, and its always great to appreciate a beautiful day. This AMV clearly shows it.
I like the way how Funky-kun used the right scenes that would match the lyrics of the song, yet still retain the sentinmental and serious mood of the AMV. This is achieved through the use of special effects, and its like as though you are watching an old clip.
Well done Funky-kun on making 1st place on my list. You totally deserve it. =)
Thats all there is to it. I hope you enjoyed them as much as I did!
Renato
Random picture of the day:
Ah... Kei and Yuko are so cute! This is why I should watch Ef - A Tale of Memories!
