Studio Madhouse‘s No Guns Life is a gritty noir-styled TV anime with great music, composed by the great Kenji Kawai (Mob Psycho 100, Gundam 00). With an ear for perfection, there are plenty of songs to go through, not including the opening and ending theme songs. But now that I’ve mentioned it, artists like Hiroyuki Sawano and bands like THIS IS JAPAN are among the performers. So, which songs are the very best? Without further ado, I present to you the 5 best No Guns Life Songs!
For the first time ever, I’ve included all opening and ending theme songs, so I hope you enjoy!
Honorable Mention: Disposer
We’re starting off with Disposer, the soothing jazz track that will make you want to smoke and pour yourself a glass of whisky. It’s the type of song you’d hear in an 80s jazz bar, where all the women are wearing short skirts and giving fierce looks, while the men are arguing over sports and trying to fight each other. I mean, it’s friggin splendid, isn’t it? No? Whether you’re into jazz or not, I’m sure all of us agree that it’s quite a memorable track. If not for the reasons above, how about the fact that it’s the song that plays every time Juzo Inui has an inner monologue with himself? Thus, I’m forced and compelled to include it on this list!
5. Regeneration
The #5 spot goes to Renegeration, a song that’s equal parts ferocious and beautiful, with a slowly-building tempo that ramps up into a triumphant roar! Clearly, it’s a heroic battle song, made for a fight scene, but it also encompasses No Guns Life’s feeling in a great way. While it’s obviously too bright and happy, there’s enough instrumentals in it to make it feel chaotic and somewhat disturbing. It’s the slow build, isn’t it? That’s what makes it work. That, as well as the addition of the electric guitar!
4. Chaos Drifters, by Hiroyuki Sawano & Jean-Ken Johnny
What do I want and what will I see?
Keep on the point the gun in my head
What do I want and what will I seek?
Ain’t nobody gonna spoil it for me.
Hiroyuki Sawano is a legend, isn’t he? Whenever he creates any type of music or collaborates on a song, it’s bound to be great, and Chaos Drifters is no different. Working alongside Jean-Ken Johnny, Sawano was able to put together a hard-hitting and energetic song that works well with the second season of No Guns Life. It’s up-tempo, with a great bridge, and a drop that you’ll hardly forget. Thus, it’s a song definitely worth listening to, even if you’ve never watched No Guns Life!
So why doesn’t Chaos Drifters rank higher? Simply put, the song doesn’t fit No Guns Life. It’s just too modern for a gritty noir anime like No Guns Life, and therefire Chaos Drifters feel out of place. Instead of fitting No Guns Life, it’s more of a Re:Creators song. I mean, just imagine watching Re:Creators and having this song as one of the opening themes; you’d love it! But when it comes to No Guns Life. It’s sadly a hit and a miss, while still being a good song.
3. Game Over, by DATS
The beginning is Game Over, it’s always like that
Don’t believe, just don’t believe it anymore
So damn the world and then shoot your gun
Grab your own reality
When it comes to opening and ending theme song, none of them are as soothing and satisfying as Game Over, by DATS. Clearly it’s intended to let us breathe and exhale after an episode filled with gun-smoke and fan-service, and it does a good job at it. Whether you enjoy songs like this or not, it’s fitting for the first ending, as it’s a melodically sound exit song. While it’s not as good as the top 3, it’s easily in this 4th spot in my book!
2. Motor City, by Kenichi Asai
Motor City Long drive check-in
Turtle decorated in the lobby
Vodka in the vendor room
Two Girls dive into the pool
Smile!
This groovy opening set the stage for the No Guns Life TV anime, and I really enjoy it! While it’s simplistic in essence, without deep or complex lyricism, it’s really fun and light-hearted, which makes Motor City stand out. While most of Kenji Kawai’s songs are noir-inspired and gritty in style, Kenichi Asai’s Motor City is almost like a summer party song that you’d hear on a beach. Thus, it’s different in style, even when compared to other theme songs for the anime, but it’s still effective and works. It’s easier said than done, but I feel like Kenichi Asai came through with a distinct sound that made Motor City stand out to me.
1. New World, by This Is Japan
Wow wow wow, a new world
Wow wow wow, will I be able to see it someday?
Oh Wow wow wow, not asking for anyone’s help
Will you try it? Pull the trigger.
THIS IS JAPAN is a rock band formed in 2011, and they specialize in disturbing your eardrum in the best possible way imaginable! And yes, that’s a compliment! They didn’t only hold up their end of the bargain, creating a song that fits No Guns Life, but they also kept the band’s essence. And by that I mean that THIS IS JAPAN created New World in their own style, which was a really good decision!
From the rhythm of the verses to the chorus that’ll make you want to shake your ass like Mary Steinberg, New World is a great track overall. While it’s not for everybody, it’s definitely and undoubtedly the best No Guns Life song from the anime. In turn, I’ll crown THIS IS JAPAN as the winners, as New World is #1 on my list of the top 5 best No Guns Life songs!
If you enjoyed this list, make sure to check out all of my anime lists!
Source: AnimeSongLyrics
