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Are the opening/ending themes, insert songs, and background music created
specifically for the series they represent, or are they just picked by the
producers/production committee based on how well they would fit their series?

What typically happens? What exceptions are there? How much have things
changed now compared to the past?


CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-11T01:57:02.283
3744
2018-01-23T00:10:44.757
2013-05-23T01:27:40.220
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question
anime-production music
How are the themes and songs picked for a particular series?


> _Are the opening/ending themes, insert songs, and background music created
> specifically for the series they represent, or are they just picked by the
> producers/production committee based on how well they would fit their
> series? What typically happens?_

**In most cases, opening/ending themes, insert songs, and background music are
created specifically for the series they represent.** Though, it can also be
picked based on it's popularity. After all, the main objective is to promote
both the series and the theme songs.

> _What exceptions are there?_

About exceptions, which I think can only be applicable when picking a song
depends on the deal between the companies (anime production/company and music
company) whether they will allow a song to be used as an anime theme song.
Well, anime can be a good promoter of a theme song and vice versa so it's a
win-win deal for the companies, so exceptions I guess will be all inside their
agreement.

> _How much have things changed now compared to the past?_

I think the only thing that has changed pertaining anime theme songs are the
popularity. Anime are more popular now than before globally so there is more
opportunity of a theme song to have a different versions of languages (which
involves purposely creating theme songs for the anime itself).

My basis is [here](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/AnimeThemeSong),

> **The theme music for most anime tends to be catchy songs deliberately
> written for release to the pop/rock music market, if they aren't already
> actual pop/rock songs.**
>
> One reason is simply that anime provides an easy way for both hit and entry
> J-pop/J-rock artists to get more exposure and good lateral promotion.
> Platinum J-rock bands like L'Arc~en~Ciel and Orange Range frequently release
> their new songs along as themes in anime that are on the air at the same
> period as their respective singles or albums.
>
> Another reason this is done is because many anime voice actors are also
> singers, often the more successful ones. (At least one such performer,
> Megumi Hayashibara, is both a formidable presence on Japanese pop charts and
> an internationally-known talent, as well as the recipient of more star and
> featured anime roles than any one person ought to have.) It's not unknown
> for production companies to organize some of their principal cast members
> into groups for recording CDs — the "Goddess Family Club" (Ah! My Goddess),
> DoCo (Ranma 1/2), the Maho-Dou (Ojamajo Doremi) and the Spirit Singers
> (Digimon Frontier) all come to mind. Either way, it's usually to a voice
> actor's advantage — they perform theme songs (as well as additional
> "character" songs), receiving a double benefit from exposure in two
> different markets (and the additional profit).
>
> A third reason is that TV theme songs are the pinnacle of Japanese musical
> success. If a Japanese artist/group makes a hit album, the studio takes
> almost all of the profits. If the same group makes an album as a TV tie-in,
> the musicians themselves receive a much larger cut.


CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-22T06:36:56.820
3869
2015-02-06T06:15:47.737
2015-02-06T06:15:47.737
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answer