AMV Showdown: The Penultimate Top Ten

We finally made it to what I call the penultimate ten! These are the AMVs with perfect scores that happened to also become some of me and my brother’s favorites. There are no rules for this list. In fact, they are listed based only on a tally we made of which ones we like better than the others. For Best in Show and other awards, I will make a different post.

For now, let’s get started!

10.【Mob】？？？% AMV by King AMV

Based on Mob Psycho 100

Somehow, a remix of Fall Out Boy’s “Young And Menace” works so well with Mob Psycho 100. Many of the previous AMVs struggled balancing fast paced imagery with slower, or still moments. “???” uses the pacing of the song to illustrate the ebb and flow from the show.

The biggest highlights are the opening, especially when Reigen stealthily slips on his coat, and the first chorus run.

9. AMV – Тhе Αskіng Ρrіcе 720p by NeverEnoughEpicAMVs3

Based on Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

“The Asking Price” packs an emotional punch, especially for those familiar with the show. It focuses on various characters from Fullmetal Alchemist and their sacrifices. It matches music and visuals so well! It feels like a beautiful collaboration between different artists.

That said, this is definately one of my favorite AMVs. I tend to lean more toward emotional storytelling than spectacle. At the end of the day, I didn’t watch Fullmetal Alchemist for its action scenes alone. It opened me to so much of the world, the good and ugly. I love to be reminded of that.

8. AMV Swing Box by VermillionAMV

Based on a Variety of Anime

Over the coarse of the last few weeks, I’ve come to really appreciate “Swing Box”. Why? Because so many collaboration AMVs don’t know how to, well, collaborate. Good AMVs don’t just need a large list of anime to fit into the right moments of a song. An AMV will not flow well unless the editor finds ways to blend them together cohesively.

“Swing Box” does just that! It’s timing is crisp, and its imagery is fascinating to witness. It doesn’t even feel like a hodge-podge of different works. They FEEL like they belong in the same space. Behold! The power of great editing.

I love this AMV’s energy, coloring, and the fun song choice!

7. AMV Pure White Gold by VermillionAMV

Based on My Hero Academia

Funny story. I saved this AMV on a whim about two years ago without really watching it. I had a habit of saving AMVs so I wouldn’t forget songs I liked while casually scrolling through YouTube. So, as I perused the various AMVs I’ve saved over the last few years, I saw “Pure White Gold” and thought, “What the heck. It must be here for a reason. Let’s include it in the top 100 list for kicks.”

I’m so glad I did! Looking more closely at this AMV’s content, pacing, and flow, it floored me over and over again. I get chills watching it every time and I haven’t even SEEN this show. The song and anime enhance each other so so beautifully!

I don’t have a favorite moment because I love watching it unfold!

6. Singular Strike Gentleman [OPM AMV – Anime Expo Best Fun] by Glitzer

Based on One Punch Man

Are you a fan of One Punch Man? Think about it, what is the perfect song for this show? Usually, people would say an action song because Saitama is a freak of nature and the animation for the action sequences are fantastic in the first season.

What if I told you “Singular Strike Gentleman” set to “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen is the best AMV I have EVVVVVER seen for this show? No joke. I laugh so hard seeing it! As a good friend of mine once said, One Punch Man at its heart is a satiric comedy about Saitama, his egg head and his titular one punch.

The timing is perfect and the lyrics coupled with Saitama’s hilarious face keep me coming back for more.

5. Princess Tutu AMV – Hold Me Now (Warning: Spoilerific) by Komichi

Based on Princess Tutu

“Hold Me Now” is the AMV that tricks viewers into watching and loving Princess Tutu. In fact, if you are watching it now, you might very well be thinking, “Dang, why have I never seen this show?”. Good. You should feel that way because its a fantastic, multi-layered philosophical drama of epic proportions!

That aside, this editor did so well sculpting a visual story, even with a foreign language song. It makes this story altogether epic! In fact, it captures the amazing dance sequences showcased throughout the show and showcases them as a brilliant spectacle. Kind of like a ballet. 😉

4. Dance with the Mushi || Mushishi AMV by Rainhowls2

Based on Mushishi

I saw multiple AMVs for Mushishi and concluded its extraordinarily difficult to find the right song for it. Mushishi is not an action anime. Most of its time is open for gentle observation rather than thorough engagement. It doesn’t rely on action scenes or loud noise. Its a story which invites its viewer to go on a journey, seeing the extraordinary world and witnessing human beings living.

This AMV, like the show, does all these things. There are no lyrics but it draws you in because at its heart it speaks to us on a personal, almost primal way. By its end, the music becomes faster and BAM! you’re hooked.

3. [RS] Danse De Raven by ChiikaboomAMV

Based on Princess Tutu

Yep. There are not one but TWO Princess Tutu AMVs in the top ten. Maybe its a subtle message I think you should watch the show. In all seriousness, “Danse De Raven” captures the darker underbelly of this show. Even more than “Hold Me Now” it has a way of drawing you in.

The editor was able to do this partly because of their amazing timing and wise song choice. Look up the lyrics for the song, “”Le Bien Qui Fait Mal” from Mozart L’Opera Rock and you’ll understand a little more why this is. Though it’s in French, the editor made sure to match the lyrics with the images and stay true to the song’s message and tone.

2. AMV Kindness by VermillionAMV

Based on Mob Psycho 100

(Special shoutout to VermillionAMV for having three AMVs on this list.) “Kindness” is my new personal favorite AMV. If “Cradles” showcased the stirring animated moments from Mob Psycho 100, “Kindness” captured the show’s beautiful emotional moments. Personally, Mob Psycho 100 is one of my favorites not because of its action scenes but because of its touching relationships, character growth, and how it asks hard questions on the nature of power.

I get emotional watching “Kindness” because it reminds me of the many wonderful lessons I learned and continue to learn from ONE’s titular story.

1. warriors – Demon Slayer [AMV] by yujinedits怠惰な

Based on Demon Slayer

Like “Kindness”, “Warriors” made me stop and be there in the moment. I forgot I was being a critic. I didn’t look for things to knitpick. I let its magic WASH OVER ME. I drank it in and savored every moment of runtime. THIS is how you construct a well-balanced action-based AMV. Make it so the viewer doesn’t have to question what they are watching or how long they will be watching.

Make it so they KNOW and BELIEVE its magic. “Warriors” definitely highlighted one of the most beautiful shows I’ve witnessed these last few weeks. I take my hat off to you!

That is the last of the many, many AMVs for this list! Stay tuned for a list of my and my brother’s favorites, as well as a special post for specific shoutouts I wanted to give.

AMV Showdown! Top 23 from Tier 3