AMV Showdown! Special Awards: Part 2

Continuing forward from where we left off, here is the second half of the special awards we chose for the AMVs we’ve looked through these last few months. Hope you enjoy!

Let’s get started.

Since we came across multiple AMVs that amplified the shows they showcased, it seemed appropriate to split the awards into two parts: one acknowledging AMVs that made average shows look great and the other taking obviously great shows and highlight what makes them great.

Let me just say, much of this comes down to personal taste.

Best Amplified Questionable Shows

Honorable Mention: Say My Name by Light Raider

3rd Place: So Alive by VermillionAMV

I had no idea what the anime Brave Story was even about when I watched this AMV. I just thought it would be a great show to watch based on what I saw in this AMV. Knowledge is cruel sometimes because I realized quick this show is not so refined. At best it’s average.

2nd Place: For the Win by DigiCat via TheBestAMVsOfAllTime

I know three groups of people who talked about Sword Art Online. The ones who absolutely love it to death, those who can’t stand the sight of it, and the apathetic watchers who could care less. (That’s me! Sorry to fans.) When I watch this AMV, I don’t think it matters if people think its a good show or not. The editor did a smashing job highlighting what made the show visually interesting for first time viewers.

1st Place: Baba Yetu by Glitzer

Out of the three, I’d say the most people will get the maddest knowing I view Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic as an average show. (I think its okay. . . not ground breaking story wise to say the least.) HOWEVER, this AMV is absolutely beautiful. I didn’t think this song would fit so well to the show’s content but . . . dang. . . was I ever wrong.

Best Amplified Universally Acknowledged Great Shows

I hear the least amount of criticisms for these shows.

Honorable Mention: Emptiness by HeardYouLikeAmvs

3rd Place: Pure White Gold by VermillionAMV

Boku no Hero Academia has so many interesting animated scenes to play with. You’d be surprised though how often fans just can’t capture what makes this show so appealing. Its one thing to use great animated scenes from the show and put them to a catchy song. Its another thing to use the show’s content and cohesively portray the character’s, their struggles, and their purpose. Pure White Gold does this and more!

2nd Place: Danse De Raven by ChiikaboomAMV

Princess Tutu is the anti-magical girl anime. It’s complicated both in its writing and animation. So, how do you make an AMV that doesn’t bog down its message? Put it to a French song and have almost perfect timing.

1st Place: Warriors by yujinedits怠惰な: Dance of the Mushi by Rainhowls2

Kimetsu no Yaiba or Demon Slayer had SOOOOO many AMVS. I think I found at least thirty of them just looking through YouTube. Some of them were good, but lacked any real direction. Warriors I added to my review list on a whim after I watched the first 30 seconds. I didn’t think it would be that amazing. I was so wrong. Warriors is one of the best AMVs I have ever seen! It made me want to watch the show then and there.

Most Unexpected

These are the AMVs I expected to be average or really. . . really bad. But then they came and POW! Took top spots.

Honorable Mention: Renegade VERSUS by VermillionAMV

3rd Place: Pure White Gold by VermillionAMV

I saved this AMV on a whim because I liked the song. 🙂 That’s it. I didn’t give it much thought and just put it up for review because I figured there must have been a reason I saved it.

2nd Place: ??? Mob by King AMV

The song was weird. Plus I only watched the first 15 seconds before deciding I should give it a try. I was a fool!

1st Place: Say My Name by LightRaider

Story time. . . I didn’t know what the heck the show Kuzu no Honkai was about. I figured it was a story about two people crushing on someone else falling for each other accidently. Boy was I wrong. . . it’s a horrible story. (The English translation for the title is Scum’s Wish. . . yeah.) That aside, I figured this AMV would fall into obscurity within the first two rounds. Honestly though, it is so well crafted despite it cruddy source it made it all the way to the end!

Emotionalism

Emotionalism is completely and utterly subjective! Sorry. . . but these awards are for the AMVs that touched me. (And almost made me cry several times.)

Honorable Mention: Singular Strike Gentleman by Glitzer (Note, I cried because it was so funny!)

3rd Place: Kindness by VermillionAMV

Kindness sort of swooped in and captured our hearts. Mob Psycho 100 deals with a lot of emotional growth and the song really highlighted this. I think it means more for those who have actually seen the show because they understand the depth of each character’s emotions and development.

2nd Place: Ghost of You by Vichima

Wow. . . Ride Your Wave is an emotionally stirring movie. I’ve never personally seen it, but seeing this AMV I felt the impact of the character’s relationship and heartbreak.

1st Place: ＷＥ’ＲＥ ＥＭＰＴＹ；by moved., let us be brave; by moved., and The Asking Price by NeverEnoughEpicAMVs3

These are all emotionally impactful AMVs for Fullmetal Alchemist. My brother and I really love this show and couldn’t decide which of these three should make it into the top spot. So we chose all of them!

Best Atmosphere

Basically, this is award is for those AMV which were able to build a world through imagery and music. It’s not just about tone but also creating an mental link between the song and show.

Honorable Mentions: Glitter and Gold by Neo Solarius, VE Fight by Oblivionblade, For the Win by Digi Cat, Hold Me Now by Komichi

3rd Place: Ride or Die by NeverEnoughEpicAMVs2

I don’t think of Fast and Furious listening to this song anymore! All I can picture is Redline with its cool main character strutting his extraordinarily long hairdo.

2nd Place: Dance With the Mushi by Rainhowls2

There isn’t much more to say about Dance With the Mushi. It’s atmosphere is so mentally rich.

1st Place: Warriors by yujinedits怠惰な

I get chills everytime I watch Warriors! It draws me so deep into Demon Slayer‘s world with its timing, pacing, and buildup.

Best First 30 Seconds

This is pretty self explanatory. There was a reason so many AMVs made it through to my watch list. Most of them were able to capture my attention in the first 30 seconds. Some of them did it better than others.

Honorable Mentions: Unity by Lightraider, Best AMV you will ever see Part 4 by xxanime_otaku

3rd Place: Kindness by VermillionAMV

What makes this AMV’s first 30 seconds stand out was the pacing and how well the lyrics matched the images.

2nd Place: Danse De Raven by ChiikaboomAMV

Timing. Timing a visual storytelling are what make these first 30 seconds REALLY stand out.

1st Place: Remember the Name by JazitJ

I wanted this AMV to be great so so bad! The timing in the first 30 seconds is absolutely incredible. Especially, how the editor slowed down and highlighted facial expressions for three characters. I’m a sucker for slowed down animation so it really stood out to me.

Best In Show

The award everyone looks for! These are the AMVs which overall had the greatest showmanship.

Honorable Mention: Swing Box by VermillionAMV

3rd Place: Danse De Raven by ChiikaboomAMV

When choosing between this and Hold Me Now, we decided the defining difference was how crisp the story and imagery flowed through each sequence. The story was so easy to follow even though the song is in French.

2nd Place: Kindness by VermillionAMV

There is not much more I can say about Kindness. It’s an all around emotional rollercoaster of an AMV!

1st Place: Warriors by yujinedits怠惰な

From the beginning of this showdown I knew Warriors was special. I can imagine how much time the editor dedicated to get every visual moment aligned in tone and pacing to the music. It doesn’t give you great action at first. It BUILDS and savors it.

That is everything! Thank you for following this AMV showdown! Hope you found something new to love and enjoy.

AMV Showdown! Special Awards: Part 1