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

AMV Showdown! Special Awards: Part 1

Snapshot from Mushishi (2005, 2014)

Sometimes with lists I make really great entries get lost in the shuffle called “Personal Preference”. So, to showcase some of the great AMVs I perused with my brother, here is a post dedicated to special awards in various categories.

There will be multiple videos that win several awards. I’ll make sure to include plenty of links to creators and other videos!

Let’s get started!

Best Timing

Timing was one of the major criteria from the first round of this AMV Showdown. In making a music video, it is absolutely crucial to have spot on timing. Or, you lose the audience.

Honorable Mentions: Transmutayshun by Ileia, Glitter and Gold by Neo Solarius, Hold Me Now by Komichi

3. Third Place: Warriors by yujinedits怠惰な, and Best AMV you will ever see Part 4 by xxanime_otaku

Its a glorious tie for third place! It was really difficult choosing between these two, because they both excelled in different ways.

Of all the bogged AMVs with sound, this one delivered the best. Not only did their crisp timing come across extraordinarily smoothly, they were able to balance fast and smooth movements in an spectacular fashion.

On the other hand, Warriors‘s timing shown best in the way it built up to the action through well choreographed editing. Every motion is SPOT ON and doesn’t detract in any way from the visual storytelling.

2nd Place: ??? Mob by King AMV

??? Mob uses Fallout Boy’s song “Young And Menace” to the maximum capacity! The more interesting sequences are actually in the beginning where each footstep and slip of a jacket blends with the music profoundly. The actions feel like they are meant to happen.

1st Place: Danse De Raven by ChiikaboomAMV

Part of the beauty and majesty of dance and ballet is timing. Everything I’ve mentioned for the 2nd and 3rd place entries applies for Danse De Raven, however it feels more refined. I think this is because of Princess Tutu‘s core nature, which is dance and choreography.

Best Tone

Tone is all about atmosphere and world building. For great tone, you need the right song and the appropriate imagery to fit it. You may be surprised which ones we chose.

3rd Place: Vesper by DrPenguin

Unfortunately, I haven’t seen Made in Abyss yet. However, Vesper set the tone for my upcoming experience masterfully. Set to Son Lux’s eerie song “Ransom”, it builds the story from a lighthearted sun filled beginning to the mysterious and sometimes terrifying adventures which await the main characters.

2nd Place: For the Win by DigiCat

My brother had to convince me with this one. Here is the truth. I’ve never seen Sword Art Online. There it is. Even though I didn’t know the content connected to For the Win, I could tell the editor had done a phenomenal job creating the world for the show. My brother later explained to me how each shot shows highlights from the show and stats for important characters.

1st Place: Dance With the Mushi by Rainhowls2

If you have never seen Mushishi I envy you. Not because I don’t absolutely love it! Its because you get to experience the wonder of the show through this AMV without previous knowledge of the stories or characters. Take it from a seasoned admirer of this story. Dance With the Mushi captures the ethereal mystery and wonder of this show gorgeously.

Best Music Choice

This category is pretty self explanatory. Pick the right song off the bat, and you have the ground work for a great AMV.

Honorable Mention: This is War by Gohan

3rd Place: Ride or Die by NeverEnoughEpicAMVs2

Yes, I do listen to rap sometimes. Given how epic Ride or Die is, it is no wonder I attached to it and its song We Own It (Fast & Furious). If ever someone made a song about car racing, this would be the perfect one to enhance Redline, the podracing car thriller for adults.

2nd Place: Happiness by VermillionAMV

To understand this AMV and how impactful it can be, you need to watch Mob Psycho 100, a show dedicated to exploring various human reactions and relationships. Through this AMV, I found a new favorite song and decided to rewatch the show.

1st Place: Ghost of You by Vichima

Ghost Of You by 5 seconds of Summer fits this emotionally impactful story Ride Your Wave so well. It enhanced the characters’ heartbreak and told the story in a way you could really feel. The more I watch it, the more convinced I become it could become an official promotional video for the movie.

Best Fluidity

Another word I would use to describe fluidity is overall flow. This pertains to the story and how the editor presents it as well as how clearly the images blend into each other. There is such a thing as having great timing but hardly any sense of how to make your product flow.

Honorable Mentions: Kindness, Warriors, Ghost of You

3rd Place: A Prelude To Dreams by Shin AMV

I still remember seeing A Prelude to Dreams for the first time. For the longest time I didn’t even realize it depicted a wide variety of anime! That is the mark of purposeful flow and great fluidity. What is especially remarkable about A Prelude To Dreams is how these seemingly disconnected stories dance together because of the song Hide and Seek by Imogen Heap.

2nd Place: Swing Box by VermillionAMV

VermillionAMV is a FANTASTIC EDITOR. Out of any creator I’ve come across these last few months, they’ve impressed me the most in how smoothly they use their source material. Swing Box would have to be the culmination of these skills. It flows beautifully and each moment is simply fascinating to watch unfold! This was yet another AMV where I couldn’t readily tell exactly how many anime they used. I thought maybe, 5. In reality they used 10. That’s pretty impressive!

1st Place: Dance With the Mushi by Rainhowls2

Yet, again Dance With the Mushi comes in for the win! If you pay very close attention to how this AMV unfolds, you’ll notice subtle changes in pacing and timing. For me, it feels like a folkdance set to the imagery of life. Good fluidity isn’t about spectacle. It’s about leading an audience through the story through imagery and sound.

Best Characterization

Best characterization is about how well an AMV can set up not only the world but its characters. Once upon a time, I heard a very intriguing statement concerning animation. The characters ARE the animation. How you treat them makes all the difference for the story and your intended audience.

Honorable Mentions: Singular Strike Gentleman by Glitzer, Renegade VERSUS by VermillionAMV

3rd Place: Ghost of You by Vichima

Ghost of You is another AMV which will come up a lot. I have never seen the movie yet through this video I understand SOOOO much about the characters and their story. It is to the point where I get emotionally involved watching it. Like I said before, this would be the perfect promotional video for this movie.

2nd Place: Pure White Gold by VermillionAMV

Here is yet another anime I haven’t seen yet (Sorry! I’ll get to it eventually). However, I think what Pure White Gold truly excels at is showcasing how the various characters fit into their world. Though they couldn’t put the whole show into one AMV, the editor set up their roles in the story splendidly!

1st Place: This is war by Gohan

How do you find a song built for the characters? This is War based on 30 seconds to Mars’s song is how! The editor used this song to its maximum potential, matching the worlds to a variety of characters seen throughout the show. Not only that, but they set up these characters in their world through stunning timing!

Utilizing Music and Imagery

Utilizing music and imagery is the culmination of great fluidity and emotionality. It isn’t just about flowing the images together but creating a masterful story through words and music.

Honorable Mention: ??? Mob by King AMV

3rd Place: Pure White Gold by Vermillion AMV

Honestly, Pure White Gold feels like a a hero montage. It isn’t about just one character but an entire cast of fantastic and interesting people. What this AMV truly excels at is using the imagery and music to express the characters’ true purpose as heroes.

2nd Place: Swing Box by VermillionAMV

Not a second of Swing Box feels wasted. Nothing feels misplaced or simply placed there to take up space. All in all, it is a true spectacle of wonderful imagery!

1st Place: Kindness by Vermillion AMV

(I just realized Vermillion AMV did every single AMV for this slot! That is truly saying something.) Now, when I saw Kindness for the first time, what immediately crossed my mind was how spot on this AMV was! It encapsulated what Mob Psycho 100 is about. How the editor blended the anime and song “I’m Alright” by Mother Mother was nothing short of masterful!

Best Aestheticism

These are the AMVs that are truly a feast for the eyes! Sometimes that means they are beautiful, other times they are truly rich in color and movement.

Honorable Mentions: Warriors by yujinedits怠惰な, Close to the Sun by Light Raider

3rd Place: Cosmic Love by Trisieren

Children of the Sea (2014) is one of the richest films I’ve ever seen. Thankfully, this editor was able to utilize this imagery wonderfully. There are so many details in the colors and images to catch on to. It’s impossible to get bored watching it.

2nd Place: Ghost of You by VichimaVichima

Everything about Ghost of You seems to glow. The imagery is so beautiful it almost swallows you! It helps that the song completely enhances it throughout every moment.

1st Place: Unity by Lightraider

I feel awe inspired every time I take time to watch Unity. It sheds beautiful light on how glorious human relationships are! I always wish it could be just a little longer so I could drink in even more of its wonder!

Stay tuned for Part Two for these Special Awards!

AMV Showdown: The Penultimate Top Ten

AMV Showdown! Special Awards: Part 2

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

AMV Showdown! Top 23 from Tier 3

We have come to the last 33 AMVs who survived the last two rounds of cuts!

Tier three is a bit complicated because there were SO MANY videos with all around perfect scores. So it became a matter of personal taste. However, not all the videos on this list have perfect scores based on three new criteria from 1-10:

Aestheticism, or the visual quality of the video

Amplification, or if the video amplified its source material

Emotionalism, or how well the video provoked an emotional response

The defining criteria for most of the rankings from this time forward is:

Personal Taste

I thought it was fitting to finally rank most of these videos subjectively. If we didn’t all the videos would get first prize! And that is not what these type of posts are for.

Since there is a lot of ground to cover, let’s get started!

33. AMV – For The Win – Bestamvsofalltime Anime MV by TheBestAMVsOfAllTime

Based on Sword Art Online

I had to take my brother’s word for it when he told me how well this AMV amplifies its source material. Even not knowing anything about Sword Art Online I appreciated the attention to detail put into this AMV’s setup. The visuals are crisp and clear, the message is well thought out, and it sets up the tone of the show very well.

The problem is I don’t have any emotional connection to this show whatsoever. So, when I see it I feel nothing remarkable. It ranks so low on this list because of my apathy. (It’s average for personal taste is 4.5 and it has a 5.5 average for emotionalism.)

My Score: 26

My Brother’s Score: 30,

Average Score: 28

Average Total Score: 98/110

32. Natsume Yuujinchou Amv- Sail by Awolnation by 私はアニメが大好きOtaku

Based on Natsume’s Book of Friends

“Sail” has impeccable timing and tone. It creates a fantastic, never-ending nightmare using various scenes from the anime Natsume’s Book of Friends. The only flaw in its visual quality is the creator’s logo pasted in the middle of the screen. Another issue is how well it amplifies the original show. If someone had never seen Natsume’s Book of Friends before they would be very confused what it is about if they saw this AMV.

Besides this, it is a great AMV!

My Score: 37

My Brother’s Score: 32

Average Score: 34.5

Average Total Score: 104.5/110

31. [Winner Of AKROSS Con 2010] SilentMan – Drawn Dream by AkrossAMV

Based on Natsume’s Book of Friends

“Drawn Dream”, unlike the previous AMV, does a splendid job showcasing what Natsume’s Book of Friends is like. Unlike “Sail” it lacks more of an emotional connection. Its highlight is definitely how the editor penciled in to the music still shots from the show.

My Average Score: 35

My Brother’s Score: 36

Average Score: 35.5

Average Total Score: 105.5/110

30. i’m so sorry [kimetsu no yaiba amv] thanks for +20K subs! by panna amv

Based on Demon Slayer

“I’m Sorry” has great visual, timing, and tone. What it lacked was a lasting emotional impact. Because of this disconnection, the heart for the show felt disjointed a bit, especially for me. I didn’t feel I could really understand what this show was about as someone who has never seen it. It’s cool though!

My Score: 34

My Brother’s Score: 38.5

Average Score: 36.25

Average Total Score: 106.25/110

Those are the only four videos that didn’t score perfectly in Aestheticism, Emotionalism, and Amplification. Now its all about personal taste. Therefore, the upcoming videos are legitimately fantastic videos fans of anime should watch! The only score I’ll be referencing is personal taste along with each videos average total score. (For ties I just ranked the one my brother and I liked better higher.)

29. Psychedelic Limbo – AMV by KazKon

Based on ????

I honestly didn’t think “Psychedelic Limbo” would make it this far, but it did! The editor morphed this video so well! It feels like a crazy, drug induced fever dream and promotes a feeling of mystery and ever-rising panic. It also does a great job evolving through its tone and using spot on timing to draw the viewer in.

That said, I don’t like it AT ALL. It creeps me out. My brother had it on his list of favorites for a long while till he watched it all the way through to the ending. Then he changed his mind.

My Score: 3

My Brother’s Score: 6

Average Total Score: 104.5

28.【AMV】Soul Eater『This Is Halloween』by Paulo PT90

Based on Soul Eater

If you have ever seen Soul Eater you might think to yourself, “This is Halloween” seems like the perfect song for it! You’d be right. This AMV is GREAT. It sets up its characters and their varying stages of madness throughout the story in a way that is jaw dropping. Tonally, its the right blend of freaky and exciting.

Now that that’s over, I don’t like watching it. I’ve had to sit through it multiple times now and I’ve determined I appreciate it for its creativity, but will always watch it from a proper distance.

My Score: 2

My Brother’s Score: 10

Average Total Score: 106

27. Game Over – Death Parade AMV by SliceofLife

Based on Death Parade

If there was ever an AMV made for Death Parade, “Game Over” captures this show’s nature as an exceptional psychological horror best. It also carries the dark emotional journeys the characters .experiences as they face each other through varying games.

It’s not as appealing to me as an AMV because of the song but I like its tone and visual message.

My Score: 6.5

My Brother’s Score: 8.5

Average Total Score: 107.5

26. Close To The Sun – AMV – 「Anime MV」by Light Raider

Based on a Variety of Anime

This editor makes such vibrant, happy AMVs. “Close to the Sun” is visually BEAUTIFUL because it treats its source materials well. It carries its viewer on a lovely journey, exploring various examples of light and hope throughout different shows. Not my favorite, but definitely a must see.

My Score: 8

My Brother’s Score: 7.5

Average Total Score: 107.75

25. Vesper | Made in Abyss AMV | Big Contest 2018 by DrPenguin

Based on Made in Abyss

“Vesper” cemented my resolve to watch Made in Abyss. It treats its characters well and enhances the show’s mysterious, dark nature. It also has great build up and flows like a well oiled machine.

My Score: 7

My Brother’s Score: 9

Average Total Score: 108

24. Say My Name – AMV -「Anime MV」by Light Raider“

Based on Scum’s Wish (Yeah. . . that’s the real name)

“Say My Name” came out of NOWHERE. At first, I thought it was about unexpected strangers unlucky in love falling for each other. For that reason, I was going to keep it on the last list. That is until I realized what the actual story is ABOUT. (You’d think I could have guessed it from the name). Then my perspective and appreciation for this AMV skyrocketed. The words and images match each other so well. It definitely amplified the show. That’s saying something because the show is awful.

My Score:8

My Brother’s Score: 8.5

Average Total Score: 108.25

23. Mob Psycho 100「AMV」 Cradles by ShiroYasha

Based on Mob Psycho 100

Most AMVs based on Mob Psycho 100 are really loud and fast-faced. “Cradles” has a subtle, mysterious feeling to it. It addresses the show’s emotionality, specifically Mob’s journey to grasp and accept his emotions. The song is not very rhythmic, yet it still manages to have pitch-perfect timing. This is an all around beautifully crafted AMV. Though it isn’t my favorite Mob Psycho 100 AMV I still like watching it and picking out new things to admire.

My Score: 8

My Brother’s Score: 8.5

Average Total Score: 108.25

22. Dreams – AMV – 「Anime MV」by Light Raider

Based on a Variety of Anime

Much like “Close to the Sun”, “Dreams” has an ethereal beauty to it. It has great characterization despite having so many anime featured throughout it. Of the two, I’d say it has more interesting visuals.

My Score: 8

My Brother’s Score: 9.5

Average Total Score: 108.75

21. Baba Yetu [Magi AMV – Anime North Judges Choice] by Glitzer

Based on Magi

“Baba Yetu” is not the song I think of when I see Magi, but it definitely fits once you see this AMV. This video has beautiful choreography. I love seeing AMVs that make it seem like the visuals are dancing to the music. Aesthetically it is also gorgeous in how it presents its characters! I’m amazed this AMV could make me like this show, because I have luke-warm feelings for this anime at best.

My Score: 7.5

My Brother’s Score: 10

Average Total Score: 108.75

20. Cosmic Love {AMV} by Trisieren

Based on Children of the Sea

Usually when I hear this song I think of Howl’s Moving Castle. Though I have my own preferences, this editor used this song to exemplify Children of the Sea‘s gorgeous imagery. For those who have never seen this movie, this AMV is a wonderful introduction.

My Score: 9

My Brother’s Score: 9

Average Total Score: 109

19. Transmutayshun [FMA:B AMV – Anime Expo Best Action Winner] by Ileia

Based on Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

“Transmutayshun”s timing is impeccable! Plus using The Kongo’s song “Come With Me Now” helps builds a fantastic promotional AMV for this fantastic show! Not my favorite Fullmetal Alchemist AMV, but I love it nonetheless.

My Score: 9

My Brother’s Score: 9

Average Total Score: 109

18. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood AMV – Glitter and Gold by Neo Solarius

Based on Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

In terms of personal preference, “Glitter and Gold” ranks slightly higher than “Transmutayshun”, mostly because it does such a fantastic job setting tone and showcasing the characters. Also, its timing is impeccable! It’s a fantastic homage for the show.

My Score: 9

My Brother’s Score: 9

Average Total Score: 109

17. Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood AMV – This is war – HD 720p by Gohan

Based on Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

“This is War” is in the running for Best Characterization. It’s amazing how well this editor collaborated the music and imagery to showcase this near-perfect anime. The only thing keeping this AMV back is my personal taste. I am not as much a fan of this song.

My Score: 8

My Brother’s Score: 10

Average Total Score: 109

16. Unity – AMV – 「Anime MV」by Light Raider

Based on a Variety of Anime

Of the four or five collage AMVs featured for this list, “Unity” emotionally impacted me the most. Every time I watch it I get chills! It feels like a music video showcasing the beauty of living.

My Score: 9.5

My Brother’s Score: 9

Average Total Score: 109.25

15. let us be brave; by moved.

Based on Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

“Let us Be Brave” echoes my personal feelings for Fullmetal Alchemist. For me, this AMV encompasses what this show is really about. The fight scenes are amazing, the story is incredibly crafted, and the characters are more than memorable. However, that isn’t what drew me into this show. It had a truly emotional impact on my life and taught me powerful lessons about living. That is what this AMV does.

My Score: 10

My Brother’s Score: 9

Average Total Score: 109.5

14. Demon Slayer | Despicable by S.Yushan

Based on Demon Slayer

This editor managed to capture in a little over a minute Demon Slayer‘s multi-dimensional story building and animation style. Everything about it is impactful and beautiful. However, there is one other AMV for Demon Slayer that is better.

My Score: 9.5

My Brother’s score: 9.5

Average Total Score: 109.5

13. Bleach Amv Emptiness by HeardYouLikeAmvs

Based on Bleach

Behold! The one Bleach AMV that made it through this list! I wanted to find good AMVs for Bleach so bad but I had very little to work with. What I love about “Emptiness” is it’s not about Ichigo. When I was younger I used to think it just paid respect to Ichigo’s fight with Ulquiorra. Now, after seeing it so many times, I know it’s about Ulquiorra and his relationship with Orihime. Not as a romantic relationship but as a bitter sweet one marred by his soul’s hollow state.

That said, “Emptiness” was a great song choice and it showcased its characters and message superbly.

My Score: 10

My Brother’s Score: 9

Average Total Score: 109.5

12. Kimi to Nami ni Noretara「AMV」- Ghost Of You by Vichima

Based on Ride Your Wave

“The Ghost of You” takes you on a jarring, beautiful emotional ride. Much like other featured AMVs, it dances and sings to its audience, leaving behind a wonderful experience especially for fans of the original movie Ride Your Wave. In fact, it could be a promotional video for the movie if the right person found it.

My Score: 9

My Brother’s Score: 10

Average Total Score: 109.5

11. No Friends – AMV – 「Anime MV」by Light Raider

Based on a Variety of Anime

Kudos to this editor for having so many great AMVs with varying themes and featured anime! “No Friends” by Cadmium is now one of my favorite songs! Every aspect of this AMV is lovely, likeable and rewatchable!

My Score: 10

My Brother’s Score: 9.5

Average Total Score: 109.75

That’s it for this list. The next post will feature the top 10 AMVs with straight across perfect scores!

AMV Showdown: Top 23 From Tier 2

AMV Showdown: Top 23 From Tier 2

Here we are at tier 2! It actually took longer to go through the 55 videos from the last round because we had to carefully examine each one. We graded each AMV on the following criteria from 1-10:

Fluidity, or how smoothly the editors used the animation and music

Characterization, or how well the editors portrayed characters

Overall Performance, or how well the editors utilized music and imagery

Of the 55 videos, 32 had perfect scores and went on to round three. For this list, I’ll simply place them in order of their average scores. For those that had the same score, I put the one with the best overall performance farther up.

Most of my commentary is nit picking. These are all great AMVs that didn’t quite make it to the next round.

Let’s get started!

23. Best AMV you will ever see Part 3 by xxanime_otaku

Based on A Variety of Anime

For the three criteria, this AMV suffered the most. Though it has good timing, it lacks consistent fluid motion, crisp characterization, and struggled in some places to utilize the music and imagery. Part of this is because of the added sound effects from the anime it showcased.

Matching movement to music isn’t enough. It’s also important to find a balance between action and stillness and take the time to pose the characters amidst the action. This will clarify to the audience what has happened better.

My Score: 23

My Brother’s Score: 27

Average Score: 25

22. Mob Psycho 100「AMV」- RISE by justSyker

Based on Mob Psycho 100

“Rise” by State of Mine was a great song choice for this anime. What this particular AMV lacked was a more recognizable connection between the music and the animation. Because of this disconnection, there were certain snippets of animation that didn’t need to be there or didn’t match the context of the video.

My Score: 25.5

My Brother’s Score: 25

Average Score: 25.25

21. Soul Eater amv – Asphyxiated Insanity by winkz4yuu

Based on Soul Eater

Much like the previous AMVs, “Asphyxiated Insanity” lacked cohesive imagery to music. The Editor used cool effects to create the overall tone for the AMV but didn’t follow through with the sequencing of the animation.

My Score: 24.5

My Brother’s Score: 26.5

Average Score: 25.5

20. AMV Adieu Perchance to Dream by VermillionAMV

Based on A Variety of Films

“Cough Syrup” by Young The Giant sets the tone and setting for the AMV splendidly. However, it suffers once you hear the words to the song. It’s a song about potential suicide, yet the video tries to portray scenes of hope and light. Therefore, the images and music clash with each other under further inspection.

My Score: 26

My Brother’s Score: 27

Overall Score: 26.5

19 Edward Elric [AMV] – Elastic Heart by Feeedeay

Based on Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Here is our first FMA Brotherhood AMV! (We have eight of them). It’s characterization is SPOT ON. How it portrayed Edward’s journey as a character is riveting! That said, it suffered a little because there was too much much movement. There are also scenes where the editor shakes the video, making the imagery hard to follow.

My Score: 26.5

My Brother’s Score: 27.5

Average Score: 27

18. Best AMV you will ever see Part 4 by xxanime_otaku

Based on a Variety of Anime

Of all the videos part of the “Best AMV you will ever see” series, this is the best in terms of fluidity, characterization, and overall performance. The tumultuous nature of these videos though, kept it from breaking into the next round. It got close though!

My Score: 26.5

My Brother’s Score: 29

Average Score: 27.75

17. AMV So Alive by VermillionAMV

Based on Brave Story

I’m too blame for this AMV’s score. Since I’ve seen it a few more times than my brother, I was very familiar with it’s content. As far as characterization, this AMV treats its main protagonist and his journey as an adventurer superbly. Where it suffers is in its flow and overall performance. Some segments aren’t needed or could be cut down.

My Score: 26.5

My Brother’s Score: 30

Overall Score: 28.25

16. Full Metal Alchemist – Party Rock Anthem by ryniektheditor

Based on Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

I have so many good memories of this AMV! I actually run to its music when I do sprints. Through further inspection, its so close to a perfect score but doesn’t quite reach the level of many other AMVs. What it lacks is heart. It has crisp timing and amazing tone but it doesn’t capture the essence of its characters. Besides that there are maybe two-ish spots I noticed where it could have used the music and imagery better.

My Score: 27.5

My Brother’s Score: 29

Average Score: 28.25

15. Death Parade AMV – Feeling Good by Skyking AMV

Based on Death Parade

My fault again! So, I really like this song and how well the editor used it to showcase this gorgeous anime. Its flow went slightly down for me when the editor included speaking parts. I also didn’t think it quite used its characters to tell a distinct story.

My Score: 27

My Brother’s Score: 30

Average Score: 28.5

14. AMV Run Mob Run by VermillionAMV

Based on Mob Psycho 100

This AMV is SOOO well done. “Run Boy Run” by Woodkid is a great choice for this anime and the editor showed that through their great characterization and fluid product. The one thing it lacked was complete utilization of the imagery and music. There were parts where the images didn’t match the subject of the song.

My Score: 28.5

My Brother’s Score: 29

Average Score: 28.75

13. A Prelude to Dreams – AMV Best in Show 2011 by Shin AMV

Based on A Variety of Anime

Here is yet another of my favorite AMVs. I thought it would make it to the top but alas, I had to nitpick. It has beautiful imagery and the editor was able to blend a variety of anime almost seamlessly. But there were a few parts where its flow suffered because of slightly misplaced animation. There was also one part where they could have used different imagery to enhance its climatic end.

My Score: 28.5

My Brother’s Score: 29

Average Score: 28.75

12. ＷＥ’ＲＥ ＥＭＰＴＹ；by moved.

Based on Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and Fullmetal Alchemist: The Conqueror of Shamballa

Great song choice. The editor used it to their advantage and created an incredible collage, which captured the suffering so many characters from this show went through. One thing threw me off. They included images from the movie. Why? Not quite sure because the movie doesn’t balance well with the newer anime. Plus, they have separate stories and endings.

My Score: 29

My Brother’s Score: 28.5

Average Score: 28.75

11. Violet Evergarden「AMV」Battlefield by YenixAMV

Based on Violet Evergarden

This AMV made me watch to watch Violet Evergarden. It had great characterization and overall performance. The only flaw I could see was it used animation shots which still had the credits on them. That may not seem like a big deal, but it was distracting and cut through the AMV’s flow.

My Score: 28.5

My Brother’s Score: 29

Average Score: 28.75

10. We’ll Meet Again – AMV -「Anime MV」by Light Raider

Based on a Variety of Anime

There will be an award post featuring this editor. They have the most AMVs on our list. Though they use a variety of different of anime they don’t detract from one another or distract. That said, the one thing keeping this AMV back is there were small moments it didn’t match the animation and music. It’s such a small thing, but it makes a difference in the overall experience.

My Score: 29

My Brother’s Score: 29

Average Score: 29

9. AMV I Will Die For You by VermillionAMV

Based on Mawaru Penguindrum

My brother and I both thought this AMV lacked something, but in different areas. I thought the characterization was unclear. He thought the imagery lacked some cohesion with the music. Overall, I’m just sad it couldn’t go forward. (This is also one of my favorites).

My Score: 28.5

My Brother’s Score: 29.5

Average Score: 29

8. READY TO FIGHT – AMV – 「Anime MV」by Light Raider

Based on a Variety of Anime

Gosh, this AMV has great timing! I thought it only lacked better fluidity. Specifically, in a part near the beginning when multiple characters draw swords. The sound effects of the swords felt off to me and cut into the experience. (Hah, I didn’t realize I used a pun).

My Score: 28.5

My Brother’s Score: 30

Overall Score: 29.25

7. fruits basket | you should see me in a crown [AMV] by someone

Based on Fruits Basket

There is only one thing my brother and I agreed was wrong. The ending is too abrupt. Otherwise, man I love this AMV! I especially admire how well the editor portrayed the characters and their situations.

My Score: 29.5

My Brother’s Score: 29

Overall Score: 29.25

6. Mob Psycho 100 Tribute – 99% AMV by traceyedits

Based on Mob Psycho 100

If you paid attention to my Favorite Openings and Endings post, I really like the one from Mob Psycho 100. The one main critique I had against it, was I didn’t like the song as much. Thankfully, this AMV showcases the English cover for that particular song! Its a great AMV both in its characterization in fluidity. The one thing that kept me from giving it a perfect score was how sometimes the imagery and words to the songs did not match.

My Score: 29

My Brother’s Score: 30

Overall Score: 29.5

5. AMV [EyeS] Kaijuu no Kodomo – Children of the Sea by dis5onance

Based on Children of the Sea

This AMV has the same problem as the one from Fruits Basket. It’s ending is way to sudden. Otherwise, its amazing how much this editor accomplished in only 48 seconds! Well done.

My Score: 29

My Brother’s Score: 30

Average Score: 29.5

4. Children of the sea [AMV] Young and Beautiful by DangoCat AMV

Based on Children of the Sea

Gosh, this AMV is simply beautiful. I love Children’s of the Sea‘s animation and I marveled at this AMV’s timing and tone , coupled with Lana Del Rey’s haunting voice. The one thing that held me back was there were missed opportunities, where the editor could have utilized the words more relevant imagery.

My Score: 29.5

My Brother’s Score: 29.5

Average Score: 29.5

4. ONE PUNCH-MAN •「EPIC AMV」• STAND ALONE HD by Gakari’s Amv

Based on One Punch Man

Though this AMV is rock solid in its characterization and overall performance, I held back because there were one or two small moments I felt could have been more fluid. Mostly, I expected it to have more energy at certain parts of the song.

My Score: 29

My Brother’s Score: 30

Average Score: 29.5

2. AMV – Rіdе οr Dіe 1080p by NeverEnoughEpicAMVs2

Based on Redline

This AMV, its song, and anime choice are so. . . agh! I love it. I love this AMV. Watching it makes me feel cool. I keep killing off my favorite AMVs by nitpicking! I did think near the end it lost its energy because the editor didn’t pick slightly better animation to amp it up towards it climax. That’s about it.

My Score: 29

My Brother’s Score: 30

Average Score: 29.5

1.AMV Renegade VERSUS by VermillionAMV

Based on Lupin III: Green vs. Red

Personally, I think this AMV should have made it to the final round. It encapsulates Lupin III and his crazy life and is fantastic in its timing, tone, and fluidity. My brother though there were small moments where it didn’t utilize the music and visuals to the max. So sad!

My Score: 30

My Brother’s Score: 29.5

Average Score: 29.75

There you have it! Stay tuned for tier 3. (This is when things become especially tricky).

AMV Showdown: The Top 20 From Tier 1

AMV Showdown! Top 23 from Tier 3

AMV Showdown: Top 20 From Tier 1

After going through my Favorite Opening and Endings for anime, I had so much fun rating them with my brother I decided to do a bigger project, this time with AMVs. For those who don’t know, fans make AMVs as a music video homage to anime they love. It requires a lot of precise editing and researching. Fans can do this without violating copyright infringement as long as they don’t post entire strips of content from the show for profit. Frankly, AMVs, if done by good editors, help promote anime and music.

That aside, I found almost 100 AMVs in the last week or so I thought should make it onto this list. For the first tier, I decided to grade the AMVs on four main criteria from 1-10:

Timing

Tone

Promotional Value

Music Choice

At first, I thought my brother and I would only have to go through them once to determine the best. However, apparently I am really good at finding good AMVs. So I had to rethink my decision. I’ve decided there will be four tiers of a variety of AMVs I could find. Out of the 90 my brother and I saw 55 had a a perfect score.

For this list, I will post the top 20 AMVs that didn’t quite have a perfect score. Note, some had the same score so I ranked the AMV with the higher timing score above the other(s).

Let’s us begin!

20. Haikyuu [AMV] – Stronger by ダルハDalha

Based on Haikyuu!!

The best part of this AMV was the first 25 seconds. The timing and tone, coupled with the music was pitch perfect. However, it lacked energy as it progressed and didn’t utilize the song to the best of its ability.

My score: 32

My Brother’s score: 37

Average score: 34.5

19. Mahoutsukai no Yome 「 AMV 」- Beautiful Creatures by AMV Koto

Based on The Ancient Magus’ Bride

This AMV has beautiful imagery, coupled with subtle timing. Though my brother disagreed, the song did add a nice flow to the serene, ethereal nature of The Ancient Magus Bride. The only thing it lacked was more crisp timing. For this show, the imagery should have felt more like a dance than a more casual memoir.

My score: 38

My Brother’s score: 32

Average Score: 35

18. AMV – Keep Your Hands Off !! – Bestamvsofalltime Anime MV by nerjaveika

Based on Skip Beat!

I’ve loved this AMV for awhile, probably because it makes me laugh till I cry. The song choice is spot on. The problem is the video doesn’t have completely crisp timing and the tone feels off sometimes. Otherwise this AMV is super fun to watch! Not perfect, of course. But fun nonetheless.

My Score: 33.5

My Brother’s Score: 37

Average Score: 35.25

17. Fly Away – AMV – 「Anime MV」by Light Raider

Based on a Variety of Anime

Here is another AMV with an amazing first 30 seconds. The problems lie only in some tonal issues because of the variety of different anime used for the video. They utilized the song well but couldn’t keep the same momentum throughout the video.

My score: 33

My Brother’s Score: 37.5

Average Score: 35.25

16. you can be king again by youlazybum

Based on Hotarubi no Mori e

I have so many memories tied to this AMV. It introduced me to this beautiful movie and made me cry when I first watched it. Despite my nostalgic feelings, I have to admit though it is a good AMV it lacks something in it timing and tone. As I said for “Beautiful Creatures”, these type of AMV need to feel either like a dance or a well balanced memoir. This AMV leans towards both but doesn’t quite reach either.

My Score: 35

My Brother’s Score: 36

Average Score: 35.5

15. AMV – The Butterfly Effect – Bestamvsofalltime Anime MV by Ariant

Based on Steins;Gate

“Butterfly Effect” has great timing and tone. However, the one thing going against is the song feels slightly off, like it doesn’t quite fit the message the editor tried to convey.

My Score: 35

My Brother’s Score: 36.5

Average Score: 35.5

14. AMV Akira- Little Dark Age by MGMT by 桜.

Based on Akira

I was surprised I was able to find a descent AMV for an 80s film like Akira. Usually, tonal problems as well as pacing arise in these type of AMV because of the more rugged look of the the animation. The one thing this AMV lacks in energy. It flows like a bad dream that takes awhile to unfold.

My Score: 36

My Brother’s Score: 36

Average Score: 36

13. Metropolis AMV (Grimes – 4ÆM) by Brown Charlie

Based on Metropolis (2001)

Anything I said about the last AMV applies to this one. The one thing it had going for it was it had a slightly better song choice.

My Score: 36.5

My Brother’s Score: 36

Average Score: 36.25

12. Hunter x Hunter AMV – Madness by IMarvelous

Based on Hunter X Hunter (2011)

When I watched this the first couple of times, I couldn’t pin point quite what was missing. It had great imagery, an engaging premise and a rock solid first 25 seconds. then it hit me, the timing, tone, and musicality felt slightly off because of the speaking parts. They slowed down the potential of the music and movement. Otherwise, this is a truly haunting AMV to watch. It made me want to go back and see the show.

My Score: 36.5

My Brother’s Score: 36

Average Score: 36.25

11. Black Rock Shooter AMV – Pulse by Kashif

Based on Black★Rock Shooter (TV)

This AMV brought back so many memories! Black Rock Shooter was a big deal about ten years ago because of its high quality animation. (Not quite as high quality in its storyline though. So sad.) This AMV has everything going for it except it feels bogged down by too much movement. Even if the timing is crisp, if there is too much movement it is harder for a viewer to follow the action and story the editor is trying to convey in the video.

My Score: 34

My Brother’s score: 39

Average Score: 36.5

10. My Hero Academia Amv – Remember The Name by JazitJ

Based on My Hero Academia

This AMV has one of the best first 20 seconds of any I’ve seen these past week. The way the editor slowed down the facial expressions and eye movement was phenomenal. What pulled this AMV’s ranking down was the song choice. It didn’t quite fit the images the editor picked. The language was also jolting at times.

My Score: 35.5

My Brother’s Score: 38

Average Score: 36.75

9. Demon Slayer「 AMV」Natural by Double Production

Based on Demon Slayer

This AMV has so much going for it. It tells a more precise story through its visuals and music and has a fantastic song choice to fit the anime’s contest. However, it lacked better timing, or more precisely use of space within the video. Several times I thought, “Darn, you could have used this beat or crescendo.” All in all, it is a well-rounded AMV.

My Score: 36

My Brother’s Score: 38.5

Average Score: 37.25

8. AMV Your Lie In April | A Thousand Years by AMV-X

Based on Your Lie in April

“1000 years” was a great song choice for this bittersweet anime. Because of this, tonally this AMV flowed wonderfully. The one thing it lacked was clean and crisp timing.

My Score: 37

My Brother’s Score: 39

Average Score: 38

7. Glitter and Gold [ AMV – Mix ] Anime Mix by Sota

Based on a Variety of Anime

Great timing and utilization of a myriad of anime. It didn’t feel off balanced because of the different types of anime listed. However, what threw me off was how the editor included almost all the noises for the myriad of movements. The tone of the song and video suffered for it. (This AMVs position is entirely my fault. I admit it.)

My Score: 36

My Brother’s Score: 40

Average Score: 38

6. AMV – Black Impulse – Bestamvsofalltime Anime MV by MagicDarkIight

Based on Black★Rock Shooter (TV)

My brother gave this video a perfect score. Here is why I didn’t. It felt to crowded. There needs to be a balance between action and stillness, even in action AMVs. For that reason, its tone and promotional value slightly fell down.

My Score: 36

My Brother’s Score: 40

Average Score: 38

5. AMV – The Boy Who Murdered Love – Bestamvsofalltime Anime by ONEWAYS

Based on Hyouka and Toradora!

Everything is spot on in this video except for one thing: it doesn’t have a recognizable promotional value. This is because the editor used the video to tell their own story, rather than the stories the videos are based on. This isn’t necessarily bad, just in this case it didn’t have quite a solid of a punch as other AMVs that do the same thing.

My Score: 38

My Brother’s Score: 39.5

Average Score: 38.75

4. AMV Zankyou no Terror – WARRIORS by Z0rekAMV

Based on Terror in Resonance

My brother and I both agreed this is a great AMV that lacked a little something. For him, it was the timing, specifically how the editor didn’t use every available moment cleanly. For me, I felt the song choice was a little strange. It didn’t quite work to promote the anime.

My Score: 39

My Brother’s Score: 39

Average Score: 39

3. AMV – Metamorphose – Bestamvsofalltime Anime MV by Umika Sayoji (Kaya ‘Yana’ Malaya)

Based on Blue Exorcist

Because I am not quite as big of a fan of this anime, I didn’t quite understand the promotional value of this video. I also felt the tone was a smidge off, considering the anime it came from. My brother, sadly, didn’t feel the same. (I’m sorry brother o’mine!)

My Score: 38.5

My Brother’s Score: 40

Average Score: 39.25

2. Best AMV you will ever see Part 2 by xxanime_otaku

Based on a Variety of Anime

,

Honestly, this is a great AMV. It has crisp timing, a great song choice, and has great promotional value for the listed anime. The one thing that held me back was all the noises going with the music. As a musician, if the sound is even a little bit off, it is hard to listen to.

My Score: 39

My Brother’s Score: 40

Average Score: 39.5

1.Violet Evergarden || Fight by Oblivionblade

Based on Violet Evergarden

Agh! This video almost had a perfect score. ALMOST. The one thing my brother and I thought was slightly off was the timing, a placement of certain video segments. Such a shame, because this video was an emotional journey.

My score: 39.5

My Brother’s Score: 39.5

Average Score: 39.5

That’s it for tier 1! Stay tuned for part two of this four part series.

AMV Showdown: Top 23 From Tier 2