Eden by Monkey Majik. Absolutely, hands down, the best anime OST I’ve ever heard. There was never a time where I didn’t cry over this masterpiece when I was watching FruBa. I cannot stress how beautiful the ending of each season 2 (second half) episode transitioned slowly into this OST. It is an unskippable ending I swear. Eden will forever have a special place in my heart. Honestly, I’m tempted to rewatch FruBa just to hear this ED again, because god, it’s just too good.
Yoshi’s Island Intro. I‘ve never seen anyone else talk about it, so I will, because it is one of my all-time favorite game soundtracks. Yoshi’s Island intro is such a beautiful lullaby that reminds me of starry nights as a child. The melody brings back nostalgia, of being young, of feelings of innocence and wonder. It’s so fitting because Mario and the gang are all babies, so it makes sense to add a lullaby as an intro. I linked the music box version because I prefer it a little more, but even the original song is beautiful too.
Route 209 (and a cover by Insaneintherainmusic). Lastly, I’d like to give a shoutout to one of the covers I’ve never forgotten since first listening to it all those years ago. Route 209 has been one of my all-time favorite game OSTs as well, and when I stumbled upon this cover, I couldn’t stop crying. It tugs the heartstrings so much with the way it starts off mellow and gradually intensifies in a grand gesture, like the dawn of a rising sun signalling a new day, a new hope, and new things to look forward to. As one comment said,
“[It is] the dawn of a new day. A beautiful sun rises, and begins the slow process of wiping away yesterday’s sorrow.”