Matt's Top Ending Themes: 44-36.

OK ... Let's get this countdown rolling now. Here is my top ending themes from 44-36!

NOTE: For some reason, I can't get to YouTube to post the rest of these videos. I'll edit this post with the videos later.

#44 - In the Chaos by JAM Project featuring Masami Okui
Show: Galaxy Angel AA ( ギャラクシーエンジェルＡＡ)

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-PefP8ccuI
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This song is so much different than all of the Galaxy Angel themes. I like most, if not all, of the Galaxy Angel themes, but this one, the ending theme to Galaxy Angel AA, stands alone as a top theme. JAM Project is one of my favorite groups and Masami Okui (who you will see again on this countdown) is one of my favorite Japanese artists. It is a beautiful song that is a change of pace to the rest of the ending themes.

#43 - Reflection by Megumi Hayashibara
Show: Slayers Great ( スレイヤーズ　ぐれいと)

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ro3JH2eW42I
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Another video I had a hard time finding, this is the ending theme to the Slayers movie, Slayers Great. I could have posted what amounted to the last 8 minutes of the movie in English, but instead I found this version. It cuts out some of the ending theme, but I think there is enough there to show its greatness. Another awesome Slayers theme by Megumi Hayashibara. And there is more to come. In fact ...

#42 - Raging Waves by Megumi Hayashibara
Show: Slayers Gorgeous ( スレイヤーズ　ごうじゃす)

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=PnSZKKmLMkg#t=311s
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This is the ending theme to the sequel to Slayers Great, Slayers Gorgeous. It is another great story from the Slayers movies and another great Megumi Hayashibara ending theme. NOTE: In this video, skip ahead to 5:00 for the song. Speaking of Megumi, she does have great themes for other shows.

#41 - Omokage by Megumi Hayashibara
Show: Shaman King ( 通靈王)

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoUvOGWf-w0
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Shaman King is one of those shows that I would have loved to see more of, but unfortunately, it was brought over here and butchered by 4Kids, meaning we were left with dubbed songs and hacked up episodes. This theme comes from the original Japanese version (it is the second ending theme), and it is a very good ending theme.

Up next, a group effort thanks to one of Japan's most famous academies, Mahora.

#40 - A-LY-YA! by Rina Satou, Akemi Kanda, Ai Nonaka, Yu Kobayashi
Show: Negima!? ( ネギま!?)

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JX49MDF07s
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The cute ending theme to the second season of Negima is #40 on the countdown. It isn't a good stand-alone song, but with the ending animation and with the tone of the show, the song goes well.

Four more songs to go before our break for the evening. Moving on to #39 ...

#39 - Kimi Sae Ireba by Megumi Hayashibara
Show: Love Hina ( ラブ ひな)

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugcldJmxIcY
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The first of two more back-to-back Megumi Hayashibara, this is the melancholic ending theme to Love Hina, Kimi Sae Ireba. Again, this song might not make it on its own merits, but combined with the sad-looking (sad as emotion, not sad as in poor) animation, this song makes the countdown. This song isn't the top Love Hina ending theme on the countdown, but we'll get to the other one later.

#38 - Extrication by Megumi Hayashibara
Show: Lost Universe ( ロスト・ユニバース)

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tE7BrsprSMg
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From Hajime Kanzaka, who is best known for Slayers, Lost Universe is a very good show with very good opening and ending themes. This one is another one of my favorite Megumi songs. It has an odd beat to it that really works for the song.

We've had some older themes. Let's get to something brand new again.

#37 - Honjitsu, Mankai Watashi Iro! by Shizuka Itou with Eri Nakao, Sayuri Yahagi and Masumi Asano
Show: Hayate the Combat Butler!! ( ハヤテのごとく!!)

Link: OK, for some reason, all of the versions of the ending theme and animation were pulled off YouTube. Just head on over there and look up the name of the song, and hopefully you'll be able to find it.

The first ending theme to the second season of Hayate the Combat Butler, this song features my favorite character in the show (besides Hayate), Hinagiku Katsura. In fact, by the looks of the latest popularity poll in Japan, I'm not alone in this thought (she received over 4,000 votes, with Maria and Nagi not combining for that many!). Hina's voice actress, Shizuka Itou, sings this theme well.

One more theme for tonight!

#36 - Kesenai Tsumi by Nana Kitade
Show: Fullmetal Alchemist ( 鋼の錬金術師)

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOZ1XbnEajs
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The first ending in the amazing Fullmetal Alchemist, Kesenai Tsumi (Indelible Sin) certainly ties in well to the plight of the Elric brothers. Nana Kitade is another one of my favorite artists, and she doesn't disappoint here. A great ending theme for a great show. It won't be the last theme from this show on these countdowns, that is for sure.

That wraps things up for tonight. Next time, we'll move into the top 30.