They say not to judge a book by its cover but animes are not books. You could vet out a decent anime by how great its opening is.
Speaking of which, anime openings are ranked by how well they pair with the anime itself.
When such a perfect pair is made, there’s no comparison to any music in your playlist. Whether a song is in a foreign language, you just find the hair on your arms standing and your head trying to move to the sounds.
Enough about that, let me give you the list. Keep in mind these are in no particular order.
Battlecry by Nujabes (from Samurai Champloo)
Jun Seba’s music hits the right buttons. It makes someone relax, and get lost in his sampled, jazzy, and atmospheric instrumental mixes. For those unaware of this genius, what better way to get introduced to him than with one of the greatest shows around.
Let me unveil a not so well-kept secret to you dear reader, nujabes+ shing02+ champloo= Bliss. You’re welcome.
Tank by the seatbelts (from Cowboy Bebop)
This list is starting strong. Maybe a little too strong. There are only a few songs that can top this in terms of quality.
The drums, bass, trumpets, bongos, and a sax player who has a personal vendetta with the heavens above, I mean, the composer having an anime-like character and out for the softest part of your heart…
Not to mention the anime itself has Spike who seems to have a heart rate that follows a jazzcore tune.
This will easily secure itself as one of the greatest sounds to reach your ear, as an anime fan.
Unravel by TK (from Tokyo Ghoul)
This is a pair made in heaven.
I’m pretty sure most of you out there enjoy AMVs and similar content. Yeah well, this is it. The timing of the frames to match the music, a short story being told and the most crucial element of them all, feelings gushing out of your screen.
Be it that you can speak Japanese or not, after a few episodes, this opening will have you singing along. Especially the Oshiete, oshiete yo sono shikumi wo…
Kana boon by silhouette (from Naruto)
Could an openings list be even valid without this piece?
Whether you grew up with Naruto or you decided to make a power move and binged it all, I know we all stand our ground behind this masterpiece.
The waves of nostalgia and that heart-pumping feeling one gets when they watch a good shonen series that washes over you … 10/10.
These two are adorable.
If you have a different opinion, I dare you to go to any social media and post it there.
Ranbu no melody (from Bleach)
This anime has a legendary status and an array of badass openings, which makes it hard to choose one that should stand out.
Aside from Ranbu no melody, some honorable mentions are Alones by Aqua Timez (a personal favorite from this series), after dark by Asian Kung-fu Generation, and Dtechno life by Uverworld.
All those hit right here, straight in the feels.
Sakura Mitsutsuki by Spy Air (from Gintama)
Getting a song from this franchise is tricky. Most songs from this anime are already on an iconic level. Starting from the very first opening to, Donten, Anata MAGIC, Togenkyo alien, Dilemma, Wonderland, DAYxDAY, Beautiful days, Kagerou, VS, Katte ni MY SOUL… ahem, trailed off a bit there.
The Sakura Mitsutsuki opening charges you up with expectations of intense action and awesome fight sequences, which Gintama does deliver but after an emotional rollercoaster mostly comprising of rib aching laughter.
He’s not wrong about the mayo
Uragiri no yuuyake by theatre brook (from Durarara!)
This one is a banger. No need to watch the anime, tune in, and jam with theatre brook. The tune solidifies a vibe about Ikebukuro and makes you feel as though you are Izaya’s acquaintance.
Bloody stream by CODA (from Jojo’s Bizarre adventures part 2)
Everyone has a varying opinion on which part of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure is the best, but we can all agree that out of all the openings, Joseph Joestar has the best. The posing, the music, and the animation set the mood for a masterpiece of entertainment disguised as anime.
THE HERO!!! By JAM project (from One Punch Man)
One puuuunch!! This one took the world by storm and established itself as a solid anime with a fitting custom-made song.
It makes sense that such a great anime should have an iconic opening that rings out to our shonen side so hard that you can’t help but be pulled in.
Shinzou Wo Sasageyo! by Linked Horizon (from Attack on Titan)
Attack on Titan started as a good anime with decent ratings and a good world setting. Then the writer decided to get out of the mediocre side of matters and take us on one of the greatest fantasy stories out there.
He started making it relatable and gathered a following so massive that it was only right that the army had a theme they could unite under.
“My soldiers, RAGE! My soldiers, SCREAM! My soldiers, FIGHT!” -those words paired with Shinzou wo sasageyo are enough to light a blazing fire in any person’s soul.
This list criminally highlights just a few great songs but you’ve got to understand, it would take you all day to read my writings about anime openings then an additional day of heated back and forth arguments on why this is here or why that isn’t there.
Frankly, I would love to but this isn’t the space for that. I will leave you with a nugget of wisdom though, “Real samurai drink strawberry milk.”
See you soon.