Top 10 anime openings of all time - Music Video Hub!
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Find the top 10 best anime openings here!
Making a top 10 list of anime openings isn't a easy task. And not only because of the huge amount of great animes with awesome entrances... Fact is, each and everyone of us (anime lovers that is ^.^) has a unique take on the subject, depending of what we've seen and our personal taste.
So yes, I will be heavily criticized by my choices, not only concerning the openings I have left behind, but probably even in the order of importance of the openings I did include! That's fine, you can state your opinion in the comments area (if I have a lot of feedback there's probably gonna be a take 2 anyway, to satisfy the angry mob, lol).
However there are some things I would like to clarify since the beggining:
- we are talking of anime OPENINGS, not endings - so please, leave FLCL Shooting Star out of this ^_o
- I didn't reach this results randomly or based solely on my liking. I did a thorough research in the main anime forums, consulted opinion polls and some oficial numbers regarding enquiries in anime festivals in Japan and even checked the number of viewings of these themes from the general public in video servers like youtube.
- Of course, I also saw A LOT of different anime openings...
- due to his fact some of my personal favorites where excluded (so I'm as pissed off as you, anonymous anime reader ^_^') and some openings displayed are from animes I actually never saw before making this article.
Having said that, I will now speak of the four factors that had weight in evaluation and that can be referred to as MASP:
MUSIC - the overall quality of the song, it's rhythm, lyrics and can't-get-out-of-my-mind factor ^.^'
ANIMATION - quality of the animation (attending the era it was produced), artistic value of the presentation, style and originality;
SYNCH - harmony between the music and the animation;
POPULARITY - not only of the song, but of the show itself. Great openings are part of great animes, so this factor has to be accounted for.
Each of this stats will have a one to five-star rating, and each choice will have a little text explaining why is the opening so good. In case of tie between total number of stars, music will be first wining criteria, being popularity the second.
Enjoy the top 10 anime openings of all time!
Black Jack - Gekkouka by Janne da Arc
# 10 - Black Jack (Gekkouka)
Black Jack first opening gets in the top 10 thanks to an excellent pop song by Janne da Arc coupled with some interesting sound effects built in the opening that gives it quite a special touch! As for the animation I would say that it's pretty good (that scene with the house overview is top-notch stuff), although it's style won't please everyone (but I dare say those dolphins are cute!). The synch is almost perfect as well. So, with such nice qualities why last on the ranking? That's right, popularity. Compared with some of the other animes this one is simply unknown to most of the public and that took it's toll.
 | Amazon Price: $38.00 List Price: $29.98 |
 | Amazon Price: $8.21 List Price: $16.95 |
Excel Saga Opening - Ai (Chūseishin) by Excel Girls
#9 - Excel Saga [Ai (Chūseishin)]
Xaram! Enter Excel to get the number 9 spot! Yumiko Kobayashi and Mikako Takahashi give voice to an incredibly funny music full of sparkle and rhythm, even if it has a braineless lyric (that banana part always makes me laugh), but that's ok because it matches the tone of the show! The animation is nothing to awe for, but even so it's pretty polished. Four stars is fair as an originality award. But the synch, my god, the synch is sooo good! They really hit the jackpot there, specially in the singing excel and hyatt.
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 | Amazon Price: $2.95 List Price: $9.95 |
Lain opening - Duvet by Boa
#8 - Serial Experiments Lain (Duvet)
Lain is a fabulous anime and shows it right from the opening. Boa's Duvet is a stuning song, that sticks in your ears for a very long time. It's animation follows the series tone - simplistic, even wierd at moments, yet gorgeous, with details that make you think of one word: art. As for the synch between those two elements, that is nicely done as well.
 | Amazon Price: $689.97 List Price: $59.98 |
 | Amazon Price: $35.00 List Price: $24.95 |
Death Note - The World by Nightmare
#7 - Death Note (The World)
Death Note's first opening is brilliant. It features a cool rock track, but it's highlights are definitely the beautiful artwork of the animation - notice the contrasts between red and blue - and it's unbelievable synch (that apple part is simply fantastic!). It could have a bigger ranking if it wasn't for the fact that it's a quite recent anime and in need to build a little more audience.
 | Amazon Price: $40.93 List Price: $69.97 |
 | Amazon Price: $3.74 List Price: $7.99 |
GITS SAC 1st GiG - Inner Universe by Yoko Kanno
#6 - Ghost in the Shell [Stand Alone Complex] (Inner Universe)
GITS is a natural top-tenner. With a smashing performance by singer Origa that combines russian, english and latin in the electronic beat of Inner Universe as well as the awesome 3D rendered animation, which you don't normally see in anime openings, synched very good together, that's all it takes to reach number six in the chart.
 | Amazon Price: $49.43 List Price: $99.97 |
 | Amazon Price: $280.01 List Price: $24.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $38.11 List Price: $69.98 |
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#5 - Rurouni kenshin (Sobakasu)
And we reach the top 5! First entry is Rurouni Kenshin with the espectacular Sobakasu, a music sang by millions all over the world! This frenetic yet harmonic tune contributed to the HUGE popularity of this historical show and this are the major factors for this opening to stand here, since the animation / synch are good, but there are better examples in other animes of that period (1996).
Rurouni Kenshin - Sobakasu by Judy and Mary
 | Amazon Price: $32.54 List Price: $49.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $199.99 List Price: $149.99 |
#4 - Bleach (Asterisk)
Bleach's 1st opening is breathtaking. Orange Range became famous from Asterisk, a nice spirited song that makes us smile when we listen to it... but incredibly, the song is actualy not the best of this opening. The rest is... the track is perfectly synched with a modern animation, combining manga and anime drawings in different styles that always look cool (that spray scene rocks!). And as for popularity... come on, it's Bleach!
Bleach - Asterisk by Orange Range
 | Amazon Price: $34.99 List Price: $49.98 |
 | Amazon Price: $35.06 List Price: $59.98 |
#3 - Cowboy Bebop (Tank!)
Ok, 3, 2, 1, let's jam! Cowboy Bebop is one of a kind... An artistic space opera made in Sunrise golden era, this show has a legendary opening... With brilliant Jazz arrangements by Yoko Kanno, an unique anime style full of colour and flow and excellent harmony between the two elements, It tells the viewer he's in for a hell of a show! Sadly, it's not as well known as the next two contenders... hence the third place.
Cowboy Bebop - Tank by Yoko Kanno
 | Amazon Price: $290.00 List Price: $129.98 |
 | Amazon Price: $16.00 List Price: $9.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $34.99 List Price: $14.98 |
#2 - Neon Genesis Evangelion (Cruel Angel Thesis)
What? How can Evangelion only be second? That's a legitimate question after all... Cruel Angel Thesis is one of the greatest anime song ever created... good lyrics, rhytim, it's a catchy tune as well... the animation is spectacular if we consider the (important) fact that the show was made in 1990... and no one can ignore the legend status of Evangelion among the anime community! But still this opening has some minor flaws in the synch department and so there's an even better choice as you follow me through the memory lane and unto the #1 opening of all times... :)
 | Amazon Price: $14.90 List Price: $24.98 |
 | Amazon Price: $88.88 List Price: $9.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $205.00 List Price: $41.99 |
#1 - LUPIN THE THIRD (LUPIN THEME)
HERE IT IS! NUMBER ONE! LUPIN THE THIRD! (cheers!!!)
The second opening from season 2 of this anime show wins the title of best anime opening of all time!
The reason? The great disco sound from Peatmac Junior, that sings a Lupin Theme that is groovy, original, catchy and in this vocal mix has quite good lyrics. Couple that with the sexy and funky Austin Power's style of animation that is FANTABULASTIC for it's time (remember we're talking of 1978 here), one of the best syncs I have ever seen and a popularity that exceeds even that of Evangelion and we got the undisputed winner of this contest!
Lupin the III Season 2 / Second Opening - Theme from Lupin III by Peatmac Junior
CommentsLoading...
Great hub, enjoyed it ^^
But I still think Evagelion should be number one. Number one probably just not my taste :D Else fantastic, enjoyed everyone of them.
Im glad you both liked it!
It took me great time in the research to reach this ones :)
yah this is very best for me
lol, i like it espacially the lupin!!! lmao
but i guess you forgot full metal alchemist..
Bipin, Keizer thanks for the comments!
As for FMA I'm pretty sure it would be here if this was a top 20 list :D
Awesome list of epic anime opening sequences! I also think Evangelion's "Zankoku na Tenshi no Te-ze" should have place #1. I can't get that out of my head. XD
This is a great compilation! I'm not always a great fan of Anime, but you've given me something to think about which makes me want to look into it more. Personally I thought number 6 was pretty good but I liked your number 2 and 1 choices. Great hub!
Ghost in the Shell (#6) is a great futuristic anime, not only action packed, but also full of philosophical insights, with several situations that make you question the value of humanity...
If that's your cup of tea I highly recommend you to try it Life, maybe you'll fall in love with Anime ^_^'
I think it was the song moreso, and although some anime seems really 'dark' in terms of its themes (maybe that's just ignorance) I liked the cleaner and brighter animation too. Nice to know it had philosophical insights..
Some anime are darker than others, but at the present you can find anime for all kinds of people... some oriented to the youngsters / juvenile audience, some more adult oriented - and I'm not talking about Hentai - that also exists, of course - but about shows that depict such problematic situations that are hard to grasp if you're not mature enough to fully understand what's happening and all the implications involved...
Actually, you would probably laugh if you knew that Anime is hugely inspired by Walt Disney creations! No darkness at all, as you can see :D
Check http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Anime-Phenom---Why-do- if your interested in knowing more about anime history and all the genres there is!
(hope this is no self-promotion of my hub since apart from amazon/ebay I disabled all the other adds in there)
I'll check it out thanks
thanks for sharing all these titles.. but i think the opening of KKNJ also great
great job..congrats ^^,
Nice. That are some greats openings.
Also, I adored Elfen Lied's opening. If you don't know the anime, go, NOW. You won't regret it (More adult oriented, really gore, and with loads of nudity, but bearable for the storyline.)
Thanks for the hub, anime_nanet :D
Thanks for all the comments ppl!
Oh and he...
http://hubpages.com/hub/Anime-TV-Online---Watch-El
does this answer you? ;)
Really Cool!)
y'know, i usually don't agree with many people on this, but you know what? you're absolutely right! (though, i do also like the trigun opening) While i still believe Tank! is one of the best openings, lupin the 3rd is definitely aces.
Thank you very much for your comments anBleach and barbed!
Barbed: I'm very happy that you agree with my list. It's always nice when we see someone thinking on the same lines :D
It makes us smile!!! ^_^
All the openings in the list are great. I really enjoyed watching them. My only objection is that there are no openings of shoujo animes in the list! Or is it a topic for another hub?
David: Although Shoujo is popular, especially between the young childreen, most of it's openings are too simplistic and with basic tunes, so it does not warrant an entry in this top. Also the more "mature" animes have even more popularity and are more highly ranked in the forums and opinion polls in WWW!
I did enjoy this, although as I was so getting excited for the top1, then it says "This video is not available in your country due to copyright restrictions" Oh men! But then again thumbs up for this one. =)
Thanks Charia! I already noticed that one (says the same to me) and am trying to solveit, but it's notsoeasy. That is indeed a quite rare music video.
isn't "a cruel angel's thesis" sung originally by yoko takahashi and not megumi hayashibara?
anon thanks for your comment.You are indeed right. I already corrected it. Don't know where I got Megumi name, LoL!
you got some good taste , but this list is severely lacking . The Cowboy Bebop opening isn't as good as people think , it's a good opening but it's not the kind of opening most people beleive it is . It draws great influence from the opening for Gunsmith Cats which that opening alone is superior to anything you have on here.
Thanks for the comment haibane!
Well, your oppinion is as valid as the next one ;)
I can't argue over tastes, but let me validate again what I wrote in the beginning of the hub. This list is not my "taste" alone. I based myself on statistic data and popularity of shows as well.
I'll check Gunsmith Cats opening of course, now that you mention it! ;)
really great choices, however there are a few op's i was disappointed to not find Ergo Proxy's opening: Kiri by monorail.
The main reason i like it so much is because its one of the few openings in full English and perfectly sets the mood of the anime. please look at it.
almost forgot black lagoon's opening, really amazing.
This ranking is lame.... One Piece and Naruto were not even included... How did you rate this thing?
This kind of list will always leave someone unhappy and I state that clearly in the beggining of the article.
Black Beard, I think the way I rated the openings is also quite well explained in the initial section.
Anyway Fantus and Black your opinions are always welcome :) This hub was missing a little controversy ^_^'
And your suggestions for top anime openings will be engraved forever in this page for anyone to read!
love love love this hub! I'm glad it resurfaced as I'm torn between GITS and Bebop I choose this, for sentimental reasons:
Volton V, a true classic! Thanks for dropping by!
I think that you should add Haruka Kanata (Naruto 3rd seson opning USA version) because the music is cool
Could One Piece's Bink's Sake be nominated as top anime song miss nanette? sorry for the comment, you are very humble. But i think one piece should be on the list, although not in the peak... thank you
Joaquin thanks for the tip... Maybe I'll add it if I ever do a top 20 hub!
Black, it's nice that you loke One Piece, it's a great anime with great themes. My response is the same to Joaquin, only one moe thing... This jub is about opening themes, not regular anime songs. Altough that would give a good hub too!
hmm...
Did black beard just call you a girl (miss), or is it an abbreviation for something?
Lol, yes he did Fantus. Unlike you they don't read my profile and so they think, quite reasonably, that Nanet is a girl. Actually it was a bad mistake of my part: Na Net means "online" in Portuguese. I completely forgot that I could be seen as a girl when I chose this nick.
Now I don't even bother to correct people, otherwise I would spend all day doing it ^_^'
great list i liked most of the openings(even when i dindt known some of the animes) but i would have really love it if full metal alchemist brotherhood's again (by yui) was in the list sadly this anime is still not so popular since it has just come out last year but is a really great opening you should watch it
I honestly think this is one of the more reasonable and considered selections of openings I've found online. There's a good selection of some quite fanastic openings. I am however sad about no Trigun theme :)
But in some of the top 25 I've not seen Tank! featured, which drives me nuts. Nice to see a selected weighted more on it's composition and style than just, 'LOL I LIEK THIS ANIME IT MUST HAVE GOOD THEME!!11'
Expand it to the top20, I'd still be interested to see your opinion :)
Cheers
I think your tastes are a tad juvenile... but some are pretty good, like Evangelion and Ghost in the Shell...
wow,
rourine keshin really nostalgic.
Thanks for all the comments!
Although these aren't exactly what i would put in my 'Top Ten' they're great choices anyway ^^. I think a lot of the more recent openings deserve a place though, just my opinion, not here to flame :P. Nice to see Bleach, Naruto, One Piece etc. hasn't raided everyone's music lists xD. All in all, i admire your top tens ^^, don't know how i'd ever make a list of em, way too many :D.
Kuro
Nice list, Nanet...but like you said, there's a few omissions worth griping about. How could Yoko Ishida's "Open Your Mind" (from Oh! My Goddess!) not be included? One of the most beautiful anime songs ever, with an equally beautiful opening video track? And while it's only a year old, K-On!'s "Cagayake! Girls" is already one of the most well-known openings! And no "Ryo-Ohki's Theme" (Tenchi Muyo)? The already-mentioned "Illium" (Elfen Lied)? Neither of the way-too-funky R.O.D. openings? Gotta make a Top 20, dude....really.
Where's Chrono Crusade opening theme?
Hmm... I'm only familiar with four out of the ten anime opening themes in your Top Ten. :) "Sobakasu" surprised me though since it's my least favorite out of the three opening themes of Rurouni Kenshin. :) Death Note's "The World" is tied with "Alumina" in my book. As for "Asterisk", well yeah, it's stuck in my head too. Hehe... And I'd sing the Cowboy Bebop opening theme in the shower if it had any lyrics besides 3,2,1 Let's jam! ;D
These anime opening themes are in my Top Ten as well:
Driver's High - L'arc en Ciel (Great Teacher Onizuka)
Howling - Abingdon Boys School (Darker Than Black)
O2 - Orange Range (Code Geass)
:)
Yikes, did I forget to sign in before writing a comment? :O Hi, anime_nanet. The above comment with the singing in the shower is mine. Hehe. :P
Missing the intro from .hack//sign D:
""Mitytie(just looked at it now and wtfomgawesome)
also are u mad/completely out of your mind evangeion is the best evar!!!
+where is the first op to Spice and Wolf
(those would be my top 3 +deathnote so i gess its rop 4?!)
I think ohayou(hunterx hunter op) is the number 1. Its your choice though
What about BECK? Great synch imo.
Also, GTO?
hahah the best anime song for me is the song of the naruto openings
NO you're wrong! this is the best anime opening of them all! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVq27MH-_CM
LOL the Kurby style looks cute Baron :D
You need to see some FMA openings
Three words from me: Elfen Lied - Lilium
How about Tattoo Kiss of Kaleido Star and Blaze of Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicles? I think those two are awesome. And "Ready, Steady, Go" of FMA... sounds EPIC. Also, Northern Lights from Shaman King. Gaah, all anime songs are the BEST!
Black Jack is in this list?
really?
I would have put the second opening of Bleach, rather than the first one
I'm really happy for you, and ima let you finish, but soul eater had one of the best OPs of all time.
Baccano!
Clannad After Story -- Toki Wo Kizamu Uta
** Brings me to tears, beautiful anime and beautiful OP**
Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni --- 1st Season OP
** Haunting theme and great vocals**
Witch Hunter Robin --- Shell
** Japanese rock done well **
Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica --- Connect
** Somewhat juvenile, but catchy!**
coolllllllllllllll!!
i just watching ao no exorcist and i think it OP is good
Yu Yu Hakusho opening theme is the best
for those who have watched AnoHana and Steins;Gate, you know these 2 ops are the best of the best right? Nuff said
Why the heck Umineko no naku koro ni's opening is not here? o_0
I disagree with this. Ghost in the Shell has the best opening.
I'm with An0n on this one, After Story's OP should definitely be on this list imo
I love Lupin III! ^_^' Those are my high school days. And at night I always look forward for Lupin, Ghost Fighter, and Monster Rancher ^.^'
i really love the songs posted above!!!
i hope many songs will be released!!!!!
especially in naruto, gundam seed destiny,vampire knight and code geass!!!!
Can't believe that Zenki isn't included on the list.
profiler 3 years ago
Fantastic choice of openings Nanet!