Best Anime Openings
An anime opening can tell you what kind of story you are about to enter before the first scene begins. A bold guitar riff, a burst of color, a cast revealed in rhythm, or one quiet image held for a beat can make the sequence feel inseparable from the series. The strongest openings work as compact works of storytelling and as songs you want to hear again after the episode starts.
There is no single objective ranking of the best anime openings. This selection is an editorial playlist, chosen for memorable music, visual identity, emotional effect, and the way each theme fits its series. It ranges across eras and genres, from jazz and rock to pop and hip-hop.
What makes an anime opening memorable?
A great opening does more than introduce characters. It sets a mood, hints at the story’s conflicts, and gives viewers a recognizable musical signature. Some are built around a strong chorus; others make a lasting impression through choreography, visual motifs, editing, or the tension between cheerful music and darker subject matter. A sequence can also change as a series develops, letting familiar images take on new meaning.
These picks are arranged as a listening guide rather than a numbered ranking. If you are exploring how an anime’s story is organized, see our guide to anime arcs. For the people who bring the songs and characters to life, read what a seiyuu does.
16 anime openings worth revisiting
1. “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” — Neon Genesis Evangelion
Yoko Takahashi’s soaring theme is instantly recognizable, and the rapid montage gives the series a sense of scale before viewers understand its mysteries. Its bright, confident sound also creates a striking contrast with Evangelion’s more unsettling turns.
2. “Tank!” — Cowboy Bebop
Yoko Kanno and the Seatbelts announce Cowboy Bebop with a brassy jazz sprint. The graphic silhouettes and sharply timed cuts turn the opening into a stylish musical performance that captures the show’s cool, restless energy.
3. “Again” — Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
YUI’s rock track begins with urgency and grows into a powerful chorus. The opening pairs that momentum with images of the Elric brothers, their allies, and the consequences of their journey, setting an emotional tone without explaining away the story.
4. “Gurenge” — Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
LiSA’s driving vocal and the song’s rising refrain give the sequence a determined, forward-moving feel. Its dramatic color and action imagery make it a strong example of an opening that turns a hero’s resolve into a musical hook.
5. “unravel” — Tokyo Ghoul
TK from Ling tosite sigure delivers a fragile vocal that breaks into a piercing rock chorus. The opening’s stark imagery and fragmented feeling echo the series’ struggle with identity, giving the song an intensity that still stands out in anime playlists.
6. “The Hero!!” — One-Punch Man
JAM Project’s high-voltage anthem leans into superhero spectacle with gleeful force. The contrast between its over-the-top sound and Saitama’s famously unbothered attitude makes the opening both exciting and funny.
7. “Kaikai Kitan” — Jujutsu Kaisen
Eve’s restless production gives the first opening a slightly off-balance pulse that suits the series’ supernatural action. Its shifting visuals move between everyday scenes and looming danger, rewarding repeat watches. Jujutsu Kaisen’s official site also hosts its opening and ending videos in the music and video section.
8. “Silhouette” — Naruto Shippuden
KANA-BOON’s energetic rock song carries a rush of nostalgia and forward motion. The opening’s quick images of Naruto and the people around him connect that momentum to years of growth, friendship, and rivalry.
9. “Blue Bird” — Naruto Shippuden
Ikimono-gakari’s buoyant pop sound gives this opening a lighter, soaring quality. The blue-sky imagery and airborne movement offer a memorable visual counterpoint to the long conflicts unfolding in the series.
10. “Hikaru Nara” — Your Lie in April
Goose house brings a bright, melodic warmth that fits a story shaped by music, memory, and first love. The opening’s color and movement feel playful at first, while later viewings can make its emotional details land differently.
11. “COLORS” — Code Geass
FLOW’s forceful rock arrangement gives Code Geass an immediate sense of rebellion and scale. The opening mixes character portraits with images of conflict, presenting the series as a strategic drama with a powerful visual identity.
12. “The WORLD” — Death Note
Nightmare’s dark, theatrical rock captures the charged atmosphere of a cat-and-mouse thriller. The stylized cuts and ominous mood make it a memorable choice for viewers who like openings that lean into a series’ shadowy side.
13. “99” — Mob Psycho 100
Mob Choir’s layered vocals and unusual rhythms make the song feel exuberant and unpredictable. Its densely animated sequence is packed with movement and visual jokes, mirroring Mob’s extraordinary powers and awkward everyday life.
14. “Idol” — Oshi no Ko
YOASOBI’s rapid shifts and polished pop production suit a story about performance, public image, and the private lives behind entertainment. The sequence moves with the confidence of a stage show while hinting that the spotlight can conceal as much as it reveals.
15. “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” — Mashle: Magic and Muscles
Creepy Nuts bring a playful, rhythmic confidence that makes the opening’s dance and visual gags easy to remember. Its lighthearted presentation sets up the series’ comedy: Mash’s physical strength meets a world that expects magic.
16. “Flyers” — Death Parade
BRADIO’s upbeat funk is a clever tonal curveball for a series with serious questions beneath its stylish surface. The opening’s lively dancing invites viewers in, then gains a different edge once they understand the games and judgments at the story’s center.
Choose an opening for the mood you want
For a jazz-led burst of style, start with “Tank!” For a sweeping chorus, try “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis,” “Gurenge,” or “Again.” “99” and “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” bring playful energy, while “unravel” and “The WORLD” suit a darker playlist. If you are building a watchlist around tone, our guide to choosing an anime for a first-time viewer offers a useful next step.
Openings also make an easy entry point into anime music culture. Crunchyroll’s feature Build the Perfect Summer Anime OP/ED Playlist offers another set of songs to explore, while The Palgrave Handbook of Music and Sound in Japanese Animation examines anime music in a wider historical and academic context.
Keep the anime soundtrack close
A great opening can become a first impression, a memory cue, or a song that still works outside the show. The best choice depends on what you enjoy: a big chorus, clever editing, stylish animation, or a theme that changes meaning as the story unfolds. Revisit a favorite, compare different eras, and build a playlist that reflects your own taste.
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