Absolute Bops
Anime openings are a big part of any series. They set the tone for the show, build up the hype, and really leave an impact on the viewer. So with that in mind, these 20 are clearly the best of the best.
1. Neon Genesis Evangelion
Neon Genesis Evangelion is a mecha series that delves into human psychology, existentialism, and the intricacies of adolescence. The opening song, Yoko Takahashi’s “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis,” masterfully balances a catchy, headbanging tune with the show’s underlying emotional and thematic contrasts. This instantly recognizable track sets the tone for the series.
2. Dragon Ball Z
Dragon Ball Z is a gateway anime through and through. It was the first anime that many fans outside of Japan got into, and it's safe to say that for many fans, it also remains a major part of their collection of favorite animes. It's impossible not to be taken back to the memories of your first experience of Dragon Ball Z when hearing the first few seconds of its iconic opening. The music is highly energetic and has a heroic feeling, which helps the opening fit so well with the series' plot.
3. Your Lie in April
Your Lie in April is a deeply emotional drama about music, love, and loss. Goose house’s “Hikaru Nara” opens with a playful guitar strum before exploding into a powerful, cheerful melody that mirrors the anime’s emotional highs and lows. The song’s gradual build and unforgettable chorus make it a perfect musical reflection of the story’s intensity and heart.
4. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is an adventure series with a deep philosophical undertone. The journey of the Elric brothers to reclaim what they lost is filled with emotion, and YUI’s “Again” is the perfect way to express it. The mix of melancholy and drive in the opening is a great introduction to the epic adventure that lies ahead.
The Conmunity - Pop Culture Geek from Los Angeles, CA, USA on Wikimedia
5. Cowboy Bebop
Cowboy Bebop is a genre-bending space western known for its stylish storytelling and iconic characters. The opening “Tank!” by The Seatbelts is a jazz-infused explosion of energy that captures the series’ cool, high-speed, and action-packed atmosphere. The lively music complements the anime’s fusion of sci-fi, noir, and classic Western elements perfectly.
6. Bakuman
Bakuman is the story of Mashiro and Takagi pursuing their dreams to become successful mangaka. Ito Shohei’s “Dream of Life” pumps you up with positive energy, from the first second of the song to the last. The OP also displays Mashiro and Takagi’s feelings of excitement about the manga industry and the hard work it takes to make it in it.
7. Code Geass
Code Geass chronicles the journey of Lelouch, a deposed prince who acquires the power of Geass and leads a rebellion against the Holy Britannian Empire. FLOW's "Colors" is a fast-paced opening that captures the blend of strategy, personal drama, and mecha action that define the series. The song encapsulates Lelouch's charm, determination, and the high-stakes emotional turmoil central to the narrative.
8. Fate/Zero
Fate/Zero shows the Fourth Holy Grail War, in which Masters and their Servants fight for a wish-granting artifact. LiSA's "Oath Sign" opens with driving power chords and heavy percussion that match the mysterious and high-risk premise of the series. The overall urgent energy of the song pairs well with the anime's dark, epic tone and convoluted relationships.
9. Haikyuu!!
Haikyuu!! is an anime about volleyball that embodies the spirit of teamwork, determination, and the excitement of competition. Burnout Syndromes’ “Fly High!!” is a high-energy song that perfectly matches the anime’s intense and emotional tone. The song is filled with a sense of passion and determination, reflecting the characters’ love for the sport and their drive to succeed.
Pikawil from Laval, Canada on Wikimedia
10. Sailor Moon
Sailor Moon centers on a team of magical girls who juggle school life, friendship, and world-saving. DALI’s “Moonlight Densetsu” encapsulates the playful, mysterious, and heroic tone of the series. The endearing melody and whimsical rhythm of the song have made it a timeless classic that captures the spirit of magical girl anime.
11. Lucky Star
Lucky Star is a quintessential slice-of-life anime, chronicling the day-to-day lives of four misfit high school girls with cheerful levity. In contrast to the laid-back, everyday tone of the show, “Motteke! Sailor Fuku” starts with wild, eye-catching energy. It’s super-cute, hyperkinetic, and contagious.
12. Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan is an anime that has gained fame from its action-packed, high-stakes style, and its openings are no different. 4th Season’s “My War” is a bit divisive in its execution, but the overarching themes of conflict, loss, and moral ambiguity are very much on par with the anime. The music’s haunting energy is also depicted in the visuals, which present a frantic, all-out war as the last world-ending Titan is on the run.
13. Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War follows the comedic tension between two academically elite and straight-laced members of the student council as they play mind games in an attempt to make the other confess their feelings. Masayuki Suzuki has been on point all season long, and with the season 2 opening “DADDY! DADDY! DO!”, it may be the most energetic and addictive opening in the entire series. The season 3 opening “GIRI GIRI” is a bit more of a grower but nicely represents the anime shifting away from straight comedy into romance.
14. Samurai Champloo
Directed by Shinichirō Watanabe, Samurai Champloo is a standout anime that fuses the Edo period in Japan with hip-hop culture. The opening song, “Battlecry” by Nujabes featuring Shing02, is a quintessential example of this blend. The smooth jazz beats, rapid-fire rap, and vibrant animation set the tone for the entire series.
15. Guilty Crown
Guilty Crown is one of those anime with a very stylish visual presentation and a fairly melodramatic story arc focused on the theme of revolution and self-actualization. The OP "My Dearest" sets the bar pretty high from the get-go, with belting vocals and a big, dynamic arrangement with rock influences that's practically a wall of sound. The theme and animation draw you into this heavy feel of "stakes" and romance and just make the opening an incredibly memorable one.
Carlos N. Cuatzo Meza on Unsplash
16. Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisen mixes the supernatural with the personal as sorcerers fight cursed spirits. Eve’s “Kaikai Kitan” throws a catchy, high-octane beat at the viewer from the first scene, a tone that wonderfully contrasts the dark topics of loneliness and inner darkness that the lyrics touch on. It’s the kind of opening that mixes mood with rush in a way that will make any viewer stick around.
17. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 3
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 3: Stardust Crusaders is an extravagant and over-the-top saga filled with larger-than-life characters, bizarre powers, and epic standoffs. One of the anime’s defining features is its exuberant and bombastic musical number “Stand Proud,” which perfectly encapsulates the series’ heady combination of style, swagger, and kinetic energy. “Stand Proud” is both a fitting introduction to Stardust Crusaders’ larger-than-life world and a showcase for JoJo’s distinct brand of flamboyant musical theater.
Matias Tukiainen from Espoo, Finland on Wikimedia
18. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters covers high-stakes card battles with world-shaking consequences, and the Battle City Finals are among the franchise's most iconic arcs. The opening theme for this arc significantly increases excitement, mirroring the intensity of the Egyptian God Card duels. The song's fast-paced melody and explosive visuals encapsulate the series' escalating stakes, enhancing the tension and heroism of Yugi, Seto, and their foes.
19. No Game, No Life
No Game, No Life is a colorful isekai that follows a brother and sister who are experts in strategy games. In this world, all problems are resolved through games, and the anime is filled with twists and turns that reflect this. Konomi Suzuki’s “This Game” is an anthem that captures this spirit perfectly, with its upbeat tempo and lyrics that mirror the anime characters’ wittiness.
20. Steins;Gate
Steins;Gate is a sci-fi thriller about Okabe Rintarou and his friends as they find a way to send messages to the past and the dangerous repercussions of their experiments with time. The opening, “Hacking to the Gate,” is a mix of electronic beats and an urgent, adventurous melody that captures both the thrills and tension of the story. The song also pairs well with the anime’s themes of science and time travel.
Carter McKendry from New York, NY, United States on Wikimedia
