Explore a community-voted selection of the greatest anime opening songs of all time. Discover iconic themes that have defined generations and are essential to otaku culture. From timeless classics to modern hits, this list celebrates the music and animation that kickstart your favorite series. Find inspiration for your next anime playlist and relive the nostalgia of great moments.
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Cruel Angel's Thesis (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
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Considered one of the best anime openings of all time
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This song is the legendary opening theme for the influential series "Neon Genesis Evangelion," renowned for its incontestably catchy melody and its ability to mask the anime's deep psychological and apocalyptic themes. Its cultural impact and global recognition have solidified it as a fundamental piece in the history of anime music.
"Unravel" stands out for its ability to evoke profound emotion and escalating intensity, perfectly mirroring the dark and psychological atmosphere of "Tokyo Ghoul." Its composition, transitioning from quiet beginnings to pure chaos, coupled with the powerful vocal performance, creates an immersive auditory experience that deeply resonates with the anime's narrative.
"Blue Bird" stands out for its iconic melody and deep emotional connection to the narrative of "Naruto Shippuden". Its musical composition and visual animation create an immersive experience that captures the essence of the series, making it a cultural benchmark for anime fans.
First opening theme of Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
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This opening stands out for its infectious energy and perfect synchronization with the atmosphere of "Code Geass", capturing the anime's essence from the very first seconds. Its distinctive rock instrumentation and FLOW's powerful vocals create an auditory experience that heightens the anticipation for each episode.
This song is a generational anthem that encapsulates the essence of adventure and friendship, resonating deeply with millions of viewers. Its cultural impact and ability to evoke nostalgia make it a timeless piece that defines an era of anime.
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KICK BACK (Chainsaw Man)
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Has great energy
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The "Chainsaw Man" opening stands out for its stunning visual quality, setting a new standard for anime opening sequences with its cinematic animation and artistic direction. Kenshi Yonezu's song perfectly complements this visual excellence, creating an immersive and memorable experience that captures the essence of the series.
This opening stands out for its complex lyrical and visual narrative, which unveils the secrets and double meanings of an idol's life, particularly Ai Hoshino. Its energetic musical composition and the profound emotional delivery resonate with themes of ambition, perseverance, and self-discovery, offering a captivating auditory and visual experience.
The song "We Are!" possesses unparalleled energy and lyrics that encapsulate the adventurous spirit and camaraderie of "One Piece," resonating deeply with viewers. Its catchy melody and cultural impact have made it an enduring symbol of the series, evoking a strong emotional connection and nostalgia in generations of anime fans.
This opening stands out for its infectious energy and its ability to set the heroic and optimistic tone of My Hero Academia from the very first episode. Its musical composition and Porno Graffitti's inspiring lyrics deeply resonate with the themes of overcoming challenges and striving for a better future, making it a lasting favorite among anime fans. The song encapsulates the essence of the series, preparing the viewer for the action and character development with a memorable soundtrack.
Universally regarded as one of the best anime openings of all time
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This opening captures the emotional essence of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood's protagonists, reflecting their weariness and the need to move forward despite past scars. Its lyrics and musical composition perfectly align with the themes of loss, sacrifice, and the law of equivalent exchange that define the series.
«SPECIALZ» by King Gnu delivers a powerful auditory and visual experience that elevates the intensity of the Shibuya Incident Arc in Jujutsu Kaisen. Its energetic musical composition and the vibrant animation of the opening create an immersive atmosphere that deeply resonates with viewers. The song captures the essence of the anime with its frantic rhythm and evocative lyrics, solidifying its place as a memorable piece in anime opening history.
Considered one of the greatest opening credits sequences
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This opening theme is an explosion of big band jazz that sets the vibrant and sophisticated tone for the series. Its musical composition, by Yoko Kanno and The Seatbelts, is a masterpiece that fuses elements of jazz and 1960s spy themes, creating a unique and memorable auditory experience.
Considered the best opening in anime history by many
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Haruka Kanata stands out for its powerful instrumentation and heartfelt lyrics that mirror Naruto's journey of self-discovery and ambition. The song perfectly encapsulates the central themes of growth and resilience in the series, deeply connecting with viewers.
"Ignite" captures the essence of Sword Art Online II's action and drama with its fast-paced rhythm and Eir Aoi's powerful vocals. Its dynamic composition and emotive vocal performance create an immersive atmosphere that deeply resonates with viewers, establishing it as a memorable theme.
Openings are evaluated based on their music, animation quality, how they complement the anime's narrative, and their cultural impact or popularity among fans. Both musical and visual quality are considered.
You can participate by leaving comments and suggestions on the platform. Community feedback is valuable for identifying popular and beloved openings that could be included in future revisions of the list.
Yes, the list aims to cover openings from a wide time range, from classics released in the 80s to more recent productions from 2019 onwards, offering a diverse perspective on anime history.
Inclusion on the list can depend on factors such as licensing availability, popularity at the time of curation, or relevance in community discussions. Sometimes, music may be muted due to copyright, affecting its visibility.
How we built this ranking and what to consider when choosing
Our methodology for ranking the best anime openings is based on a combination of popularity, cultural impact, and artistic quality, reflecting both community consensus and editorial opinion.
We consider an opening's consistent presence in fan discussions, 'best of' lists, and its visibility on streaming platforms like Spotify and YouTube Music, indicating its popularity and reach.
We assess the ability of the song and visual sequence to encapsulate the anime's essence, evoke emotion, and leave a lasting impression on the viewer.
Attention is paid to the quality of the musical composition, the originality of the animation, and how both elements merge to create a memorable experience.
Diversity in the list is important, including openings from different genres and decades to offer a broad representation of anime history.
The opening must feature a song that is memorable and resonates with the audience, often becoming an iconic theme associated with the anime.
The animation sequence must be visually appealing, creative, and complementary to the music, enhancing the overall viewer experience.
The opening's ability to set the anime's tone, introduce characters, and effectively and excitingly foreshadow the plot is highly valued.
We consider openings that have maintained their relevance and popularity over time, being mentioned and appreciated by multiple generations of fans.