We're all guilty of skipping through the opening songs of animes every now and again. Some of us may be serial offenders. But even those who have no patience to sit through roughly a minute and a half of jpop/jrock tunes have to it that some anime legacies are defined by their choice of opening song. Here are our list of 25 of the best anime opening songs of all time.
All ranking information was taken on the date of publication
Seatbelts 6t5l5h
MAL Sunrise 69625p
The famous jazz/bebop tune which is iconic and always associated with this anime. It has been used in international commercials as well.
Cowboy Bebop Opening Tank! Seatbelts OP Best Anime Opening Songs
Nujabes feat. SHINGO2 4t251k
MAL Manglobe 3a4o1h
This rap opening has become more famous than the anime itself and it has brought worldwide recognition to the late artist Nujabes.
Samurai Champloo opening Battlecry Nujabes
Origa 3b5x
MAL Production I.G 4m3ii
(Episodes 1-26)
The late vocalist Origa lent her amazing voice for this outstanding song that has brought her recognition worldwide.
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Inner Universe Origa OP Best Anime Opening Songs
Yousei Teikoku 324s5f
MAL Asread 2d3h33
(Episodes 2-14)
In this case, the opening song reflects the dynamics of the anime perfectly - it is fast, crazy and catchy. The transition from a choral beginning to a powerful, fast melody is just as surprising as the many mysteries in the anime itself!
Mirai Nikki Kuusou Mesorogiwi Yousei Teikoku OP Best Anime Opening Songs
Lia v3md
MAL Aniplex 236e65
(Episodes 1-3, 5-12)
Enjoy this catchy pop tune of amazing refrain to help you all the hilarious and sad moments of this beautiful anime.
Angel Beats! OP "My Soul, Your Beats!" by Lia Best Anime Opening Songs
TK from Ling Tosite Sigure u3l1q
MAL Studio Pierrot 3t4v34
(Episodes 2-11)
This song hits you hard. Its slow beginning picks up beat throughout the opening, similar to the sound of a heart, beating faster and faster!
Tokyo Ghoul unravel Ling Tosite Sigure OP Best Anime Opening Songs
If you enjoyed the beautiful blue skies in this opening, please be sure to check out the Way Too Many Anime Openings Use This Motif article as well!
Kumiko Noma 494g2n
MAL Arms 2l5f65
The opera singer Kumiko Noma will give you an eargasm with her breathtaking voice! This opening is a perfect portrayal of the sci-fi/action feeling of the series.
Yoko Takahashi 2z6w3s
MAL Gainax 1b4a1i
You can hear the upbeat '90s sound in this opening pop theme. It is one of the most popular songs in anime history and still lives on in the hearts of fans worldwide!
Neon Genesis Evangelion Zankoku na Tenshi no Thesis OP Best Anime Opening Songs
Linked Horizon 4p3w57
MAL Wit Studio 603y1
(Episodes 1-13)
Probably one of the most recognizable anime series out there, it begins with a choral opening (which is omitted in the TV version) and then swiftly switches to a bombastic and fast tempo.
Shingeki no Kyojin OP Best Anime Opening Songs Guren no Yumiya
Hironobu Kageyama 3r153k
MAL Toei Animation 6s4z5h
(Episodes 1-199)
The song is the epitome of the sound of the '80s and you won't be able to kick the line "Cha-La Head-Cha-La" out of your head once you hear it.
Dragon Bal Z OP Best Anime Opening Songs Cha-La Head Cha-La
Eiko Shimamiya 676u3c
MAL Studio Deen 3e12m
This opening song gives off mysterious and eerie vibes, the same that you get while watching the anime. It will give you goosebumps in more way than one!
Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni OP Best Anime Opening Songs Eiko Shimamiya
YUI 4ai5o
MAL Bones 6w4e3o
(Episodes 1-14)
YUI is a talented singer who writes her own music and this tune is one of her best! It flows well with FMA's action style.
Fullmetal Alchemist OP Best Anime Opening Songs again YUI
FLOW 50414d
MAL Sunrise 69625p
(Episodes 1-12)
This catchy tune, performed by FLOW, perfectly portrays all the complex emotions of this popular mecha anime.
Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch OP Best Anime Opening Songs COLORS FLOW
Nightmare 6f1c1r
MAL Madhouse 5j5x4p
(Episodes 1-19)
The Japanese band Nightmare performs this super popular rock tune that is just as exciting as the anime itself.
Death Note OP Best Anime Opening Songs Nightmare the WORLD
Hyadain (Kenichi Maeyamada) 5i1k5b
MAL Kyoto Animation 6m653d
(Episodes 1-6, 8-13)
If you're a fan of cheerful and upbeat melodies, you are sure to fall in love with this fun opening!
Nichijou OP Best Anime Opening Songs Hyadain no Kakakata Kataomoi
Tohoshinki 43sd
MAL Toei Animation 6s4z5h
(Episodes 395-425)
The super famous Korean boy band Tohoshinki performed this upbeat opening for the mega popular One Piece.
One Piece OP Best Anime Opening Songs
BRADIO 4o6t6j
MAL Madhouse 5j5x4p
Probably one of the catchiest openings ever, it is a tune that you can't help but dance to. Its contrast to the anime's dark theme is also very memorable.
Hello Sleepwalkers 556e5w
MAL Bones 6w4e3o
Check out this rock opening song that fits nicely with the recently released anime Noragami. It is full of action and fantasy elements.
Noragami Goya no Machiawase Hello Sleepwalkers
Hitomi 1h2vl
MAL Sunrise 69625p
(Episodes 35-64)
The soundtracks for InuYasha have always been packed with beautiful songs from influential artists. But this outstanding opening is one of the most well known and is praised amongst fans as one of the most iconic.
Kouji Wada 222a4a
MAL Toei Animation 6s4z5h
If you haven't heard of "Butter-Fly" then you're either too young or you have lived under a rock your whole life. Just like the insert song Brave Heart, this opening theme is one of the most famous anime openings ever.
Digimon Adventure Butter-fly Kouji Wada
Moon Lips k1ie
MAL Toei Animation 6s4z5h
Moonlight Densetsu (Moonlight Legend) is the opening song for the first four seasons of this anime and it is also the theme song which is most commonly associated with the Sailor Moon franchise.
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Moonlight Densetsu Moon Lips
Ikimonogakari 3v181g
MAL Studio Pierrot 3t4v34
(Episodes 54-77)
Ikimonogakari is one of the most well known bands in Japan and this is their most successful song, loved by fans of the series as well as tons of non-anime fans worldwide.
Naruto: Shippuuden Aoi no Sora (Bluebird) Ikimono Gakari
Orange Range lu3l
MAL Studio Pierrot 3t4v34
(Episodes 1-25)
This amazing intro is provided by the famous boy band Orange Range. It is a catchy pop tune with powerful rock elements.
Bôa 5n84v
MAL TV Tokyo 655m
Unbelievably catchy and charming, this song is sung in English and performed by a British indie band. It fits the psychedelic atmosphere of the anime.
Serial Experiments Lain Duvet Boa
fade 2n5h2l
MAL Manglobe 3a4o1h
Sung in English, the lyrics are as dark as the anime and the rock tune fits it perfectly.
Dean Wonderland OP anime opening
Want more anime music? Check out the below articles as well!
Top 9 Anime Series with Piano Music That Will Tug At Your Heart
