Hello and welcome to Project Nitsuj. Well, there’s no doubt about it I love music, music adds so much to a scene. And the one thing I look forward to in any anime is the opening song. The opening song adds so much to an anime, it gets you pumped and excited for the show as well as give a brief introduction to the characters and exposition into what to expect from the show. Opening songs are always a treat to listen to and today I’m gonna be counting down the top 11 anime openings. Why top 11, because just like someone else I too like to go one step beyond. So get ready to hear some great music, this, is the top 11 anime openings.
#11: We Are from One Piece
https://youtu.be/s-Q8yizJnQE (Strawhat Pirate’s version. All 9 crewmates)
https://youtu.be/FW16Y9bu2kM (DBSK/TVXQ version)
One Piece has had a lot of opening songs for its anime run but the best by far is the first opening. It’s the one song everyone associates with the series and vice-versa; it still remains present in the minds of fans all over the world even after the song was used 14 years ago. It made you feel like you were a part of the Straw-hat crew and that you were setting off on adventures with them and that just made the song even greater to listen to. There are multiple versions of this out there, one is sung by the voice actors of the main cast of One Piece and a remix was also used as the 10th opening of the anime sung by TVXQ/DBSK which is also good. But for me the original will always be the best, it’s the song everyone associates with the series and the song that started one of the greatest adventures of all time.
#10: Nightmare from Hell Girl season 2
This song made the list for its beautiful melody and amazing vocalist Snow. The images and melody of the song match up perfectly well with each other. The opening is talking about Ai Enma’s feeling and how she’s wishes that what’s she doing is all a dream and that she can wake up from it. All of the openings of the Hell Girl series talk about Ai’s position as well as her feelings but the second one is probably the most emotional, well-written and well sung out of all of them. It’s a song that lets you know that Ai may hold the title of Hell Girl but she still has a heart and season 2 proves it at the end.
#9: Tadahitori from Ping Pong the Animation
This opening is for you rock lovers out there. It comes right up to you, punches you in the face, and you like it. This opening goes hard. As soon as you here it you’re instantly hyped and ready to take on anyone or anything the world throws at you. The singer is overflowing with energy, the instrumental is great, and if you’re not hyped by the end of this opening than you might want to check your pulse because chances are you’re dead. It is impossible to not get excited whenever you hear this song.
#8: Tank from Cowboy Bebop and Guns and Roses from Baccano!
https://youtu.be/pDpm4ItLzlA (Tank)
https://youtu.be/Msg8ypnLqaw (Guns and Roses)
I decided to put these two openings together because one, they both sound alike (sort of), two, they both have a heavy emphasis on jazz, and three, no vocals. If somebody were to ask me what the embodiment of cool was I would point them to Tank. Any time you listen to this song you feel like a cool badass where nothing can touch you. If somebody were to ask me what the embodiment of fun was I would point them to Guns and Roses. It’s almost impossible not to feel happy and smile when listening to this opening. Both of these openings don’t have lyrics because they don’t need them, they just get in the way and kill the mood. All they need is a good composer and a jazz orchestra and they’re all set to give you two of the greatest anime openings of all time.
#7: Battlecry from Samurai Champloo
Rap and anime are like water and oil they just don’t mix. But Samurai Champloo proves this statement wrong and shows that when done correctly rap and anime can create something amazing. There’s really no exposition presented in the song nor does it tell you what the story is about it just sets the mood for what you’re about to watch and that’s really all this opening needs to do.
#6: D-technolife from Bleach
I am not a fan of Bleach but I have to admit their openings are awesome and D-technolife is their best opening by far in my book. Much like One Piece, Bleach has had a number of openings during its anime run and everyone seems to like the first two the most. While I admit the first opening is good and the song you wouldn’t expect to hear given Bleach’s subject matter I feel that D-technolife has livelier energy and presence that leaves more of an impact on you then the first opening. You better forget the other openings because this is the opening that deserves your attention.
#5: Ready steady go from Fullmetal Alchemist
Okay, I’m just gonna say it, I found the first opening of the original FMA anime to be dull, I still liked it and listened to it but I just found it to be dull, I honestly don’t think the singer knows what he’s singing about. Just look up the lyrics and you’ll see what I mean. I’m not sure if it’s a translation error or something but the lyrics make it sound like the singer is trying to combine the lyrics of two songs into one. So when I sat down and prepared for another dull opening the second opening started playing and here was my reaction: Woah! What’s this? Alright, I feel this. *Begins humming the song*. Now this is an opening! The second opening bought the fire and energy that you would have expected to hear in the first opening and to this day it still remains to be my favorite opening for FMA.
#4. Sorairo Days from Gurren Lagann
This is the song that pierces the Heavens! Sorairo Days is one of those songs that everyone has heard at least once. Even if you don’t watch anime, everybody knows this song and can hum along with it. Its easily one of the most covered songs out there and is so good that its actually appeared in other animes over the years. The song gets you pumped and inspires you to go out there and do great things just like Simon. If anybody gives you crap just tell them who the hell you are.
#3: Colors of the Heart from Blood +
Once again the group known as UVERworld delivers when it comes to anime openings. This opening has an overwhelming presence that just makes you feel like a hero whenever you listen to it and Colors of the Heart is one of UVERworld’s best songs. It may not be as loud as D-technolife but the overall feel and atmosphere of the song more than makes up for it. The lyrics are beautiful and well-written, the instrumental accompaniment is great, the singers are great it just a great song to listen to when you’re either watching anime or just listening to music for fun.
#2: Now or Never from Astro Boy 2003
Now I doubt most of you have seen this or heard of it but Astro Boy had a reboot anime in 2003 and with it came one of the best anime openings I’ve ever heard. This song is a song I never in a million years would have expected to hear in an anime. It’s cool, it’s energetic, optimistic, and matches Astro Boy so well that I vote that this should be his main theme from now on. The opening is awesome as well, timed perfectly and matching up the song and animated scenes excellently. This opening was totally unexpected and I love it for that.
And the number anime opening is. . .
#1: The opening of Lupin the Third
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjZ0A1f5IP0 (1978/2002 version)
https://youtu.be/tWoFVxvjPU0 (1989 version)
https://youtu.be/_KiOS_Y5gqw (1997 version)
https://youtu.be/dvaosZlQqrY (2015 version)
This is the opening that has everything. It has suspense, excitement, action, energy, anything you think of when you think of Lupin the Third can be found in this song. The jazz arrangement is like a slice of Heaven to your ears that you just can’t get enough of. The opening of Lupin has had a number of changes over the years, each one adding and being different from the other one. If I had to name my favorites I would have to say the 89 version for its excellent transition from slow to quick pace and many instrument layers and the 78 version which was reused in 2002 for just being the theme that started it all. This theme is just epic and I enjoy listening to it whenever it pops up in my playlist as I’m working. All I can say is long live Lupin and his kick ass theme song.
So that’s my list, I hope you enjoyed, thanks for reading and *Isis appears* (Isis): What is the meaning of this troll!? (Nitsuj): Isis, what’s wrong? (Isis): I have a better question! Why is my fan art of Ikuto and Usui that I spent days and hours working on deleted from you’re system!? (Nitsuj): Oh shit! I must have deleted that file when I was cleaning my computer. *Isis looks at me angrily* Now Isis, I know your upset but look on the bright side; it’ll only make you value the new fanart much more. (Isis): Oh, I’ll admire my new fanart just like I know you’ll admire the bruises I’m about to give all over your body *pulls out twin A.I pistols and fires off 2 rounds* (Nitsuj): Woah! Hey you can’t kill me; it’s in your program. (Isis): *laughs* Oh, you be surprised at what you could live through *prepares to fire guns again*. (Nitsuj): *Lupin the Third theme plays* Ah! *gets up and starts running around house while Isis chases me firing off guns* this could take a while.*dodges bullet* Woah! I’ll see you next time on Project Nitsuj. Be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you’re favorite anime opening is.
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