Hello and welcome to Project Nitsuj. Today we’re continuing our last look at 2021 by taking a look at the best openings. Ah~ anime openings, they always get us pumped for the anime. Even if the anime is bad as long as there’s a good opening it’ll be remembered. 2021 gave us a lot of good openings so let’s see which ones made the list. As always these are my opinions so feel to agree or disagree. I’m Nitsuj and these are the top 11 Anime Openings of 2021.
#11. No. 1 from My Hero Academia S5
full: https://youtu.be/FN0Z6dviImE
The first opening of season 5 came as a surprise to me. It’s very different from the other openings we’ve heard up until this point. It starts off slow and quiet, gradually building up before taking off. Honestly speaking, this song sounds like the calm before the storm and allows not only us but the characters to forget about the League of Villains business and just be students training to be the next generation of heroes. Competing against other, building friendships, learning, and just living their life as normal superpowered kids trying to reach their goals. An unexpected opening but a welcomed one.
#10. Dark Seeks Light from The World’s Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Another World
Full: https://youtu.be/q3J1LzdkX-Q
This opening just slaps. Not only is the instrumental and vocals to this top tier, but the overall symbolism throughout the song is just great. The title Dark Seeks Light can be interpreted in a number of ways. One could say Lugh is the dark seeking the hero who is the light or it could be Lugh trying to find a better life than his previous life which ended in betrayal. However the song is interpreted this was a great opening and everyone else thought so too. It became one of the best openings from the Fall lineup and one of the few openings I never could skip over. Just like the anime this song was a hit in my book.
#9. Beautiful Day from Banished from The Hero’s Party
Full: https://youtu.be/weeCDJ5kzbI
Calming. That’s the best way to describe this opening. The opening just gives off this peaceful vibe of enjoying your life, the people you share it with, and how you never want the good times to end. It lets you reflect on what’s important in life and what you want. You don’t always have to have the most action-packed life to feel fulfilled and happy. Sometimes all you really need is a quiet life doing what you enjoy and sharing it with others. It’s a growing trend I’m seeing in anime and I welcome it.
#8. Pink Blood from To Your Eternity
Full: https://youtu.be/QAdvDmhE2fg
This opening is just beautiful to listen to. This opening perfectly describes the life and story of our main character. An immortal soul living in the world experiencing both happiness and heartache. He experiences love but also loss and it’s through these experiences that he grows on his journey knowing what it means to be human and why life is beautiful. Like I said in the previous list, if you’ve experienced the loss of a loved one then this anime as well as this song will speak to you. Don’t be surprised if you cry while listening to it.
#7. My War from Attack on Titan Final Season Part 1
Full: https://youtu.be/w2y715XAmso
You all knew this was coming. From the moment you heard that first note you knew shit was about to go down in this series. This whole song just evokes so many WWII images in my mind which is fitting because that’s what this series has evolved into. A world war where it’s one man against the world and no one is safe. Which side are you on, who is the enemy, and who will be left when this war is over? These are the questions we’re left with at the end of this song and as the anime continues your mind is in a constant state of shock at what you just heard and what you’ll see as the anime begins.
#6. 3-pun 29-byou from 86
Full: https://youtu.be/G32pnevzPMM
I’ve talked about this opening before in the review so I’ll make this quick. This song was such an unexpected banger. It was tough choice between this opening and the second one as both are but I like the first opening a little more. Given the subject matter of this opening I was expecting something harsher and war related but instead we get this rockin’ song that gets your adrenaline pumping and tells you to keep pushing forward for not only yourself but the ones you lost. While the band’s style may have changed they still have that melancholic feel to their songs that I’m sure wowaka would like.
#5. Kaibutsu from Beastars S2
Full: https://youtu.be/j4dpZx-CbKQ
The second opening of Beastars as well as the first opening song from YOASOBI. This song is another banger. I honestly like this song more than the first opening and that one was great too, so you know I’m giving this song high praise. The song does a good job encapsulating the struggles and issues the characters are facing in the series. Is what they think and believe right? Or is wrong? Only time and their interactions with others will tell. It’s another opening that slaps hard and makes me look forward to seeing what YOASOBI does next.
#4. Zankyou Sanka from Kimestu no Yaiba S2
Full: https://youtu.be/FCgACOkmwtg
Well hot damn. Just when you think the anime couldn’t get anymore impressive they bring in Aimer and she kills it like always. This song is pure hype! LiSA set the bar with Gurenge and Aimer not only met that bar but she surpassed it in my opinion. The song is so catchy like a massive party is going on and the lyrics do a good job talking about Tanjiro and others on how they’re moving forward and trying to get stronger in honor of Rengoku. An impressive song that has now become my favorite opening from the series.
#3. Shimi from Meikyuu Black Company
Full: https://youtu.be/0ZscF-jajjk
And the bangers just keep coming. A hidden gem of an anime and opening that a lot of people skipped over, but those who watched the anime were treated to this opening that makes you want to get up and dance whenever you hear it. The song is short but it’s so addicting to listen to. It’s just overflowing with energy that I can’t get enough of. It really surprised me when I first heard it and I consider it to be one of the best openings to come out of the year.
#2. Paradise from Sk8 the Infinity
Full: https://youtu.be/YKjbNiiztwE
The perfect song to go with this anime about having fun and skateboarding. Once again this is another short song but it’s so addicting to listen to. The lyrics and melody are a banger and the song applies not only to skateboarding but whatever you’re passionate about. Whether it be a sport, writing, or anything in general don’t be afraid to go all out, share your passion with the world, and bring them to your idea of paradise. It’s a fun song and a fun anime. What more could you ask for?
And number one. . .
#1. OddTaxi from Odd Taxi
Full: https://youtu.be/LKMw0hBDBUw
The last few songs I’ve listed were bangers but this song is just a complete mood. It is impossible not to vibe while listening to this song. The blending of hip-hop and jazz is done wonderfully here. The first time I heard this opening I instantly fell in love with the song and it was honestly through this song that actually checked out the anime. That’s right, this song single-handedly got me interested in an anime I was planning on skipping over entirely. That achievement alone puts it at the top of the list. If a song is good that it makes you want to check out the anime you know the artists did something right. I especially like the saxophone near the end. It just brings everything back to square one and I highly recommend playing this song while driving at night. You won’t be disappointed.
And that’s my list. What was your favorite opening from 2021. Let me know. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next time on Project Nitsuj.