Hello and welcome to Project Nitsuj. In continuing with tradition, we’re taking a last look at 2022 for the next few weeks by counting down the things we love. And you know what I love? Music and anime openings. That’s right, it’s time once again to count down the best openings and they didn’t make it easy as there were a lot of good ones this year. I’m Nitsuj and these are the top 11 openings of 2022.
#11. Hey! Say! JUMP from Love All Play
https://youtu.be/8TlTYF5U46A (full song)
Hard to believe an anime about boys playing badminton would get my attention, but with a very pleasant opening like this, it’s hard to ignore. This is just a feel good song. It’s like the song is encouraging you to follow your dreams and never give up. The song may not be all that fast-paced or loud but it’s catchy to listen to and puts a smile on my face whenever I listen to it.
#10. Hollow Hunger from Overlord S4
https://youtu.be/5EKquLnbo0k (full song)
Man, this anime hasn’t had a single bad opening. Seriously, the openings for Overlord have all been masterpieces and the fourth one is no exception. OxT return to give us a bone-chilling performance. One thing I really like is the mixture of Japanese and English throughout the song and the way the singer transitions between both languages without missing a beat is impressive. While the first opening is still my favorite of the bunch there’s no denying that this song is the catchiest and matched the tone of this season. You either surrender to Ains and fall in line or die.
#9. Abracada-Boo from Vermeil in Gold
https://youtu.be/xc9JuY3AeTE (full song)
If the first 20 seconds don’t turn you on to the song then there’s something wrong with you. Seriously, someone give the pianist some ice because their fingers were on fire. The rest of the song is very fast, upbeat, and cheerful. I honestly enjoyed the song so much that I found myself listening to it at work when I was doing paperwork. It was addicting to listen to and after hearing it again I’ve fallen in love with the song all over again. It’s an opening for an anime that didn’t have to go this hard, but I’m glad they did.
#8. Shooting Star from Detective Conan: Zero no Tea Time
https://youtu.be/vTH8Syn3ZWk (full song)
It’s always great to hear jazz in anime openings. This spin-off to Detective Conan had a different feel from the main series and this opening was there to greet us and remind us that this anime is going to be unique. So sit back and enjoy the ride. This opening is just a blessing to the ears and almost feels like something out of a James Bond movie. I may not know that much about Detective Conan but I’ve heard good things about Zero and I’m glad there’s an anime out there that shines the spotlight on him.
#7. Koi wa Explosion from Lover After World Domination
https://youtu.be/0N17SrQ27oA (full song)
A hidden gem from 2022, this is the opening that does a good job mixing jazz and rap together to make magic and an addicting song to listen to while you work out (don’t judge me). This is another opening that didn’t need to go as hard as it did but I’m glad it gave us this very hype and excellent opening that no one could skip. Here’s hoping they get a second season and the opening for that season is just as great as this one.
#6. San San Days from My Dress Up Darling
https://youtu.be/29Qp2mqEMd8 (full song)
A lot of praise around this anime and one of the things people praise it for is the opening. There’s a strange sense of happiness whenever you listen to it. It matches up with the series perfectly and makes you smile whenever you hear it. If an opening can do that you know it’s doing something right. The anime featured great characters, a great story and a great opening. What else could you ask for?
#5. Souvenir from SpyxFamily
https://youtu.be/C9vAUfSEh8Q (full song)
The first opening of SpyxFamily was all right, but the second opening is where they bring the smoke. If the first opening captures the action and chaotic side of the series, then the second opening captures the more cheerful and colorful side of the family. Even though we know and they know this is a fake setup in order to suit their own personal goals, you can’t deny that they are growing closer and closer together as a family and someday we hope this fake family becomes a real family that can be happy together. This opening manages to capture that wish we want these characters to have and hopefully they reach it someday.
#4. Kick Back from Chainsaw Man
https://youtu.be/4MNbX4MRIFQ (full song)
Man was this song so addicting to listen to. Of all the songs on this list, I don’t think any song matches up with an anime better than this song. It’s dark but comedic, sinister but tender, chaotic but at the same time personal. This song takes everything you see in the manga and gives us an absolute banger that gets stuck in your head. Easily one of the highlights from the fall of last year.
#3. Daten from Call of the Night
https://youtu.be/F81h8wXzkiM (full song)
Meet my new favorite rappers. Nobody knew what to expect from this opening, but as soon as you heard it you were addicted to this song. This is one of those openings you just never skipped. The song is just a straight banger and matches up perfectly with this anime. It’s just a fun song to hear and listen to.
#2. Giri Giri from Kaguya-sama: Love is War S3
https://youtu.be/NithFu9aSlY (full song)
You knew this was coming. Done once again by the dandy Masayuki Suzuki, the third opening is his best yet. This opening builds up to what we’ve been waiting for all season, a confession. It doesn’t matter who is from anymore. Let’s stop these games and just see these two main characters who are perfect for each other get together. Just like the previous opening, Masayuki’s voice is on point here sounding as dandy as ever and the instrumental is great as well. Like I said out of all the openings to come from this series this one is easily my favorite of the bunch.
And number 1. . .
#1. The Rumbling from Attack on Titan Final Season Part 2
https://youtu.be/OBqw818mQ1E (full song)
Well this was different and unexpected. But I love it! It is ineffable. The Rumbling is coming and there is nothing anyone can do to stop it. The second opening from the final season of Attack on Titan perfectly sums up the story of Eren from the helpless little boy we met in the first season to the man declaring war on the world we see now. The previous openings felt like an anthem for the group to fight. This one feels like one man’s declaration of war on the world. If there was ever a character song for Eren this would be it. He didn’t want to go this route, but he doesn’t have a choice. If he wants to save what he cares for the most he has to let go of it. But hey, as long as it leads to a world where everyone he loves is safe and can live happily then he’s prepared to lose it all. I don’t know what the final opening will be but how they’re going to top the Rumbling is anyone’s guess.
And that’s my list. What was your favorite opening of 2022? Let me know in the comments below and tune in next week where count down the top 11 anime endings of 2022. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next time on Project Nitsuj.