Criteria
Anime
openings are often weird for the sake of being weird. They can have little to
nothing to do with the actual show.
Yet this is
not a constant. There are examples of times where I want to watch the opening
number. That got me thinking, why do I do that? What makes an outstanding
opening theme?
I came to
the conclusion that:
1. It needs to grab your attention
immediately.
2. It needs to stick with you, not just after
the episode but after the entire series.
3. You must be able to recognize it on its own
if encountered outside its series.
4. It must get you excited to watch the show.
With those
in mind here are my Top Ten Opening Themes in Anime
Before
getting to the main list, it's important to note that it wasn't easy to narrow
down ten.
There are
just so many outstanding contenders that I want to include, but can’t. So to
make this list a bit longer and stretch the meaning of the word ten, here are
two honorable mentions.
Song: Motteki! Se-ra-fuku
Performed By: Hirano Aya, Kato Emiri,
Fukuhara Kaori, Endo Aya
Lyrics: Hata Aki
Composition: Kousaki Satoru
Arrangement: Kousaki Satoru
Released: May 23, 2007
Luck Star is a special show for me. I
consider this series as the spark that ignited my anime addiction. This was the
cause that pushed me to delve into this world. It's not an exaggeration when I
say that because of this show, this all exists.
Due to this,
there's a bit of bias. That said, I stand by my opinion of this opening song.
This theme
is so catchy. It’s the kind of melody that will cause you to sing along every
time it’s on. I can't blame you; I do it all the time. I'll admit, this has
caused a few awkward moments.
The greatest
aspect about this theme is that it feels part of the series. Needless to say
that I am a fan of the show. When my favorite moment is the cast doing the full
cheer from the opening, you can say an impact got.
Song: Soramimi Cake
Performed By: Oranges & Lemons
Lyrics: Hata Aki
Composition: Itou Masumi
Arrangement: Itou Masumi
Release Date: April 22, 2002
There's a
bit of a story behind this one.
When I was
living in Nagoya, a small typhoon came through. Nothing major, but you wouldn’t
want to be outside. I was sitting in my tiny apartment with my dinner I had
picked up from the convenience store.
As well as
enjoying the sound of the rain, there was Azumanga
Daioh and this opening song. Every time it came on, I remember experiencing
an overwhelming sense of joy. When I hear this theme, not only do I think of
this amazing show, but I am brought back to those blissful moments.
I don’t want
to meet the person who doesn’t get a warm soothing feeling every time they hear
this song. The playful tone, the happy melody, the upbeat and lighthearted
atmosphere. It's everything that's great about Azumanga Daioh.
It doesn’t
get old, it doesn’t get stale, it’s enduring and soon to be timeless. I was so
close to adding it to the main list. Yet there are ten I just can’t ignore.
Song: Mag Mell
Performed By: Riya
Lyrics: Riya
Composition: Eufonius
Arrangement: Kiku
Release Date: August 13, 2004
Starting of this list is the anime that broke me. I've
mentioned before my love of romance stories. I just can’t get enough of the
stuff, and Clannad is one of my
all-time favorites.
Like the
show, this song is cute and adorable, but not void of meaning. The entire mood
of the series is set up right here in this opening; loving, caring, and full of
heart. I can't imagine the person who doesn’t smile when they hear it.
Even with
this calming tone, there is a bit of sadness here. Now I, and anyone who has
seen the show know all about it. If you are new to the series, then there is a
good chance that you may not be able to detect it. Trust me, it fits.
Song: Mittsu Kazoete Daishugo
Performed By: Akesaka Satomi, Takagaki
Ayahi, Tomatsu Haruka
Lyrics: Hata Aki
Composition: Maeyamada Ken`ichi
Arrangement: Maeyamada Ken`ichi
Release Date: August 11, 2010
I love Mitsudomoe. It's one of the funniest
shows I have ever seen. With three of the most adorable, lovable, and memorable
triplets in anime.
The opening
theme is the musical personification of the show. Funny, quirky, fast paced,
and energetic. Expect to start singing along after watching a couple of
episodes.
I want to
think that I'm not the only one who sees how great this opening is. But when I
was making this list I couldn't find anyone who seemed to agree with me. It’s a
shame because this rocks and this theme cannot be mistaken for any other show.
Song: Hyadain no Kakakata Kataomoi – C
Performed By: Hyadain
Lyrics: Maeyamada Ken`ichi
Composition: Maeyamada Ken`ichi
Arrangement: Maeyamada Ken`ichi
Release Date: April 27, 2011
What happens
when outstanding writing, interesting characters, and a fantastic show gets a
budget? You get Nichijou.
There's a
lot going on in this opening, but that's the nature of the series. This is the
embodiment of a show about nothing. The whole point of the series is that there
is no point. Everything is random. Things will happen leaving you wondering
what in the world did you just saw. Every moment is going to be sidesplitting
awesome.
Whenever I
hear this song, I can’t help but get excited. It fits so well with what the
series wants to do. I can’t imagine anything else that would be able to match
the show’s energy.
Song: Tank
Performed By: Seatbelts
Lyrics: N/A
Composition: Kanno Youko
Arrangement: Kanno Youko
Release Date: May 21, 1998
I’m sure
this one was an exception. I can’t say I'm surprised either. When I was
starting to think about what should be on here, it was just a given that Cowboy Bebop was going to make it.
I think much
of the expectation comes from how amazing the show is. So in reality any
opening would have been memorable. Whether that's true is irrelevant because
this opening theme is great in its own right. It doesn’t need the strong
foundation of the series.
I mentioned
in my review of the show that it took me a long time to actually sit down and
watch. Whatever my reason may have been for doing that will remain a mystery.
Yet I will never forget Bebop or this
opening for as long as I live.
Song: Zankoku na Tenshi no Thesis
Performed By: Takahashi Youko
Lyrics: Oikawa Neko
Composition: Satou Hidetoshi
Arrangement: Oomori Toshiyuki
Release Date: February 16, 1996
The
definition of a classic.
A show with
giant robots, alien invaders, and an annoying protagonist. Plus, one of the
weirdest endings in anime. Must be Neon
Genesis Evangelion.
I give this
show a hard time, more than it deserves. But in all seriousness, Shinji is an
annoying little prick. I want to go on record and say that I do actually like
this show.
Now me
liking it or not doesn’t change how huge this series is in the world of anime.
If you watch a third of what I do, I'm willing to bet you've come across this
opening once or twice.
Whenever I
hear this theme I think anime. The two go hand and hand for me. It's rare when
an opening song can inspire such a massive following. But that’s the nature of Evangelion, it just endures.
Song: Lilium
Performed By: Noma Kumiko
Lyrics: Kondou Yukio and Konishi Kayou
Composition: Kondou Yukio and Konishi
Kayou
Arrangement: Kondou Yukio and Konishi
Kayou
Release Date: October 21, 2004
I'll be the
first to admit. The thing you're going to remember about Elfen Lied is not the title theme.
Don’t
believe me, just watch the first ten minutes of the show. Once the shock
subsidizes, this song is going to come on and you're left in awe. There's a
drastic sift in how this opening sounds and how the show is.
With its
hymnal melody and gospel like tone, it would fit right in with any church
serve. For example…a funeral.
What I am
trying to say is that people are going to die in this show; you only need to
hear this song once to understand that.
Song: Katayoku no Tori
Performed By: Shikata Akiko
Lyrics: Wataru Namino and Ikuko Ebata
Composition: Shikata Akiko
Arrangement: Shikata Akiko
Release Date: August 19, 2009
Umineko no Naku Koro ni is part of the When They Cry series. Thus it's known
for violence and mystery.
I've made
the effort to say a few nice things about the entries’ respective shows up to
this point. So if you’re starting to think that this is a top ten list of my
favorite anime series in disguise, let me put that to rest.
I don’t full
on hate this show, but I don’t like it all that much either. To tell the truth,
since the series is just so unremarkable I am not able to recall that much of
the plot.
Yet I cannot
and will not forget this opening. The show doesn’t even come close to matching
the standard it sets.
When I say
that an opening needs to get you excited, this is what I’m talking about. This
got me excited. Even when I knew the show wasn’t all that good and had accepted
the fact that it wasn’t going to get much better.
Song: The WORLD
Performed By: Nightmare
Lyrics: Ruka
Composition: Ruka
Arrangement: Ruka
Release Date: October 18, 2006
Take all
that stuff I said about Cowboy Bebop
and just place it here.
Again,
because of how amazing Death Note is,
any song would have stuck with you. And just like Bebop, the actual song used
is outstanding on its own. But where the two openings differ is that Death Note
is at number three.
Why is that
you ask? How can you not get pumped to watch after hearing it? The raw power
behind those notes resonates through your entire body. It is as though God
himself is bringing down his wrath; which is pretty much what happens during
the show.
Song: One Reason
Performed By: Deadman Wonderland Band
featuring Fade
Lyrics: Jon and rui
Composition: rui
Arrangement: rui
Release Date: April 27, 2011
In my review
of Deadman Wonderland, I said that I
was looking forward to watching this show. Reading that again, it sounds as
though I wasn't sure why I was so excited. That couldn’t be further from the
truth. I wanted to experience Deadman the instant I heard its opening theme.
I never get
tired of it. I've had this song playing on repeat as I do other things. Such as
eating, working on the computer, or even writing one of my reviews.
It's hard to
beat the opening theme to Deadman
Wonderland. I can only think of one that is able to do just that.
Song: Cha-la Head Cha-la
Performed By: Hironbu Kageyama
Lyrics: Yukinojo Mori
Composition: Chiho Kiyooka
Arrangement: Kenji Yamamoto
Release Date: May 1, 1989
I can hear
rage building all ready. It doesn’t change the fact that every other entry on
this list was fighting for second.
I cannot
justify putting this opening anywhere other than the number one spot. There is
no mistaking where this is from.
Love it or
hate it, when that chorus hits, you know exactly what you’re watching.
There is no
denying the impact Dragon Ball Z has had on the world of anime. If you watch
anime and haven’t seen this show, then what have you been doing?
By no means
am I saying that Dragon Ball Z is the best anime ever, it’s not even close. But
there's no other opening song I would bet people would recognize without seeing
the show.
Conclusion
There you
have it, my list of the top ten openings in anime.
I don't
expect a lot of people to agree with me. In fact, they shouldn't.
In the
comments feel free to tell me which ones you believe should have made the list.
While you're at it, go ahead and tell me what your top ten openings are. Your
responses may even influence my opinion with a future update.
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