The opening theme for an anime is almost as important as the anime series itself. The opening sets the tone, gives the feel, and introduces the viewers to what they are getting into. While there have been many grand anime openings over the years, some are more memorable than others.
If an anime is quite long, the series will likely have more than one opening. Fans might have their personal favorites among those, but most fans agree that a particular opening will hit harder than others. Some of the best anime opening themes of all time include tracks from childhood favorite anime like Pokémon to more recent hits, like My Hero Academia.
Updated on February 8th, 2024 by Chelsea Steele: Anime openings are one of the most memorable parts of any anime series and are often just as important to fans as the story itself. While there have been many iconic opening themes over the years, some have gone down in history as the best of all time. We've updated this list to meet CBR's current publication standards, providing more info on some of anime's greatest opening themes.
The 15 Most Iconic Anime Openings, Ranked
Delivering stunning visuals and catchy beats, the most famous anime openings perfectly set the tone for their respective series.20 "Re:Re" Existed As An Alt Rock Song From The 2000s Before Becoming An Opening Theme
ERASED (Opening 1), Song By: Asian Kung-Fu Generation
Erased
29-year-old Satoru Fujinuma is sent back in time 18 years to prevent the events leading to his mother's death, which began with a series of kidnappings while he was in 5th grade.
- Release Date
- January 8, 2016
- Creator
- Kei Sanbe
- Cast
- Minami Takayama , Tao Tsuchiya
- Main Genre
- Anime
- Seasons
- 1
- Number of Episodes
- 12
Erased’s theme is the rare case of an anime taking a pre-existing song for its intro. Though Erased released in 2016, Asian Kung-Fu Generation’s “Re:Re” is originally from the band’s 2004 album, “Sol Fa”. Despite this, the alt-rock tune perfectly fits the mystery anime series.
Erased itself is about a young man with the ability to travel back in time, who gets sent back nearly two decades in the hope of stopping some of the most traumatizing events in his history. Fittingly, the lyrics of the opening theme discusses regrets about past events the vocalist can no longer change.
19 "D-Tecnolife" Perfectly Fits The Tone Of The Series
Bleach (Opening 2), Song By: UVERworld
Bleach
Bleach revolves around Kurosaki Ichigo, a regular always-grouchy high-schooler who for some strange reason is able to see the souls of the dead around him.
- Release Date
- October 5, 2004
- Creator
- Tite Kubo
- Cast
- Masakazu Morita , Fumiko Orikasa , Hiroki Yasumoto , Yuki Matsuoka , Noriaki Sugiyama , Kentarô Itô , Shinichirô Miki , Hisayoshi Suganuma
- Main Genre
- Anime
- Seasons
- 17 Seasons
- Production Company
- TV Tokyo, Dentsu, Pierrot
- Number of Episodes
- 366 Episodes
Bleach's New Opening Continues A Franchise Tradition By Highlighting The Cast's Incredible Drip
Tite Kubo loves urban fashion, and his characters in Bleach reflect that with their stylish duds in the manga and TYBW anime.UVERworld has never missed when creating an anime opening, and one of their best anime openings is Bleach's "D-tecnolife". Even now, there isn’t a 2000s anime fan that doesn’t know the melody of this song by heart. The high energy rock theme was perfect for the series’ transition into more serious storytelling with the Soul Society arc.
The song’s lyrics fit the situation of both of the series’ protagonists at that point. The vocalist encouraging someone to push past their sadness and never give up is similar to how Ichigo has to convince Rukia to keep pushing on even after being imprisoned by the Soul Society.
18 "Ai Yo Kienaide" Is A Romantic Pop Theme With A Classic '80s Aesthetic
City Hunter (Opening 1), Song By: Kahoru Kohirumaki
City Hunter
The adventures of Ryo Saeba, a gun-for-hire living in the Tokyo metropolis, who will take on any dangerous job as long as it involves beautiful women.
- Release Date
- April 6, 1987
- Creator
- Tsukasa Hojo
- Cast
- Tesshô Genda , Akira Kamiya , Mami Koyama
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Seasons
- 1
- Number of Episodes
- 51
City Hunter was one of Weekly Shonen Jump’s biggest hit series, turning into a decent-sized anime franchise in the ‘80s as well. The series’ lead is Saeba Ryo, a private detective who will solve any case...as long as his client is a beautiful woman. It’s a concept straight out of the ‘80s, and the opening theme by Kahoru Kohirumaki is completely cognizant of that.
“Ai Yo Kienaide” is a smooth City Pop theme with the vocalist passionately singing about the importance of love. The lyrics hint at the budding relationship between Ryo and his partner, the tomboyish Kaori Makimura, a relationship that’s teased throughout most of the series. Meanwhile, the opening credits feature as much smooth ‘80s style that can be contained in 91 seconds.
17 "Lupin III Theme" Is The Iconic Theme Song Of The Entire Franchise
Lupin III (Part 6 Opening), Song By: Yuji Ohno
Lupin III
Lupin III, the grandson of the legendary Arsène Lupin, is a master thief known for his cunning plans, disguises, and acrobatic skills. He is joined by his loyal companions
- Release Date
- 1971-00-00
- Creator
- Monkey Punch (Kazuhiko Katō)
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Seasons
- 6
- Studio
- Telecom Animation Film, Monkey Punch Production
- Main Characters
- Lupin III: The grandson of Arsène Lupin, a master thief known for his cunning and disguises. Daisuke Jigen: Lupin's right-hand man, a sharpshooter with unwavering loyalty. Fujiko Mine: A seductive femme fatale who often manipulates situations for her own gain. Goemon Ishikawa XIII: A skilled swordsman with a stoic demeanor and a deep sense of honor. Inspector Zenigata: An Interpol officer determined to capture Lupin.
- Number of Episodes
- 237
Much like the protagonist of the series, the Lupin III theme is among the most iconic in anime. After getting rid of the generic opening from the first series, Lupin III found the song that would follow the franchise for the next fifty plus years. The timeless nature of the theme is just one aspect that makes this a classic anime modern fans can fall in love with.
While the instrumental has been altered a few times over the years to fit the era, it’s still immediately recognizable thanks to the prominent usage of horns and saxophone. That, plus the singers chiming in with the lead’s name during the chorus. Despite being the main opening for decades, it’s doubtful any Lupin fan would even think to ask for another—why change perfection?
16 "Hohoemi no Bakudan" Is A Nostaglic Theme That's Perfect In Japanese & English
Yu Yu Hakusho (Opening 1), Song By: Mawatari Matsuko
Yu Yu Hakusho
After a teenage delinquent is killed while saving a child's life from an approaching car, the rulers of the underworld send him back to become an "Underworld Detective" investigating demons apparitions in the human world.
- Release Date
- October 10, 1992
- Creator
- Yoshihiro Togashi
- Cast
- Nozomu Sasaki , Justin Cook , Tomomichi Nishimura , Sanae Miyuki , Shigeru Chiba , Christopher Sabat
- Main Genre
- Anime
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- Pierrot
- Number of Episodes
- 112
Not many opening themes are good enough to carry across a series as long as Yu Yu Hakusho. However, Mawatari Matsuko’s “Hohoemi no Bakudan” is an amazing theme fitting for the greatest shonen anime series of all time.
It’s an irresistibly lovable pop tune that instantly inspires feelings of nostalgia in any anime fan that’s seen the show before, as the artist sings about the importance of the friends they’ve built in their lives. The song is so perfect the dub version is incredible as well, with artist Sara White providing a pitch-perfect English rendition that makes it easy to enjoy regardless of which version of the series people prefer.
15 "Lum no Love Song" Is Quirky & Fun, Just Like Its Series
Urusei Yatsura (Opening 1), Song By: Yuko Matsutani
Urusei Yatsura
A young man cursed with misfortune finds himself tied to an alien wife.
- Release Date
- October 14, 2022
- Creator
- Rumiko Takahashi
- Cast
- Jade Kelly , Jack Stansbury
- Production Company
- David Production
- Number of Episodes
- 23
10 Best Anime Opening Upgrades
These anime theme songs are even better than the first and never fail to get fans hype.Yuko Matsutani's "Lum no Love Song" serves as Urusei Yatsura's first opening. This track is likely one of its generations' most well-known anime OPs. While it's nearly 30 years old at this point, it is still beloved by many.
"Lum no Love Song" does a great job of showing off Urusei Yatsura's quirkiness and style. It's a perfect way to kick off an episode. A reboot of Urusei Yatsura began airing on October 14, 2022. The new opening keeps the same energy as the original while still making its own statement.
14 "Duvet" Matches The Tone & Themes Of The Series
Serial Experiments Lain (Opening 1), Song By: Bôa
Serial Experiments Lain
Strange things start happening when a withdrawn girl named Lain becomes obsessed with an interconnected virtual realm known as "The Wired".
- Release Date
- July 6, 1998
- Creator
- Chiaki J. Konaka
- Cast
- Kirk Thornton , Bridget Hoffman , Shō Hayami , Kaori Shimizu , Ryūsuke Ōbayashi , Barry Stigler
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Seasons
- 1 Season
- Producer
- Yasuyuki Ueda, Shōjirō Abe
- Production Company
- Pioneer LDC, Triangle Staff
- Number of Episodes
- 13 Episodes
Serial Experiments Lain is one of the most criminally underappreciated anime of its time. The show focuses on a communications network called the Wired while exploring themes of communication and identity. Given how it approached its setting, the show was ahead of its time. It came out in 1998, right on the cusp of the new millennium and aligning with the uptick in technological use.
Serial Experiments Lain's opening still holds up, thanks to its unique vibe. "Duvet" was written and performed by the British alternative band Bôa. Alternative rock isn't always paired with anime openings, but this perfectly complements the OP's beautiful visuals.
13 "Uragiri no Yuuyake" Introduces The Cast Of The Series With A Fun & Upbeat Opening
Durarara!! (Opening 1), Song By: Theater Rock
Durarara!!
Tired of his mundane life, Mikado Ryugamine decides to move to Ikebukuro, a district in Tokyo, when a friend invites him. With everything from invisible gangs to rumored beings, Ikebukuro is full of connected mysteries where people's pasts intertwine with the present.
- Release Date
- January 7, 2010
- Cast
- Hiroshi Kamiya , Daisuke Ono , Miyuki Sawashiro , kari wahlgren , Johnny Yong Bosch
- Studio
- Brain's Base
Durarara!! was pretty big back when it aired in 2010, and it still cultivates a healthy fan base to this day. Durarara!! is a supernatural mystery series set in downtown Tokyo with lots of action. With its massive cast of characters and intertwining plot points, there was something for everyone.
Theater Rock's "Uragiri no Yuuyake" perfectly captures the mood of the show. It shows off the first season's main cast while giving some insight into their dynamics with each other as the upbeat track ties everything together.
12 "Battlecry" Is A Unique Mix Of Modern Japanese Music & Elements Of Hip-Hop
Samurai Champloo (Opening 1), Song By: Nujabes/Shing02
Samurai Champloo
Fuu, a waitress who works in a teahouse, rescues two master swordsmen, Mugen and Jin, from their execution to help her find the "samurai who smells of sunflowers."
- Release Date
- May 20, 2004
- Creator
- Manglobe, Masaru Gotsubo
- Main Genre
- Action
- Seasons
- 1
- Characters By
- Kazuya Nakai, Ginpei Sato, Ayako Kawasumi
- Production Company
- Barnum Studio, Flying Dog, Fuji Television Network
Hip-hop isn't often used in anime openings. However, Nujabes and Shing02's "Battlecry" perfectly suits Samurai Champloo's opening credits. Nujabes passed away in 2010, and this series is the only anime to ever feature one of his tracks in its soundtrack.
The series mixes modern-day Japanese characteristics with hip-hop and elements of the chanbara genre, which is the Japanese term for samurai films. The mellow beat of Samurai Champloo's opening goes well with the vibrant visuals and serves as a great representation of the show's main character, Mugen.
11 "Bloody Stream" Has Stunningly Flashy Visuals That Make It Stand Out
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (Opening 2), Song By: CODA
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
The story of the Joestar family, who are possessed with intense psychic strength, and the adventures each member encounters throughout their lives.
- Release Date
- October 4, 2012
- Creator
- Hirohiko Araki
- Cast
- David Vincent , Matthew Mercer , Daisuke Ono , Unshô Ishizuka , Tôru Ohkawa
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Seasons
- 5
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is a sprawling generational series that has had tons of great openings spread throughout its run so far. There's bound to be some contention among fans regarding which one's the best of the bunch, but CODA's "Bloody Stream" has to take the top spot.
"Bloody Stream" is catchy and stands out from most other anime openings, which perfectly suits JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. The excellent animation and visuals also make this an absolute stand-out, not only among JoJo openings, but anime openings as a whole.
10 "The Day" Is A Perfect Introduction To A Legendary Series
My Hero Academia (Opening 1), Song By: Porno Graffiti
My Hero Academia
Izuku has dreamt of being a hero all his life—a lofty goal for anyone, but especially challenging for a kid with no superpowers. That’s right, in a world where eighty percent of the population has some kind of super-powered “quirk,” Izuku was unlucky enough to be born completely normal. But that’s not enough to stop him from enrolling in one of the world’s most prestigious hero academies.
- Release Date
- May 5, 2018
- Cast
- Daiki Yamashita , Justin Briner , Nobuhiko Okamoto , Ayane Sakura
- Main Genre
- Anime
- Seasons
- 6
- Production Company
- Bones
- Number of Episodes
- 145
10 Best My Hero Academia Opening Songs, Ranked
MHA is a captivating anime about heroes vs. villains, and its opening songs reflect the series' themes."The Day" by Porno Graffiti is the first opening for My Hero Academia. My Hero Academia has very good opening themes throughout its seasons that fans love. The opening theme perfectly dictates the type of character Deku is going to be.
On a journey to become the #1 Hero, the song gives the impression that Deku must give it everything he's got — that he hopes that one day will truly be the day. The video package shows a compilation of Deku's training as the strong-spirited boy gives everything to be like the Symbol of Peace, All Might.
9 "Again" Introduces Audiences To The Story In Edward's Perspective
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (Opening 1), Song By: YUI
Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood
Two brothers search for a Philosopher's Stone after an attempt to revive their deceased mother goes awry and leaves them in damaged physical forms.
- Release Date
- April 5, 2009
- Cast
- Romi Park , Rie Kugimiya , Vic Mignogna , Maxey Whitehead
- Main Genre
- Anime
- Seasons
- 1
"Again" by YUI is the first opening for Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. The opening theme takes the perspective of Edward Elric and the lessons he must learn along the way of recovering his limbs and his brother's body.
"Again" presents themes of there being more to life than what is seen by the eye. The video shows Edward becoming stronger and stronger along his journey. It also shows the people he meets along the way, friends or enemies."Again" is the opening for the first 14 episodes of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.
8 "The Hero" Brings Out The Satirical Themes Of The Story
One-Punch Man (Opening 1), Song By: JAM Project
One Punch Man
The story of Saitama, a hero that does it just for fun & can defeat his enemies with a single punch.
- Release Date
- October 5, 2015
- Cast
- Makoto Furukawa , Kaito Ishikawa , Zach Aguilar , Robbie Daymond
- Main Genre
- Anime
- Seasons
- 2
When "The Hero" was played during One-Punch Man's release during the fall 2015 season, it took the internet by storm. The iconic "One Punch!" lyric to open the song captured the hearts of fans.
"The Hero" has themes of justice and fits the satirical theme of One-Punch Man. The chorus draws from themes of not wanting the accolades that come with being a hero, such as fame and bringing happiness to those saved. Similarly, Saitama is too bored by fighting to be a hero. "The Hero" is the only opening for the first season of One-Punch Man.
7 "Colors" Centers Around Themes Of Perseverance & Change
Code Geass (Opening 1), Song By: FLOW
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (2006)
After being given a mysterious power to control others, an outcast prince becomes the masked leader of the rebellion against an all-powerful empire.
- Release Date
- October 6, 2006
- Cast
- Jun Fukuyama , Takahiro Sakurai , Johnny Yong Bosch , Ami Koshimizu
- Main Genre
- Anime
- Seasons
- 2
- Studio
- Sunrise
FLOW is known for opening themes in series such as Naruto, The Seven Deadly Sins, and Durarara!! However, none of them have been better than "Colors," Code Geass' first opening.
"Colors" draws from themes of how people can change for the better and for the worse. This anime opening demonstrates that everyone should have confidence in themselves, even in the darkest of times. This is fitting because of the rough times Lelouch goes through in the series. "Colors" is the opening for the first 12 episodes of the first season of Code Geass, one of the best mecha anime of all time.
6 "Tank" Features An Iconic Jazz Theme That Compliments The Tone Of The Series
Cowboy Bebop (Opening 1), Song By: The Seatbelts
Cowboy Bebop (1998)
The futuristic misadventures and tragedies of an easygoing bounty hunter and his partners.
- Release Date
- September 2, 2001
- Cast
- Koichi Yamadera , Unshô Ishizuka , Megumi Hayashibara , Steve Blum , Beau Billingslea
- Main Genre
- Anime
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- Sunrise
Cowboy Bebop's opening theme is "Tank" by The Seatbelts. As one of the best anime in its decade, it's only fitting that it has one of the best opening themes, too. Cowboy Bebop is a space Western that debuted in the late '90s. The series follows a group of eccentric bounty hunters.
The jazzy instrumental complements Cowboy Bebop's mystery theme, while the rhythmic editing of sequences and the music make the anime unique. "Tank" is the opening for all 25 episodes of Cowboy Bebop.
5 "Pokémon Theme" Is One Of Anime's Most Famous Opening Themes
Pokémon (Opening 1), Song By: Jason Paige
Pokemon
Ash Ketchum, his yellow pet Pikachu, and his human friends explore a world of powerful creatures.
- Release Date
- September 8, 1998
- Creator
- Junichi Masuda, Ken Sugimori, Satoshi Tajiri
- Cast
- Veronica Taylor , Eric Stuart , Rachael Lillis , Sarah Natochenny , Bill Rogers , Rica Matsumoto , Ikue Ootani
- Main Genre
- Anime
- Seasons
- 25
- Studio
- OLM Inc.
10 Best English Dub Anime Openings, Ranked
One Piece, Pokémon, and Yu-Gi-Oh! have some questionable dubs, but most fans can agree that at least their English dub openings are pretty catchy.While Pokémon's opening theme song is arguably the most well-known opening theme in anime, its title is quite lackluster. "Pokémon Theme" by Jason Paige has kids singing around the world today, even though it was released in 1997.
Pokémon's anime opening revolves around Ash's journey as he wants to become a Pokémon Master. To do so, Ash must win battles, meet new friends, and catch 'em all. As the song states, it is his destiny. The original "Pokémon Theme" is the only opening for the first season of Pokémon, running for 80 episodes.
4 "The WORLD" Symbolizes Light's Inner Thoughts & Goals
Death Note (Opening 1), Song By: Nightmare
Death Note
Original title: Death Note: Desu nôto.
An intelligent high school student goes on a secret crusade to eliminate criminals from the world after discovering a notebook capable of killing anyone whose name is written into it.
- Release Date
- October 21, 2007
- Cast
- Mamoru Miyano , Brad Swaile , Vincent Tong , Ryō Naitō , Trevor Devall
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Seasons
- 1
- Production Company
- D.N. Dream Partners, Madhouse, Nippon Television Network (NTV), Shueisha, Video Audio Project (VAP)
- Number of Episodes
- 37
Death Note's two opening themes spark arguments on which is better for the show. Each anime opening is a different style with different sounds, but "The WORLD" by NIGHTMARE helped make Death Note iconic.
"The WORLD" talks about a world of evil and darkness. This refers to the new world that Light is creating despite him thinking what he is doing is good. The song then transitions into Light's thought process and how he doesn't understand why people think he's bad. "The WORLD" is Death Note's first opening, and it runs for the first 19 episodes.
3 "A Cruel Angel's Thesis" Is A Legendary Theme That Encapsulates The Essence Of The Series
Neon Genesis Evangelion (Opening 1), Song By: Yoko Takahashi
Neon Genesis Evangelion
A teenage boy finds himself recruited as a member of an elite team of pilots by his father.
- Release Date
- October 4, 1995
- Creator
- Hideaki Anno, Masayuki, Kazuya Tsurumaki
- Cast
- Megumi Ogata , Kotono Mitsuishi , Megumi Hayashibara
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Seasons
- 1 Season
- Studio
- Gainax, Tatsunoko
- Producer
- Yutaka Sugiyama, Joseph Chou
- Production Company
- Gainax, Nihon Ad Systems (NAS), TV Tokyo, Tatsunoko Production
- Number of Episodes
- 26 Episodes
Neon Genesis Evangelion's opening theme is "A Cruel Angel's Thesis" by Yoko Takahashi. This opening theme tells the story of a life that is meant to have so much more. Meanwhile, the opening video's imagery shows audiences that even a life full of burning sadness and harsh memories can be "taken to the skies" to become a legend.
Neon Genesis Evangelion's opening video shows scenes of Asuka, Rei, and Shinji and different battles in the series. "A Cruel Angel's Thesis" is the only opening theme for Neon Genesis Evangelion.
2 "Unravel" Beautifully Depicts Kaneki's Inner Struggles
Tokyo Ghoul (Opening 1), Song By: TK
Tokyo Ghoul
A Tokyo college student is attacked by a ghoul, a superpowered human who feeds on human flesh. He survives, but has become part ghoul and becomes a fugitive on the run.
- Release Date
- July 4, 2014
- Cast
- Natsuki Hanae , Sora Amamiya , Rie Kugimiya
- Studio
- Pierrot
10 Anime Openings You Should Never Skip
Some anime openings are just too good to skip. Fans will rewatch openings like Demon Slayer's "Zankyou Sanka" each time they come on.A beautiful display of vocals, Tokyo Ghoul's "Unravel" is the runner-up. The opening theme is done by TK, the vocalist and guitarist of the band Ling Tosite Sigure. The band is known for its work in Psycho-Pass, but TK has done many solo openings.
The lyrics talk about Ken Kaneki as he struggles to find who he is. The song acts as a breaking point for Ken as he finally comes to terms with himself. The song is done in every episode: as an opening theme in Episodes 2-11 and an ending theme in Episodes 1-12. "Unravel" is the only opening theme in the first season of Tokyo Ghoul.
1 "Guren no Yumiya" Is One Of The Most Iconic Opening Themes In Anime History
Attack on Titan (Opening 1), Song By: Linked Horizon
Attack On Titan
Original title: Shingeki no Kyojin.
After his hometown is destroyed and his mother is killed, young Eren Jaeger vows to cleanse the earth of the giant humanoid Titans that have brought humanity to the brink of extinction in Attack on Titan.
- Release Date
- September 28, 2013
- Creator
- Hajime Isayama
- Cast
- Bryce Papenbrook , Yûki Kaji , Marina Inoue , Hiro Shimono , Takehito Koyasu , Jessie James Grelle
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Seasons
- 4 Seasons
- Studio
- Wit Studios, MAPPA
- Number of Episodes
- 98 Episodes
Attack on Titan's first opening theme is sure to give chills down every viewer's spine. The theme song sets the tone of the anime, which as many know, is quite the gut-wrenching story. "Guren no Yumiya" by Linked Horizon is a renowned anime opening for a fan-favorite anime series.
In Attack on Titan, Eren Yeager must come to terms with the new life he must live. Titans take over humanity, he loses his family, and he realizes he is a Titan shifter; Attack on Titan's opening theme is iconic in every sense. "Guren no Yumiya" is the opening for the first 13 episodes of the first season of Attack on Titan.