Anime is an incredibly fulfilling creative medium and there are some powerful series that tell stories that couldn’t be done anywhere else. It’s always very exciting when a new season will bring with it a heap of anime series, whether they’re totally new or returning classics. Summer of 2020 featured some of the best anime of the year, but in addition to compelling stories and engaging characters, the music and animation are other crucial factors.
These elements sometimes best come together in the opening title sequences. There are times when the anime itself can’t match the excitement that’s created in their openings, but they’re still great ways to showcase an anime’s more creative efforts and how they decide to introduce audiences to their series.
10 Re: ZERO - Starting Life In Another World‘s Season 2 Opening Doesn’t Hold Back
“Realize” by Konomi Suzuki isn’t the artist’s only entry on this list and her work on season 2 of Re: ZERO speaks to the extremes of her talents and the versatile work that she tackles. “Realize” is the momentous way to begin a new season that just builds excitement for what’s to come in the anime.
The visuals are full of tantalizing teases of characters and the seismic events in season 2. The best thing about this opening is how Re: ZERO’s protagonist, Natsuki Subaru, becomes increasingly aggressive and his bloodlust matches the quickening tempo of Suzuki’s music.
9 Deca-Dence’s Intro Accentuates The Anime’s Duality
Deca-Dence is a concise anime series that tells a surprisingly deep story that continues to throw satisfying twists at the audience. It’s like if The Matrix and Transformers were to have an anime offspring. The anime’s opening “Theater of Life” by Konomi Suzuki is a fast and electric piece that quickly shows off the two sides of the unique world that it creates.
The animation is gorgeous and it highlights the anime’s many characters as well as its environment, but it also manages to convey Deca-Dence’s sense of humor. It’s a great way to start each episode.
8 The Millionaire Detective Balance: UNLIMITED’s Opening Is As Smooth As Its Cast
"NAVIGATOR" by SixTONES accompanies an opening sequence that's as stylish, impressive, and captivating as the brilliant characters that are at the center of The Millionaire Detective Balance: UNLIMITED.
The music is fast and catchy, while flashy visuals show off the balance of sophistication and danger that fill the anime’s characters. There’s also a very heightened and boastful nature to how tons of money occupies so much of this opening sequence. It’s the perfect cocktail for the type of action that the anime deals in and it makes its cast look as cool as they act.
7 The Great Pretender’s Opening Is A Tribute To Its Genre
The Great Pretender has turned into the surprise hit of the year. Episodes continue to get sporadically released, but the first batch hit in the summer. The Great Pretender is a fantastic anime about conmen and elaborate schemes to turn the tables on privileged individuals.
WIT Studio’s animation makes every frame matter, but the opening, "G.P." by Yutaka Yamada, is just as perfect. “G.P.” is a jazz number, which fits with the rest of the series, and the stylized silhouette images that are used are reminiscent of Catch Me If You Can’s opening titles and Saul Bass credit sequences.
6 Rent-A-Girlfriend’s Opening Features A Real Banger
Sometimes an anime’s opening will be a success because the visuals and music beautifully work together and both push the limits. When it comes to Rent-A-Girlfriend’s opening, it’s a situation where all of the credit is owed to the song. “Centimetre” is performed by the female trio, The Peggies, and the poppy rock song is instantly addictive.
The visuals behind all of this are appropriate for Rent-A-Girlfriend’s light, romantic nature. They’re highly adorable, but nothing that’s revelatory. “Centimetre” is such a fun song that it doesn’t matter.
5 The Opening For Appare-Ranman! Steps On The Gas Pedal And Doesn’t Let Up
Appare-Ranman! is a new anime that’s set in 19th-century Japan and depicts an eclectic cast of characters who are engaged in a wild race that spans America. The series juggles the action from races with insightful character studies.
The anime’s opening, “I got it!” by Mia REGINA, begins at a fast tempo like the light has just turned green and it only moves more quickly as it continues. The visuals are gorgeous and properly build excitement, but the music utilizes a call and response type structure that doesn’t just sound good but is evocative of Appare’s friendship with Kosame.
4 It’s Hard Not To Get Up And Dance To A Certain Scientific Railgun T’s Opening
A Certain Scientific Railgun T is season 3 of the popular anime that is set in a world that’s overrun with young, powerful espers. Each season of A Certain Scientific Railgun becomes more intense and that’s conveyed in fripSide’s “Dual Existence” that’s used for the anime’s opening.
The visuals aren’t incredible, but they still look polished and obliquely reflect the anime’s interest. This is another case where it’s the music that makes this opening soar. “Dual Existence” is just so engaging and it’s hard to watch this introduction and not be keyed into the episode.
3 The Opening For No Guns Life Season 2 Is Impossible To Deny
No Guns Life is a popular anime and so the release of season 2 conjured a lot of excitement. The opening for season 2 of No Guns Life makes the anime’s arrival even more satisfying. Hiroyuki Sawano and Jean-Ken Johnny are both responsible for a lot of anime opening songs, but their combined talents here for “Chaos Drifters” is exceptional.
The song just works and taps into the anime’s aesthetic, while the visuals are just as effective. Mysterious and stark images evoke the anime’s noir inspirations and they even feel reminiscent of Cowboy Bebop’s iconic opening at certain points.
2 The God Of High School Pumps Up The Audience For Combat
The God of High School is one of the biggest original anime of 2020 and the series adapts the popular South Korean manhwa, which explores a fierce tournament that features a diverse and powerful selection of fighters. The God of High School’s opening, "Contradiction" by KSUKE ft. Tyler Carter is just a perfect distillation of the series’ chaotic energy.
The music is a bumping EDM beat, which along with the aggressive and celebratory visuals, feel appropriate for The God of High’s School rhythm. It’s also just a super catchy number and the perfect icebreaker to this universe.
1 Fire Force’s Season Two Opening Is A Masterpiece In And Of Itself
Fire Force has become one of the most entertaining recurring shonen anime and its storytelling in combination with David Productions’ animation is a stunning combination. The opening for Fire Force’s second season, “SPARK-AGAIN” by Aimer, may pale in comparison to its season one introduction, but it’s still far and away the best anime opening from this summer.
“SPARK-AGAIN” doesn’t do anything that strays from the norm, it’s just a great song and a wonderful sequence of images that truly celebrate the anime. Every character gets their moment to shine in this opening and it’s a delight on every level.