themegamancave's Blog

May 14, 2017 7:18 PM
Anime Relations: Monster
Themegamancave's Top 50 Anime OP's



Welcome to my personal list of Top 50 Anime OPs! This is something I've wanted to do for awhile, but obviously something like this takes a decent chunk of time to put together. I've spent a few hours listening to some of my favorites, and managed (barely) to come up with a list of my own favorites. There are plenty of anime on this list I have seen, and plenty I haven't. I also didn't have any rules set like "only 1 OP per anime" or "only from a certain time period". These are the 50 songs I like the best, and is in no way an "official list". Be sure to comment below to let me know some of your favorites!




50. Watamote



This song starts out with authority, and easily fits the recurring heavy rock theme I've got going through this list. I also like how the main character animations flow with the song itself. The contrast of the female vocalist gives it a nice depth and complexity as well. Nice music to just headbang to.



49. Soul Eater OP 2



Another strong performance by a female vocalist. Although I personally haven't seen the series, it appears as though this OP follows a story of sorts. The guitar line is one of my favorites for sure.



48. Haikyuu! OP 2



I just love the energy this track brings. One of my favorite tracks from one of anime's best franchises right now. This is one to sing with the windows down (if I spoke Japanese that is...)



47. Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso OP 1



This one is a bit of an enigma to me. The emotion poured out into this song easily puts it into contention for one of my favorites, but the fact that it and Shigatsu's 2nd OP weren't swapped around makes no sense. This track clearly illustrates the second half better than the other OP. Also, cue the feels :'(



46. Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood OP 4



Although FMAB's 4th OP is the favorite of many of its fans, it's not mine. Maybe it has to do with the fact I haven't seen it yet (yeah I know, kill me later). A powerful vocal track makes "Period" one of the best pieces to FMAB's exceptional soundtrack.



45. ACCA 13-ku Kansatsu-ka



Now this one breaks the JPop mold for anime OPs right in two. A smooth jazz accompaniment reminiscent of Baccano!, this track features striking vocals and some brass/woodwind funk. A fun song for sure.



44. Kill la Kill OP 2



Given the intensity and epicness of the show it's associated with, Kill la Kill's 2nd OP is stunning both visually and audio-wise. Featuring some heavy strings and upbeat bass, this track gets viewers pumped up for each episode. PS- The Nightcore version may actually be better than the original!



43. Paranoia Agent



By far the most unsettling and haunting track on the list, Paranoia Agent's OP is disturbingly curious. Laughing characters juxtaposed with malevolent backgrounds accompanied by some epic vocal belting. It's so creepy and I love it. Rumor has it that Satoshi Kon picked this track as the OP to wake viewers up because the show was given such a late timeslot, while the lucidity of the ED will put the viewers to sleep. Weird...



42. Sakamoto desu ga?



Man this track rocks. Easily my favorite of that season, the OP features our Lord and Savior Sakamoto-kun doing some extraordinary things. Singing with a broom as a mic, straightening his glasses and a whole lot more. The drum part is one of my favorites as well.



41. Divine Gate



Although I've heard the show is a dud, the OP has some quick guitar riffs and a techno-esque drum part that makes it work. Kind of makes you want to put your fist in the air!



40. Fate/Stay Night: UBW OP 2



BRAVE SHINE AT #40?!? Yeah, I'll admit I was surprised at this as well, but the song is SO immensely popular that I think I got burnt out on it from hearing it everywhere. Aimer is still the G.O.A.T. but perhaps the song is beginning to wane on me.



39. Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood OP 2



My 2nd FMAB track on the list, this one feels a little more like my style. I also like the vocals a lot more in this one. If you read the lyrics, there's a lot more to this song than what you can catch on the first go around...




38. Deadman Wonderland



A song created proprietarily for the anime, the chorus still rings in my head from the first time I heard it. Due to Deadman's availability, it's easily one of the most widely known anime OPs of present day.



37. Bunguo Stray Dogs



I might be in the minority on this one, but this is the best track in both S1 and S2 of BSD. There's something about the lead singer's voice I find interesting, and coupled with the deep, guttural guitar riffs, this song is pretty darn catchy.



36. Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood OP 1



Now here's a song that most every anime fan knows. Again is just as iconic as tracks like Bebop's "Tank" or NGE's "Cruel Angel's Thesis" and showcases some of the coolest Japanese vocals I've ever heard. Another one that's probably lower on my list due to the sheer amount of times I've heard it, but still a fantastic song.



35. Durarara! OP2



An OP famous for topping many anime fan's lists, Durarara's 2nd intro is just as funny as the first, and features some interesting Japanese rapping to boot!



34. Yamada kun and the 7 Witches



I'm not really familiar with the source material for this song, but I love the mix of piano and strings to a simple drum beat. The airy vocal change from the lead singer also sounds great with the flow of the song itself. One of the few anime OPs not copyrighted yay!



33. Mobile Suit Gundam- Iron Blooded Orphans OP 1



Man With a Mission has really busted onto the anime scene in the recent past, and it's easy to see why with their newest track for the Gundam series. Be sure to check out the actual music video as well to see some heavy metal men in wolf masks!



32. Cowboy Bebop



This is surely the anime OP that needs no introduction. The Seatbelts bring the lively atmosphere that Cowboy Bebop flourishes on and sets the tone for the entire series with Tank! As my favorite for quite some time, it's no question this OP gets a lot of love from the community and still holds up almost 20 years later.



31. Noragami



An anime OP both fun to listen to and cool to look at as well. Between this and Arogoto's OP, Studio Bones could give anyone a run for their money in visual creativity. I love how fast and heavy this track is, and the ending is epic!



30. Subete ga F ni Naru: The Perfect Insider




Damn that bass line dog!!! This OP is rather new for me, but I love the lead by the bass as well as the vocalist. The visuals in the background with the dancing figures are entrancing and fun to watch as well. Good stuff!



29. Steins;Gate



Now it wouldn't be much of an anime favorites list without Stein's;Gate eh? This OP has grown on me over time, and the nostalgia hits like a ton of bricks. I don't think I appreciated this as much during my initial viewing because I was bingeing it so badly. "Hacking to the gate!"



28. Barakamon



Oh man, the feels are strong with this one! Coming from one of my favorite anime ever, Barakamon's OP has a certain fun factor to it, much like the series itself. It's just so endearing, and the animation tells a small story. If you ever find the extended version, be prepared to shed a tear or two!



27. Mekakucity Actors



This OP punches you in the face with an intense blast of guitar and drums... along with corresponding animation. Led by a strong female vocalist, this is another track that ensures the proper mood is set entering each episode of Mekakucity Actors



26. Overlord



What better way to open up an anime with a skeleton lord as a main character than with a vicious metal track? Overlord's OP experiments a bit with autotune, but not enough to be incessant, and its guitar riffs and double bass will echo in your mind long after it's over.



25. No Game No Life



As we approach the halfway point, we're getting into the serious heavyweights of the anime OP world. "This Game" opens with a beautiful piano solo, and slowly crescendos into an epic track. The visuals are captivating as well, making this OP worthy of a spot atop many people's lists.



24. Blue Exorcist OP 2



The first season of Blue Exorcist had two fine OP's to go along with it, but the 2nd clearly stands out as one of the most catchy OPs in recent memory. The pulsing bass drum at the beginning sets this song of right, with powerful vocals and shredding guitar.



23. Baccano!



Baccano! gets its audience pumped with a mix of a jazzy beat and character introductions similar to Durarara! I was actually pretty close to getting my jazz band director to let us play this song a few years ago...



22. Gintama OP 13



We all knew it was a matter of time until this song popped up. Probably lower than most would expect, Gintama's 13th OP stands far above the rest due to the sheer passion in the lead singer's voice. It's a standup performance for sure, and it'll have your finger itching to click repeat after it concludes.



21. Fullmetal Alchemist OP 4



Finally we get something from the original FMA! Fans of the 2003 version will surely recognize the show's 4th OP by one of the most iconic Japanese bands, Asian Kung-fu Generation. This song packs a punch and is one I've really amped up listening to it as of late.



20. Durarara! OP 1



Ok, so I'll admit I'm probably one of the few people who actually like Durarara's first OP more than the second. I think the rapping felt a bit off to me, so I'm sticking with this one. Huuuuuuuuuuuh!



19. Assassination Classroom S2 OP 2



This OP is just so damn catchy. Almost as catchy as that Apple Pen song. I've tried hard to put it down but it just ends up cycling on repeat every so often. From what I understand, there's a fair amount of feels for fans of the series when this song comes up. Bye Bye Yesterday... foreshadowing??? I'll leave it at that.



18. Black Butler- Book of Circus



Say what you want about Black Butler, but there's no denying that Sid nails it again with this OP. It's a regular rock song but something about it with the mix of animation fits so damn well. Another head banger :D



17. Hajime no Ippo- The New Challenger



I actually just discovered this song a few weeks ago and I have to stress, listen to the full version. This is a very underrated anime OP and definitely one of the better Japanese rock songs I've ever heard. Plus, the animation shows Ippo beating the crap out of you from a first person view... what could be more badass than that???



16. Naruto Shippuden OP 13



I have a plethora of issues with Naruto as a franchise, but I will have to say it has its fair share of catchy OPs. Oh, and the animation is dandy in this one



15. Mushishi



Mushishi has a notorious "love it or hate it" mentality surrounding it, and the same can be said for its opening. The "Sore Feet Song" breathes some of the biggest nostalgia of the first time I watched Mushishi and how I was so captivated by the world Ginko lived in. As plain as the animation is, I found it incredibly soothing to listen to. Just don't pay too much attention to the lyrics... they're kind of weird.



14. Outlaw Star



This may be the biggest surprise on the entire list. Nothing screams 80's and 90's more than a show like Outlaw Star, a truly underappreciated anime of its time. The OP is highly entertaining and has one of the coolest beginnings of any on this list. I highly recommend checking out the soundtrack if you haven't listened to it before.




13. Mob Psycho 100



My runaway pick for the best anime OP of 2016, Mob Psycho delivers a solid piece of music here. I like the mix of electronic and rock, and the animation sequences are the trippiest imagery I've probably ever seen. I feel like this series will be seen as a cult classic in the future and with an OP like this, it'll only help its cause.



12. Deathnote OP 2



PORRRRRRRRRRRN! FREE PORRRRRRRRRRRN! Despite whatever interpretation you may have for the lyrics, Deathnote's 2nd OP is a face-melting masterpiece in metal. It completely took me offguard in a good way the first time I heard it, and it seethes with anger and ferocity. A purely kickass OP.



11. Tokyo Ghoul



Oh man, we're in the heavy hitters now. Unravel is probably the most played anime OP of the last five years, and for good reason. TK from Ling Tosite Sigure delivers one of the most bone-chilling, emotional ballads in anime history, and I absolutely love it. There's so much raw power and angst behind his voice that it's almost palpable. And don't forget that ending.



10. RAINBOW



As we enter the top 10, I can't really say a bad thing about any of these songs. RAINBOW's OP has one of the best intros known to man, if not THE best. It got me so incredibly pumped for each episode, and I never skipped it once. The way it was incorporated into some of the episodes really added to the scene progression as well. Magic.



9. Naruto Shippuden OP 16



Undoubtedly my favorite Naruto song in existence, KANABOON really set the bar high for all future songs from the franchise. I don't know why I like this song so much, but I've often found myself blaring it with the windows down :)



8. Jojo's Bizarre Adventure OP 2



This song is so incredibly underrated. Jojo is known for it's whimsical moments and diverse OST, and Bloody Stream is no exception to that rule. The animation works so well together with the OP to create a fluid sequence that can be entrancing to watch. I've also often attempted to sing along to no avail...



7. Shingeki no Bahamut



Along with Deathnote, Shingeki no Bahamut has one kickass OP. Not only is the OP awesome, but the way it's choreographed with the animation is meticulous and offers something quite visually stimulating. This is a song to pump your fist to.



6. Bleach OP 13



Whaddya know? SID shows up again with one of the greatest tracks from Bleach. You can really feel a sense of urgency and tension from this song, especially how it fits with the animation. That trippy sequence at the end adds to the chaos in one of the greatest anime OPs of all time



5. Gangsta



From what I can gather, most people were disappointed with Gangsta as a series, but this OP breaks the mold for sure. I love the mix of techno, rock and dubstep all into one entity. It sure as hell is fun to listen to, and if you ask me, it sounds like it could be played in any mainstream club across the world. This is an example of an OP that transcends past anime.



4. Kekkai Sensen



So.... Bump of Chicken is not necessarily the most attractive name for a band, but they absolutely nailed it with the OP for Kekkai Sensen. If you ask me, this sounds right in line with the type of music I would normally listen to... it just so happens to be the OP for an anime, that's all.



3. Parasyte the Maxim



If you've read my review for Parasyte, you can attest to how much I adore this song. It's like the perfect blend of scream-o, techno, and something else I can't put my finger on. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas had a great stint in anime OPs, and I hope they continue to release songs like this.



2. Magi- The Labyrinth of Magic OP 1



My man SID rocks it again with the OP for Magi- The Labyrinth of Magic. This song is a slight departure from SID's normal music, but V.I.P. is the V.I.P. of anime OPs. This tune is absolutely catchy, and is a real feel-good song as well. Not to mention the version I listened to on youtube for the longest time had Arabian Nights from Aladdin playing at the end XD



1. Noragami Arogoto



Those of you who've seen my old Top 25 list, know my strong affinity for this song. I can't really explain why I like it so much, but it's upbeat, catchy, and I can't get enough of it. Sometimes when you listen to a track over and over again it can become stale (like my experience with unravel and brave shine. However, this never seemed to happen with Arogoto's OP, and until something ousts it, I have to say I think this is the greatest anime OP out there!







Posted by themegamancave | May 14, 2017 7:18 PM | 5 comments
themegamancave | May 15, 2017 9:50 PM
Thanks guys! And yeah, there's like a good 2 second pause at the last verse lol
 
AndoCommando | May 15, 2017 6:26 PM
Nice list :)
 
SunlitSonata | May 15, 2017 5:20 PM
I love how you think "Hey Kids" is gonna end, but then it goes on for another verse! Great OP, solid season, it's a nice show you should see
 
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