January 19th, 2018
The 10 best anime openings of 2017 for me
Anime Relations: Shingeki no Kyojin Season 2, Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu: Sukeroku Futatabi-hen, ACCA: 13-ku Kansatsu-ka, Uchouten Kazoku 2, Warau Salesman New, Re:Creators, Kakegurui, Mahoutsukai no Yome, 3-gatsu no Lion 2nd Season, Owarimonogatari 2nd Season
Near January I thought it would be a good idea to create my own "awards" for the best of what I like. But with so little time to plan it, I discarded the idea. What I did not rule out was making several end-of-year lists, including the best anime openings of 2017.
For this I have seen the opening of the 229 anime that aired or premiered during the past year. Around 250 openings or endings, in the case of short series without entry theme. It was an incredible job, with which I reduced the candidates to only 75 openings. After that first cut, I went back to see and analyze the ones that were based on the following criteria, in no particular order:
Quality of the Song
Video quality
How well they work Video and Song
How well represents the anime that comes
How much remains in the memory
Clarified this, let's move on to the 10 chosen as the best anime openings of 2017:
10- Deal with the devil
The title of this opening could not be more appropriate, because in Kakegurui we are dealing with a very special kind of demon. Yumeko is addicted to the game and the opening makes it very clear, demonstrating her appetite for the emotion of betting on life. Musically it is also interesting the change of record of Tia, who will know for their work in Heart Realize, ending of Noragami. The key theme of jazz and the evocative and sexy images, with a creative use of color, make Deal with the Devil a great opening and the tenth of 2017 for me.
9- Dark Cherry Mystery
The seiyuu Kaori Mizuhashi, interpreter of Ougi Oshino in Owarimonogatari in his second season, tries to be a singer in Dark Cherry Mystery and she does not give anything bad. The rhythmic base of this pop theme is very addictive and the video follows each beat perfectly. As for its content, its images are clues about the character and its nature, which will not go unnoticed by fans of this franchise. The lack of colors in much of the opening helps to give a tone of mystery and creative use of mirrors is very attractive, making the set an opening that is worth nine on the list.
8- Flag wo Tatero
There is no series that I have enjoyed more in 2017 than 3-gatsu no Lion in its season 2, which still continues in broadcast. It's simply marvelous and so is its opening, Flag wo Tatero. The impressive use of color to convey emotions of this opening are enough to consider it the best of the year. If we add a musical theme full of emotions played by Yuki, and the incredible art that always accompanies this wonderful anime, I can only include it among the ten best openings of the year, in this case in the eight position.
7- Here
Here, of the teenage singer Sakai Junna, simply known as JUNNA, is an addictive theme. The video itself begins with a stunning slowness, with a black background and with little movement from Chise. But everything changes when Elias takes her out of the darkness into a multicolored and magical world. Not for nothing is the story of a magician and his "wife" or slave? As it is the opening of Mahoutsukai no Yome is musically different from the usual in the world of anime, with a use of flamenco guitars that makes it particularly unique in the sea of generic openings of each year.
6- Shadow and Truth
The direction and composition of the shots of this opening, together with its use of moving graphics and its handling of color in each painting make it one of the most visually appealing of the year. If we add to that his music theme, interpreted by ONE III NOTES -which is very similar to his name is a trio- we find ourselves with a hard contender. Maybe ACCA: 13-ku Kansatsu-ka pass without pain or glory, come on, I did not even see it, but its opening is sensational. So much that maybe I'm encouraged to see it or at least put it on my to-do list. Shadow and Truth is my number six.
5- Do not
NakamuraEmi is the interpreter of Do not the incredibly imaginative opening of Warau Salesman New, the sequel to this anime that follows the Machiavellian salesman Fukuzou Moguro, who satisfies the wishes of his customers. Once we find a display of moving graphics and images that evoke this story, doing a sensational job of selling us this series, which otherwise would not have caught my attention due to its unattractive art at first sight . Such a feat is enough to be the fifth on my list.
4- Nasugamama, Sawagumama
The entrance theme of Uchouten Kazoku 2, played by Milktub, is very lively and cheerful, but musically it is not the best of the list. What makes this opening so high on the list? The creative of his video, which integrates real photos of Kyoto. It is a wise choice, because it fits with the theme of the series, where fictitious beings in our reality as a tengu and a tanuki, live hidden among humans in the old capital. The images have been integrated in layers to the animation, giving a sense of depth that makes Nasugamama, Sawagumama a visual achievement as an opening.
3- Imawa no Shinigami
In the third place we have an opening that allows us to hear once again the voice of a legend: Megumi Hayashibara. It's not a surprise, because the voice actress already did the same in the first season of Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu. But with the song Imawa no Shinigami it surpassed itself. It is a song that creates a melancholic atmosphere, more than adequate for the images we see. Yotarou descends towards the abyss turning his back and refusing to take the hand of all his loved ones. It is an emotional journey of a minute and a half, with a hypnotic voice and a music halfway between jazz and enka, a jewel of opening only surpassed by two.
2- Shinzou wo Sasageyo!
In this era in which an anime is rarely remembered once the year ends, Shingeki no Kyojin is a rarity. There was not a second season more demanded by the fans than this and consequently, Linked Horizon should try to overcome Guren no Yumiya and Wings of Freedom. The task seemed impossible, but Shinzou wo Sasageyo! it does not detract from its predecessors as an opening. It is simply epic both musically and in his images. Both elements follow a narrative structure that gradually increases in intensity to trigger the adrenaline of the audience, takes a break and then rises again, leaving the heart beating in an accelerated way. Not for nothing was the most voted opening on the anime lists and polls. And yet it is not number one.
1- Gravity Wall
What could overcome the epicity of Linked Horizon? Only the magic of Hiroyuki Sawano in the two openings of Re: Creators. This series, which lives and breathes in the Meta, was the only one that put its two openings among the most voted. Both Gravity Wall and Shout are worthy of the first place. However, the first takes the title and the second is outside the Top. The motives? Gravity Wall by Sawano with Tielle & Gemie is a more catchy theme.
Which does not mean that visually is not a delight. Starts in a very typical way, presenting its protagonists. But it does so by using background images of the work of origin of each one. A more than adequate resource to locate us. Selesia comes from Escaflowne, Meteora from a standard RPG, Rui escaped from Gundam, Yuuya from a gangster shonen, Mamika from Corrector Yui, Alicetaria from some Fate, Blitz from a police sci-fi seinen and Magane from Monogatari Series?
Then we came to a catchy chorus like few others and full of very animated action scenes. A promise that then the series only meets dropper, but that is a topic of discussion for another day. This opening only gives us glimpses of our villain emerged from the disgusting fandom, Altair. Maybe that's why as a video the second opening is superior, but not so much so that Shout steals the crown to Gravity Wall as a song.
And for you, what were the best anime openings of 2017?
For this I have seen the opening of the 229 anime that aired or premiered during the past year. Around 250 openings or endings, in the case of short series without entry theme. It was an incredible job, with which I reduced the candidates to only 75 openings. After that first cut, I went back to see and analyze the ones that were based on the following criteria, in no particular order:
Quality of the Song
Video quality
How well they work Video and Song
How well represents the anime that comes
How much remains in the memory
Clarified this, let's move on to the 10 chosen as the best anime openings of 2017:
10- Deal with the devil
The title of this opening could not be more appropriate, because in Kakegurui we are dealing with a very special kind of demon. Yumeko is addicted to the game and the opening makes it very clear, demonstrating her appetite for the emotion of betting on life. Musically it is also interesting the change of record of Tia, who will know for their work in Heart Realize, ending of Noragami. The key theme of jazz and the evocative and sexy images, with a creative use of color, make Deal with the Devil a great opening and the tenth of 2017 for me.
9- Dark Cherry Mystery
The seiyuu Kaori Mizuhashi, interpreter of Ougi Oshino in Owarimonogatari in his second season, tries to be a singer in Dark Cherry Mystery and she does not give anything bad. The rhythmic base of this pop theme is very addictive and the video follows each beat perfectly. As for its content, its images are clues about the character and its nature, which will not go unnoticed by fans of this franchise. The lack of colors in much of the opening helps to give a tone of mystery and creative use of mirrors is very attractive, making the set an opening that is worth nine on the list.
8- Flag wo Tatero
There is no series that I have enjoyed more in 2017 than 3-gatsu no Lion in its season 2, which still continues in broadcast. It's simply marvelous and so is its opening, Flag wo Tatero. The impressive use of color to convey emotions of this opening are enough to consider it the best of the year. If we add a musical theme full of emotions played by Yuki, and the incredible art that always accompanies this wonderful anime, I can only include it among the ten best openings of the year, in this case in the eight position.
7- Here
Here, of the teenage singer Sakai Junna, simply known as JUNNA, is an addictive theme. The video itself begins with a stunning slowness, with a black background and with little movement from Chise. But everything changes when Elias takes her out of the darkness into a multicolored and magical world. Not for nothing is the story of a magician and his "wife" or slave? As it is the opening of Mahoutsukai no Yome is musically different from the usual in the world of anime, with a use of flamenco guitars that makes it particularly unique in the sea of generic openings of each year.
6- Shadow and Truth
The direction and composition of the shots of this opening, together with its use of moving graphics and its handling of color in each painting make it one of the most visually appealing of the year. If we add to that his music theme, interpreted by ONE III NOTES -which is very similar to his name is a trio- we find ourselves with a hard contender. Maybe ACCA: 13-ku Kansatsu-ka pass without pain or glory, come on, I did not even see it, but its opening is sensational. So much that maybe I'm encouraged to see it or at least put it on my to-do list. Shadow and Truth is my number six.
5- Do not
NakamuraEmi is the interpreter of Do not the incredibly imaginative opening of Warau Salesman New, the sequel to this anime that follows the Machiavellian salesman Fukuzou Moguro, who satisfies the wishes of his customers. Once we find a display of moving graphics and images that evoke this story, doing a sensational job of selling us this series, which otherwise would not have caught my attention due to its unattractive art at first sight . Such a feat is enough to be the fifth on my list.
4- Nasugamama, Sawagumama
The entrance theme of Uchouten Kazoku 2, played by Milktub, is very lively and cheerful, but musically it is not the best of the list. What makes this opening so high on the list? The creative of his video, which integrates real photos of Kyoto. It is a wise choice, because it fits with the theme of the series, where fictitious beings in our reality as a tengu and a tanuki, live hidden among humans in the old capital. The images have been integrated in layers to the animation, giving a sense of depth that makes Nasugamama, Sawagumama a visual achievement as an opening.
3- Imawa no Shinigami
In the third place we have an opening that allows us to hear once again the voice of a legend: Megumi Hayashibara. It's not a surprise, because the voice actress already did the same in the first season of Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu. But with the song Imawa no Shinigami it surpassed itself. It is a song that creates a melancholic atmosphere, more than adequate for the images we see. Yotarou descends towards the abyss turning his back and refusing to take the hand of all his loved ones. It is an emotional journey of a minute and a half, with a hypnotic voice and a music halfway between jazz and enka, a jewel of opening only surpassed by two.
2- Shinzou wo Sasageyo!
In this era in which an anime is rarely remembered once the year ends, Shingeki no Kyojin is a rarity. There was not a second season more demanded by the fans than this and consequently, Linked Horizon should try to overcome Guren no Yumiya and Wings of Freedom. The task seemed impossible, but Shinzou wo Sasageyo! it does not detract from its predecessors as an opening. It is simply epic both musically and in his images. Both elements follow a narrative structure that gradually increases in intensity to trigger the adrenaline of the audience, takes a break and then rises again, leaving the heart beating in an accelerated way. Not for nothing was the most voted opening on the anime lists and polls. And yet it is not number one.
1- Gravity Wall
What could overcome the epicity of Linked Horizon? Only the magic of Hiroyuki Sawano in the two openings of Re: Creators. This series, which lives and breathes in the Meta, was the only one that put its two openings among the most voted. Both Gravity Wall and Shout are worthy of the first place. However, the first takes the title and the second is outside the Top. The motives? Gravity Wall by Sawano with Tielle & Gemie is a more catchy theme.
Which does not mean that visually is not a delight. Starts in a very typical way, presenting its protagonists. But it does so by using background images of the work of origin of each one. A more than adequate resource to locate us. Selesia comes from Escaflowne, Meteora from a standard RPG, Rui escaped from Gundam, Yuuya from a gangster shonen, Mamika from Corrector Yui, Alicetaria from some Fate, Blitz from a police sci-fi seinen and Magane from Monogatari Series?
Then we came to a catchy chorus like few others and full of very animated action scenes. A promise that then the series only meets dropper, but that is a topic of discussion for another day. This opening only gives us glimpses of our villain emerged from the disgusting fandom, Altair. Maybe that's why as a video the second opening is superior, but not so much so that Shout steals the crown to Gravity Wall as a song.
And for you, what were the best anime openings of 2017?
Posted by CanAKATheIndigo | Jan 19, 2018 10:19 AM | 1 comments