The best anime openings transcend their shows—they become cultural moments, chart-toppers, and gateway drugs to the medium. Here are 10 openings that defined generations.
10. “Unravel” – Tokyo Ghoul
TK from Ling Tosite Sigure’s haunting track captures Kaneki’s psychological deterioration. The distorted vocals and building intensity mirror his transformation from human to ghoul. Hauntingly perfect.
9. “Gurenge” – Demon Slayer
LiSA’s powerhouse track became one of the most successful anime songs ever. The build to the chorus mirrors Tanjiro’s determination. It made Demon Slayer inescapable and introduced anime music to mainstream audiences.
8. “Guren no Yumiya” – Attack on Titan
Linked Horizon’s dramatic choral assault established AOT’s epic scope immediately. The marching drums, operatic vocals, and that iconic drop created instant recognition. Still gets people hype.
7. “Again” – Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
YUI’s emotional rock track opens the best anime of its era. The opening visuals—Edward’s journey, the homunculus threat—set up everything perfectly. Nostalgia and quality combined.
6. “Kaikai Kitan” – Jujutsu Kaisen
Eve’s frantic energy matches JJK’s chaos perfectly. The opening’s choreographed character introductions became iconic. It sounds like curses given musical form.
5. “IDOL” – Oshi no Ko
YOASOBI broke streaming records with this meditation on idol duality. The song works alone but gains power with context—Ai’s smile hiding pain mirrors the lyrics exactly.
4. “Tank!” – Cowboy Bebop
Yoko Kanno’s jazz masterpiece has no equal. The Seatbelts created something that transcends anime entirely—it’s just excellent music that happens to open an anime.
3. “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” – Neon Genesis Evangelion
The 1995 track remains evergreen. Karaoke bars worldwide know this song. It’s been covered endlessly because the melody is that good. Eva’s depression hasn’t diminished its energy.
2. “KICK BACK” – Chainsaw Man
Kenshi Yonezu’s manic track captures Denji’s chaos perfectly. The Morning Musume sample, the energy shifts, the lyrical absurdity—it’s postmodern anime opening perfected.
1. “Blue Bird” – Naruto Shippuden
Ikimono-gakari created the perfect Naruto anthem. The soaring chorus, the hopeful lyrics, the association with the series’ best arcs—it’s nostalgia weaponized as music.
Honorable Mentions
“The WORLD” (Death Note), “Peace Sign” (MHA), “Inferno” (Fire Force), “Colors” (Code Geass), and literally anything from Mob Psycho 100.