The beginning of an anime season is always exciting, as new series and returning shows do their best to land a strong first impression on new fans. Part of that first impression comes with the openings, which every viewer will see at least once. A strong opening can convince a doubtful viewer to check out the series, potentially making them a fan for life.
The Spring 2023 anime season has just started, and with it has come a flood of new opening songs for fans to enjoy. Here are the best anime openings of the Spring 2023 season.
10 “Forget-Me-Not” (Dr. Stone: New World)
The third season of the popular science adventure seriesDr. Stone comes with an incredibly energetic new opening song. The song is performed by singer Huwie Ishizaki, whose distinct voice is the star of this particular theme.
“Forget-Me-Not” is a fairly straightforward pop-rock tune with incredibly catchy hooks from beginning to end. The visuals are similarly straightforward, featuring returning and new cast members, as well as a sneak peek at the adventures Senku's crew are about to have.
9 “Gradation” (Loving Yamada At Lv999!)
Kana-Boon is no stranger to performing anime openings, having created opening themes for extremely popular shows like Naruto and My Hero Academia. “Gradation” features more of Kana-Boon's classic jangly pop-rock sound with additional vocals from Yuho Kitagawa of The Peggies.
The visuals go well with the mid-tempo energy of the song, featuring the main characters amidst a college of game-related imagery. While the song and opening are fairly simple, the catchiness and lighthearted feel of the song will stick with any listener for days.
8 “Work” (Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku)
Performed by legendary pop-rock singer Ringo Sheena and music collective Millennium Parade, “Work” combines electronic beats with rock instruments to create an energetic song that jumps between genres.
The gritty sound of the song matches well with the opening's visuals, which juxtapose the beauty and wonder of the mysterious island with the horror and bloodshed caused by the monsters that live there. Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku is easily one of the darkest anime of the season, and this opening shows just how crazy things will get.
7 “Mellow” (Skip and Loafer)
Performed by singer-songwriter Keina Suda, “Mellow” is a gentle pop tune with soft vocals and warm instrumentals. The laidback nature of the song is perfect for Skip and Loafer, which is a rather easygoing slice-of-life series.
The visuals for this opening are particularly colorful and playful, featuring the two main characters, Mitsumi Iwakura and Sosuke Shima, dancing together. This whimsical sequence pairs well with the lighthearted song, resulting in an opening that is as relaxing as it is adorable.
6 “Slash” (Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury Season 2)
The newest entry in the Mobile Suit Gundam series returns with a second season, this time with a song performed by J-pop singer Yama. Compared to the first season's opening, “Slash” is much more subdued and emotional, pushed forward by Yama's strong and smoky voice.
The song soon lets go during the chorus, in which Yama puts the full power of her voice on display. The somber atmosphere of the opening theme does much to signal to fans that this season will have more of an emotional impact than the last.
5 “Dear” (The Ancient Magus' Bride Season 2)
The dark fantasy series The Ancient Magus' Bride finally returns with a season 2 more than five years after the first season aired. Returning with this fantasy series is singer JUNNA, who also performed the first season's opening, “Here.”
JUNNA's vocals stand at the forefront of “Dear” as the song goes from haunting to beautiful to anthemic in the matter of seconds. Emotional strings and powerful drums form a strong background to JUNNA's incredible voice, creating yet another unforgettable opening for this underrated fantasy series.
4 “Gold” (Ranking Of Kings: Treasure Chest Of Courage)
Ranking of Kings established a reputation last year for having incredible openings, and this season of side stories plans on continuing that legacy with “Gold,” performed by the rock band People 1. An anthemic and energetic tune, “Gold” is the perfect backdrop for Bojji and his various adventures.
The song starts off with a soaring guitar melody which quickly transitions into a soft yet upbeat verse. The tune stays slow and somber until it hits the chorus, upon which it switches into a cheerful and hopeful melody that won't fail to keep fans humming for days.
3 “Kien Romance” (Otaku Elf)
Performed by Youtuber and singer Nanawo Akari, “Kien Romance” sets itself far apart from the usual J-rock and J-pop songs that are usually featured in openings. While the core of the song is still clearly pop, the mix of traditional Japanese instruments with modern musical conventions gives it an incredibly unique ambiance.
Visually, the opening features a similar mix of traditional themes with the more modern otaku culture in its imagery. The cozy, slice-of-life atmosphere that the opening visuals emanate matches perfectly with the song's laidback vocals and gentle instrumentals.
2 “Idol” (Oshi no Ko)
Oshi no Ko has already left its mark on the anime world with its very first episode, and as an anime centered around idols and the entertainment industry, it can't disappoint with its opening theme. Thankfully, musical duo Yoasobi deliver with “Idol,” a song that blows most other openings out of the water.
The song jumps from brooding rap verses to energetic J-pop melodies with ease, flipping moods at the drop of a hat. The song is a perfect representation of the character Ai Hoshino and the series' perspective on the two-faced nature of the entertainment industry.
1 “Shinda!” (The Legendary Hero Is Dead!)
The Legendary Hero Is Dead! easily sports the most unique anime opening of the season while also sporting an unforgettable hook that sticks in the head for days. Performed by singer Masayoshi Oishi, “Shinda!” is an electronic bop that combines a spooky, Halloweeny ambiance with a rave-like beat that'll make listeners groove in their seats in no time.
The visuals for this opening are also quite eye-catching, playing along with the spooky rave by adding a variety of flashy, colorful palettes and effects that will surely catch any viewer's attention. The Legendary Hero Is Dead! isn't the most popular series this season by far, but anime fans should not miss out on this opening theme.