Anime has always come with the age-old question all fans grapple with: to skip, or not to skip the intros? The introductory songs to anime do delay fans from seeing their new, favorite shows, but sometimes the songs are just too good to resist, and they need to watch that opening for every single episode.
So far, the current decade has treated anime fans to some truly stellar titles, from the adaption of Chainsaw Man to the animated series based on the hit video game Cyberpunk 2077. And so far, the openings have done these series justice, treating fans to an excellent opening to whet their appetite for what is to come.
8 Realize (Re: Zero - Starting Life In Another World)
- Artist: Konomi Suzuki
Re: Zero returns for a second season, with a reunion between Subaru and Emilia ruined when they witness the destruction of Irlam Village committed by the Sin Archbishops, forcing Subaru to experience a desolate hopelessness that renders his abilities useless. The group set off for Sanctuary for answers and encounters a witch who causes Subaru to traverse between the past and the future, and test his resolve to protect the ones he loves.
Realize gears fans for the series with a tune that is hopeful and uplifting, interspersed by dirty guitar riffs to symbolize the hardships Subaru will encounter, which are wonderfully portrayed in the opening movie. Green butterflies flicker throughout most of the scenes, always leading back to Echidna, which emphasizes the role she plays in the anime and the occurrences. All in all, Realize is a fantastic song in its own right that suits the tone of Re: Zero - Starting Life in Another World.
7 Kick Back (Chainsaw Man)
- Artist: Kenshi Yonezu
Chainsaw Man immediately catapulted into fame and popularity thanks to MAPPA studios fantastic adaptation, bringing the story of Denji as he battles against the Devils that threaten life and civilization with his own devil abilities that allow him to sprout chainsaws from his arms and face, thanks to the assistance of his adorable devil puppy Pochita.
The opening theme Kick Back is a fantastically catchy song that opens up with the rev of a chainsaw before the bass kicks in, leading into one hell of an infectious song that plays over a montage of the main cast going through ordinary day-to-day life. Once the song kicks into full gear, then the audience gets to see a taste of the devil-killing action in full swing, showing Denji in his Chainsaw devil form as he fights against a devil with the rest of the cast, showcasing their abilities. This is one anime opening that it would be a crime to skip.
6 Zankyou Sanka (Demon Slayer Season 2)
- Artist: Aimer
The much-anticipated second season of Demon Slayer hit Netflix early in 2023, continuing the tale of Kamado as he fights in the Demon Slayer Corp searching for a cure his younger sister Nezuko of her demonism. The second season covers both the Mugen Train Arc, and then The Entertainment District Arc in the latter half, which introduced audiences to the phenomenal Zankyou Sanka.
This song takes on a more jazzy feel than previous songs, opening with a zingy piano and drum beat before the sky explodes with fireworks in the opening movie, summoning in the vocals and rest of the instruments. Even as the animation features darker scenes of demons and action, the song never relents on its catchy, toe-tapping beat, which seems fitting for the Entertainment District.
5 Navigator (Millionaire Detective - Balance: Unlimited)
- Artist: SixTONES
As the name suggests, Millionaire Detective is a crime/mystery anime that sees two extremely disparate people teaming up to solve criminal mysteries. Daisuke Kambe is the titular wealthy detective that isn't afraid to use his money on cases, and he is partnered with Haru Katou, an officer from the Metropolitan Police Department that prefers to play things by the book, making the two of them a very unlikely duo.
SixTONES provides the opening theme, the undeniably catchy and brilliant Navigator combining their dulcet voices with fast-paced violin strings, played over an opening animation that introduces us to the two main characters as well as the rest of the cast, with scenes such as jewelry, glasses of champagne and bathtubs full of money to really drive home how filthy rich Daisuke really is.
4 This Fffire (Cyberpunk: Edgerunners)
- Artist: Franz Ferdinand
Based on the hit RPG Cyberpunk 2077, Edgerunners introduces viewers to a personal story of dystopian strife of young David, the son of a firefighter in Night City who loses his mother and from there on, his life hits a downward spiral. That is until he meets the mysterious and beautiful Lucy, who inducts David into the mercenary group she is part of. As an Edgerunner, he finds purpose, love and friendship among them.
Based on a western RPG, Trigger Studio opted for a western opening song with This Fffire by Franz Ferdinand, a well known song and one hell of a catchy tune. The lyrics could reflect David's attitude to Night City as he struggles under the yoke of its culture, but also can be seen representative of his mother who worked as a firefighter. One thing is sure: Cyberpunk Edgerunners has one of the catchiest opening themes out there.
3 Stone Ocean (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean)
- Artist: ichigo
The sixth story arc of the enduring and ever popular JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, this season introduced fans to Jolyne Kujo, the daughter of Jotaro Kujo. She is sent to Green Dolphin Street Prison after being falsely accused of murder by Enrico Pucci, where she finds herself thrust into danger as other stand users populate the prison, some with their sights set to try and kill Jolyne. She must survive the attacks of the stand users while also trying to find a way to revive her father from his coma after his memories and stand are stolen.
The title of the theme is the same as the anime, bringing in catchy guitar and drums that blend together for a perfect piece of alternative rock as the opening theme takes the audience through a tour of the prison and its inhabitants, showcasing some of the stands. People can't help but hum along to the infectiously catchy tune that will get stuck in their head for days.
2 Unmei Kyoudouta (The Cafe Terrace and Its Goddess)
- Artist: Neriame
Released in Spring 2023, The Cafe Terrace and Its Goddess is an ecchi anime that follows the story of Kasukabe Hayato as he returns to his hometown after inheriting a cafe from his deceased grandmother with the intention to close it. However, once he arrives there he meets five young women that had worked at the cafe, and lived under the care of his grandmother which encourages him to reopen the cafe.
The premise is deceptively simple and a cheerful enough plot, so it only makes sense it was given a cheery opening to match the tone. Unmei Kyoudouta is an idol-like song, with uplifting vocals provided by Neriame, and a cutesy opening that shows the cafe in business and its adorable workers enjoying their job and living their best life. It's an opening that will certainly endear the viewers to the characters and the anime, and it is one hell of an earworm people just won't be able to get out of their head.
1 The Rumbling (Attack on Titan Final Season)
- Artist: SiM
Attack on Titan has always delivered with their openings, and the final season should be no different, as the show deserves the best send-off possible. The final season introduces young Eldian Warriors seeking to reclaim Reiner's Armored Titan following the failed mission to retrieve the Founding Titan. War, death and hail mary solutions such as unleashing Collosal Wall Titans to wipe out all life all make this season one not to be missed.
With such high stakes, there had to be an opening to match, and that's exactly what fans got with The Rumbling. Epic and heavy guitars, drums, screamo with melodic voices playing over an animated movie that shows how far the characters have grown, and how the world has changed since the beginning. It stands out as one of the most powerful songs that has every preluded an anime, and is definitely worthy of some head banging.