These shows master the art of the intro.
One of the things that anime are known for is its imaginative and extravagant openings.
Toei / Via Giphy
Thanks to their beautiful animation, killer theme songs, and overall flare, these intros got us all pumped to watch the anime shows that followed. These are the 20 best anime openings of all time.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
20.
Noragami
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This intro captures the surreal excitement of this supernatural anime series. But instead of focusing purely on the action, this sequence shows the main characters gathering around a film set, which seems to represent the making of this music video that opens this fantasy adventure.
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19.
Yu-Gi-Oh! (Battle City Arc)
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This opening’s iteration of the show’s theme may have only played during the Battle City arc and the Virtual World arc, but it is arguably the superior version. The intense music pairs perfectly with the images of Yugi, Marik’s Rare Hunters, the three Egyptian gods, and the various Duel Monsters that appear. Such an exciting intro is one of the reasons why Battle City is fondly remembered as one of the greatest arcs in this long-running franchise.
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18.
Naruto (Season 2)
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As one of the longest-running anime franchises, Naruto has released many, many intros over the years. But the best has to be the one for Season 2 of the original series. All the characters are brought together in this fantastic video, and the hardcore jamming in the background summons this shonen’s fierce spirit, filling all the viewers with unparalleled excitement.
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17.
One-Punch Man
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An intro deserving of the man himself. One-Punch Man‘s opening sequence displays the raw and awesome power of the titular hero. In the face of many big bad beasts, this one man stands alone before them all without fear and takes them down with his mighty fist. And in the end, he just walks down the street carrying groceries, conveying the show’s comedic nature and the fact that Saitama is still a regular Joe, despite his power.
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16.
Inuyasha
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This entry shows Kagome transporting herself to the beautiful, new realm with the promise of thrilling action and gorgeous visuals. Compared to typical anime openings, this piece makes full use of its sound effects to immerse the audience into this magical world. And with Inuyasha smiling and taking Kagome’s hand, we can’t help but smile with him.
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15.
Fate/Zero
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Singer Lisa graces this anime’s glorious opening with her angelic voice, setting the stage for the epic contest that is the Holy Grail War. This bloody but spectacular conflict is beautifully introduced with shots of Saber and company lighting up the battlefield with their swords and sorcery. Even today, its animation never fails to amaze us.
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14.
Baccano!
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This show’s jazz-injected opening succeeds in introducing all the main players in this anime extravaganza. Not only that, but the swinging theme and fast action throughout the intro invoke the show’s wild energy, making it the perfect preview for Baccano!’s thrilling story.
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13.
Tokyo Ghoul
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The intro starts out peaceful and serene, but it quickly changes into something heavier and darker, which represents the very course that the story takes with the protagonist turning into a half-ghoul. Nevertheless, the sequence retains a sense of beauty in the chaos that just mesmerizes us.
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12.
Gurren Lagann
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This song never fails to get you pumped to join Simon and his crew on their grand adventure. The head-banging theme song serves as the perfect anthem to this mecha masterpiece. Also, the frenetic and colorful shots of the mechs battling the Beastmen convey the wild and uncontainable energy of the show that’s to come.
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11.
Sword Art Online: Alicization-War of Underworld
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Sword Art Online had many openings during its epic “Alicization” storyline, but the last one is hands-down the best of them all. This entry gives audiences a rocking theme song and glimpses into the characters and memories of the show’s past. It also utilizes the changing colors to symbolize Kirto’s awakening from his “fractured” state. And with Asuna and Kirito facing PoH and Gabriel, respectively, this opening gives an outstanding introduction to the final battle for the Underworld.
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10.
Death Note
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The gothic and Biblical imagery flashing onscreen in this exhilarating intro conveys the dark Messiah complex Light develops after receiving the dreaded Death Note. It also puts the spotlight on him and L, hinting at the intense battle of wills between the world’s greatest detective and the God of the New World.
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9.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
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Accompanied by beautiful and mystical visuals, the somber music in this video invokes the tragic and emotional tale of Edward and Alphonse after alchemy ravaged their bodies. But it still burns with a resolve and excitement that grabs the audience’s attention, presenting them with a story that they can’t look away from.
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8.
Attack on Titan
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This is our first glimpse into the horrifying and action-packed war in Attack on Titan. The sequence gives us blood-soaked images of the rampaging Titans and shots of the Survey Corps slashing through the air. And with that electric theme rocking in the background, the show had our eyes glued to the screen as we watched this dark fantasy unfold.
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7.
One Piece
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This video successfully explains the show’s premise in 30 seconds. It also welcomes the audience to join Luffy and his pirate crew on their quest to find the legendary One Piece. And with so many spirited characters, gorgeous scenery, and exciting action, how can we say no?
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6.
Pokémon
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If you’re a kid who grew up in the ’90s, you’ll definitely remember this one. This opening told us everything we needed to know about Ash Ketchum’s journey in this anime classic, and the theme accompanying it really made us want to become Pokémon trainers ourselves. Sure, there have been many other intros in this long-running series, but none of them hold a candle to the one in the show’s very first season.
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5.
Dragon Ball Z
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Every shonen fan knows this opening song. As one of the most popular animes ever created, Dragon Ball Z has imprinted its theme, “Cha-La Head-Cha-La,” into the minds of its many fans. Also, the sequence accompanying it creates the perfect lead-in for Goku’s epic journey with his friends and allies on the Dragon Team.
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4.
Your Lie in April
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Like lightning in a bottle, this intro sequence captures the musical beauty of this romantic anime classic. It hits like a rainbow straight through the heart, as the uplighting song and the heartwarming images of Kōsei, Kaori, and their friends together are guaranteed to make you shed a tear, especially if you know how this series plays out.
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3.
Code Geass
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Fitting for the opening theme song, “Colors,” this sequence is a psychedelic bombardment of colors and characters who make up this sci-fi anime. This stylish and mecha-filled intro feels like it comes fresh from the mind of Lelouch himself as he calls on the audience to join him in his revolution against the Holy Brittanian Empire.
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2.
Cowboy Bebop
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This is definitely one of those intros that you can’t help but watch. It effectively sets the tone of this space western with its catchy and vibrant jazz theme song, “Tank!,” and the colorful images of Spike and his crew, promising viewers a cosmic odyssey unlike anything they’ve seen before.
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1.
Neon Genesis Evangelion
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This one is my personal favorite, and it made us all want to get in the robot. Brimming with mechanized action, religious symbols, and breathtaking images, this opening sequence lures you in with the appearance of an exciting and hopeful sci-fi epic. But this is all a bright contrast to the dark journey that Shinji and his friends endure in their war against the Angels. But that didn’t stop us from watching and loving this anime classic.
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Do you agree with this list? Are there any other anime openings that I missed? Please let me know in the comments section below.
