Best Anime Openings Of All Time, Ranked

When done right, anime OPs are a thing of beauty. They can elevate a good series to greatness, ensuring that each episode starts with an impeccable 90 seconds designed to put viewers into the perfect mood in preparation for what is to come. Although rare, in some cases, anime openings are even better than the actual show, to the point of becoming iconic despite the rest of the series. However, usually, a great OP complements without overshadowing its anime.

As nearly every series has one, each season introduces more than 30 new anime opening songs, meaning that more than 100 OPs debut every year. The bounty is plentiful and never-ending. While most are good, a few intros are naturally better than others, be it due to their legendary status or the sheer magnificence of their songs or visuals. Let’s take a look at the best anime OPs.

Updated May 4, 2025 by Mark Sammut: A new season has arrived, which means a plethora of fresh OPs are making the rounds. That said, it is still too early to consider any of the tracks as contenders for all-time greats. Three more of the best anime openings have been added to the article.

45

Inferno (Fire Force)

Mrs. Green Apple

While not quite enjoying the same level of exposure as some of the biggest battle shonen anime, Fire Force is a well-rounded show that delivers good action, interesting world-building, and top-notch animation. The latter is on full display during season 1’s OP, which starts as a roll-call for Special Fire Force Company 8’s members but eventually transitions into something a touch more interesting.

The visuals are good, but the OP’s crowning achievement is undoubtedly the music. “Inferno” is pretty much the perfect title for Fire Force‘s opener, and the song succeeds in being energetic and oddly melancholy, at least in parts. This track is among the most popular on YouTube, and it makes perfect sense.

Kenshi Yonezu

One of the biggest anime of the 2020s so far, Chainsaw Man enjoyed a pretty good first season, even if it might have slightly struggled to live up to the ridiculous hype. Putting aside any qualms with the story or characters (which are generally great), the quality of MAPPA’s presentation cannot really be disputed, as the studio put together a visually striking and gory epic that, at times, almost leaned into horror territory.

The OP, “Kick Back,” mirrors the series very well. For one, Kenshi Yonezu’s song is intense, explosive, and unpredictable, three things that can easily describe Chainsaw Man. The visuals are also fascinating, as they seem to jump back and forth between harsh reality and Denji’s fantasies. It is an interesting mix that rewards repeat viewings, and the imagery gradually gains depth as the story progresses.

43

Butter-Fly (Digimon Adventure)

Kōji Wada

OK, nostalgia does play somewhat of a part in this one; however, Digimon Adventure has all-around great OPs. Most Western viewers are probably familiar with “Digimon Are The Champions,” which served as the theme song for the anime’s first three seasons. Although very much born out of the ’90s, the track is catchy and deserving of its icon status. That said, the Japanese OP is arguably even better than its English counterpart.

“Butter-Fly” has gone through quite a few incarnations over the years, but the upbeat rendition used in Digimon Adventure is the defining version. Featuring lyrics that match the show’s blend of whimsy, fantasy, and traces of darkness, the song culminates in a relentlessly catchy and pretty great chorus. The video is relatively straightforward in the grand scheme of things, but it is still solid.

42

Kaijuu (Orb: On the Movements of the Earth)

Sakanaction

A very recent anime opening, “Kaijuu” by Sakanaction is a surprisingly bouncy but atmospheric intro that perfectly sets the tone for Orb: On the Movement of the Earth, a medieval series about an oppressive state and a few people who refuse to accept lies in place of reality. The song is great, as is the accompanying video; however, the most interesting aspect about this OP is how it develops throughout the series.

Orb does not have a fixed protagonist but rather introduces new characters who build on the work done by their predecessors. A central theme of the anime is that scientific knowledge is not a solo effort. Consequently, the OP reflects this structure by keeping the same track but updating the video, creating a consistent but ever-evolving whole.

Run Girls, Run!

While somewhat rare, occasionally an anime comes around that has an opening (or ending) that far exceeds the rest of its quality. In most cases, the series starts well but loses steam along the way, eventually being remembered as a disappointment that did not quite manage to live up to the hype. However, Assassins Pride does not go through that journey, at least in terms of its story. The anime rushes through so much content that it struggles to pick up any momentum.

For all its flaws, the anime has one undeniable positive: the OP is great. “Share the Light” by Run Girls, Run! is a catchy bop with an infectious hook, strong melodies, and a fun rock instrumental that has an element of glam to it. While the visuals are not amazing by any stretch of the imagination, they are fine and complement the music well, making for an overall positive experience. The rest of the anime is what it is, but the OP is worth seeking out away from that context.

40

99.9 (Mob Psycho 100)

Mob Choir feat. Sajou no Hana

Mob Psycho 100 hit three home runs with its OPs, all of which have unique songs, eye-catching visuals that reflect the anime’s stylish presentation, and lyrics that utilize English effectively. Season 1’s “99” and season 3’s “1” work really well as companion pieces, giving the full show a holistic feel; however, season 2’s “99.9” just about edges it.

Mob Choir’s instrumental is upbeat, frantic, and addictive, serving as the perfect basis for an intense vocal performance by Sajou no Hana’s Sana. The lyrics are motivational but still touch upon Mob’s self-doubt and insecurity. Finally, the video more than matches the show’s high-quality visuals.

39

Zankyosanka (Demon Slayer: Entertainment District Arc)

Aimer

Ufotable rarely gets it wrong when it comes to OPs and EDs, with Fate serving as a prime example. Unsurprisingly, the same can be said for the studio’s biggest success story: Demon Slayer. “Gurenge” is probably the anime’s most iconic opening, partially due to being the original and also because LiSA puts in a fantastic performance, as always. The songwriter also delivered something nearly as good with season 2’s “Akeboshi,” while other creators did great jobs with season 3’s “Miracle of Bonds” and season 4’s “Mugen.”

The point is that Demon Slayer has all-around top-notch music, with all the OPs being worth listening to outside the context of the show. If forced to highlight just one, Aimer’s “Zankyosanka” would have to be it. The definition of epic, the track complements the Entertainment District Arc’s setting incredibly well, all the while being backed by an action-packed video that highlights Tengen Uzui specifically.

Tom-H@ck featuring Masayoshi Oish

Ace of Diamond has a great track record when it comes to OPs. GLAY’s “Heroes” and “Sora ga Aozora de Aru Tame ni” are both outstanding tracks and start season 2’s episodes on a high note. However, their predecessor just barely gets the nod over them. Tom-H@ck featuring Masayoshi Oishi’s “Go Exceed!!” is used throughout season 1, and the pop rock has an infectious beat and builds momentum nicely as it pursues a satisfying climax.

Compared to the track, the accompanying video is decent but not particularly amazing since it primarily acts as a rundown of Seido High School’s baseball club members. Still, this structure is a smart choice for a first season since it highlights the anime’s quite expansive cast of characters.

37

Go!!! (Naruto)

FLOW

When it comes to OPs, Naruto is reasonably consistent. Sure, some of the Boruto ones are forgettable, but the franchise has yet to produce a terrible OP; conversely, the anime’s best openings are among the most iconic in battle shonen history. Difficult as it is to highlight a single one, FLOW’s “Go!!!” just about gets the nod.

In terms of animation, Naruto has certainly produced more beautiful OPs than this early attempt, although the same cannot be said for its visuals. The catchy and energetic song is accompanied by a clever video that utilizes a manga-style presentation, with the characters popping in and out of the panels.

The Oral Cigarettes

Noragami is just an all-around great shonen manga and anime, with its main negative being that the latter has been left untouched for roughly a decade. Along with great characters, humor, and world-building, the anime is consistently stylish, something that is immediately made evident by the opening themes of both seasons. Hello Sleepwalkers’ “Goya no Machiawase” is a very good intro in its own right, but it is arguably eclipsed by the sequel’s opening.

The Oral Cigarettes’ “Kyouran Hey Kids!!” blasts out of the gate and never lets up, delivering a high-octane OP that is catchy, memorable, and fits the story’s kinetic energy. Lyrically, the song does not have all that much going on; however, they complement the instrumental and visuals well. More importantly, the Japanese lyrics transition seamlessly into an English verse, which is arguably the highlight of the song, something that cannot be said for most OPs that mix languages.