Best Anime Openings

For those of you fellow anime fans/geeks/ whatever term you like, which Anime's have the best opening/s in your opinion. I myself am hooked on all things Bleach, including the openings. With the possible exception of the first (and maybe the fourth or fifth, though they're still decent at worst.), I love all the Bleach openings: They all have good music, art, and beautifully allude to some of the major conflicts/themes in their respective acts (2 has Ichigo vs. Kenpachi, 3 has Ichigo Vs. Byakuya, both have Rukia's imprisonment, 4 has the Bounts, 5 has hollow Ichigo, slight Aizen, slight increased emphasis on Orihime's role, 6 and now 7 both excellently illustrate Orihime's newfound piviotal role, along with the struggle against the Espadas.), and are generally good enough for me to like to watch more than once. So, any other anime fans out there?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc_jDEvGC7s

/thread.

I like the Bleach opening with the song Alones by Aqua Timez

Forget which one it was

Yeah, that's number six. It routinely hops in and out of my 'favorite opening' slot, along with 3 and now 7.

Ghost in the Shell Standalone Complex

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Originally Posted by Thanatos

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did I just see tits?

Cowboy Bebop's opening is a favorite of mine.

Originally Posted by Mr.Life

did I just see tits?

Yes. Elfen Lied is one of the few animes too have nudity, but absolutely zero to do with sex whatsoever, in ANY shape or form.

I like Ranma 1/2 Season 1's opening. Very catchy and uplifting.

The Japanese opening for the original Speedracer was actually pretty cool-sounding (unlike the cheesy American soundtrack they used here in the States).

Anime openings are a sort of hit and miss. Even the best I can think of aren't stupendous... but I'm a hard critic, so bah.

I think the Hellsing Opening from the Studio Gonzo production has its own sense of style, though it's a tad boring.

I should say the Lucky☆Star opening is good for its quality of animation and quirkiness (warning, possibly sickening to many).

For its age, the Record of Lodoss War: Chronicles of the Heroic Knight TV OVA opening is beautiful in its own way.


Both openings for Victorian Romance Emma, Sillhouette of a Breeze and the Celtic Version are beautiful, no nonsense instrumentals.


Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG is a very good one, no need to explain further. The show's first season OP isn't that special, albeit for the equally wonderful Yoko Kanno song "Inner Universe". However, the Ghost in the Shell movie, Solid State Society, has a wonderful but short OP by the name of Player.


Clearly, I can't forget Cowboy Bebop's "Tank!".


Another old but good one: The Vision of Excaflowne. An older work by Yoko Kanno, whom I mentioned before as the mind behind many other good songs.

Utawarerumono, a Leaf Studio H-game turned anime, has a quiant OP.

Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni has the perfect opening that matches the overall feel of the show. It's both lovely and creepy at the same time. The season 2 opening is also good, but less creepy.


Sakura Taisen has a classic opening, for it is a classic show.


Mobile Suit Gundam : The 08th MS Team OP is also pretty good, as far as Gundam openings go. Many tend to be too... bleh.




A long list, but most of the ones I can think of off the top of my head. I'll add more when I remember it (and if it's good enough to make my list).

Originally Posted by Sher Khan

For its age, the Record of Lodoss War: Chronicles of the Heroic Knight TV OVA opening is beautiful in its own way.

Originally Posted by Sher Khan

Record of Lodoss War: Chronicles of the Heroic Knight

Originally Posted by Sher Khan

Chronicles of the Heroic Knight

ಠ_ಠ

Sorry, I feel as though the Chronicles "Sequel" was an absolute abomination even if it was more true to what the creator of Lodoss war wanted. It felt like it turned an epic fantasy adventure unaffiliated with West or east into a typical Anime with as crappy-as-can-be new lead (the blue haired schmuck named Spark). Parn may have been a pansy-ass nublet for much of it, but he felt more entertaining than what Spark seems to have been. Apparently they also kill of Orson and they can go jump in a god damn fire for that.

I actually like the opening and ending to the original. They weren't as perhaps flowing in animation or quality as more modern ones, but there was a very strong artistry behind it.

A friend of mine showed me the opening to apparently the GITS: innocence opening. It was rather surreal, but quite well done. http://youtube.com/watch?v=S_1PssU1a9U

Originally Posted by Ahiga

ಠ_ಠ

（￣へ￣）

ε-(´・｀) ﾌｰ


Now now, I was only talking about the opening for the show, I wholly realize it wasn't all that good, hahah.

That said, the new Gundam 00 show has a pretty good opening now that I go over it carefully, called Daybreak's Bell by L'arc en Ciel.

Originally Posted by Sher Khan

（￣へ￣）

ε-(´・｀) ﾌｰ


Now now, I was only talking about the opening for the show, I wholly realize it wasn't all that good, hahah.

That said, the new Gundam 00 show has a pretty good opening now that I go over it carefully, called Daybreak's Bell by L'arc en Ciel.

Well to be fair, I haven't actually seen all of it, only viewed the first few episodes and read what happens. But basically while the animation is a great upgrade (As you mention, the last or perhaps pinnacle of non CG artistry being around 98), the story takes a big downfall.

The Opening sequence to Berserk is -horrible-, as is the ending sequence. That being said, I'd still suggest it to many a TWCer. The Manga's too if you have a stomach for it. It kinda goes over the top in violence. :Tongue:

Speaking of American Anime [Not that there really is any?] has anyone watched Avatar?

Originally Posted by Ahiga

A friend of mine showed me the opening to apparently the GITS: innocence opening. It was rather surreal, but quite well done. http://youtube.com/watch?v=S_1PssU1a9U

Oh yeah the OP for Innocence, its cool as hell too(just like the movie), Kenji Kawai's music fits like a glove on GITS.
Though the movie is a bit slow and rather difficult to understand, its anime from heaven for hard sci-fi fans.

I've only seen mostly american anime.......

American anime? You mean anime released on the US...

In fact, Elfen Lied might do away with any sex drive whatsoever if you watch the first half of the first episode.

Originally Posted by Sher Khan

In fact, Elfen Lied might do away with any sex drive whatsoever if you watch the first half of the first episode.

I kind of view it in the way I view the stuff in Blade Runner - it all makes sense in the end. Most of it is necessary.

Sorry but according to the rules I have to remove it, sexual or not.

Originally Posted by Justinian

Sorry but according to the rules I have to remove it, sexual or not.

Argh!

Originally Posted by Thanatos

Argh!

"Argh" just about sums up what I think about anime openings.

I mean, how can you actually like Japanese pop? I'm not a pop person to begin with and anime openings are ripe with bubblegum and lollypop songs.

The new Naruto Shippudden (Japanese version) opening video is good but I have to mute it because the song is terrible.

I've been watching Berserk recently and it doesn't have any openings or closings. Now that's pwnage. And Guts PWNZORZ Ichigo, Monkey D. Luffy, Naruto, Sasuke and even Mr. Himura Battousai!