Let’s Get Musical Part 1: Top 10 Openings 10-6

What? It’s not like I’ve used this picture before or anything…

It was only a matter of time before I had amassed enough anime hours to be able to craft a Top Ten list on OPs. And that time was months ago. Making this list made me realise just how many great anime openings there are (in poor ratio to truly great anime themselves) and it was hard narrowing them down to 10 out of the 120+ that I’ve seen. There’s no specific criteria, perhaps some loose rules of good animation + good song = higher ranking, but it’s mostly just based on how I felt abuot the song itself. Arbitrary way to make rankings, I know, but what can you do?

#10 Code Geass R2

World End – FLOW

There’s no point in harping on about how Code Geass was or wasn’t a trainwreck or how muddled the writing and plt was. What can be said about the series is that it had high production values (it being Sunrise) and that’s all reflected in the OP’s from both seasons. FLOW return to finish off the show that they started and just like the last episode of the series itself, the OP closes Code Geass on a good note, leaving a pleasant aftertaste after an otherwise controversial meal.

Everything about the music and the great animation signified a grand finale; the song’s name, the fact that the main antagonist of the entire show suddenly disappeared in a haze of pink sparkles from the opening and all the main characters whip by with surprisingly delightful expressions on their faces. Though in the end EVERTHING WASN’T BRIGHT, the final OP of Code Geass was full of energetic pop rock that betrayed the “serious” tone of the series. And it was even more colourful and entertaining than COLORS.

#9 Kiba

Hakanaku Tsuyoku – Younha

Even when I found out that Kiba was based off of a trading card game, that didn’t change my appreciation of the series, though perhaps I’m viewing it through slightly rose-tinted glasses as it was one of my first shows. It’s like Pokemon, only if Pokemon was 5 times better in every feasible way.

The second OP reflected the shift in the focus (and the increase in focus) of the series. There was more of a sense that a journey, both physically and emotionally, was being undergone by all of the characters and there was a defined route as to where the series was headed. Add to this my affinity for all things J-Pop/Rock and the awesome fight scene (even though it’s around 15 seconds) between the three Pokemon Spirits and it was one of a few OPs (not all on this list) that kept me watching every time.

#8 Gurren Lagann

Sorairo Days – Nakagawa Shoko

I need a reason to put this on the list?

The first Gurren Lagann OP signified what the show was about, the journey. Before all of the manly tears inducing events and purealy epic moments, tehere was aimply a boy, his Aniki , a pair of boobs a girl with a rifle and a giant kickass robot. Oh, and a pig.

#7 Xam’d Lost Memories

Shut Up and Explode – Boom Boom Satellites

The only things which could made Xam’d better would be more action scenes and quicker pacing, which will hopefully occur as teh series heads into the finale.Why in their right minds Sony would decide to keep such a great show exclusive to PSN is beyond me. Oh wait, MONEYS.

Anyway, Xam’d has THE  most kickass song I’ve heard in an OP and the animation has kind of funky style to it, though it could’ve been a little more engaging. I dislike the way it introduces many of the main characters in the OP; its not spoilers exactly, but it kind of means that we’re looking to the future of the show rather than being caught up in the present. Though that doesn’t stop the show from being awesome, of course.

#6 Full Metal Alchemist

Rewrite – Asian Kung-fu Generation

Ahh, Full Metal Alchemist, anime original arcs done right. The song by the ever-fantastic Asian Kung-Fu Generation really fits at this stage of the anime. A time of reflection, regret and being able to surpass and move on from the events of the past. It only makes me wish that the fight that takes place in the OP actually happened in the show… a four way free-for-all like that would’ve been great to watch.