The Most Unskippable Anime Openings, Ranked (2024)

The most unskippable anime openings will not only enthrall an audience, but they will create an introductory musical theme so iconic that viewers cannot bear to skip the minute-and-a-half sequence if given the choice. Anime openings serve as the face of a series, and studios will do everything to make it a meaningful part of the viewing experience.

Naturally, such a feat is a tall task that involves both aural and visual crafts that are heightened to the utmost effect. It is imperative that the musical mood be representative of the mood of the respective anime series, but its lyrics must also be relevant, and the rhythm must pair well with the visual previews that most opening animations serve as.

Because opening themes are so important, most animation productions will actually reach out directly to prominent Japanese artists to commission songs for the sole purpose of an anime's opening theme.

10 "Departure" Doesn't Lose To Repetition

Hunter x Hunter Opening 1-6 by Ono Masatoshi

The opening theme to Hunter x Hunter is one that has stuck around for the entirety of the popular shonen remake's 148 episodes. Each new arc of the series produced by studio Madhouse and based on the manga by Togashi Yoshihiro features the same track accompanied by a fresh sequence of animations for each arc.

Despite the repetition, the song, titled "Departure", is a perfect pairing to every part of the anime, not allowing any feelings of monotony to reach its viewers. Furthermore, the themes of the music highlight both the hardships that the main characters, Gon, Killua, Kurapika and Leorio face, and the pleasant times spent together.

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9 "Fiction" Paints a Vibrant Romance

Wotakoi: Love Is Hard For Otaku Opening by Sumika

Wotakoi: Love Is Hard For Otaku is an easily rewatchable comedy-filled romance produced by A-1 Pictures and based on the web manga by Fujita, and is perfectly complemented by its riveting opening sequence. The opening song, "Fiction" by Sumika, is an upbeat song full of unique vocal techniques and ornamentation that highlight the self-aware and heartfelt anime that is Wotakoi.

As the anime follows the antics of corporate otaku Momose Narumi, unexpected sparks of love and friendship ignite along with Sumika's potent lyrics and catchy chorus. Lastly, the song "Fiction" pairs perfectly with its animation sequence that features the characters performing an adorable dance with movements flawlessly coordinated with the music's rhythm.

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8 "Unravel" Gives An Eerie, But Enrapturing Start

Tokyo Ghoul Opening 1 by TK

Tokyo Ghoul is a fantasy horror anime produced by Studio Pierrot based on the manga by Ishida Sui that is perfectly introduced by the rollercoaster of emotion that is TK’s "Unravel". The song begins with a falsetto opening that accentuates the isolating visuals portraying the main character, Keneki, sitting in a heaven-like space.

TK's voice has a soft but harrowing timbre that draws viewers into a sense of gravity, as the vocals are interspersed by surprise bursts of band solos that feature furious guitar riffs and fast movements through registers. "Unravel" is possibly the best pick to represent the tumultuous and frightening story of Tokyo Ghoul.

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7 "The World" Ignites Psychological Battles

Death Note Opening 1 by Nightmare

The popular psychological mystery Death Note, produced by Madhouse and based on the manga by Obata Takeshi and Ohba Tsugumi, is a peak example of shonen suspense that is depicted exquisitely by its first opening theme titled "The World". This song by Nightmare is a high-energy piece of rock with metal elements that takes the excitement of horror and infuses it into a rather upbeat opening theme.

As Death Note follows the complex intellectual battles of its characters, Light, L, and even Ryuk the shinigami, the psychological aspect of the anime comes to the surface. Paired with the opening's visuals, "The World" is a perfect preview of what’s to come.

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6 "Colors" Paints an Explosive Canvas

Code Geass Opening 1 by Flow

Code Geass is a supernatural mecha anime produced by Studio Sunrise and is an original series directed by Taniguchi Gorou that flips typical action shonen archetypes on their heads. Naturally, the first opening theme, "Colors" by Flow, is a slightly deceptive song that gets audiences pumped for exciting adventures, but doesn’t prepare for the surprises that are in store.

If anything, such an omission of tone is a perfect match for Code Geass, as the anime prides itself on its sophisticated plot twists and complex character relationships. Regardless, "Colors" is a good enough song to stand on its own, but is heightened when paired with Code Geass.

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5 "Hikaru nara" Is Transformative With Plot

Your Lie in April Opening 1 by Goose house

Your Lie in April is a musical slice-of-life anime produced by A-1 Pictures based on the manga by Narakawa Naoshi. Despite its misleading genre classification, Your Lie in April is much more than a high school feel-good anime or a simple romance, and the opening theme, "Hikaru nara", secretly introduces these subtle twists.

The opening immediately became the song of a generation, featuring upbeat and beautiful harmonies that prime for optimistic experiences before all pretense is torn down. As the anime's plot takes a turn, the opening theme's dramatic undertones slowly come to the surface, and the song transforms into an elegy of sorrow that can only yearn for happy endings.

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4 "Kyouran Hey Kids!!" Is a Funky Thriller

Noragami Opening 2 by The Oral Cigarettes

Noragami is a fantasy anime produced by Studio Bones and based on the manga by Adachitoka that adds flavor to the shonen demographic, not only with its focus on Japanese mythology, but also with its thriller of an opening by The Oral Cigarettes.

The song, titled "Kyouran Hey Kids!!", opens the second season of Noragami and feels as if it opens a door to a new world as well. This second season brought the once underrepresented anime to the peak of popularity, in part due to its unique opening sequence. Incorporating surprising twists of genre with jazzy undertones, The Oral Cigarettes beckons viewers to give the series a try.

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3 "Again" Is An Unforgettable Classic

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Opening 1 by Yui

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a shonen anime that is often lauded as one of the best anime of all time, and Studio Bones' anime adaptation of Arakawa Hiromu's famous manga does no wrong in choosing any of its accompanying music. Brotherhood features no songs that aren’t compelling, from openings to endings, but "Again" by Yui is the most prominent and memorable.

Yui's voice presents a feeling of both serenity and nostalgia despite serving as a first introduction to the series. Perfectly paired with the grave but beautiful laws of Fullmetal Alchemist's world, "Again" intertwines with the plot and the characters themselves, leaving a piece behind even after changes to the opening song.

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2 "Shinzou Wo Sasageyo!" Has Fans Standing At Attention

Attack on Titan Opening 3 by Linked Horizon

Attack on Titan, produced by Wit Studio and later MAPPA Studio based on the manga by Isayama Hajime, tells a rustic shonen story of survival like no other, featuring opening theme songs that never disappoint. Of its robust selection, that Linked Horizon has contributed heavily to, "Shinzou wo Sasageyo!" stands out from the rest.

This song is an early homestead of the anime, and stays in the minds of fans even as they continue through the riveting final bouts. Linked Horizon deftly blends German and Japanese lyrics, accentuating the European influence of the series' landscape, creating the iconic battle cry that marks the highest passion that the title describes as dedicating your heart.

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1 "Cruel Angel's Thesis" Is the Ultimate Anime Opening

Neon Genesis Evangelion Opening by Takahashi Yoko

Neon Genesis Evangelion is an original series that arguably changed anime forever, thanks to the visionary work of its creator and director, Hideaki Anno, and also has one of the best opening of all time. "Cruel Angel's Thesis" is as grand as the title makes it out to be, with unimpeded rhythms and a melody that straddles the line of optimism and tragedy.

This masterpiece of a song has long cemented itself in history, and can still be heard in karaoke sessions around all of Japan and even the world. Its C minor melody, contrasted with jazzy influences and upbeat rhythm, creates an opening theme of many facets that is destined to never leave the minds of anime fans.

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