In the anime/JRPG community, an “opening” refers to a roughly 1-2 minute animation set to a (usually vocal) soundtrack that serves as a way to summarize the content that is to follow, and get the viewer hyped up and excited. Openings are found in roughly 99% of all anime, and are very frequent in the JRPG genre of video games as well. There’s a well-practiced philosophy that “you can’t just skip the opening!”. Thousands and thousands of animated openings exist in the world. Here are my ten favorite!
10) My Hero Academia ~ Opening 5
Following the extremely dark, gritty, and heavy themes of the previous arc, this opening comes bursting out of the gate with probably the most catchy and upbeat opening in the show at this point. There’s just some sort of inherently hummable quality to this song that always gets me in the groove. I also love the sweeping shots of the large cast that features in this arc, and the personalized close-ups of the more major threats.
9) My Hero Academia ~ Opening 4
This is actually the opening for that darker and more serious arc I alluded to in the above entry. This opening also heralds in the point where My Hero Academia moves from a blithely enjoyable but mediocre show, to one that is significantly more interesting and appealing. I think that the animation in this opening is gorgeous, and that the crazy drum solo near the end is as epic as the confrontations teased in this dramatic opening.
8) Lord of Magna ~ Opening
I will concede that a large reason for the placement of this opening is because of my abundant love and nostalgia for this oft-forgotten, quirky little JRPG. This game had a rushed development (it’s own studio was closed immediately after the game released), but the developers definitely put all their heart into this game’s first half, and that love extends to the opening. This vocal track is uplifting and catchy, and I love that every central character gets a moment to shine in the spotlight.
7) Akame Ga Kill ~ Opening 2
This opening just screams “finality” and “epic showdown”. First starting to play right as the big war kicks off and the stakes increase dramatically, this opening really helps set the mood for each new episode. There are a lot of moving pieces and a lot of characters that this opening conveys, but it still manages to do so in an understandable and enticing manner. It manages to present the slimmest look at the tragedy and chaos to come, and leaves you looking forward to more.
6) Trails of Cold Steel ~ Opening
Ah, when times were so simple and carefree! Each Trails of Cold Steel game has an incredible opening, but I definitely have to give the nod to this first installment (and it helps that this soundtrack became a sort of recurring motif for the series). I definitely love the song itself and the gorgeous and unique animation style, but probably my favorite thing about this opening is the way it essentially spoils the entire game, but without context, you don’t actually realize how much plot is being conveyed until you actually reach those moments!
5) Fairy Tail ~ Opening 15
Let’s get one thing straight: If you say you don’t pump your arms in the air during the “hey, hey” part, you are lying. This is just a fun and energetic opening, and there’s no getting around it. This is a catchy song that will be guaranteed to be stuck in your head long after listening to it. The visual presentation is great too, highlighting all of the climactic showdowns in the Grand Magic Games that are yet to come. What an awesome way to kickstart Fairy Tail‘s return after its two-year hiatus.
4) Fairy Tail ~ Opening 4
My favorite opening from Fairy Tail‘s first season, for a whole multitude of reasons. While the three preceding openings are all enjoyable (and the first opening is an eternal classic), this one just has something special. Is it the stellar guitar riffs? Is it the fast-paced action and presentation? Is it the awesome tease of Mirajane first going nuts with her all-out power? Is it the nearly-as-awesome moment of Natsu and Gajeel teaming up to take down Laxus? How about…all of the above!
LINK (Unfortunately, this was the best I could do for this one. Sorry!)
3) Fairy Tail ~ Opening 12
My favorite opening in Fairy Tail, most likely my favorite opening in all of anime, and also just one of my favorite arcs in the whole show. I just love everything about this opening. It excels in the music department, managing to accomplish something most anime openings cannot be having two verses and two choruses squeezed into the same opening (which really helps the song stick the landing). It has great animation that devotes equal time to all critical characters. It also isn’t afraid to slow its pace down and show more somber, emotional moments, which is another anime opening rarity (particularly in the Shonen genre).
2) Bravely Second ~ Opening
I guess because the original Bravely Default game didn’t have an opening, they decided to go all out for the sequel? I don’t know, but I DO know that this opening slaps! With what I have to assume was an obscene budget, this fully CGI rendered opening plays before each chapter of the game, really hammering home the anime-inspired vibes. This opening never gets old, managing to be an extremely catchy tune with excellently sung vocals, and an awesome preview of the globe-trotting, friendship-focused adventure to come.
1) Tales of Zestiria ~ Opening
Vocals tend to carry the emotional hype of most anime openings, but to quote one of the top comments on the linked YouTube upload, “who needs vocals when the guitar can SING?”. To be frank, I think it actually might be a war crime to skip this opening each time you boot up the game. Never have instrumentals sounded better than they do here, as these insane guitar riffs just keep coming, even when you think the song surely must be winding down. Combined with amazing animation and a succinct, action-packed summation of this lengthy JRPGs storyline? Pure excellence!
But hey, that’s just my opinion!
The Contrarian Corner 