Last week, I brought you my list of my top 5 favorite anime opening themes, you where very vocal in what you thought on them. In that same vein, this week I bring you my top 5 anime opening sequences. Now, this time, I’m sharing my criteria with all of you:
- Does the opening match the series well?
- Does the song match the opening, in timing as well as feel?
- Is the opening cheesy? If so, is it necessarily cheesy, or is it just plain stupid?
- Does the opening make sense? By which I mean, is it just some random amalgam of action shots or does it actually show the characters in their element?
- Is it a dub opening?
So, with that in mind hit the jump to catch the top 5, and why they made the list.
5. Allegro Cantabile – Nodame Cantabile
Up at number five is Allegro Cantabile, the first opening to Nodame Cantabile. The song itself matches the show perfectly, seeing as how it was written for the show. Now, to be honest, the sequence fits the anime in the way that a size 12 shoe fits a size six foot: Very, very loosely. The only reason it even matches is the fact that it has the characters and musical instruments. However, this one makes the list mainly based on the fact that the animation is effing awesome. I mean, it includes what is basically a piano crapping stars. It really doesn’t get much cooler looking than that.
4. Makka Na Chikai – Busou Renkin
Now, my number four pick is Makka Na Chikai, the opening from Busou Renkin. The opening sequence is one of the better ones, animation-wise, that I’ve seen in a while. However, it feels like it only starts getting its act toghether in the last moments of the opening. Though the song, the animation, and the action is excellent, it’s just not enough to truly make it top 3 material.
3. Mouse Chuu Mouse – Mouse
Now, a little warning: The next sequence is a tad bit NSFW. That is, if your boss hates seeing bouncing clothed anime breasts, he’ll probably fire you for this.
Yeah, that’s right. Mouse Chuu Mouse, the opening from Mouse, is number 3. Why? Well, first off, the song is effing PERFECT for the series and the opening. It feels a bit like a spy song while retaining that distinct Japanese style. The opening itself has great, fluid animation, and shows off the characters in their element. Meaning we see Sorata, the main character, being a badass and we see the three ladies, his companions, bounding around in tight outfits that somehow cause their chests to defy gravity.
2.Shut Up And Explode – Xamdou: Lost Memories
Just barely missing the top spot, again, is Shut Up And Explode by Boom Boom Satellites, from Bounen no Xamdou. (Man, I just love saying that. SHUT UP AND EXPLODE, MAN!) Anyway, this one gets number two due to a few things. It contains almost no action shots which is actually a redeeming quality, they are commonly overused. And the few it does have are short and justified to introduce the minor characters. The opening conveys the action shown in the series, not to mention that both the opening and the sequence get the viewer in the proper mindset for the episode.
1. Rise – Ghost In The Shell: SAC 2nd Gig
And finally, up at number one is Rise by Origa, the opening from Ghost in the Shell: SAC 2nd Gig. Rise inches out Shut Up And Explode for the same reason why Shut Up And Explode got number two: The song matches the opening, both the opening and the song match the series, and they both get the viewer into the mindset for the episode. However, Rise beat out Shut Up And Explode in one very important place: the pace is better, with action scenes contrasting with calm set up scenes. It makes you get Goosebumps.
That’s it for this week! Whether you enjoyed it or not, let us know in the comments. Keep an eye out for next week’s list where I will list the top 5 most overrated anime ever!
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Abraham 'Velcor' Duarte
David 'KidKobun' Bruno
Ivan 'Nahu' Lozano
Random J
Sol
While I don’t necessarily consider it an anime I would definitely consider Oban Star Racers to have one of my all time favorite opening sequences. I would also have to vote for Genshiken as well as Welcome to the NHK.
Oh and the first season of SAC is pretty damn good too.
I guess I have to agree with the top spot, but your criterias don’t really match your choosing. The Busou Renkin don’t really stand out in anyway imo. it’s just mashup of sequences and introduction like any other shounen or mecha anime opening out there. Same goes for the Mouse opening, just choose any other comedy out there and they have the same type of opening.
I think
I like these Top 5 articles, i couldn’t ever made a top 5 of the opening seq. seeing as many of em is not really fresh in ones mind and it’s hard to remember many of right off the bat, but i find this list a little lazy made and just used openings fresh from mind, there is tons of other openings that, atleast I find, more fitting your criterias for top 5.
But keep up the work anyways, like said like your work.
Bebop opening seq fukken WHERE?
hay kovski, he used bebop in the last top 5 list, and i gonna have to have a friendly disagreeance on busou renkin…
I fully agree on the #1 spot, but not so sure of the others. then again, i’ve never seen the other shows, so i don’t know what kind of feeling the openings are supposed to give.
I can’t believe that Gurren Laganns opening isn’t on the list though. It’s one of the first OPS in years, (since gits:sac actually) where i rarely ever skipped it.
Awesome on Nodame and Mouse. I give props to one and two. The music is stellar, but I. not sure about Busou Renkin. Although that what makes Top 5s great it gets people talking. I would have wanted to throw in Ouran.
Nice job Vek!
buso renkin eh……i always thought the opening to outlaw star was fantastic
Needs moar Gurren Lagann, and Nodame Cantabile should be higher. Like first.
Also, needs moar Lucky Star and Death note.
We are soldiers, stand or die!
Yay for Rise in the top spot.
Ghost In The Shell is just a complete masterpiece. I think ive watched both openings more times than Nahu has said something sarcastic. That is by no means a small feat.
Ghost In Th’ Shell be jus’ a complete masterpiece. Arr, me thinks me ha’v watche’d both openings moarrr tha’ Nahu has spake somethin’ sarcastic. That be by nay means a wee feat.
sorry fer double postin, but this be in spirit o’ speak li’ a seafarin’ hearty day.
I actually found Busou Renkin to be a little mediocre as well. The others I consider solid choices and I couldn’t agree more with the #1 spot.
While this list does leave out many many stellar and sometimes venerable openings, like I said in the last podcast, I have to give it to Vekter for not giving in to the tried and true choices and instead going for a fresh take on the matter.
Needs more “Hey hey ningen sucka”.
You know what OP I really liked? The one on Sennou Chosashitsu or “Real Drive”. Great music, great animation, really gets your blood pumpin’.
I prefer “Konna ni chikaku de…” to the “Allegro cantabile” theme myself (mainly because I stan for Crystal Kay! *lol*) But I can understand why it wasn’t made the main theme.
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