10 Best Anime Opening Themes Fans Will Remember Years After Their Debut

As an observer, I’ve noticed that while the narratives and characters in anime are undeniably captivating, it’s also the diverse library of theme songs that often keeps viewers coming back for more. Over time, amassing playlists of these tunes has become a common pastime, even leading to friendly competitions on platforms like Anime Music Quiz, where participants showcase their extensive anime music knowledge in a fun and engaging way.

Occasionally, fans actively participate by blending genres and producing tunes like lo-fi, city-pop, synthwave, among others, or creating anime music videos (AMVs). With anime theme songs being a significant aspect of otaku culture across the globe, here are some standout tracks that should be on every otaku’s playlist! If you haven’t watched some of these series yet, we strongly suggest checking them out if their opening themes pique your interest and get you excited about the theme song craze!

Pokémon: “Gotta Catch ’em All”

The song “Gotta Catch ’em All” by Jason Paige serves as the initial opening theme in the Pokémon series and is renowned as one of the most memorable anime theme songs ever created. Although it encapsulates the essence of ’90s anime opening themes designed for English adaptations, being both catchy and lyrically unique to a point that may be overly distinctive, bordering on excessive.

It’s hardly surprising that the core theme of the show is evident from such memorable lines as “I wanna be the very best, like no one ever was.” Although Ash may not literally capture every Pokémon, he does embark on journeys through diverse landscapes alongside his trusted companions, protecting and exploring the fascinating world of Pokémon. This timeless adventure resonates deeply with countless anime enthusiasts.

Pokémon can be streamed on Netflix, Hulu, Tubi TV, and Roku.

Neon Genesis Evangelion: “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis”

Yoko Takahashi’s ‘A Cruel Angel’s Thesis’ serves as the central motif throughout the 26-episode run of Neon Genesis Evangelion. The song, with its opening lines ‘Like a cruel angel, young boy, become a legend’, depicts the challenges that Shinji is destined to encounter.

This song, filled with striking visuals of religious motifs, character outlines and close-ups, title cards, and adversaries from the series, is a timeless ’90s anime hit. It’s not just popular; it has also influenced modern pop culture. For instance, fans have created a parody featuring characters from King of the Hill, and there’s an official parody by Regular Show as well.

Neon Genesis Evangelion can be streamed on Netflix.

Soul Eater: “Resonance”

If the light from connected spirits shines on your heart, can you feel a sound more profound than language right now?” The song “Resonance” by T.M. Revolution serves as the intro for Soul Eater, appearing in the first 30 episodes. With its consistent rhythm and the singer’s clear vibrato complementing the series’ distinctive visual style, “Resonance” is a popular choice among fans for upbeat anime music videos, enhancing the excitement.

Soul Eater can be streamed on Crunchyroll and Hulu.

Steins;Gate: “Hacking to the Gate”

The song “Hacking to the Gate” is penned by Chiyomaru Shikura, orchestrated by Toshimichi Isoe, and performed by Kanako Ito. A detail that might elude fans is that throughout the first season of Steins;Gate, there are actually two versions of this song played in the series. The first version, labeled alpha, plays for the initial 22 episodes, while a separate version, beta, is exclusively used for episodes 23 and 24. Alongside some minor changes to the opening scenes, the lyrics in these variations differ, utilizing distinct verses from the full song’s lyrics.

Steins;Gate can be streamed on Crunchyroll.

Dandadan: “Otonoke”

The anime opening theme “Otonoke” by Creepy Nuts has been making waves recently for its virality. With its vibrant, distinctive character and monster designs that leap across the screen in sync with an eclectic mix of sounds akin to Invader Zim, the song perfectly encapsulates the show’s spirit. The name “Otonoke” is thought to hold occult connotations, as “oto” means sound and “ke” can mean strange, monster, spirit, or yokai in Japanese, making it an apt title for a theme that embodies the “spirit of sound”.

Dandadan can be streamed on Crunchyroll and Netflix.

Tokyo Ghoul: “Unravel”

The song ‘Unravel’ by TK from Ling Tosite Sigure, sung with a breathy falsetto voice, portrays a journey from tentatively wondering how to cope with a fractured perspective of the world, to releasing one’s internal tumult. This emotional odyssey mirrors Ken Kaneki’s personal struggle as he navigates the complexities of existing between the human and ghoul realms, wrestling with his acceptance of his transformation while harboring fears about losing his old self and potentially hurting those dear to him.

It’s not surprising that this song, with its timeless melody and deeply moving words set against an evocative atmosphere, has remained popular among fans ever since the excitement for Tokyo Ghoul first began to grow.

Tokyo Ghoul can be streamed on Crunchyroll and Hulu.

Link Click: “Vortex”

In the second installment of the Chinese animated series titled “Link Click” called “Vortex” by JAWS, stands out for its distinctive blend of 3D and 2D graphics that eventually play in reverse, echoing the lyrics and the show’s central theme of time travel. The song goes: “Let it unfold… Place our fate into the ones aren’t in control… Time is like music, play it ’til the end and then reset.” This narrative is visualized through the main character, Cheng Xiaoshi, being swept away by a whirlwind of images and characters that hint at conflicts to come, which he can neither grasp nor control. Notably, as Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang manipulate time in the series, the lyrics and visuals reverse direction as well.

Link Click can be streamed on Crunchyroll.

Oshi no Ko: “Idol”

Yoasobi’s song ‘Idol’ mirrors the narrative of Oshi no Ko, showcasing the contrast between a cheerful exterior and underlying shadows. The lyrics portray the everyday life of fictional idol Ai Hoshino, who is constantly required to appear joyful and maintain an image of perfection for her fans and the media.

The fundamental deception muddles the boundary between reality and illusion, deceiving everyone, including herself. At times, her words and music veer off to expose the deep emotional struggles she experiences when attempting to comprehend true love. Yet, despite the fact that the adoration from her fans might not be sincere, she persists in maintaining their happiness, accepting lies to keep the performance ongoing.

Oshi no Ko can be streamed fully on HIDIVE, with Season 1 also available on Hulu.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood: “Again”

If you talk to a fan of Fullmetal Alchemist, they’d likely tell you that “Again” by Yui is one of their favorite opening themes from the show. This song was the very first of five openings for the series Brotherhood and it played in the initial 14 episodes out of the total 64.

The song “Again” begins softly with soothing lyrics accompanied by an acoustic guitar. For a brief moment, it introduces a powerful electric guitar riff that matches the title. Afterward, it transitions into a faster tempo that mirrors the characters’ speed and the visuals. The pace of the song ebbs and flows like the narrative itself, tightening and loosening its rhythm.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood can be streamed on Netflix and Crunchyroll.

Berserk: “Inferno”

Despite the fact that the 2016 remake of Berserk wasn’t particularly well-liked by fans (to put it mildly), its first opening still provided the radical tone the series required, in contrast to the original 1997 version’s iconic but somewhat uninspiring opening theme.

In stark contrast to the deceptive verses in “Tell Me Why” by PENPALS that promise a trouble-free existence, the song “Inferno” by 9mm Parabellum Bullet presents raw progressive post-hardcore melodies aligned with more fitting lyrics such as “I’ll set this life ablaze until it fades,” “This world is tainted by nightmares,” and “I’ll persist in my futile struggle.” This perfectly embodies the themes found in Berserk, which revolve around conquering trauma, seeking meaning beyond vengeance, and the tragic saga of Guts as an eternal fighter.

In 2016, you can find the adaption of Berserk on Crunchyroll, while the original series from 1997 is available for streaming on Netflix.

Which anime opening theme song do you most enjoy? Let us know in the comments below if there’s one you think every fan should watch that isn’t mentioned yet!

2025-04-04 22:41