First Impressions are important and the best chance of doing so is with a good opening theme.
Warning, big list on it's way as we count down the best 25 Anime Openings, a good opening sequence has to be three things.
1. The music has to be Memorable
2. The content of the opening sequence must get you excited for the show
3. The music must match the feel of the Anime (And not lie about the show, I'm looking at you Twin Signal!)
Few Rules as well
1. No Dub themes so to get the dubbed honorable mentions out the way include Sailor Moon, Digimon and Pokemon
2. One opening per Anime so we don't get multiple theme songs from one Anime series
3. No Anime themes that were originally Video Game themes (Sorry Sakura Wars)
With that out the way lets begin.
(Updated with more Honorable Mentions)
Honorable Mentions
Yume no Shima Shinen Kouen by Susumu Hirasawa
Paranoia Agent Opening
Only My Railgun by Fripside
A Certain Scientific Railgun 1st Opening
Sakura Kiss by Chieko Kawabe
Ouran High School Host Club Opening
Yakusoku no Basho by Chihiro Yonekura
Kaleido Star 2nd Opening
Database by Man With a Mission ft. Takuma of 10-feet
Log Horizon Opening
25. Brand New World by D-51
One Piece 6th Opening
We start off in the One Piece world and although "We Are" is the more iconic opening, Brand New World gives us the feeling of eagerness to enter the battle laid out before us, especially as this was the lead into the Enies Lobby Arc, one of One Piece's best sagas.
24. Soramimi Cake by Oranges & Lemons
Azumanga Daioh Opening
The charming feel of Azumanga Daioh can only really come from an equally charming opening and Soramimi Cake really sets the scene for what would be a series of giggles and charm.
23. Sore Ga Ai Deshou by Shimokawa Mikuni
Full Metal Panic Fumoffu Opening
This is probably the best way to relax after a hard day of mecha in the original series, even if this is a romantic comedy the song is so beautiful that it encourages you to seek a happy end regardless.
22. Radio Jack by Sleepin' Johnny Fish
Happy Lesson Advanced Opening
Credits evolution is normally saved for endings but with each passing episode of Happy Lesson Advanced you get an extra sound effect that makes the feeling that much more special when you start.
21. Just Beyond the Time by Ayako Udagawa
New Dominion Tank Police Opening
Any Anime theme song that can get critically acclaimed Anime Reviewer Bennett the Sage head banging is an opening worth putting on this list, not to mention awesome.
20. I Wanna be a Rainbow by Mayaka
801TTS Airbats Opening
I wish my Air Force used kick ass Guitar Solos in their recruitment videos. (Oh come on this series was endorsed by the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force why wouldn't it encourage recruitment) Not to mention this song is one of the rarest anime openings in the world.
19. Cutey Honey by Multiple Artists
Cutey Honey Franchise Opening
If you want your opening theme song to stand the test of time look no further than the Cutey Honey theme song, a piece of music that incorporates the spirit of Japanese Sentai culture.
18. Sorairo Days by Shoko Nakagawa
Gurren Lagann Opening
Invoking the powers of the Drill has never been so upbeat? You'd think that Gurren Lagann was more wild but just a mild upbeat piece of music is all you need to get yourself pumped.
17. Cruel Angel's Thesis by Yoko Takahashi
Neon Genesis Evangelion Opening
This had to go on somewhere but I can't argue with how much it set the standard of theme songs in Anime.
16. Ma-Ji-Ya-Ba by Nerima Daikon Brothers
Nerima Daikon Brothers Opening
Anime's best musical needs it's own memorable theme and Nerima Daikon Brothers delivers in both languages surprisingly.
15. Haruka Kanata by Asian Kung-Fu Generation
Naruto 2nd Opening
This opening is so well known that it appears on normal TV shows in other countries, that's insane! But to be honest despite all of Naruto's problems I only have to watch this to remind myself that it was good.
14. Cha-La Head-Cha-La by Hironobu Kageyama
Dragonballz Opening
This is that one song that everyone tortures on the Karaoke for fun, which was even referenced in Lucky Star, although speaking of Lucky Star.
13. Motteke! Sailor Fuku by Lucky Star Cast
Lucky Star Opening
This theme song always encourages you to dance and provides a better cheer leading routine than real life cheerleaders.
12. You Get to Burning by Yumi Matsuzawa
Martian Successor Nadesico
Ah the nineties feel of an anime theme song that has gratuitous English, even if you can't sing in Japanese you'll always get the title right.
11. Snow Fairy by Funkist
Fairy Tail 1st Opening
I can actually sing this and sing this in tune, even if the pronunciation sounds like they're talking about a Ferrari rather than a Fairy.
10. Asterisk by Orange Range
Bleach 1st Opening
This theme always made me smile, it gave us a modern feel and even now it hasn't aged a day. Pity the anime itself ain't so fortunate.
9. Tank by Seatbelts
Cowboy Bebop Opening
A lesson in perfection not to mention I love Jazz and other than the odd words muttered in English it doesn't have or need any vocals to sell.
8. Kagirinai Answer by MANA
Dirty Pair Flash 1st OVA Opening
You never forget your first time and this retrotastic theme song got me hooked on anime from the moment it started.
7. KOHAKU by Mikuni Shimokawa
Grenadier Opening
I drive to this opening theme, it's the perfect companion for a nice relaxing drive in the open airs of the United Kingdom.
6. Flash Your Dream by Wonder Love
Burn Up W Opening
How to get everything your anime has to offer in one opening. Lots of guns, police chases, large boobs, fanservice and with a song title like "Flash Your Dream" you know full well what you are going to get.
5. Just Communication & Rhythm Emotion by Two-Mix
Gundam Wing Openings
Now the last five are pure perfection in how to open an Anime and one of the best remembered is Gundam Wing's two openings, both are excellent in their own way and are responsible for getting me hooked on Anime Music.
4. Through the Night by Masahiko Arimachi
Outlaw Star Opening
This theme was often played alongside Cowboy Bebop's around time of release and even though Cowboy Bebop is the better show, "Through the Night" is a much better opening theme and iconic to the old Toonami Guard.
3. Resonance by T.M.Revolution
Soul Eater 1st Opening
Ever since this anime got released the theme song has been the highlight of every Anime Party. Fans go nuts whenever the guitars start up and is only beaten by the Pokemon theme in regards to popularity.
2. Chain by Back-On
Air Gear Opening
This song relieves so much stress it's amazing, not to mention it gets funny looks from motorists when this song sets off while waiting at the Traffic Lights, you think you've got a nice song and then bam! Head Banging.
1. Dress (BLOODY TRINITY MIX) by BUCK-TICK
Trinity Blood Opening
I had a hard time choosing between the final eight but looking at the qualities needed for a good opening, Trinity Blood gets everything right, Gothic is hard to get right with music but the song "Dress" nails the atmosphere and art style perfectly.
