40 - 31
40. Assassination Classroom OP 4 - "Bye Bye Yesterday"
I remember when I first saw this opening, how happy I was that Assassination Classroom had an opening that fit the quality of the actual anime. I still love the brilliant idea of both showing how happy everyone's trying to be about their graduation, yet how sad everyone really is, the frustration that everyone's facing. It also shows different parts of the past, different stages in character's development. On top of that you have a great song about having graduation stare you in the face, whether you want to move forward or keep the memories with you. I couldn't have asked for a better opening for the final, fantastic episodes of Assassination Classroom.
39. Death Parade OP - "Flyers"
Aka the opening that totally belies the show's true nature. It's upbeat and catchy, ridiculously fun to dance and sing to, and all you need to do is watch the band's music video (or parody video) to prove it. Of course, it still has that fantastic animation, so it still works well with the anime. Overall, a wonderful opening.
38. Eden of the East ED - "Futuristic Animation"
(Er, politics incoming, fair warning). The morning after Drumpf's election, I listened to this song. A lot. It's relation to the show is just politically charged to fit my feelings. Indeed, I was glad he won over Hillary, but he was in no way the guy I actually wanted to win. I was frustrated, I needed some sort of song to help me sort out my emotions. This was that song. Even just within the context of the anime, the unique paper stop-motion animation really helps focus up and show what the important and interesting parts of this anime really are.
37. Deadman Wonderland ED - "Shiny Shiny"
This has been one of my favorite endings and one of my absolute favorite anime songs ever since I first got into anime. It's so optimistic, so fun to sing along to, the perfect juxtaposition to the dark, messed up reality of Deadman Wonderland. It's gotten me into the habit of trying to go onto the Ferris Wheel at sundown whenever I got to an amusement park, which has given me plenty of beautiful sights. It's an ending that I've grown deeply attached to over the years, so it's little surprise that it's made it this high on the list.
36. Jigoku Shoujo ED - "Karinui"
Like Shiny Shiny, this was an ending I fell in love with early on. However, unlike Shiny Shiny, this ending is actually really soft, slow, and sad. I remember how hard some of the emotions would punch me at the end of the episode, this song just making me want to burst into tears. To this day I consider it one of the most beautiful songs I've heard.
35. Space Brothers ED 5 - "Beyond"
Honestly, the only reason that this didn't make it onto last year's list is because I couldn't find a good place to link it or watch it without pulling up an actual episode. Well, I'm really glad I found a place to watch it this year, because this ending is amazing. Normally I skip endings, but this one caught my eye from the very beginning. The song is so gorgeous and down-to-earth, perfectly showing the nature of the actual anime. The animation is pretty, though simple, but tells the great story of the two brothers finding their way to the space station. I'm really glad I was able to give Space Brothers the proper love it deserves this year, as it's one of my favorite anime of all time.
24. The Seven Deadly Sins OP 2 - "The Seven Deadly Sins"
Another example where the song makes the opening. While the animation is fantastic and works well with the opening, the strong attachment is what's given me this love for the opening. The lyrics and how they relate both to the characters and to us in real life is absolutely incredible. My favorite is and will forever be the dynamics on the second verse. It's rare modern songs utilize dynamics very drastically, meaning the punch in this song is so much better by it.
33. Wolf’s Rain OP - "Stray"
There's a few new entries to this list where I chose to watch an entire anime just because of its opening, and this is the first of them. When I first saw the cold, urban atmosphere, I was immediately drawn in. The lyrics, catchy yet poignant, added so much to it. But the best part of the entire thing was at the end of the series, when you find out that the entire time the opening took place in Paradise/the new world. That part puts it over the edge to something incredible.
32. Occultic;Nine OP - "Seisuu 3 no Nijou"
This opening came in a weird part of my life. Though, first, even without the personal significance, it's already a great opening. It moves so fast, you're never quite sure of what you just saw, and the song is energetic and fun. The thing that hit me, though, was the line "It is not the length of life, but depth of life." See, as this anime was running, an acquaintance of mine succumbed to cancer. At the same time my grandpa had a stroke and was struggling, with this being the first time I specifically remember a grandparent having significant health issues. As I was listening to this song, that line really struck me and I held on to it strongly. Which is part of why this opening is so high on the list.
31. Jyu Oh Sei OP - "Deep in Your Heart"
The moment I first saw this opening I knew I'd hate it. And I was right. I can't stand it. Why? Because it's so goshdang catchy. And that's also why I love it so much. Every time it comes on, I have to sing along, or at least clap or snap or do something along to with. On top that, it has fantastic animation and (unintentionally) throws off the interpretation of certain characters until they're fully revealed. Both this anime and its opening are criminally underrated.
